Toyota Sequoia Accessories and Modifications

deviyiya

What type of navigation system did you buy? Please provide web address.

racheysdad

It's a Magellan Roadmate 500 that I ordered from gpscity.com The leaders of their class right now is the Magellan Roadmates and the Garmin 2610. Take a good look at both before looking at any others.

Toyota still doesn't have a NAV system available in the Sequoia, so your only options are a portable or an aftermarket indash. I looked at an Alpine indash unit for around $2000, but instead opted for the Magellan portable for $900

An indash unit is obviously cleaner, but for half as much I could use this in any car. It came in real handy during our vacation last month when we unexpectedly had to leave the car for warranty repair in Reno, Nevada. We just rented a corolla from the dealer and plugged the GPS in it. I punched up the built in Points of Interest and brought up the casinos category, then shopping centers. We made a nice day of it driving to a few nice casinos and doing some last minute christmas shopping. Then end of day we were I don't know where, somewhere on the North East side of Reno I think, when I just punched up previous destinations and it guided me perfectly back to the dealership to pickup our repaired Sequoia.

What could have easily been a wasted and frustrating vacation day, turned out fun and productive. And I couldn't have gotten around town in that rental if I had the indash unit. From then on, I never venture into unknown areas without it.

stevek80

Where did you get the CatchAll Custom Fit Floormat (Rear) ? Also, for those of you who purchased the CF option.. Carpet Floormats.. Does that include the cargo area?

racheysdad

I got it at toyotaparts4u.com, for a little over $100 Kinda pricey, but those CatchAlls are great. Very durable and easy to clean. Had lots of mud/snow from the Lake Tahoe trip that easily came out. I spot cleaned with some fabric cleaner and just hosed it off.

We had the CF option when we got the car, after few months I started off with the rear mat and liked it so much I went all CatchAll...lol Look at the left side of my rear cargo pic, notice how it follows the contours of the wheel well for a perfect fit?

The rear cargo mat is part of the CF option and is just a strip of carpet behind the 3rd row. So when you removed or tumbled forward the 3rd row seats, there's a gap of carpet exposed.

seadoo3

I might have missed it, but could you tell me where you purchased your DVD system. Thanks

racheysdad

I purchased all the components separately from various websites. You could do the same and just have a local auto stereo shop install it. Or if your like me and like to tackle projects like this, you can do it yourself over the course of a few weekends. If you choose the convenience of getting everything in one stop at a large electronic store, I'd suggest "Good Guys".

The core component for my setup was the Vizualogic monitors. They have very nice resolution and have the connections inside the headrest post for a clean look. Also the monitors were preinstalled in factory headrests so all I did was swap them in with the ones our Seq. came with. Later on it will be easy to swap them back when it's time to trade the car in. Also notice there are no buttons on my monitors, besides presenting a nice clean look, my little kiddos can't screw up the settings. I intially used the remote control to configure the settings, put it away in the glove compartment, and not had to use it since.

The dvd player itself I choose because of the dimensions, as it fit perfectly in the storage console. Then I added the tv tuner module, amplified antennas, wireless headphones, and video game inputs.

Let me know if you'd like specifics on all the components.

seadoo3

Thanks for the info, I will browse the internet to see what I can find. Did you have a site that sold just the monitors.

racheysdad

I got the monitors from audiocarplus.com

http://www.audiocarplus.com/vizualogickits.html

They have complete kits that include the dvd player and headphones. Don't know about the player, but I made the mistake of getting the package with the monitors and the headphones, and the headphones suck. They are 49mhz and are really weak, I tried placing the transmitter in different places in the car, but audio was weak and staticy no matter what. I ordered 900mhz headphones from somewhere else and they work great.

mach_28

Has anyone upgraded their Rims and Tires for their 2004 Sequoia. I have the limited edition 2WD but want to know what the recommended largest rim we can put on it.

