Tesla-style Infotainment For Your Nissan R35 GT-R! - T-Rex Pro Kit comprehensive review and tips

[@RevZafod]

Just got my one-owner first-delivered from my dealer 2009 GT-R back from JoTech in Gqrland with the T-Rex installed, and I'm amazed at how much better it is than the original. Thanks for a great video tour, Kevin. I'll have fun learning more for my 83rd birthday tomorrow.

[@dominopalumbo2168]

Great video! Very informative. Something about you looking awesome, and honestly you had me at T-Rex haha XD

[@23gt17]

You and your dinosaur fetish Dom lol.

[@kennyq45]

This is slick...game changer for the infotainment system.

[@23gt17]

It definitely was a cool upgrade for my 2010. There's a newer version out now apparently with an even larger screen.

[@j_br3ezy]

Question? How do u reboot the system? Whenever we open the carplay app it says that its waiting to connect to our phone, even though our bluetooth says connected. We dont know why, any help?

[@23gt17]

The only way to reboot it that I know of is to disconnect the car battery for a short time like 10 seconds or so then reconnect. I've had to do it a couple of times when my unit has behaved oddly. If that doesn't work I'd email T-rex. They're fairly responsive - I had to do that a couple months ago to get my Ecutek app working properly.

[@cb8491]

Did you ever get the front camera working?

[@23gt17]

Sorry, never got around to it.

[@cb8491]

How do you access the maintenance area that was on the OEM unit. Example.. resetting oil maintenance warnings / intervals? Is that available on the T-Rex?

[@23gt17]

The original maintenance intervals are integrated into the OEM head unit and AFAIK the T-Rex doesn't have a similar setup but since it's an Android system you could just download a maintenance app to do the same thing basically. I never used the OEM one myself anyway since I have several cars and motorcycles to keep track of so I used an app on my phone instead.

[@davidjd123]

what is that thing on your mirror, it looks like a dash/interior camera and a screen for a camera?

[@23gt17]

Yup, that's exactly what it is! It's a dual camera dashcam with a screen built into a clip-on mirror unit. It's an old unit that's no longer being made but it still works so I haven't replaced it.

[@jeitechnologiesinc.2068]

Great informative video. You had me convinced up until the end where the main function of having the display is to monitor the car and not for infotainment purposes which is why Nissan didn't care making infotainment the main focus, but more track/race oriented. Such a shame you lose all that vital info/ gauges. However I must say great in depth video , and you really convinced me to get this unit, however is there a way to run the MFD and this unit simultaneously?

[@23gt17]

Unfortunately since the system replaces the whole of the old infotainment system there's no way to retain the original MFD. You can however have gauges like the original MFD but currently it's only on cars tuned with ECUTek. T-Rex said they were developing a plug-in unit that would allow non-tuned cars or ones running different ECU setups to have gauges as well but there haven't been any updates on that for some time.

[@U9LyKwaN]

Hi do you know what is the default password/pin for the settings please? At 19:12 is one of them. There is another one requiring password/pin but I can't find that info.. Have emailed T-Rex but still waiting for their reply

[@23gt17]

Sorry but I don't have it. I haven't really had to delve into the settings that deeply. I hope T-Rex gets back to you soon.

[@Sticowater]

Did u get the password?

[@Bamfx1]

You said you have a cobb, do you have the switchable maps installed and if you do how do you tell which map you are in as the cobb uses the digital boost gauge to show you which map you are in

[@23gt17]

Yes, I have switchable maps but unfortunately the new system doesn't let me switch them anymore since the boost gauge doesn't display. Yet another reason it's better to have ECUTek if you opt for this unit.

[@Bamfx1]

@@23gt17 when you installed the unit did it look possible to splice into the wires so that it sends information to both the original screen and the TRex unit?

[@23gt17]

@@Bamfx1 No, this unit totally replaces all the wiring for the original screen. You don't just get rid of the screen but also the OEM infotainment module that controls it. If you were to try and run both you'd have to basically make an entirely new harness and then try to fit twice the amount of stuff into the same amount of space so it really wouldn't be feasible.

