Car audio geeks please help!
 

Wife wanted a mini van, but I just couldnt do it.
Craigslisted "3rd row seating" and land cruisers popped up.
The search had begun!
Found a nice-ish '94 semi local and now using her as the family rig.
Among other minor projects, I am looking to replace the partially working factory radio.
Dont need anything too nice, I dont listen to the radio often.
Just want some noise once in a while, but would like the more modern options; DVD, GPS, back up camera, etc...
The Cruiser has the double space available. (4"?)
Couple of questions about the GPS:
-Some run off of an android phone?
-Or is it internal to the radio?
-Which is preferred?
-Do I need a special android phone, or any android?
-Monthly service?
Any brand better than another?
Anything else I should consider?
Looking to spend under $500 all in if possible.

FWIW, I LOVE this thing. Was looking for an old Toy to play with, but with a family, the trucks were out. 4Runners dont have the 3rd row, so Land Cruisers were the chosen.

Obligatory pics of the new ride:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1549994065.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1549994065.jpg

Just go to crutchfield dot com, plug in your vehicle info, explore your options. They even give easy to understand do it yourself instructions.

Crutchfield also has great harness adaptors so you don't have to chop anything up.

+1 for Crutchfield.
A Nav. headunit will prob cost more than $500. No monthly fees...no phone needed.

Another fan of Crutchfield, they may be a few bucks more than Amazon/eBay but the wiring adapter is worth it (and I do mean just a few bucks) and at their website they will show you what is an easy bolt in so you don't have to chop up your dash for the install.

I have never had a head unit with GPS but when we were new car shopping the salesman said you need to connect your phone for GPS but I suppose that matters on which head unit you have.

Pioneer has some nice Nav head units.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_1305201NEX/Pioneer-AVIC-5201NEX.html
No phone needed if it says 'Navigation Receiver'

I have an Apple phone and just broke down and had a Pioneer unit installed because the touch screen and the radio on the 4 runner had been broken for the past 4 years. I ask myself why I didn't do this sooner? I don't listen to the radio neither, but nice to have noise at times. The whole thing including all new Focal speakers (8) and labor cost me 2000 bucks. There's no need for GPS because it uses my phone and what you see on screen its like looking at your phone. Pretty cool. Blue tooth too.

Yep, Crutchfield is the easy way. I put a Bluetooth, digital media player in my El Camino for $45 bucks.

Thanks guys.
Kinda freaked out now.
Went to crutchfield and it said "Products that fit your 94 land cruiser without pocket below factory radio"
Big bro is watching!!

The 'pocket below' would be the space allowing a Nav or double din unit to fit.
If it's there...anything will fit.

Might be my fault...I was doing a search for you, but didn't know if yours was with or without the pocket, so left the site.

It is true...Orwell was an optimist.