I heard from many tire dealerships, that we can only put 20" Rims on.....but also heard that we can put 22" Rims as well.....

lait2000

I do it myself to install the hitch and trailer wiring to my 2003 Sequoia last couple months. It cost me total of:
1) Draw Tite Hitch $130
2) wiring kit (4 plugs) $45
3) 1 relay $25
The Hitch is exactly the one from Toyota Factory. Wiring kit no cut or modify required. Plug in and mount to the hitch. 1 TOYOTA manufacture relay is required to make the system work. If you need help, send me an email. I will send you all pictures, where you can purchase these items and instruction. You can do it yourself.
Also if you want to install DVD system on your TOY. I recommend you to install the 10.4 inches O/H. This is the perfect size for your TOY. I am NOT recommend you to install the Headrest one because it is more expensive and not convenience. Think about it. If the right passenger lays down the seat during travel, you can not view the right headrest monitor. If you installed the O/H, every passengers can watch the movie or play games. My DVD system is ROSEN 10.4 in Top of the line. Kids are very happy with this. I installed 2 systems: one to my TOY without Sunroof, one for my cousin with Sunroof. Hope this can help for those of you needed help to dress up your TOY.

stevek80

Where did you buy the Rosen 10.4 DVD system?

lait2000

Steve,
One of my friend work for ROSEN company and he bought this for me with employee discount price. I have very good deal on this. I checked some distribution vendor price is about $1200 to $1400 for this unit. Last few weeks I checked on the ebay, there are couple brand new systems A9 price is $850. A9 and A7 just released to the market last couple months. You can view ROSEN DVD system on the web www.rosenentertainment.com

The Emersion 10.4 inches is also recommend. The price is about $480 to $550 from FRY's Electronics store. Also you can check this on internet.

gkatz1

Well, I just bought an 04 Limited with rear audio and noticed something. The map lights on either side of the rear audio display double as the dome light when the door(s) are opened. However, the front map lights don't! After four model years, Toyota has not figured out that the interior is not lighted sufficiently.

Anyway, how hard would it be to wire up the front map lights just like the rears? If those came on like the rear ones do it would make a big difference. Anyone have a schematic? Maybe we could figure out a mod?

stevek80

Thanks lait2000, You said you purchased a 10.4" screen model. Was that the Necvox model with the 4:3 ratio? These new models are 9" and 7". Wonder why the new models would be smaller with less pixels? They even have a 15.2" monitor on this site.. WOW.. Forget about driving, I'm sitting in the back with the kids and enjoying the flicks.. Do they make a popcorn popper that runs on 12V? 8-)

stevek80

I haven't gotten my truck yet so I don't know how you turn the map lights on but it shouldn't be that hard to do.. Feed a wire from the rear dome to the map lights. There should be a switched hot line to the light. Splice in the dome light between the switch and the light. Dome light comes on so will the map light.. Turn map light switch on and it should come on. Wouldn't matter if the map switch was on and the dome light came on as well.. I don't believe it would blow the bulb since it's still only feeding 12V.. I'd place an inline fuse between the rear dome and from lights just to be extra safe..

katzat

That is so funny. I have only had my truck for 5 days, but last night I noticed just this phenomenon and was looking for the Door/Off/On switch for the front map lights. I fell asleep last night looking for it in the owners manual. I was completely dumbfounded.

Gkatz1, since you seem to be up on things, I was wondering what the difference between the “Master Keys” (the black ones) and the “Other Key” (the gray one) was. The dealership saleswoman mentioned something about it when she was showing us the basic features of the truck, but I wasn’t listening – I thought it was simply a valet key. In reading the manual, they discuss them separately, but for the life of me I can’t see any difference in the text describing them. It looks like they describe the same functions: Both appear to start the truck and access all locks. What am I missing?

sequoiasoon

They do the exact same your right, except, the gray one can NOT be used to reprogram the computer if you need new keys. If you were to lose both black ones and say "Hey, I should get more keys made in case I lose the grey one" You would need to get the whole computer that contains the security code. I believe 7 keys is max the computer recognizes with the chip in it 4 black, 3 grey, after that it starts erasing previous codes starting at the first one.

gkatz1

Good info thanks. I have the rear audio and the lights on the sides of the display are actually map lights like the from, so I guess they can be wired the same.

katzat

I was thinking about the wiring of these from the rear dome and my initial schematics (just vapors in my mind) come up with problems. I would have to see the Toyota Schematic, then redraw the corrected version on paper first. The following are the problems with any quick and easy solution I can think of:

If you wire the switched hot from the dome to the hot side of the map light, they both share a hot node in the schematic. This would mean that when you press your front map light switch, the rear dome would come on (assuming a traditionally switched hot and uninterrupted path back to ground at all points). This sucks.

If you wire one of the front map lights, I would assume you would wire them both. Now it gets really ridiculous – both map lights and the rear dome are all wired together in parallel – any time any of them are on, they are all on.