[@Bamfx1]

Hi just wanted to let you know that the switchable maps still work with the trex screen, if you plug in the Cobb and go to live data - active map, and then switch maps as normal on the steering wheel you can still switch maps without needing the original mfd

[@ravihingrickrude7506]

Awesome vid! I own an R32 and run a Haltech with the IC7. I no longer need the center console gauges and would like to do this in the center console any suggestions?

[@23gt17]

Hi! Sorry for the late reply but I was on vacation. If you want to do something similar in an R32, since you run Haltech then a custom Android tablet install with a CANBUS interface is probably your best bet to get the data off your sensors and into the tablet. I'm sure that'd be a really cool system once done. I opted to keep my R32 looking more traditional with the gauges still there but gussied up with some aluminum bezels and then have a small CANBUS display hooked to my ProEFI ECU and on a windshield mount.

[@ThePressonit]

This is all I've ever wanted.

[@23gt17]

It's certainly a cool system :)

[@ghostrockzcrew]

Nice Video! How did you change the background from the screen? (Im still stuck with the factory background picture from the red car)

[@23gt17]

There's a couple of different ways you can do it. It's basically the same as a regular Android tablet so one way is to hold your finger on any blank spot on the screen until the menu comes up and then select "Wallpaper". That way can be a bit cumbersome though because it'll ask you where to look for the image like in Google Drive. I found it easier to just select the "Gallery" app where all the photos are stored. The unit has a bunch of preloaded wallpapers in there or you can transfer your own from Drive. Click a picture you like then hit the icon on the bottom left that looks like a little screen and it'll set it as your wallpaper and give you a "set successful" message. You can also click on "Settings" and do it there but just picking from your Gallery photos is easier.

[@Sticowater]

@@23gt17there is no backgrounds, and the red car doesn’t go away. There is a constant buzzing sound also

[@23gt17]

@@Sticowater If you don't have any preloaded backgrounds you can transfer some to the device if you have it connected to the internet and then use the methods I mentioned in my earlier comment to select them. As for the buzzing sound, if you mean you can play music but there's a buzzing in the background then that's a known issue with the unit outputs and you have to wire in a line converter to eliminate it - there's a guide on T-Rex's page for that: t-rex.tech/support/faqs/manuals/

[@davidjd123]

My only gripe is the way the app icons are scattered, I wonder if theres a way to make it more like buttons or other skins that doesn't look too much like a ipad.Either way I think I want this unit.

[@23gt17]

It's basically a standard Android OS underneath so there probably are additional customization options you can explore if you know enough about the system. I've personally been fine with just minor appearance tweaks like the wallpaper and such since I'm more used to iOS myself. It continues to work much better than the old, glitchy modded head unit I had in my car so that's the important thing for me :)

[@TyMcAuley]

Great video, thanks so much for the info.. interested to hear how you feel about the unit after a few months and if any issues have surfaced?

[@23gt17]

I still really like it. Haven't had any major problems. Apart from the niggles I mentioned in the video there was one time the AC controls on the tablet wouldn't respond even though the physical buttons and knob still worked. The problem went away after I reset the system by disconnecting the battery for a bit. I think it may have been caused by my car being down and off power for about a month while the tranny was getting fixed. Since then it's been back to normal though and it was fine during a quick road trip a couple of weeks ago after my car was repaired. I haven't heard anything yet about that CanDo kit that they said would allow non-ECUTek users to run gauges so that's the one big bummer. I think I'll email T-Rex and see if there's any info on that although I've been considering a switch to ECUTek anyway.

[@michaelellis732]

Just bought a GT-R with one of these in it last month. It was great until about a week ago. I wanted to learn how it worked, so I messed around with some buttons. Now it will not allow my phone to stay connected to Bluetooth for more than 5 seconds, and I have zero access to temperature controls(literally none) I can’t see the information bar at the top unless I swipe down now.

[@23gt17]

That sucks. Have you tried a hard reset on the unit by disconnecting the battery for a bit then reconnecting? I've had my unit glitch a couple of times but resetting it that way fixed the issue.

