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Car audio forums get the same questions over and over from people with older Toyotas, Hondas, Rams, Fords, Chevys and Subarus: which head unit should I get, will my backup camera work, and do I really need the bigger memory version? I've put AWESAFE CarPlay units into several older vehicles, including both of my Jeeps. Here's what I can tell you.
Is it worth putting a new radio in an old car?
I think so. CarPlay and Android Auto put maps, music and calls on a screen you already know how to use. That makes an older car much nicer to live with, and a small investment helps you keep driving a depreciating car longer.
Which unit should I buy?
Buy the one that's listed for your exact make, model and year range. These units are built to fit a specific dash. Factory amps, steering-wheel controls and existing cameras can all change the job, so match the package to what your car already has. Check the AWESAFE store for the models listed by brand.
32GB or 64GB? Does the extra memory matter?
Yes. My first unit was 32GB and it was OK. I went 64GB in my second vehicle and it's noticeably faster at everything. If the price difference is small, get the bigger one.
Will my backup camera work?
The radio swap is the easy part. Wiring the backup camera is the bigger job, and a couple of YouTube videos made it manageable. One tip: the camera's instructions use Posi-Taps for the reverse wire, but with the AWESAFE unit you can just butt-connect the red wire from the video feed to the red wire on the camera. If your car already has a backup camera, you may only need to join the right wires. That's what I did in my 2007 Jeep.
Will my steering-wheel controls still work?
On my installs, most of them did, even voice control. Double-check the listing for your car, because steering-wheel control support can change the job.
Is wireless CarPlay reliable?
It's been reliable for us. My wife's phone pairs wirelessly too. After some Apple updates I've had to redo the pairing, and that's been the only issue.
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