It goes without saying, but 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, 5th Gen 4Runner’s sales have seen an average year-over-year increase of 110%, with 2021 being the largest volume selling year at around ~145k vehicles sold. Toyota’s Tacoma outsells the 4Runner each year by a longshot, but the price points are also largely different.
But I digress… that’s not what this post is about. With all of the context above, Toyota is still overdue for a complete redesign of the 4Runner and from what I can see, it’s coming. 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are filling the tech gaps where Toyota hasn’t. And CarTrimHome has one that you should consider if you’re feeling a bit outdated in your 5th Gen.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
Table Of Contents
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 here 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 continuous blinking turn signal that wasn’t released after making a turn. So having the vehicle’s turn signal blinking on the windshield vs. potentially 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 generally plug into your OMDB port in order to relay the readings from the vehicle’s computer. CarTrimHome’s HUD has an additional harness that connects to ports behind your steering wheel that allow for turn signal light projection, which I opted not to connect (more on that later).
Installation
Installing the HUD is simple and straightforward. It replaces the upper left speaker/tweeter cover on your 4Runner’s dashboard and you simply 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 HUD Wire To 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 OMDB Port Under 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 of the excess wire pulled behind the dash, the HUD simply clicks into place where the old tweeter/speaker cover once sat.
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 bit of the LED’s reflection on your windshield. This should be a good guide as to where the reflective film should sit.
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 have these promptly displayed.
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 that 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 happy with this fairly cheap convenience upgrade. The CTH panel itself mimics the OEM panel and fits right into place.
Does the HUD have dimming functionality?
Watched this post for a bit hoping for more replies. I read jaroyota’s answer to Gregg’s question about the HUD interfering with the audio in ANY way. I am crazy picky about my audio. Can anyone else confirm that there is zero sound obstruction or difference after install?
Does anyone have the manual for this showing what the other lights mean? I had an orange light come on but couldn’t make out what the icon was.
Yes. Was it a coffee cup?
Yeah, what does that mean?
Did the HUD unit affect the sound quality/balance of your stereo?
Not at all.
Great review and awesome upgrade!
Does this show tire pressure of each individual tire?
It doesn’t show the actual tire pressure, but it does have a view that shows all 4 tires, and any that are low appear red
I installed this on my T4R, but mine DID NOT include a harness to plug into the OMBD port. Mine only had a harness that connects under the steering wheel. Overall, I’ve been very pleased with this. For the price, it’s not a bad piece of hardware. My legit ONLY complain is that it did not include any instructions for it on how to operate it. This is very similar piece that KTJO sells on her website for the Tacoma (and is prob made by same parent company in China). If ou have any instructions on how to change the settings, I’d be most grateful. 🙂
I have them.
Thanks for the review and install instructions! Mine is on the way!
Been looking at this for awhile after seeing another review on YouTube. Question is…what does the reflective film look like from the outside? Is it a gray box just sitting in the corner of the windshield? A picture would be great. Thanks.
It’s mirrored and one thing that I’m not a huge fan of, but fortunately only during the day time is it really visible. You could get away without using the reflective film altogether, but the speedometer won’t be as visible during the daytime. Again, it’s manageable. My suggestions is to ride with it for a day or two without the film and see if it works for you.
Thx. Actually have another question that you may or may not know the answer. Your install is slightly different than the video Cartrim home has linked on their website. Like someone said above, it doesn’t show a connection with the OMBD port. I’m wondering if the result is different…do all the same functions show or are there differences depending on how you install it?