2011 LR4 Apple CarPlay upgrade?

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Bexar093

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I am astonished to find the Crutchfield.com doesn’t recommend replacing the factory head unit on the LR4 and they offer no replacement options.
On the forum, I saw a thread for 2013 LR4, however, that did not fit the 2010-2012 LR4’s setup.

My setup is the “logic 7” or Harman Kardon Logic7 Surround System.

Any thoughts?
 

mm3846

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The same upgrades for the 13 are available for the 10-12s. You can spend your money on navtool or naviplus (800-1200 bucks or so) or grab one from china through aliexpress. Those will run you 3-500. Just make sure you find the right one for the older system, the sellers on aliexpress are pretty savvy. if you message the seller about one you found for a 13 and say you have the older system they'll more than likely have a unit for you.
 

Bexar093

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The same upgrades for the 13 are available for the 10-12s. You can spend your money on navtool or naviplus (800-1200 bucks or so) or grab one from china through aliexpress. Those will run you 3-500. Just make sure you find the right one for the older system, the sellers on aliexpress are pretty savvy. if you message the seller about one you found for a 13 and say you have the older system they'll more than likely have a unit for you.
Thank you for the info…I will try the Alie through the link in the other post.
 

Tapps33

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Yeah, I've been searching for a long time for something for my truck. (I have a 2010 LR4). The problem exists because our trucks have the MOST 2.0 network and the 12+ trucks have the MOST 2.1 network. I'm still trying to figure out a way to swap everything over and upgrade to the newer network....

That said, I think just buying the $800 tablet upgrade is the way to go. Originally they didn't make them for our models, but it appears they do now. That said, I have never tested it.

I do know some other companies also make a few adapter cables to plug in aftermarket head units....the only down side here is that when you go with those units, you lose the 4x4 info from the OEM system. (You won't lose this with the tablet system from China)

Actually, just found it on eBay:

 

Matt1t

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Wow, that's pretty slick. Didn't know a tablet unit was an option....
 

Tapps33

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Yeah, I'm thinking about it myself as it's really the only way I've found to upgrade the NAV/multimedia system seamlessly. There are a lot of bluetooth modules that work and people are using with great success. However, the tablet seems to be the only way to upgrade the entire system while keeping your OEM display information. Don't get me wrong, I personally really like some of the new aftermarket head units coming out, and I think given the age of my sound system, a newer head unit with some new amps and speakers....bypassing the LR system altogether would be an amazing upgrade.

Unfortunately, every now and again, I do go off roading and like the display, but all the system functions, like setting the clock and date are buried in there too.

One should also consider price.... While the unit I found on eBay yesterday was $1200, I've seen these things on alibaba, or some other "amazon-esq" website for $600-$800 depending on memory size. I'd look around before you pull the trigger.

As for me, once my engine swap is done, I believe I'll be in the market for one of these tablets. Worst case, if I hate it, I can always go back to stock!
 

TahoeDog

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I just finished installing the NaviPlus (Australia) CarPlay system in my 2011 LR4 and it works GREAT, with one exception. The component that provides the wireless connectivity is always on and runs the battery down. Documentation is not great, but NaviPlus support was excellent with my few installation questions. They just showed me how to re-wire the power connection into the AUX feed so they unit will fully shutdown when the doors are locked. Looks like a simple wire cut/splice with minimal soldering.

I would say the installation was hard, 7 out of 10, and not for the faint of heart as you have tear apart the entire console and solder a wire (or two) and then figure out how to place all the components and 2 circuit boards back into a small space. But well worth it!

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This should *hopefully* allow the NaviPlus system to fully power off when the doors are locked...
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Quick update. I just finished reconnecting the power lead to the ACC connection on the Video unit connector and it solved the "always powered on" issue. WiFi/Bluetooth NaviPlus/Carplay signals go off when the doors are locked.
 
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mm3846

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Did you get the new version that retains the factory Nav? That one is tempting, but its a lot of $$ to upgrade from what I have which works 90% as well as that one.
 

TahoeDog

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@mm3846 Yes, the NaviPlus I installed retains the factory Nav (I think they always have). Here's the model I purchased:

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You simply hold down the NAV button for a short time and the CarPlay interface comes up. Autoconnect works great. Also has an auto night mode that will turn the CarPlay interfaces dark when the lights come one. To activate this, I just had to solder the ILL wire from the NaviPlus to the interior light wire going to the start/stop switch. Handy to make the map easier to read at night. I couldn't find any distributors in the US, so I ordered directly and did the install myself as I couldn't find any local dealers who were willing to install it based on my "old" 2011 LR4. I found an installer that would install a different system, but it needed a 2012 or newer car :(. However, I'm glad I went with the NaviPlus as I like the features and operation better that some of the other systems out there.

Highly recommend if you can stomach the install. Requires 3 solder/splice connections (2 power cables to ACC wire on the original LR4 Video screen connector, 1 for the dark/night mode). Other than that it's just a tedious take-apart job, taping 2 small circuit boards in place, and cabling up the 2 boxes supplied in the kit. Then figuring out how to run all the cables and fit the boxes back in place.



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