I may be missing something but since I am also interested in having a traditionally operating set of front map lights, I will be waiting for someone to solve the problem and explain the proven solution to the rest of us. Good Luck and thanks in advance.

watchdog3

Anybody put these on like on a Z71 vs. running boards?

gkatz1

That's what is funny. The rear dome doubles as map lights. I would imagine the front can be wired the same.

domlauri

Has anyone installed a lift kit on an '03 Sequoia?
I recently replaced the Dunlop tires with Bridgestone Dueler AT Revos 265/70R17s. This should have only been a half inch taller, but the Revos stand up on the ground where the Dunlops sagged more. So as a result, the new tires sit better than 1 inch taller in the tire well.
So, I am considering the Daystar coil spring lift kit. This kit will level the front and add about a 2" lift.
Any thoughts?

stevek80

This is what makes forums like this great. I never thought about the rear lights comming on when you would turn on the front.. I wouldn't want that either.. But as gkatz1 mentioned, the rear lights MIGHT be three wire lights(switch hot and door open hot/ground) where the front might be only two wire.. do they look the same.. same size?

stevek80

With the drop down screen type monitors/systems what holds them up in the overhead? I understand that you remove the dome light and the unit usually mounts in it's place but how heavy are these units?

raddboy41

You actually drive some sheet metal screws right up through the roof! It's a little unsightly, but it's all for the kids so some sacrifices must be made! Obviously, I'm kidding. Yes, the unit typically replaces the dome light and a suitable mounting bracket is also inserted to help distribute the additional weight of the screen. It's usually very well engineered.

bp3959

A diode would take care of those problems, it'll allow power to flow from back to front, but not from front to back.

stevek80

Growing up I had a friend that wanted roof racks. He drove 10D nails through a 2x4 and just bent them over on the inside.. It worked.. until it rained.. thanks for the flash back memories.

What's really holding up the dome light.? A little bracket. Is that bracket welded to the roof? I'm comparing that little light to this whole all in one DVD/screen unit. I figured they would provide another bracket but it all has to attach to something..

lait2000

For the TOY with out sunroof is much easy than the one with sunroof. the DVD mounting plate come with the kit. This plate is required at least 4 sheet metal screws to mount the mounting bracket to the TOY roof metal frame. This frame is strong and have no problem to hold up the O/H Monitor (estimated 6 to 7 lbs. The one with sunroof is required additional metal plate to mount the DVD bracket under the sunroof path and the headliner.

ar15

My '04 SR5 is loaded with most options except the heated seats. A friend with a different SUV discovered that his seats had the heating elements and he only had to wire the switches to have them operational.

Does anyone know if the SR5 leather seats have the heating elements if you didn't order that option? If so, what is needed to complete the installation?

steve289

I bought a rear spoiler and want to install it. I thought that it would bolt right in but it won't. The thought of drilling holes in my wife's new car scares me to death. Has anyone installed one and if so is it best to take the hatch off?

Help!!!

ar15

I installed one on my wife's Camry a couple of years ago. I too dreaded drilling the holes, but in the end the job I did was probably better than the dealership's, and I saved a ton of money. No one can tell it wasn't a factory job.

I saw a page somewhere that had detailed instructions with pictures on installing the Sequoia Spoiler. Maybe someone will post the link. And no, you do not remove the hatch.

My advise is to place masking tape where the mounting points will be. You will be able to mark on the tape your measurements and where to drill the holes. Once the hole locations are marked on the tape, take a punch and gingerly make a very slight indention where the tip of the drill bit will start. This will prevent you from having your drill bit wonder out of place as you are getting the hole started. It worked for me.

Good luck!

gagirl1

For those of you who have the flipdown DVD's, am I going to miss the dome lights? I rarely use them unless I turn them on to look for a lost toy in the backseat but I'm just curious about other's experiences. Do you miss your lights?

lait2000

I don't know what brand of flipdown DVD you have. Most of them build in dome light. My have 2, one for each side. This is function exactly manufacture dome light. Light can turn on manually and light turn on when door is open.

sequoiasoon

I had the same issue. My ebay spoiler came with garbage directions. Toyota makes a spoiler DIO ( dealer installed option)kit part # PT47A-0C013, it consists of very clear instructions and a plastic template that you tape on and drill where the center punched marks are. I wanted to know I drilled exact for factory in the event my spoiler breaks I can replace with a factory (or junkyard) unit. I don't recall the price (I think about $40) My local dealer looked at me like I had 3 heads, Carson Toyota Parts in CA was able to get me one. He said it was normally only a part used by the distribution ports and he had to "hunt" for it but came through. I was glad I did because the holes in my spoiler were molding and vent holes that didn't match at all to the factory holes. Which then explained why they included self tapping screws instead of ones that threaded into the molded in "nuts". I drilled pilot holes in the spoiler once I matched it up to the holes I drilled in the tailgate. Mounted nice and solid and sealed good. I would have preferred factory but the spoiler came prepainted and shipped to my door for $85 total.