[@abouttimebrewing3215]

Thank you for the review, it is very well done! I paid like $2,500 for an upgrade from the 2010 to the 2012 head unit with a custom cable years ago which has been really cool but believe it or not, I can't get a GPS map upgrade because the VIN doesn't match the head unit year. So stupid and the GPS has no idea where I am now. So this looks like a better alternative. Do you know if it has all the same settings as the factory unit like setting reminders for oil, transmission etc.? Do you know if the stock GPS antenna will work with it? Thank you, Daniel.

[@23gt17]

Sorry but this unit doesn't quite have all the capabilities of the stock unit but you gain a lot of stuff in return that the older OEM systems couldn't do like better Bluetooth support and app integration. You won't get service reminders - I use an app on my phone anyway in my case since I have to track multiple cars. The biggest loss is the stock gauges but if you're tuned with ECUTek you can substitute custom ones using their app to replace them. I can't remember for sure when I had mine out a while back if it had a plug for a GPS antenna input - IIRC the GPS is integrated into the unit like a regular tablet or mobile phone. In any case I haven't found it to have any issues getting a signal. Hope that helps!

[@abouttimebrewing3215]

@@23gt17 Thank you, I ordered one and the ECUtek unit just to transmit information for the gauges. I have a Cobb tune however, I'm seriously considering switching to ECUtek because of all the integration and features. The Cobb transmission tune is unimpressive except that it revs higher between gear changes where the stock will have you in 6th gear doing 35 MPH. The ECUtek transmission tuning seems much better. Cheers!

[@23gt17]

@@abouttimebrewing3215 You're welcome! Hope that EcuTek tune works well for you! Been meaning to do the same with my car but keep having to push it back because of working on other projects lol.

[@davidb6515]

I've just ordered this and getting it fitted on Monday (with rear view camera so not going to bother fitting myself) I can't find anywhere online where you can access the USB though. Once the unit is fitted, am I going to be able to access the USB port? If not I should probably get a USB and lightning cable in with the install and have them fed through to somewhere useful in the cockpit.

[@23gt17]

The USB is in the back of the T-Rex unit so once it's installed it can't be accessed unless you take it apart again. Running a cable like you said during the install is the best solution. I already had a USB input wired into my glove box from my old system so the installer just connected that to the T-Rex in my case. I've only used it a couple of times though just to experiment with CarPlay and using a USB stick for music but generally I just use my phone via Bluetooth and the native apps on the unit.

[@star32godzilla]

What seats are these in your GTR, if you don’t mind me asking?

[@23gt17]

They're Cobra Misano 30s. Really awesome seats. Italian leather, memory foam padding, ultralight carbon shell, aluminum supports, and great bolsters. Very comfy too even on long drives as long as they fit you right.

[@myroadtours6147]

Cool system, I would miss my gauges and Satellite radio though.

[@Jamezy316]

what guages would you be missing? It has an app on the screen that puts up a full screen of gauges. but this time you have far more gauges that read everything. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXuzeY1-f8dpba8 11:25 in that video link

[@たまちゃんねる-k1n]

Did all the dashboard meters work after installing the ECUTEK? Is the meter design installed from the beginning? Please tell me.

[@23gt17]

I don't have ECUtek myself so I can't say firsthand - I plan on retuning my car with it but been busy with other stuff. The app is built in though and several owners have tested it and it works well from what I've heard. There's more info on this forum thread: www.gtr.co.uk/threads/r35-gt-r-t-rex-pro-kit-mfd-upgrade-android-google-maps-nav-ecutek-video-music-radio-torque-etc.572671/

[@davidw5504]

Hey man, new subscriber here, I love your content, keep up the good work! I'm considering this for my r35, how is your unit holding up over time? Any issues? Regrets?

[@23gt17]

Thanks for subscribing! My unit's held up fine so far even with the brutal Arizona heat. No real regrets or issues other than me not having gotten around to remapping my car with ECUTek so I can have gauges again (been too busy with my other cars lol). I'm still able to check important stuff like temps with the car info screen the unit has just not with the nice gauge interface the car originally had. Hopefully this year I can get an ECUTek remap but I'll need to research how their latest revisions to conform with emissions regs will affect things if I switch tuning especially since I was planning on switching back to a catted midpipe. Overall though I'm still very happy with the unit especially since it helps the R35 interior look more up-to-date with the large screen that's similar to what most modern cars have nowadays.

