BRZ / FR-S / 86 Fast Android Head Unit Install
A quick clip-on swap on a BRZ / FR-S / 86: the old radio comes out on clips, the 10-pin and 6-pin do most of the work, reverse camera works, and the new slimmer no-button unit has a blue RGB dimmer.
Full video (18 min): Android Head Unit FAST Install 2018 · John's YouTube channel
Get the parts
- Current Android head unit John recommends (Amazon link from the description)Buy ↗
- Backup camera / AUX harness (Amazon link from the description)Buy ↗
- 12-volt to 6-volt adapter for a stock reverse camera (Amazon link from the description)Buy ↗
- Radio antenna harness (Amazon link from the description)Buy ↗
- Head unit in this video (AliExpress link from the description)Buy ↗
- Seicane double-DIN unit (link from the description; 5% coupon AFFSC-3555-KJ6ZN-FYNL)Buy ↗
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links are affiliate links.
Yes — you can install This kit on the Filmed as a fast install on a Subaru / Scion / Toyota BRZ, FR-S or 86. The description says this shape also fits most Toyotas in general, such as a Highlander — confirm your dash and plugs with a 18 min DIY job. A quick clip-on swap on a BRZ /.
Overview
John pulls an already-good aftermarket radio and tries a slimmer, no-button unit with a higher-resolution screen, to see whether that design beats knobs and buttons. The old unit is held by clips. Once the main harness is unplugged, the new one is mostly a 10-pin and 6-pin job — those two connectors do the heavy lifting — and he already has reverse wired. The car has no steering-wheel controls, though there is a plug for them. After the unit is in, the backup camera comes up in reverse, and the dimmer is blue (RGB, so the color can be changed). He calls the install easy peasy and points to a more in-depth tutorial if you want more detail. The description's first Amazon links are the backup-camera / AUX harness, the 12-volt-to-6-volt adapter and the antenna adapter, plus a later tagged Amazon page for a current unit he recommends; the unit in the video is also listed on AliExpress and as a Seicane double-DIN that fits this Toyota-shaped dash.
Vehicle & fitment
- Product
- Universal / Seicane-style double-DIN Android head unit (AliExpress and Seicane links in the description, plus a later tagged Amazon recommend) with 10-pin and 6-pin power/audio, a backup-camera harness, a 12-volt-to-6-volt adapter and an antenna adapter
- Shown on
- Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 (the description also notes this radio shape fits many Toyotas, including Highlanders)
- Filmed as a fast install on a Subaru / Scion / Toyota BRZ, FR-S or 86. The description says this shape also fits most Toyotas in general, such as a Highlander — confirm your dash and plugs
- The 10-pin and 6-pin do most of the heavy lifting. This car has no steering-wheel controls, but there is a plug for them
- Extra Amazon-linked harnesses in the description cover a backup camera / AUX, a 12-volt-to-6-volt adapter for a factory reverse camera, and a radio antenna
Always confirm fitment for your exact year and trim with the seller before buying.
Tools & parts
Tools
- Trim tool or fingers for the clip-on bezel
- Socket or driver if your radio still has a mounting bolt
Parts
- Android double-DIN head unit
- 10-pin and 6-pin power/audio harness
- Backup-camera harness (and a 12-volt-to-6-volt adapter if you keep a factory camera)
- Antenna adapter
Video chapters
Step by step
- 1
Why swap this radio▶ 0:00
The current aftermarket unit is already good, but the new one has a higher-resolution screen and no buttons. John wants to see whether a slimmer, bigger screen beats knobs and buttons.
- 2
Old unit out on clips▶ 0:22
The radio is held by clips. He unplugs the main harnesses and is ready for the new unit.
- 3
10-pin and 6-pin do the heavy lifting▶ 0:51
The new unit is easy to wire. The 10-pin and 6-pin do most of the work, and reverse is already hooked up. This car has no steering-wheel controls, but there is a plug for them if yours does. A mounting bolt comes out with the old brackets.
- 4
Reverse camera and the dimmer▶ 2:33
The unit is in. The backup camera comes up in reverse, and the dimmer shows blue — probably RGB, so you can change the color.
Wiring notes
- The 10-pin and 6-pin are the main power and audio. This car did not have steering-wheel controls; there is still a plug for them if your car does.
- Use the backup-camera / AUX harness, and a 12-volt-to-6-volt adapter if you keep a factory reverse camera. The antenna adapter is listed separately in the description.
Get the parts
- Current Android head unit John recommends (Amazon link from the description)Buy ↗
- Backup camera / AUX harness (Amazon link from the description)Buy ↗
- 12-volt to 6-volt adapter for a stock reverse camera (Amazon link from the description)Buy ↗
- Radio antenna harness (Amazon link from the description)Buy ↗
- Head unit in this video (AliExpress link from the description)Buy ↗
- Seicane double-DIN unit (link from the description; 5% coupon AFFSC-3555-KJ6ZN-FYNL)Buy ↗
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links are affiliate links.
FAQ
What vehicle does this head unit fit?
It is shown for the Filmed as a fast install on a Subaru / Scion / Toyota BRZ, FR-S or 86. The description says this shape also fits most Toyotas in general, such as a Highlander — confirm your dash and plugs. The 10-pin and 6-pin do most of the heavy lifting. This car has no steering-wheel controls, but there is a plug for them Always confirm your exact year, trim and factory audio with the seller.
How long does the install take?
John's full video is 18 min. Plan on that much time for a careful DIY install, plus extra if you are new to dash work.
What tools do I need?
Tools called out in the guide: Trim tool or fingers for the clip-on bezel; Socket or driver if your radio still has a mounting bolt.
Does it support wireless CarPlay or Android Auto?
Check the product listing for wired vs wireless CarPlay / Android Auto before you buy; John shows what worked in the video.
Where do I get the parts?
Use the buy links on this page for the unit and any harnesses John used. Some links are affiliate links.
Is this beginner-friendly?
The guide breaks the job into 4 steps with timestamps into the video. If you can remove trim panels carefully, you can follow along.
Full transcript
Show the full transcript (24 lines) +
0:00I've got the head unit that we're gonna remove, put in the new one.
0:05Now this one's very good and I like it too but the new one has a better
0:11resolution screen but no buttons so I want to see if it's better to have no
0:16buttons and a bigger screen more slim line design or knobs and some buttons so
0:22let's get to it. It's just being held by clips. It was just being held by
0:28clips all right so we have all the harnesses unplugged, at least the main
0:34connect. Alright so we have all the harnesses unplugged, at least the main one
0:51so let's install this new unit. It's very easy if you guys have any questions I'll
0:57link a more in-depth tutorial on my other video right here but yeah just
1:04it. Okay got the wires pretty much wired in. I have reverse too. There you go
1:13backup camera when it's in reverse. But the unit is in boys. Next thing to do is
1:22tested again the installation is very easy 10 to 6 that's pretty much it these
1:29two wires alone give most of the heavy lifting this car doesn't have steering
1:34doesn't have steering wheel controls but there is a plug for steering wheel controls
2:22A few moments later
2:33Got it installed
2:36Mini moons later
2:39reverse camera
2:43There it is
2:48Very easy peasy easy peasy
2:52Let's do
2:56do the dimmer switch.
2:59It's blue.
3:01Probably the RGB so you could change it, but yeah.
Machine-transcribed from the full-length video and lightly cleaned (product names fixed). Watch the video for exact wording.
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