Upgrading the head unit in a Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series is one of the best value changes you can make to the cabin, but there are more options on the market than ever. Screen sizes, operating systems, fitment kits and feature lists all vary, and the cheapest unit is rarely the one you want bolted into a vehicle you rely on. This guide walks through the criteria that actually matter for a 76, 78 or 79 Series, so you can choose with confidence rather than on price alone.
1. Operating System and Connectivity
Most modern units run some version of Android with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The important question is whether the unit can run maps and apps on its own, or whether it depends on your phone. Units with a built in 4G SIM slot and on board GPS can run navigation, offroad maps and music without a phone connection, which matters a lot once you are out of town. If you tour remote areas, prioritise a unit that works when your phone does not. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are now common and worth having for everyday driving.
2. Screen Size and Fit
The 70 Series dash opening sets a practical limit on screen size. A 9 inch unit gives a clean, close to factory look, while larger units up to 12.1 inch maximise screen real estate for maps and reversing cameras. Whatever the size, the unit should ship with a custom fit bezel made for the 70 Series opening. A generic bezel that almost fits is the difference between an upgrade that looks factory and one that looks aftermarket.
3. Fitment by Model and Year
The 70 Series has changed over its long life, and the dash and wiring differ between the pre 2023 models and the post 2023 facelift, as well as between dash variants. Buy the unit and harness matched to your exact model and year rather than a universal kit. PVS splits fitment per product for this reason. You can see the options on the 70 Series headunits collection, and our complete 70 Series headunit upgrade guide breaks fitment down by 76, 78 and 79 Series.
4. Factory Feature Retention
A good upgrade keeps what already worked. Check that the unit retains your factory steering wheel controls, supports a reverse camera with automatic switchover, and keeps any existing inputs you use. Losing steering controls or needing an extra module at additional cost is a common hidden catch with units not designed for the vehicle.
5. Installation
Many 70 Series units are genuinely plug and play: disconnect the battery, remove the factory unit, connect the supplied harness and fit the new screen, often with nothing more than a 10mm socket. That is achievable for a confident DIY owner. If you would rather it was done for you, or you are fitting other interior parts at the same time, a workshop that fits these units regularly will get the bezel, camera and controls all working together. PVS fits its units in house in Sydney and supplies plug and play kits to customers elsewhere.
6. Support and Reviews
A head unit is a four figure purchase that lives in your dash for years. Buy from a supplier who answers questions before and after the sale, stands behind the fitment, and has a track record you can read in customer reviews. Native app support, software updates and a real point of contact matter more than a long spec sheet.
A Quick Checklist
- Does it run maps and apps without a phone (4G SIM and on board GPS)?
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
- Right screen size with a custom 70 Series bezel?
- Matched to your exact model and year?
- Retains factory steering wheel controls and reverse camera?
- Plug and play, or local fitting available?
- Real support and verified reviews behind it?
The PVS Options
PVS builds two units for the 70 Series: the 9 inch MK4 for a factory sized fit and the 12.1 inch MK2 for the largest screen on the dash. Both run Android Automotive OS with built in Google services and 4G SIM support, retain factory steering controls, ship with a custom bezel for the 76, 78 and 79 Series from 2008 to 2026, and are fitted in house at the PVS Sydney workshop or supplied plug and play. If you want to weigh them against other brands, our LC70 head unit comparison guide covers the alternatives in detail.
MORE: Complete Headunit Upgrade Guide for the 70 Series · MK4 vs Alpine, Kenwood and Android Units Compared · CarPlay and the 70 Series: How to Go Wireless
