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Toyota Highlander Accessories and Modifications

1439 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2013 at 10:40 AM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

Messages Page 142 of 144

#1410 of 1439 Re: Best Navigation [bluesdeluxe] by plaaaaane

Oct 23, 2010 (6:57 pm)

Replying to: bluesdeluxe (Oct 04, 2010 12:10 pm)
I just completed installation of a Pioneer AVH-3200BT with XM receiver module yesterday in a 2006 Highlander Limited. The Limited had the JBL system (with amp located under the floor by tailgate latch). I thought the Kenwoods looked OK too, but I didn't want the nav in the upgrade radio. Reason: I always stick my TomTom on the window near the rearview mirror. There I can see it looking straight ahead and while glancing to the rearview. Look at the radio location in the Highlander. Your attention would have to be taken too far from the road to make me feel safe. I don't even like it built into our month old 2010 FX35. Too far from the road. I'm not going to go into the price of built in- ridiculous. Even the add on for the Pioneer -and all other - aftermarket is way too high. I'd rather spend on a portable I can move to a rental or friends car, and upgrade to a newer when I want, for a reasonable price. Bottom line, the Toyota equipment is way too skimpy. FE, my 2006 having a cassette (!!???) and a 6 CD changer that couldn't play MP3 !!??? J-U-N-K! iPods had been out for years by then and other manufacturers were putting in docks for them. Toyota put in a cassette player. Whooppee!! My [wifes] new car is an Infiniti with so many electronics I will never learn them all. And my [her old] highlander now plays iPhone movies, DVD movies, has Bluetooth, plays my 8 Gig music library from a 16 Gig SD card, and lets me listen to XM, all for less than $500. And I have my TomTom. Her name is Brenda.

#1411 of 1439 Re: General HL Resources [bluesdeluxe] by plaaaaane

Oct 23, 2010 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: bluesdeluxe (Oct 05, 2010 10:44 am)
A double DIN aftermarket works fine, BTW, with the plastic ear accessories to fill up the gaps on the side of the wider faceplate on some Highlander JBL radios. Most aftermarket radios like the Pioneers let you set the color of the LEDs to match the rest of the instrument cluster lights. There is no reason an aftermarket should look out of place. Now, my 2006 original instrument cluster has a blue/white glow while the climate and OEM JBL radio has dark green LED glow. Like they had leftover parts they wanted to use up before they made everything look the same. Who can figure out Toyota anymore? Installation is easy if you take it slow. I hated the steering wheel controls so I did not buy the adapter for them. My hand was always changing something (2006 Highlander).
If you want to connect front seat video you have to connect parking brake wire. If you put in the rear view back up camera you have to connect that wiring. Those 3 things are optional and will increase install time & labor. Good videos on installing Highlander radios on You Tube. Crutchfield and others have wiring harness adapters and the $12 gap fillers. When finished it looks factory.

#1413 of 1439 Advice for 2011 Highlander Hitch by jborrelli

Jan 09, 2011 (9:23 am)

I purchased a 2011 highlander limited a few months ago. I noticed on the window sticker that it included a "Tow Prep Package". I thought that it would have included a hitch or at least a receiver but after calling the dealer they explained that the vehicle is rated to tow but the hitch and wiring must be added. I then inquired how much a Toyota Hitch and Wiring would cost, $600 installed. I was taken back on the cost but am also little apprehensive about putting after market parts on a brand new vehicle still under factory warranty. Not to mention that I purchase the toyota care extended warranty. Any suggestions?

#1414 of 1439 Re: Advice for 2011 Highlander Hitch [jborrelli] by car_buff2

Jan 10, 2011 (6:29 am)

Replying to: jborrelli (Jan 09, 2011 9:23 am)
I purchased a receiver hitch and wiring harness from my Toyota dealer in NC for my '08 Highlander. It was not the Toyota "factory" hitch shown in their brochure or accessory booklet, but rather an after market Class III Reese hitch that came from their Toyota Southeast supplier, Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC. I had attended a "Get to Know your Toyota" seminar the dealer did, and there met the parts manager who sold it to me for around $250. The installation instructions for both were straight forward and it went on without any problem.
 
In December I traded for a 2011 and the dealer through-in on the deal accessories I had installed on the '08. I am now waiting for warmer weather to install the hitch. Installation instructions were not included in the carton, but the dealer's parts department voluntarily offered to print them out for me.
Part numbers are: 00016-48730 hitch and 00016-48730-01 wiring harness. I don't see how adding an aftermarket hitch would void the warranty, especially if the vehicle is equipped with the Tow Prep Package.

#1415 of 1439 Rooftop cargo box experience by jborrelli

Jan 15, 2011 (1:12 pm)

I have a 2011 highlander limited with Thule base rack system. Interested in add a cargo box and looking for highlander owner experience with Thule and Yakima.

#1416 of 1439 highlander headrest by virginia10

Jan 23, 2011 (6:07 am)

I am 5'6" and find the toyota highlander the most uncomfortable headrest I have ever experienced. I don't know how to get comfortable. I like to sit straight up......not with my head bent way forward. I feel that the headrest keeps me in a "Prepare for an accident state" at all times than a "be comfortable state". I also feel that it will destroy my good posture with a neck that protrudes way forward. It will make me look old before my time. I thought at the dealership they said that it could be adjusted......which it can't. I really need to find a solution. We will likely remove the headrest....but I wish Toyota could provide an alternative even if I have to pay for it. I feel neck pain (which I don't have) after sitting in the seat.

#1417 of 1439 Re: highlander headrest [virginia10] by ann39

Jan 23, 2011 (8:53 am)

Replying to: virginia10 (Jan 23, 2011 6:07 am)
I would tilt my seat back a little bit. I keep mine tilted back all the time. The seat is one of the things that I do like about the Highlander.

#1418 of 1439 Re: Advice for 2011 Highlander Hitch [car_buff2] by jborrelli

Jan 28, 2011 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: car_buff2 (Jan 10, 2011 6:29 am)
The Part Numbers: 00016-48730 hitch and 00016-48730-01 wiring harness are Toyota parts or Class III Reese? Did the aftermarket hitch look clean on your '08?

#1419 of 1439 Re: Advice for 2011 Highlander Hitch [jborrelli] by car_buff2

Jan 29, 2011 (6:05 am)

Replying to: jborrelli (Jan 28, 2011 1:49 pm)
The Part Numbers: 00016-48730 hitch and 00016-48730-01 wiring harness are Toyota parts or Class III Reese? Did the aftermarket hitch look clean on your '08?

These part numbers are on the cartons that the Reese hitch and wiring harness came in are supplied to Toyota dealers in the Southeast by Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC. The receiver hitch is fabricated with 2" square tubing and is welded to a piece of flat steel that fits under the exhaust pipe. Some of the other after market hitches have the piece fitting above the exhaust pipe.
 
On my '08, I had added the stainless steel exhaust tip which dressed the car up a bit. The Reese hitch setup gave a "functionally" clean look in my opinion. The receiver socket, the part where your ball attachment fits into is trimmed with a chrome ring which adds some aesthetic look to it. The Toyota receiver hitch that is shown on their accessory website and in their accessory booklet does have a different refined finish look, but you must part with more $$ for it. The bottom centered panel is replaced with a cutout and their receiver is a bit higher off the ground.
 
Google "reese hitch for highlander." You can find links for the Reese hitch and can see what it looks like.

Messages Page 142 of 144

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