2018 radio in 2017?
 

I got a great deal on a 2017 BRZ, knowing that the radio was sub-par. As expected, it looks like the 2018 unit is decent. Anyone know if it's a close enough match to get a 2018 unit and drop it into my 2017?

A great aftermarket unit will cost you significantly less money. Just a heads up.

That's where I started, but:
1) I can't find a trim kit to fit the '17 BRZ
2) I can't find a double-din radio for it - I've been told by Crutchfield and CarToys that the '17 BRZ doesn't have the depth for standard double-dins (and I don't want a pop-up single-din)
3) I can get a deal on an '18 radio if it fits (although admittedly it may still be more than I'm willing vs. my current phone-holder setup)

If anyone has found a double-din radio that fits the '17 BRZ that'd be great.

Thanks!

I'd be interested in finding out if the 2018 H.U can be retro-fitted into older models. If we could retain the OEM mic and USB port simply by plug and play, that would be great.

Keep us posted!

After reading everything about the stock headunits being trash (even on the 17) I was actually reasonably surprised at crap mine wasn't.

I don't think it's actually that bad, I just think they try and expect too much of the stock speakers by extending them too low to make it sound "better" but only at low volumes. If they hadn't sent so much low frequency to the door speakers and reserved that for the optional extra sub, I don't actually think it would be that bad at all. I really want to demo the Subaru sub but I don't want to pay $500+ to find out.

I too was waiting for the 18's specifically for Android Auto but based on what everyone was saying, it wouldn't be that great experience anyway (compared to something like SYNC3 on Fords) and so would want to change the head unit regardless. Kenwood/Pioneer/etc also announced wireless Android Auto head units coming out at the end of the month which I would prefer so I just got a 17.

I really want this radio regardless of the price
If someone has a part number that they can share that will be appreciated

Poke around the Electronics/Audio subforum, there's some information for people who have done double-din installs. Here's some of the stuff that people have already done to fit standard double-din radios in BRZs;

Double-din adapters for stock opening:http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122274

https://www.japanparts.com/parts/detail/43320 or
https://www.amazon.com/Metra-95-8202...ca3dfbb1618f22

Canadian dash trim with standard rectangular opening: https://parts.subaru.com/p/__Limited...6077CA200.html or
https://www.mysubarustore.com/oem-pa...bly-66077ca200
Clip for center trim part https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru__/...909130092.html

Diagram for the dash parts:
https://parts.subaru.com/images/part...0_66001722.png

I can't speak for a '18 in a '17 but I have the 2014 radio in my 2013 FRS. It was a straight plug and play. It would all depend on if the wiring harness is different, which you should be able to tell from a photo of the back of each.

I agree with you on sound of the stock sound system. In my experience it has improved over time

I was way underwhelmed with it in the beginning. Tweaked the EQ curves incessantly. I finally threw in the towel and went back to flat frequency response.

I was surprised that I liked it! After a while I still liked it so I did not change the EQ curves again and just enjoyed the music (all CD/redbook).

It doesn't play loud or deep but it has nice resolution and not an etched hi end.

I still hate the user interface for all headunit functions. One shouldn't have to take eyes off road to advance tracks. Bring back physical switches and buttons!!

My other hobby is my home stereo and it is significantly higher acquisition dollars. New $ for new $ the stereo system cost double my 2013 BRZ limited. I know what well produced music sounds like.

The BRZ is a humble unit but far from an awful musical experience.

You put it into words WAY better than I did! Thank you! :D
@jorgerendonjr why do you want the stock 18 unit so bad over the significantly better after market options? What does the 18 HU have over those?

I like oem finish, my 2015 frs has 2017 subaru radio, now with the 2018 model having a new radio I want to upgrade

I get it! I do but with head units like the Kenwood DDX917WS have the perfect fit and as far as I understand it, retain all factory functions doesn't it?

I haven't fully priced it out yet, but that radio (not a USA model), the Canadian dash trim to make it look OEM, and the adapters needed to retain all the OEM functions likely push the total cost to near $1000 before install. And then it's still got the "controls" on the "wrong" side (agreed, minor thing).

Valid point although you'll be doing much the same thing trying to retrofit an 18 HU wouldn't you? I don't believe it's standard double DIN is it?

The controls being on the wrong side I was curious about until I got my BRZ and then saw how close everything was, now I seriously doubt I'd have an issue with it at all and in fact, may prefer it since your hand won't be in the way of the screen when you're using the controls.

