I went on the scion livechat and tried to find out if I would be able to get an ipod capable 2006 headunit for my 05 TC and had no such luck. I think the guy was full of it.

Anybody else know anything re: upgrading headunits?

Please wait for a Scion Customer Advocate to respond. You are number 1 in queue.
You are now chatting with Dave
Dave: Good Morning Derek
Dave: Welcome to our live chat service.
Derek: I have a 2005 Scion TC and would like to get the 2006 Ipod Headunit. How do i go about doing that?
Dave: The 2006 unit is not compatible with the 2005 models.
Derek: why not? the car is almost identical
Dave: There a few techincal differences.
Derek: what is the difference?
Dave: They are not made available to the public.
Derek: ok.. but i mean wiring is the same as like all toyotas 2003 and up
Derek: you are saying that now that has all changed?
Dave: What I am saying is that the units are not compatible and we are not at liberty to disclose the differences because we do not recommend modifying the Scions with not authorized accessories.
Dave: Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Derek: so instead of buying a new headunit from scion
Derek: i should buy one from another company
Derek: ?
Dave: Your Scion should not be modified with non-genuine Scion products. Modification with such products could affect your vehicle's performance, safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. Also remember that any damage or performance problems resulting from modifications may not be covered under warranty.
Derek: then how should I use my ipod with my scion?
Dave: We do not have any suggestions for using an iPod.

 

He isn't full of it....all threads about the new HU state that it isn't backwards compatible.

Regarding differences....not sure what they are...but wow is that guy retarded....the Scion is made for modification but you shouldn't?

 

Funny Scion even show xA's and xB's on TV commercials with non-genuine Scion parts, that's crap.

"I'm not at liberty to disclose the differences" is the same as "I (Dave) have no f***ing clue what I'm talking about nor do I have any technical knowledge on the new stereo".

Unless Scion/Toyota completely changed their wiring harness, there shouldn't be any reason why it wouldn't work.

 

it's a whole new radio unit guys . . . there isn't a way to retro fit it b/c i't snot an upgraded radio, it's a new one. if you want to upgrade to get ipod on an 05, get and itrip or buy a stereo and ipod 2 car or something.

 

I'm going to try it out as soon as i get my hands on a 2006 radio.

 

Ok I understand it's a new radio but the car isn't. People have taken Scion radio's and have put them in other Toyota's and they have worked fine. A Toyota harness is a Toyota harness, plain and simple. If they did not change the harness, it should work.

By them saying that they canot release that info is just plain BS to me. If the harness if different, just say the harness is different, what's with all the secrets? The only thing that should change is the addition of the jack for the steering wheel mounted controls, that's all.

 

gosh, how many times does this need to be brought up and asked?

there have been half a dozen people that have done that chat and they all have said that no, the 2006 HU will not be backwards compatible. like the rep said (and like they will *always* say) NO because they do not and never will support retrofitting of *anything* in their vehicles.

the technical differences i would imagine that he's talking about is the new 2006 HU uses a new steering wheel control AND they will have a new aux input located from somewhere in the dash. this suggests that the new HU will probably have a different wiring harness compared to the older HU. therefore, it just isn't "plug and play" like many people might suspect or hope for.

again, scion will officially say that it won't work or that they don't support it. IT DOESN'T MEAN IT WON'T WORK. no one has even seen the new head unit personally let alone seen the wiring harness. i would say that more than likely, you WILL be able to use the new HU in an '05. But, it will be like purchasing an aftermarket deck. you'd have to buy it and then retrofit it to make it work in your car. i'm sure once the new HU is availabe and once there is a wiring diagram of what they do, somone will make it work.

so to everyone who keeps asking about the new (2006) HU working in an older car, be patient and wait for someone to do it!

 

Pssh. If someone on here doesn't get an 06 HU to work on an 05 tC then I'll be shocked. Even if it takes a little modification I seriously doubt it will be as difficult as half the stuff we do on here.

 

A shiny nickel to whoever can get these answers! I don't mind sacrificing wheel buttons, if it means giving me the capability to connect my mp3 player to my unit. I'm not a big fan of the FM transmitters, I don't believe you can get the best sound quality out of them, unless I'm missing something there.

 

it can be done.

 

so toyotaisme are you going to let anyone know what you had to do to make it work ?

 

I got a hold of someone that bought 2006 they did not whant the Ipod I bought the wires from them. Then I bought a new head unit for the 2006 and was able to make it work not cheap but it works.

 

It was made for those who modify, but that doesnt mean the recommend it. If they reccommend modifying with non standard parts, some sue happy reject will try to sue them if something breaks. That is the world of weak people suing for everything, you have to cover your **** no matter what. When people send me their gauges to do for them and ask if they can drive back and forth to work without them, I simply state that technically it is possible but I cant recommend it. If I say "sure" then they get pulled over without gauges, I dont want them blaming me.

As far as the stereo, I have no clue if it will work.. but usually for about half the cost of a stock stereo you can buy an aftermarket twice as nice (stock HUs are very expensive).

 

this is what is needed.

Ipod radio Part number 08600-21802 (head unit ipod) $500
cable to connect from the radio to the ipod plug. part number pt546-21062 ipod ada $64.51 plus installation. It can be done.

 

I have an 05 xA that came from the Dealer new with an 06 Head unit. When I bought it I had the XM installed by the dealer also. Works just fine. I do not have the AUX jack that is part of the 06 wiring harness, but as for the rest of it I will be getting the iPOD cables soon and plan to install them.

THIS CAN BE DONE!

 

I got an '06 tC with an '05 radio.. so I know it can be done, the thing is that Scion is only about modifying cars to improve their pockets.. thats why the even discontinued the TRD 19's, because in the long run it would mess the car up.. Even on their comercials it says in fine print that various modifications may void the warenty (and if they can't prove it was you then their screwed).

The radio swap shouldn't even void warrenty, because if something happens then it is a Toyota part that has messed it up. If you're looking for an '06 radio I'd be more than happy to sell you mine, but at the same time I have an '05 still, because I haven't been back to exchange it..