no issues...

It’s still kicking. I will do a 4+ year review sometime this month…so stay tuned. It certainly extends the longevity of the car to at least bring some modern day tech to a 20 year old car..

Okay, thanks for the quick response. We are waiting for a new report. I wish you success.

Go for it!

Yes we need to update videos…we will do soon as part of some major updates. There is a Match Level Height toggle under the main exterior or interior wall settings = unselect that or see on each wall as you click on it - it is on the properties panel that shows on the right.

@@KrisCone Great, I look forward to the updates and videos. Now could you please tell me where to find the plan that I've been working on for many, many hours? I left for a bit and was logged out, came back to my laptop, and was able to log in this time, but my plan was gone. I did save the plan, yet I cannot find it!!!!! I only see NEW at the top and nothing under my 2d-3d space. Ughhh help please, I was almost happy with the layout. (I did send a message via the feedback tab.)

Yes I like it and no I do not have any rattles...it fits in pretty snug. I think it is worth it.

@@KrisCone Great, thank you very much for the quick reply! Your videos are extremely helpful as well as your detailed description. I have a 2004 GX470 purchased new and we love it! Best car we’ve ever had and will keep it forever. With just 115k miles and driving 3k per year now it will last us another 30 years although we won’t likely be around :-). We’re in our 70’s. Thanks again Kris!

​@@chuckfrazier2007 Cool. I have had ours since 1500 miles, now about 165,000. I shohuld do a video on the mods I have done, now that my son, who we initially bought it because of him, is 19. Metaltech bumper, powdercoated the stock rims and put KO2s on them, the screen and getting a new sexy TRD style grill. Now I will say gas mileage has suffered but it looks a lot cooler....

@@KrisCone That sounds really nice Kris! I’m just starting to use Lucas Fuel Treatment. I’ve read hundreds of reviews and people are seeing anywhere from 2-7 mpg increases along with much smoother idles. I’ll keep you informed if I personally notice a difference.

You can totally install it yourself. the hardest part would be dealing with the backup camera if you have to put one in. Putting the unit in the GX is pretty straight forward. Just look at the back and plug in the USB to the right port and do not plugin an hdmi as that renders the USB useless. Pry up around the cup holder and then pry the side plastic trim. Once you get to the wood trim on each side pull towards you gently from the bottom and then up and those come out, unplug the connectors, and then unscrew the frame, etc. I have taken mine out about 5 times now for various reasons and plugs back in easily.

There should be a version for it - you just need to tell them when you buy what version you have.

@@KrisCone thanks

this version did not have it built in as it was a PX3. I have upgraded to the PX6 which does have CarPlay built in and I find it does connect pretty reliably now.

It does keep the same temparate when you turn back on, based on my experience.

It still works…but I have had the temperature buttons on both sides break - it appears to be a manufacturing defect in the plastic as it broke where the button panel is screwed into the plastic housing itself. It could be my son just pressed on them hard but I doubt it. I took it apart and glued it but not sure how long it will last. Since I need the physical buttons in my 2003 Lexus, it is an issue for me. The reseller I got it from will not stand behind their 1 year warranty, so I am trying to at least see if I can buy a replacement plastic frame from ZhiFang, the manufacturer…but so far they have not responded to any of my requests. If you use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto no need to a hotspot. The data connection allows you to use Apple Maps, Waze, google, etc…and frankly 98% of the time you would host be using CarPlay, if you are an iOS person. I still think it is worth it given the functionality it gives you but the button thing needs to get fixed. Not sure who else has this issue. There is a facebook group on this topic and Sergey, one of the admins does sell custom firmware for the unit that I highly recommend as it fixes most of the software issues. facebook.com/groups/tesla.style.FW.HU/?ref=share.

@@KrisCone Does the carplay use your cell phone still? That link doesn't work anymore. Is this the same stereo from Phoenix?

@@davidlesley8884 yes Carplay uses your cell phone for data. it is basically a way to display apps to the screen it is connected to. Not every app on your phone can be used with Carplay, but apps like Waze, Google Maps, Pandora, Audible, Music work. Bigger buttons, less functionality to minimize distractions....but no other hotspot is needed. Your phone is the hotspot. All of these units from what I can tell that everyone sells are made by ZhiFang. Phoenix and others are just resellers of the unit. Sergey's custom firmware fixes a lot of the software problems people experience with the stock software.