I've got the Kenwood DDX917WS and it works perfectly in my car. All factory functions are intact. I did go the route of buying the prewired harness from Carbon Car Systems. If you are comfortable with wiring you can probably put it together fairly easy. Before I got the Kenwood I tried to install the Alpine unit with wireless CarPlay. Spent an entire weekend trying to wire it and couldn't get it to work. Got frustrated and returned it. Haven't looked back since.

+1 for that HU. It is incredible. Voice commands in android auto are great, and I never really have to use the touchscreen controls.

I also ordered from Carbon, and my only issue with their harness was the backup camera did not work plug and play. I feel this may be because of a wiring difference between Canadian and US models since we have different stock head units (I also needed a Toyota USB adapter instead of Subaru one?). A local shop resolved it all for me though so its flawless now.

It really is awesome. Most of the time I just use the steering wheel controls to control everything. The hand gestures are neat, but probably work half the time for me. I am curious to see how this new unit stacks up.

As for the issue with your back up camera, that is strange. I guess there must be some slight difference between the US and CA models like you said. Glad that you were able to get it squared away though!

Hi guys,

This is exactly what I am interested in (Kenwood DDX917WS Upgrade for Toyota 86 & Subaru BRZ – 2012 to 2017 -Carbon Car Systems). Its the HU and the customized harness together.

Since I plan to get get the 2018 Toyota 86 I am not sure if it will fit (any idea? or any friend who has it on the 2017 86 or special edition?)

Unfortunately, carbon Car Systems did replied that they dont ship to USA. How did you guys get the products from them ?

Thanks

When did you message them? I ordered from them last November. I just emailed and asked for a quote to ship to Canada and was able to order through paypal.

I don't think there is any difference in head units between the regular 86 or the special edition, but just make sure to tell them the exact car you have so they can make you the right harness.

They replied two hours ago.

In the comments [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz1-a71BrZY"]here[/ame] they give the shipping cost to USA for the harness :mad0260:

its interesting ...

@NeverInTime and @Busybee thank you very much for the info! Good to know there are options coming out there.

Here's the product page on their site:
https://carboncarsystems.com.au/shop...7ws-toyota-86/

When you add something to the cart, the site says "Unfortunately your order cannot be shipped to the United States".

There is a lot of nice info about this which I can share later. I am searching in detail for everything that I want to see on my car once I get it. The HU like the DDX617WS or AVIC-8200NEX looks like the best options since there are several pages showing installation in FRS/BRZ/86 with a great fit. In addition I am also searching for subwoofer enclosures such as the OEMAudio+ or the ones that Integrity Concepts was providing. Their product was announced here in this forum and they did a great job until april 2017. Check it out here. Now I can not find them anymore :mad0260:

Exactly! Thats the reason I emailed, PM'ed and also send message via Facebook but unfortunately, they do not send it. Very sad.

I am not an expert to check all differences between the ddx917 and pioneer AVIC8200 but I want the custom made harness not to deal with the car audio places cutting stock cables and end up with non working features like steering wheel, rear camera etc.

will see... first have to get the car :)

Hi Abevil,

Is it possible to send a pic for the fit on your dash?

In addition, do any one know any other version of kenwood or ther brand that properly fits the 2017-2018 gt86?

thanks

I would like to put the 2018 headunit into my 2017 as well - I despise the 2017 headunit, but want the OEM look, and think CarPlay should solve my issues. Of course the caveat is going to be if buying the part new cost $200 million, and in that case I may opt for aftermarket or someone with a 2018 deciding to upgrade the stocky. I will be following this thread closely.

I didn't see it in the thread yet, but FYI....

The 2018 radio has a suggested retail price of about $2200. Online dealers have it about $1850.

Holy crap! I could buy 2.73 TE37s for that money (or one TE37 and a moderately-high-end hooker)

Woow!!! for that amount I can get the DDX917WS ($650), the harness ($250) a sub and amp.

Very unrelated but does the Toyota 86 (17 or 18) have the ready harness for the subwoofer enclosure like the BRZ has for its KICKER box?

Thanks

Do you have a part number?

Not in front of me. I just looked it up on Part.subaru.com (or any of the online parts dealers).