The spoiler does help in keeping the back of the truck cleaner also. I just did a trip through the Adirondacks in snow and ice (and melting wet roads in spots) and my friend took his Sequoia also without the spoiler. When you looked at the back of both trucks it was very evident that I had MUCH less junk blown on the back of it. He is ordering one this week.

sequoianewbie

Racheysdad,

Saw your pix on your electronic mods to your sequoia. I love em and want to do the same. Please provide me with the brand names and model numbers of the DVD player, etc. I read that the monitors you used were from vizualogiz. But how about the rest of the equipment? Other than the 900 mhz headphones, would you do anything different?

Please email me at enasis2003@yahoo.com. THANKS.

racheysdad

I got the vizualogic monitors, dvd player, and headphones from audiocarplus.com Amplified antennas, power inverter, and TV Tuner were from savinglots.com Rocker switch and various video and power cables from Radio Shack.

DVD - Soundstorm SDVD100
Headphones - PowerAcoustic RF2CH
TV Tuner - Optiview 1300U
Game Plate with power invertor - Icon IN501K
Antennas - Power Acoustic 4 Channel Diversity

In truth, we don't use the TV tuner that much, even though it came in handy during the NFL playoffs. Most of the time my kids just like watching DVDs. And I don't like having 2 remotes. (TV Tuner and DVD)

Wireless Headphones are great, but you always have to have spare batteries ready just in case and sometimes my 4 year old fiddles with the frequency setting and I have to retune it. Even though they are not as clean looking, I think now I might have considered headphone jacks down near the video game inputs and just used wired headphones.

As I said before, the core of my system is the monitors. Everyone who has viewed them, tell me they look great. They have wonderful resolution and are perfectly clean and flush with the headrests.

Good Luck, and I hope to someday see your pics posted here too.

sequoianewbie

Thanks for all the information you share on this board.

Well, yesterday, I took the plunge and drove home in 2004 SR5 loaded, desert sand. Now comes the fun of adding the accessories and mods.

Because the leather seats aren't heated in a SR5, I am planning to install an alarm with a remote start. The TOY has "glass breakage sensor" in one of the packages; forgot which. Anyone have any insight into a Sequoia's alarm installation?

Next is the DVD system JUST LIKE RADDBOY and RACHEYSDAD! Awesome pics guys and very inspiring. BTW, wife hates you guys! LOL ;-) Visualogic has 9" Advantage Series headrests. Not sure if they are actually available yet as their website said "available Jan. 2004". Tried calling Tech, but Visualogic ain't open yet.

Next is Spoiler. Dealer wanted to bang me for $1200. I know a lot of the members installed aftermarkets. Which one is closest looking to factory and has exact placement of bolts for factory?

Bug deflector is a definite. I bought the truck and hate those front end chips. So a deflector is a must. Way too many brands out there. Which one is the best looking? May consider drilling if absolutely necessary.

Again, thanks guys (and ladies!).

Oh, last thing. I paid about $1,200 over invoice.
Hated to do it, but I did. I went to three dealers and only one had the color. Third dealer said "supply and demand"; limited supply especially in that color. REGION: NY/NJ/CT area. Was this BS? Anyway, wife and I love the truck so far, but then again, it only has a whopping 39 miles on it!

Kudos to this site!

sequoianewbie

I looked into the factory alarm. It ties in to too many things and it seems like a waste to put in a fully loaded alarm at $700 when all I really want are heated seats! So I looked into this thread and am now debating using the heating elements that are installed under the leather.

Quetion to those who have installed them. Any problems? Dealer told me that the "material (seat foam?) is not the same and will degrade quickly if you put in aftermarket heated seats." This true?

Just ordered my door step guards and about to order the deflector (likely from EGR).

racheysdad

Just recently added a backup sensor. I didn't want to drill holes into the bumper, so I went with an external sensor. I ordered a brand called Autopark 2000. JC Whitney carries it for 64.99, but I found it for only 23.99 at overstock.com It's also sold under the brand name of Smartpark 2000.

