67 replies to this topic

[Hando]

(All the usual workshop provisos apply: I can’t be held responsible for any damage – use guide at own risk).


First off a HUGE thank you to Sonnet for discovering the GromAudio Ipod adaptor: you can read about it here

Secondly thanks to Wozza for sending me through his comprehensive guide to removing the head unit a lot of which is copied here.

I take no credit for this guide – all the info I got from other LOC members.

This guide will seem pretty basic to those who have installed their own head units before and are confident with taking their dash apart but hopefully it will be helpful to those not quite so confident (as I was.)

Things you will need:

Masking tape
Pen
Philips Screwdriver
10mm Ratchet/Spanner
4th Gen Ipod or better
GromAudio ipod adaptor: Toyota / Scion / Lexus GROM for iPod interface(GROM-IPOD-TOY) (see Sonnet’s link for where to get these or find them on ebay.)

And a bin…. for throwing away your tape adapters and FM transmitters.


First off prepare your dash – getting the stereo out is VERY likely to scratch your dash so protect it with masking tape (you can slide it down the gaps between the stereo and dash to ensure maximum protection.) Also either mask or remove your gear knob.



Now to remove the top part of the console. My IS has Sat Nav – if you don’t have Sat Nav follow these instructions for removing the dash tray.

With the ignition on and the screen up – remove the panel in front of the screen (there’s a little gap in the front/middle where you can fit a flat headed screwdriver in and lever it up.)

Once it’s off you can turn off ignition and then remove the 2 philips screws that hold it in place.



The Sat nav and vents console just slides forward



There are three plugs in the sat nav – remove these (push down tab then pull cables out.)



Now remove the Sat console.

[Hando]

Now remove the lower panel with the heated seat and Trac control buttons. With both hands pull the tray towards you – it’s not fixed in with any screws. Once it’s out remove the three cables – label these with masking tape and pen so you remember which one is which.






Now you should be able to see the 10mm bolts that hold the stereo and AC panel (it’s all one panel) in place – two at the top, two at the bottom





With those gone you can just slide out the whole unit.


Now at this point I was able to fit the GromAudio cable without removing the AC/Headunit cables just by reaching behind and fitting it in. Feel for the connectors behind the stereo – one of them will be un-used (this is for external CD changers in boot or minidisk players). Work out which of the four connectors that comes with the Grom unit fits and fit it.

Connect the other end to the GromAudio unit and fit the Ipod cable to the other end of the grom unit.

Now it’s time to test that everything works. Plug in Ipod and turn on Ignition. Check that everything works.

[Hando]

Now find somewhere for the Grom unit to live – the cable from grom unit to head unit is pretty short – too short to fit the unit behind the glove compartment. However, there is perfect space right next to the stereo on the driver’s side – it fits snugly and doesn’t need any fixing.


I had chosen to have my ipod live in the little tray under the seat buttons for ease of access so choose the right length of the ipod cable you want exposed and furl/hide the rest somewhere else (on the passenger side next to stereo for me,)

Fit the stereo back in place and replace the bolts.

Reconnect the seat and Trac buttons – I put my ipod connector cable down the back of the button tray and the button tray was still able to slide/clunk back into place leaving the chosen length of ipod cable hanging loose.



Put your Sat Nav/dash tray back in place. Remove masking tape.




Done.

[Hando]

Now how does the unit work?

The Grom Audio unit “fools” the headunit into thinking an external CD changer has been fitted. It converts the headunit commands into ipod commands.

If you have no CD’s in the drive – hit the CD button on the stereo and it will go straight to Ipod (the display will show “CD1”) – if you have CD’s in the drive hit the CD button once to go to CD player (display shows “CD”) then push it again to go to Ipod mode (“CD1”).

In Ipod mode – when you select “Disc 1” – the ipod is in Manual Control – you can control volume/next-prev track on the headunit but that is all. Everything else is controlled from the ipod itself - track/album selection etc.
Choosing Disc 2-9 – puts the Ipod in disc mode – each Disc accesses a different playlist. So you can access your first eight playlists. In this mode you can control volume/prev-nxt track and the RAND button will randomise your current playlist. Using the SCAN button will allow you to move +/- 10 tracks for quick surfing.

Now’s a good time to organise your ipod too – I chose to create playlists based on genre and named them with numerals at the front.




So there you go – the whole job takes about an hour and the difference in sound versus tape/FM adapters is immense as is the increased convenience/safety of being able to control everything via the head unit.

[swfcdan]

great work there mate!!

now only if i knew if it worked on the bottom loader, may take the gamble and buy one, see if it does

[SHAHZ]

Nice write up hando @Dan ive just this morning sent a picture of my bottom loading head unit to the grom support team (as requested) to check compatability, will let you know the outcome as soon as they respond

[Hando]

Nice write up hando @Dan ive just this morning sent a picture of my bottom loading head unit to the grom support team (as requested) to check compatability, will let you know the outcome as soon as they respond

Cheers - Shahz.


I'm pretty sure it will work with a bottom-loader as long as it has the spare unused slot. The Grom unit comes with 4 different connectors - fingers crossed they confirm that for you.

[swfcdan]

Nice write up hando @Dan ive just this morning sent a picture of my bottom loading head unit to the grom support team (as requested) to check compatability, will let you know the outcome as soon as they respond

much appreciated SHAHZ

[SHAHZ]

Only problem is the waiting, with grom in the states their just waking up

[Vyker]

Brilliant Hando, thanks for this.

I too, like Dan, am waiting for confirmation that it will work with a bottom loading unit.

Fingers crossed.

[SHAHZ]

Good news fella's, i received an email yesterday from Grom confirming that the device will work with my head unit (2000, bottom loading).....get ordering people

[swfcdan]

great stuff! going to order one later

SHAHZ, have you ordered via ebay or direct from their site?

[SHAHZ]

i ordered via ebay, placed bid, ending tonight ......would be good if someone arranged a GB with them, however that would probably mean waiting a while to get the numbers together, i would loved to have arranged this but just havent got the time these days.....

[swfcdan]

i ordered via ebay, placed bid, ending tonight ......would be good if someone arranged a GB with them, however that would probably mean waiting a while to get the numbers together, i would loved to have arranged this but just havent got the time these days.....

ditto, im away alot over xmas, plus im too impatient and want it now!

have you got the ebay link mate?

i wont outbid you! hehe, ill do a buy it now if they have them

[SHAHZ]

Here you go mate........i hate auctions....didnt spot the buy it now until after i bid on it .....my excuse is that iv got a flu