Lexus SC 430 with NO NAV option

[Danos Parpotta]

Hi Guys,

I hope you are all well. I have searched the forum but cannot find an answer to this specific thread. I have a Lexus SC 430 'NO NAV' (or Navigation Delete) model. I was baffled when i realised that very few launch models came with the NAV option removed. So where the Navigation screen is, its just solid wood trim (as per attached photo). This is not an issue for me as i use Google Maps. But, i now want to upgrade the stereo to include BT and perhaps apple Car Play. Has anyone done something similar? I am not sure if the Beatsonic adaptor would work (and neither does Beatsonic themselves!)

Thanks in advance

Dan

[Neil E]

Hi Dan,

Does it have the Mark Levinson audio system with an ML/Harmon Amplifier? 

If you remove the head unit, take some pics of the back of the unit and the plugs, email a Beat-Sonic technician confirming vehicle chassis number /country of origin and I'm sure they could find a solution for you.

When I first converted a US spec Beat-Sonic adaptor to work in a UK car it did take some thought and wiring research but it worked just fine with a little modification to the loom. I also emailed Beat-Sonic and they responded in a couple of days with a simpler solution than my wiring hack. They also offered to make a bespoke 'euro spec' loom for me. A few years later and they now supply one specifically for the UK model. Your early lhd car will be slightly different but I suspect the US version MVA-13L adaptor will work with it, perhaps with just a minor wiring tweak or two.

There are a few guys on the US site clublexus who have the SC430 without Nav, you may find inspiration from some of their solutions. I eventually 'deleted' the factory Nav in my 2006 UK car and now use Google Maps and others from a dash mounted ipad connected to the Alpine head unit which also has Sat Nav. Anything is possible but it does depend on just how far you are prepared to go with it.