The New CarTrimHome HUD (Heads Up Display) For The 5th Gen 4Runner

The 4Runner is in desperate need of an overall redesign. Since 2010, when the 5th Gen hit the market, we’ve seen two generations of Tacomas (with a third on its way), two generations of Tundras and Sequoias (with multiple facelifts), and probably about 13 different Corollas. In fairness, the 5th Gen did see a facelift in 2014, but Toyota, come on – it’s time!

That’s not to say that the 5th Gen has lost its allure since its inception. In fact, quite the opposite. Since 2010, the 5th Gen 4Runner’s sales have seen an average year-over-year increase of 110%, with 2021 being the largest volume year, with around 145,000 vehicles sold. Toyota’s Tacoma outsells the 4Runner each year by a significant margin, but the price points also differ substantially.

But I digress… that’s not what this post is about. Considering the context above, Toyota is still overdue for a complete redesign of the 4Runner, and from what I can see, it’s forthcoming. In the meantime, aftermarket manufacturers are filling the tech gaps where Toyota hasn’t. And CarTrimHome has one that you should consider if you’re feeling a bit outdated in your 5th Gen.

Find it Online:

• CarTrimHome HUD For 5th Gen 4Runner (2014-2023): Check Price

What Is A Heads Up Display (HUD)?

HUD stands for Heads Up Display, and its primary function is to project the vehicle’s speedometer reading ever so slightly onto your windshield.

One of the main benefits, and the primary strategy, is for safety reasons; the less you have to take your eyes off the road, the better. With a digital LED projection of the current MPH/KPH on your windshield, it’s transparent enough to see through, doesn’t obstruct your view, and keeps your eyes on the road ahead.

One of the other benefits (that still dovetails into safety) is convenience. Road noise can easily overshadow the sound of a continuously blinking turn signal that wasn’t released after making a turn. Having the vehicle’s turn signal blink on the windshield, rather than being hidden behind the steering wheel, is another benefit.

CarTrimHome’s HUD not only offers speed readings and indicators for your blinking turn signals, but it can also display TPMS readings, weather, doors being ajar, battery voltage, and even the check engine light. So it can do a lot, but you may be wondering, how?

Aftermarket HUDs typically plug into your OBD port to relay the readings from the vehicle’s computer. CarTrimHome’s HUD has an additional harness that connects to ports behind your steering wheel, allowing for turn signal light projection, which I opted not to connect (more on that later).

Installation

Installing the HUD is a simple process. It replaces the upper left speaker/tweeter cover on your 4Runner’s dashboard, and you run one wire to the OMDB port. After that, you’re good to go!

Tools Needed:

• Nothing. The CarTrimHome HUD includes everything needed for installation!

Step 1. Disconnect Negative Battery Terminal (Optional)

This is a precautionary step I take any time I’m working with electronics or in an area where an airbag can inadvertently deploy. If you choose to take this precautionary step, loosen the negative battery terminal with a 10mm socket wrench and set it aside.

Step 2. Remove OEM Speaker/Tweeter Cover

Since CarTrimHome’s HUD replaces the driver’s side speaker/tweeter cover, you’ll need to remove the existing one completely.

Using one of the two included plastic pry removal tools, work your way around the edges and pop the cover off.

Step 3. Loosen Dashboard Trim Panel

How you get the wiring down from the dashboard to the OMDB is completely up to you. I opted to give a gentle tug on the panel containing the side mirror controls to fish it down. This panel does not need to be completely removed; it just needs to be opened up enough to fish the HUD wire from the tweeter section.

Step 4. Fish HUD Wire Behind Dashboard Panels

Pull the wire from the tweeter section of your dashboard down to the first opening.

Step 5. Connect the HUD Wire To the OMDB Harness

Once the HUD wire is pulled through the dash panel, you should be able to hand-feed the remaining length of the wire to the footwell area to start making your connections.

Step 6. Connect the OMDB Port Under the Dash

Before you reinstall the removed dash panel, plug the HUD into the OMDB plug. Then, connect the plug to the OMDB harness. Once your connections are made, you can pull any excess wire back up behind the dashboard and cinch everything up with a simple wire tie.

Step 6. Snap HUD Panel Into Place

With all the excess wire pulled behind the dash, the HUD clicks into place where the old tweeter/speaker cover used to sit.

Step 7. Apply Reflective Film

Be sure to clean the windshield before applying the reflective film. Turn the 4Runner engine on, and you should see a reflection of the LEDs on your windshield. This should serve as a good guide for determining where the reflective film should be placed.

That’s it, installation is complete!

Final Thoughts

In Pennsylvania, we’re required to display both a state and emissions annual inspection sticker on the lower driver’s side portion of the windshield. Pennsylvania takes this seriously, and you’ll rack up serious parking tickets if you don’t display these promptly.

That being said, I was a bit worried that the HUD’s reflection would not hit the right spot on the windshield and that the installation would be a bust. The only way I could determine its final placement (that allows for new adjustments) is by doing the complete installation. Fortunately, it worked out, and I can use the HUD!

CarTrimHome includes a secondary harness that can connect to two ports behind the steering wheel, which offers the additional feature of having your turn signal (or hazard) lights reflected on the dashboard. I opted not to use that harness or make that connection as I found that would be a bit too much illumination for my windshield. However, I may throw it in down the road; we’ll see.

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with this relatively inexpensive convenience upgrade. The CTH panel itself mimics the OEM panel and fits right into place.