It sounds fine….but I have also had to fix my ML speakers with new foam several times. Some people complain about the sound, I think it is fine unless you go too loud. Bottom line for me is I like all of the other stuff you get and it is worth it if you are keeping your rig for some time. I did get a 2020 Kona for another driver and it has CarPlay built in an it works, added a wireless dongle and it is now wireless. So the convenience of having integrated apps is big, especially for a car that is approaching 20 years old.

I did not get it fixed but it is not that big of a deal. I did recently put in the OEM unit to check something out and I did confirm there is no way to change the temp on the screen, so i think it is just the way it was and the screen is mimicking that. I have the right harness in it.

@@KrisCone thanks for the reply. Do you know how to change the images on the various screens?

@@rainydaytoast1490 if you go to the folder icon, you will see various images there. Just create new images (like with Canva) formatted for your car screen and name the the exact same thing as what you see, upload them to that root folder and delete the other ones. Upgrade with Sergey's custom firmware he gives them to you and an animated boot logo too.

Congrats! My son is going to college in the fall and he will not be taking the car, so I get to drive it again. I have had ours since 1400 miles back in 2003 and I still like driving it. I put a Metaltech bumper on the front - since I hit someone...just used the money to buy that and my son and I put it on ourselves. It looks badass, and it now has KO2 tires as well, so definitely not a mall crawler now. Sergey's custom firmware is a bit plus so do that - what comes with the unit is crap. See the link to his facebook group there.

Ah, did not notice that. thanks!

here is my longer video of the whole unit... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmLJdmh-m52MkLs

Yes you can skip the songs with the arrow buttons on the steering wheel. the voice button also will mute it. The heating stays at the previous setting. As you see on mine I still have to use the physical buttons to change the temp - the onscreen buttons do not work on my 2003 but I think that is the way it was with the original screen too so no big deal there. I paid $572 with shipping and they did charge tax. I just checked Phoenix Automotive and they have some open box units for around that price, so I would recommend buying from them (you can also save 10% if you use the referral code in the description). I bought a newer unit PX6 and I will tell you these Chinese resellers give ZERO support and if you have to send it back for some reason you are going to pay a lot of money to ship it back to China. With Phoenix you send it back to them in LA. Once you get it I highly recommend gettings Sergey's custom firmware as it overwrites the crap software that comes with it and you can select from 20+ themes and do other customizations, and it have over the air updates. And while my new unit had the built in carplay, I reverted back to using the Carlinkit dongle as it is more reliable of a connection. It works with wireless or wired - I have it 3M taped on the inside center console tied into the 4 port USB hub. I am working on a review of Sergey's firmware and I will update the description here and put a link to it on this video when done. Subscribe to the channel and you will get notified when I am done.

I am not sure...my assumption is if it can handle the ML it can handle anything. The device is not real car specific other than the canbus and harness

Hi Manu. I think what you are seeing is Carlauncher which is an app you can download from the google play store. However, since then I went with Sergey's custom firmware and I am just using one of his themes for that main view which has my car and the compass, gyro animations. He has a Facebook group you should join, and then use the Messenger feature to get in touch with him - he is the admin of the group. His firmware is $100 but it 1. updates your unit to Android 9, adds over the air updates, it fixes a lot of bugs in the crappy Chinese firmware that comes with the unit (for example that compass never worked before, now it works) and adds a lot of features and themes you can select right from the user Settings menu vs having to know the password and then guess what theme you are selecting by pressing on something with Chinese text. See the gallery on the facebook group for the themes. Join here facebook.com/groups/tesla.style.FW.HU I keep meaning to make a video of my new PX6 with his updated firmware...maybe will do soon. He is from Russia but you can see a lot of people are very happy with his firmware and support provided. I know it can be a little leery just sending someone $100 from wherever, but he is legit. I updated my PX3 and he gave me a free update for my PX6 and I sold my PX3 so that person also got his firmware. Also while I have the PX6 and it came with zLink I am still using the Carlinkit dongle (see amazon link in description) because it reliably connects and it does have OTA updates as well, farily often. My son likes the wired version which connects immediately, I use wireless which connects in 15 to 20 seconds. Good luck!

I really do not notice a difference, other than the fact my speakers have systematically gone bad, which I have fixed with some new foam surround....just this week the sub woofer was sounding bad so picked up a foam surround, disassembled everything and sounds great now.

The nav unit is useless...I just left it there in case I sell the car and want to put the old screen back in. The CD changer can work - there is a Console button and there is a way to get to it there....but with Apple Carplay or bluetooth before that, I don't think it the CD unit has gotten any plays in 5 years anyway. I do not have a rear entertainment system...so not sure - there are connections for the android unit for external monitors and I think there is a way to project a video to them but I have not gotten into that part.

