If you're nevertheless rocking the manufacturing plant Entune system, it's probably time to you should think about a 2019 tundra radio upgrade . Let's be truthful for any second: the particular Tundra is the beast of a truck—it's reliable, it keeps its value like crazy, and this looks great upon or off the road. But that infotainment system? It's like stepping back to 2012 every period putting the key in the ignition. While the relaxation of the vehicle is timeless, the software program and that small, grainy screen definitely aren't.
I've spent a lot of time sitting down in Tundras, plus the consensus will be pretty much general. We love the 5. 7L V8, we love the particular massive cabin, but we absolutely detest trying to make use of the built-in navigation or waiting for the particular Bluetooth to lastly decide it desires to pair along with our phones. In the event that you're tired associated with mounting your cell phone to some plastic vent out clip just therefore you can discover Google Maps, you aren't alone.
Why the Stock Radio Just Doesn't Cut It Anymore
The 2019 model year has been a weird spot for the Tundra. It was right on the cusp of when Toyota started getting their own act together with smartphone integration, however the 2019 missed out upon the factory Apple company CarPlay and Android Auto that finally came along in 2020. So, if you bought a '19, you're stuck with Entune 3. zero.
It's not just about the lack of apps, though. The screen resolution is well, it's not great. If you shift into reverse, the backup camera looks like this was filmed with a potato. In addition, the touch reaction is sluggish. A person press a button, wait a beat, and then probably it will what you want. A 2019 tundra radio upgrade isn't simply a luxury; for most of us that spend hours within our trucks, it's a huge quality-of-life improvement.
The Magic of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The single biggest reason to swap out your head device is to get your own phone's interface on that dash. As soon as you've used CarPlay or Android Car, there is absolutely no going back to a standard manufacturing plant menu.
Think about it. You hop within the truck, plus instantly, your Spotify playlists, your latest addresses from Waze, and your communications are right there. You can use voice commands that actually work—unlike the particular factory Toyota voice control which often simply gets confused and asks you to definitely replicate yourself. Having the ability to state, "Hey Siri, find a gas train station on the way, " and getting it appear upon a high-definition 7-inch or 10-inch screen is a video game changer for street trips or even just the everyday commute.
Choosing the Right Style: Flush vs. Floating
When you start looking at choices for your 2019 tundra radio upgrade , you're going to run into two main styles.
First, there's the particular flush-mount style. These units sit down inside the dashboard where the old one was. They will usually have the 7-inch screen plus look very "factory. " If you want your interior to appear like nothing was ever changed, this is actually the way to go. Brands like Alpine, Kenwood, and Sony make some killer units that fit flawlessly with the correct dash kit.
Then, there's the particular floating screen style. This is definitely where things obtain fun. These models have a bottom that fits in the dash, but the screen itself "floats" out in front of it. We're talking massive 9, 10, or even 11-inch displays. Since the Tundra has such a massive dashboard, these types of giant screens don't keep an eye out of place at all. In truth, they make the interior feel like a brand-new 2024 design. With a lot of towing or all-terrain, having an enormous map display is usually incredibly helpful.
Keeping Your Manufacturer Features Intact
One of the particular biggest fears people have when upgrading their own radio is losing the stuff these people already paid intended for. You don't would like to lose your steering wheel controls, and you definitely don't want to lose your back-up camera or the vehicle settings menu.
The good news is that modern wiring harnesses—specifically such things as the iDatalink Maestro —have made this particular a non-issue. If you choose a 2019 tundra radio upgrade with a Maestro module, you actually gain functions. Not only do your steering steering wheel buttons still function, but you may also see wheel pressure, battery ac electricity, and even engine problem codes right on your new touch screen. It integrates using the truck's OBDII interface to give a person a digital dashboard that's way more informative than the particular stock gauges.
Let's Talk About Audio Quality
We've talked a great deal about the screen, yet let's not forget about the "radio" part of the radio. The factory mind unit in the 2019 Tundra offers a pretty mediocre internal amplifier. Even if you maintain your factory audio speakers, a high-quality automotive aftermarket head unit will certainly make them tone significantly better.
Aftermarket units from companies like Pioneer or Kenwood have much much better Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) and much more powerful built-in amps. You obtain more "punch" within the bass plus clearer highs. As well as, they usually come with 13-band equalizers, so you can actually tune the particular sound to your liking rather of just getting basic "Bass, Middle, Treble" sliders. In the event that you're planning upon eventually upgrading your own door speakers or adding a sub under the back seat, a solid head unit is definitely the foundation a person need.
Is a DIY Task?
I get asked this a great deal: "Can I do this myself, or is I going to fry the truck's computer? "
If you're even somewhat handy and may adhere to a YouTube movie, you can absolutely handle a 2019 tundra radio upgrade . The particular Tundra is in fact one of the particular easier vehicles to work on. The particular dash panels appear off relatively very easily with some plastic pry tools (please don't use the metal screwdriver! ), and everything will be held in by 10mm bolts.
The trickiest part used in order to be the wiring, but nowadays, many retailers offer "ready-harness" services. They'll pre-wire the aftermarket use to the Tundra-specific harness for a person. That means once the box arrives from your door, it's literally plug-and-play. You plug one end into the new radio as well as the other finish in to the truck's stock plugs. No soldering, no crimping, and no headaches.
A Note around the "Android Head Units"
If you've been searching online, you've probably observed those "Tesla-style" straight screens or super cheap 10-inch Android tablets that claim to become an immediate fit. They look tempting because they're often half the cost of a name-brand unit.
Be careful here. While some individuals love them, these types of units can become hit or skip. They often operate a skinned version associated with tablet Android, and they can be buggy. Sometimes the boot-up time takes thirty seconds, or the particular screen gets washed out in direct sunlight. If you desire something that functions every single time you turn the particular key, sticking with a significant brand such as Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, or Pioneer is usually usually the wiser play for the 2019 tundra radio upgrade .
The ultimate Judgement
Upgrading the particular tech inside your pickup truck is probably the best money a person can invest in it. You can purchase new wheels or a lift kit, which look great, but you take your time within the cabin. Every time you shift straight into reverse and discover a crystal-clear image, or each time you glance as well as discover a beautiful high-res map of your own route, you'll become glad you did it.
The 2019 tundra radio upgrade successfully "refreshes" the pickup truck for another five to ten yrs. It brings a legendary drivetrain in to the modern era of connectivity. So, quit squinting in your phone screen and stop fighting with Entune. Treat your Tundra (and yourself) to the screen it should have had from the particular factory. You won't regret it.