It's supposed to mount on the license plate frame, but that position is too high on the Seq, so I center mounted it just below the bumper. I don't have a hitch, so I just mounted it with an aluminum bracket I got at the hardware store. I bent the bracket into shape and wedged one end of it in between the steel beam and the plastic bumper cover. Then I wedged the other end into the seam of the device and super glued around it. Not as clean looking as bumper mounted sensors, but I think it came out pretty good. And even though it doesn't light up, most people think it's an auxillary brake light.

It works great, the speaker emits a low toned beep as you approach an object and switches to a higher pitched fast beep when your within about 3 feet. The sensitivity can easily be adjusted by turning a lever on back of the unit. The sensor coverage is only about 3 feet wide of center because the unit only has 2 sensors (about 12in apart) But seems perfectly adequate so far and I can always add more sensors later and just splice them into the center unit's wires.

here's a link for it at overstock.com, plus my album page for the install pics. (scroll all the way down for my latest pics)

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID- - - - - - =21092

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid3485198

raddboy41

I knew you couldn't keep that wallet closed for long!!! :^) Keep those cool add-ons coming!

racheysdad

LOL...thanks Raddboy, hey...the wallet needed to stretch a little, so I opened it up long enough for 23.99 to slip out

groobash

Anyone know where I can find light colored woodgrain dash inserts for my 2002 SR5? The OEM and all the aftermarket ones I could find on the web are too dark for my taste. Thanks much!

gkatz1

The Joshua Tree

groobash

thanks gkatz...unfortunately those all too dark as well. was looking more for something more "honey-colored", like http://www.customautotrim.com/wood-dash-kits/images/flat_2nd_larg- e.jpg

deviyiya

I just read from a web site that the Camry NAV system can fit into Sequoia. The site has pictures of Sequoia with the NAV system. It replaces the JBL stereo. I will check with dealer tomorrow. Has anyone made this installation? The web site is: www.oemvalue.com/request/toyotanav.htm.

This may be our lucky day. Please post feed back.

Kirstie_H

A journalist is hoping to interview a consumer who has purchased a used car, truck or SUV and customized it with accessories to match interests and tastes. What kind of extras did you add? Leather? Sunroof/moonroof? Upgraded stereo? Video system with flip down monitor? Off-road gear? Wheels and tires? Special paint jobs? Window tinting?
Please respond to newswiz@earthlink.net and/or jfallon@edmunds.com by Friday, March 5 with your name, daytime contact information and some information about your vehicle.
Thanks!
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

newsbase

Please let us know if the dealer is willing to do this... I have called two dealers in California and they refuse to do it since it is made for a Camry. OEMvalue supposedly provides all the harnesses and even offers a $100 rebate if you have a JBL stereo already. I just don't have the confidence to tear apart my dash. Please let me know if anybody has successfully done this... THANKS!

deviyiya

Over the weekend I visited one Toyota dealership and they told me that they will not install the NAV system. I called Toyota customer service department and they said Toyota will not do the change.

Oemvalue sent me a name of a Sequoia owner who install the Camry NAV system. He asked me to contact him only if I am going to order the NAV system. If you are serious about buying the Camry Nav system, contact oemvalue for his reference.

The Camry or Solara NAV system looks nice. I played with it when I visited the Toyota dealership over the weekend. However, it only has a single CD player unlike the 6 CD changer for the upgrade JBL 10 speaker system.

Right now, I am leaning towards the purchase of a Magellan Roadmate 700 gps unit.

racheysdad

Pics look great, nice and clean presentation.
Install itself doesn't look too hard. I removed the center dash piece and radio on our Sequoia and it wasn't hard at all. After you pop the dash piece off, there's only 4 screws holding in the radio frame. Then you just unplug the conections from the back. Plenty of room back there too, should be no problem fitting that external amp.

I almost spent $1600 for an Alpine GPS Dash Unit, but opted for a portable device instead. This unit would give me the clean stock look I want, but I'd want to see reviews first of how well the NAV unit actually functions. Anyone have any info on the manufacturer, Denso?
This is all I could find, but looks to just be a press release from Denso themselves.
http://www.itsa.org/ITSNEWS.NSF/0/4ac26454ca71d3b285256b170059bb2- - 8?OpenDocument

tom1

How is the DVD option that Toyota offers? AND, can I have this as well as have the moonroof in the Limited 4X4???

tom