[@davidw5504]

@@23gt17 Thank you so much for taking the time to reply my friend. I am already on ecutek so I am strongly considering the trex unit. I like you, want to modernize the interior of the gtr a bit. My only concern now is that I am also running an armytrix valvetronic exhaust which is already using my OBD2 port, so I would need to get a splitter to run the ecutek dongle and exhaust, and may only be able to have one of them on at a given time. Thanks again and I am jelly of your impressive stable of GTRs! Nice work!! If you are ever in the LA/Orange County area hit me up!!

[@23gt17]

@@davidw5504 Happy to help! Sorry for the late reply but I just got back from an overseas trip. Hopefully it works out for you with getting the ECUTek gauges to work together with your exhaust!

[@Kushandmush]

My car link Apple CarPlay doesn’t seem to detect. Do you think a dongle will fix the problem?

[@23gt17]

Were you trying to connect wirelessly or by cable? AFAIK the unit doesn't support wireless CarPlay but when I tried it on my car I just connected my phone via USB cable, clicked on the car link app and it connected fine. I haven't had much use for CarPlay though since I usually just use the native apps on the unit while my iPhone just acts as a hotspot.

[@scottcarr1534]

I just purchased a 2009 GT-R. I have the same unit. Can anyone please tell me, is TREX out of business? I have half gauges, everything else functional. Just trying to find an updated firmware so I may have all my gauges functional. Thanks so much. SC - New Hampshire.

[@23gt17]

Hi. Sorry for the late reply - just got back from an overseas trip. AFAIK T-Rex is still in business and regularly post on their Facebook page. In fact, last November they were posting about a newer version of this kit with a larger screen. If you haven't gotten hold of them yet you might want to go to their FB page and reach out to them there: facebook.com/groups/322990152018416

[@srt4turbo1]

you lose all the gauges with this...?

[@23gt17]

Yes, it replaces the factory MFD entirely. You can have custom gauges configured though if you're tuned on ECUTek by running the ECUTek app on the system.

[@davidmelgar7042]

What kind of dash cam/rear view mirror do you use on your R35?

[@23gt17]

Oh, mine's a really old model called the Falcon Zero that's no longer produced. I got it way back in 2015 and it still works so I've kept it but I use Roav by Anker cams in my other cars since they've proven better at handling the Arizona heat in my cars that are used more on a daily basis. Eventually I'll get a better unit for my R35 too.

[@monyreach3718]

How can I buy this screen

[@23gt17]

There's a link in the video description to T-Rex Tech's website where you can order from them or find a dealer that you can buy it from and have it installed. Here it is again: t-rex.tech/products/

[@ManuelMonster19]

Awesome video.

[@23gt17]

Thanks Manny!

[@saizn9sr]

System seems cool, but that interface just seems so early 2000s. It's bad. I would be all over this if there were an updated UI that made it a bit more modern.

[@23gt17]

It's basically a standard Android tablet UI so I'm fine with it but since the T-Rex is essentially a full featured Android unit maybe someone with programming skill who really wants a more custom interface can modify it to their taste. The company seems to be open to collaborating with users on improving the system based on their FB and forum posts.

[@21bombsquad]

Make me wanna go back to my ps3

[@23gt17]

With no backwards compatibility in the PS5 I know I wanna go back to my PS3 sometimes myself lol.

[@DemonEyes622]

when you were parked, i felt you could have recorded most of the video with the engine off. it was irritating to hear it over everything. i know there was a minute to show engine data. i had to skip ahead of most of it, due to the exhaust noise.

[@23gt17]

Sorry about that but I didn't want to run down my battery - it wasn't a quick thing to explain all the features of the system.

[@Supaswol]

This thing looks awful, so amateur looking.

[@SaucyGarage]

Looks better than the factory one!

[@stopherrr]

There’s one coming out by Speed by Design. Looks way better.