Not sure but I highly recommend buying Sergey's custom firmware which puts in a bunch of new settings, upgraded my unit to Android 8 and it now has over the air updates. You can also easily change the themes. See this facebook group for details. I bought his stuff as have others. Makes a big difference from the AOL like software that comes with the units... facebook.com/groups/tesla.style.FW.HU

this is the PX3 in this video. I have since upgraded to the PX6. It is a little faster but I upgraded the old with Sergey's custom firmware and frankly I could not tell much of a difference. I even ditched the zlink app which is how the builtin carplay works and went back to the carlinkit usb dongle as it was more reliable connection wise. I bought off of Aliexpress. If You want ANY kind of support, do not buy from them because if something is not right it is going to be impossible to get help...or even figure out how to sent it back. I bought a PX6 from Phoenix and they did help me with some questions and issues. So unlike some others, my support experience was fine and if needed you can ship it back to a US address. These units appear to all be made by the same manufacturer and the software that comes with them all appears to be the same. Sergey's software is great and now includes over the air updates. That is the biggest difference maker I can see.

no they do not sell these things.... I hear it also varies on which bestbuy would install it. I would call them to make sure...but it is certainly doable to install yourself.

Your connected to wifi - either your home or phone? What nav? I just use Maps via Applecarplay or the downloadable Waze or Google Maps app...

Kris Cone I have the same screen as yours and it’s showing it’s connected to WiFi but I can still use google maps even when offline. Everytime I want to use the GPS, it says it can’t connect and try again later.

Kris Cone how much did Best Buy charge you for the this service?

@@yammiihabibi9391 it was their $199 total tech package which i did because I had 2 cars to do anyway....

I think so....not 100% sure.

I just kept the same ones. I did repair the fronts as the foam came off but just glued them

@@KrisCone Thanks for answering. Do you know the sizes for each speaker at every door? My speakers are all blown out but I dont know where to look to purchase more. Any info will help. Thanks!

@@MrRastafari510 I would just check on ebay - there are OEM and aftermarket options. OEM will be a lot more. www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=lexus+gx+470+speakers&_sacat=0 I buy a fair amount of stuff on ebay (just bought new shots and Arnott air bags) and all good... and they do have some buyer protections.

@@KrisCone Thank you kind good sir.

I still like it. I am sure I could tweak the sound more...sounds fine to me. Others have said it is crap. I would say maybe not as good as the original but I like all of the other functionality the unit provides so it is good. I did install Sergey's firmware. I will probably do a video on that at some point. I was going to upgrade to the PX6 but keeping the older unit for now. Those with the new say the built in carplay has issues so I can't opine to that..

Yes, mine is a 2003 GX with Mark Levinson and Nav and you see the end result. I did end up installing Segey's custom firmware - I will do a review because it makes the stock software a lot better....I have not used Spotify but should work and display album like Apple CarPlay does...

Also I have seen other people's comments on other groups about Phoenix and bad customer service. I have used them and they were pretty good.... compared to the Chinese reseller I bought my unit from, they were stellar. The issue with buying direct from China is there is ZERO customer support if you have a problem. Not to mention a lot of Chinese in the menu. Sergey's firmware updated things, even the whole unit to Android 8 which I was not expecting and you can change themes right under settings.

Kris Cone thanks for the response. Okay gays good to know. I’m in the market for a GX but am not coming across many non nav ones, so it’s good to know this is an option at least. How much did the entire setup with the new side panels end up costing?

You need the Autokit app for the carlinkit apple carplay dongle to work....check their website for a download of that app - I do not think it is in the google playstore.

Is is a change in the theme....I can't tell you which one because they are all in Chinese, I just selected and rebooted to see what it was.... I have learned there is a Russian guy that is selling a complete custom firmware package that includes 20 different themes for $100. Sergey is his name. I am in the process of upgrading to the PX6 (had to send the one unit I got back) and I may do it for that. You can see more here facebook.com/groups/tesla.style.FW.HU/permalink/1781270058847426/ and message him on facebook. Unfortunately my unit had some of these things in Chinese as you see....

it is at about 19:12 where you see the UI Style and UI Number....it is changing one of those....

Those settings seem to only change the theme of the icons on top and the look of the on-screen A/C controls

There are buttons on the side that you use to change the temp, put it on auto, etc

They do! Use my referral link and then go to products and look under Toyota. You can save some money with the link. refrr.app/ujMu2q5Bas/62799 Just make sure to get the PX6 6 core version as that is the most up to date version and I think they all come with Carplay/Android auto built in so you do not have to mess around with adapters anymore.