What is this Clarion stereo listed for the 2018 at $1198?
http://bit.ly/2Fy3yaf

I bought the Kenwood DDX917WS from Carbon last June for my BRZ. I believe I was their first US customer for this unit. To buy it, I exchanged several emails with Daniel, the owner, and he agreed. I used the regular email address on their website. He even shipped it directly to OEM Audio + so they could tune the DSP for my 450Q order, and add this HU to their database.

Like an earlier poster in this thread, I'm a home stereo hobbyist. I listen primarily to high-end vinyl and tubes, and I'm very picky. I found the stock HU to be better than expected but still substandard. The Kenwood DDX917WS is far, far superior in sound quality, even via Bluetooth. It is so good that I have not even gotten around to installing the OEM Audio + system yet! Maybe this spring.....

If you click on the "What it fits" box it says it is for the 2017s and the 2018 Premiums. So...it's the old radio.

Thanks for all the info. Yes, it looks like they shipped the HU to some people and had some agreement issues. Now they do not send it but they send the harness. Havent get the car yet, waiting for a possible job change and move from Boston to Mineola NY. I am not sure whether it is better to get the car here or there (Have to ask the community what to do about this :)) Anyway, I am searching for everything now to order all together :)

Has anyone attempted this yet? Just got a smokin deal for the radio out of a totaled 2018. May get it to work or may have just flushed some money down the toilet?

Ok threw caution to the wind and atempted to install the radio. All the plugs on the 2017 radio are on the 2018. Everything power up fine and no smoke. Radio, XM, BT all appeared to work fine. Pandora worked with BT.

Items that did not work.

Steering wheel controls. Source worked but the volume buttons just fwd to the next song.

Navigation looked good but no connection for the GPS antenna so it thought I was next to Central Park NY.

Apple Car Play. Could not get this to work. It just keep flashing a accept screen on my phone every 10 sec or so and would not connect.

Logged radio int WIFI but keep getting “download failed” message.

Backup camera did not work.

The plastic trim peice has a different radius in the corners.

The speed of the new radio is considerably better than the 2017. The items that would need to be fixed prior to changing to the 2018 would be the backup camera, apple car play and steering wheel controls. Adding a GPS antenna should be simple.

Does anyone have access to year specific wire diagrams? I have searched with no luck. If I could get a copy of the 2017 and the 2018 I could see what the differences are to see if it is reasonable to modify to get the features working.

Interesting, glad I went with 3rd party then (Pioneer) with Maestro RR. In researching that installation I was only ever able to find 2016 wiring pinouts unfortunately.

Thanks for giving it a go. Between the unknown compatibility and exorbitant cost, I decided to install a Pioneer AA/CarPlay head unit with Maestro RR in my 17 BRZ.
Regarding CarPlay not working... this may not be an issue with using the 2018 head unit in a 2017 BRZ.
CarPlay/Android Auto can be VERY picky about the USB cable that you use. Try the OEM usb cable (one that is fairly new and has not been sharply bent, stepped on, etc.) or as short as possible of a HIGH quality aftermarket cable and see if anything changes.
There are a lot of threads complaining about issues with the factory AA/CarPlay head units in Subarus beginning back when they first appeared in the Impreza and apparently they are still pretty buggy for a lot of people to this day. Make sure that the HU and iPhone are both using the latest firmware.

Regarding the BU camera not working... does it switch to a black screen on reverse or just do nothing at all? That might help narrow down what kind of issue is occurring.

Tried different cables on car play no luck. Splash screen will pop up for you to accept then goes away prior to being able to click it. The 2018 USB port in the car is different was going to try to get that.

Back up camera does nothing at all.

Have not given up on getting this working and think all the issues are easy fixes just more difficult if I can not get the specific diagrams to see what the changes are. The connector that handles the steering controls, back up, ECT is the same not sure why they would change the pin out. The 2018 radio is a different manufacturer. Harman out of Mexico instead of Clarion.

Getting closer. Trying to get the GPS antenna, trim ring, dual usb plug and wire harness from the junk yard. GPS antenna will fix the GPS, harness and plug hopefully will fix the USB issue.

Did some more testing today and was able to get into the Dealer Diagnostics page.
On the systems page everything was reporting correct except
IGN is always off
PKB is always on
REV is always off (obviously the backup camera issue)

On the steering wheel controls the buttons reporting incorrect info.
Hang up = Accept
Vol up = seek up
Vow dwindling = seek up
Voice control = switch source

I have searched and searched for the 2018 Nav wire diagram with no luck. Anyone out there have access to it?