$40 Capapro 7" replaces OEM JDM Carrozzeria AVIC-HRV002

It amazes me when something cheap actually works.

Amazon lists a $40 Capapro 7" Portable Carplay / Android Auto Wireless Touch Screen (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQL47587) that replaces the Pioneer Carrozzeria JDM screen to bring the 2008 car into 2025 where cell phones now do the heavy lifting

* Android Auto (or Apple Car Play)
* Aux into the Freelander 2 radio which gives the LR superior sound (be sure to set the Capapro to AUX)
* Touch screen
* Hands free phone and my wife says I sounded clear when I did a test
* Google Maps
* Spotify
* Back up camera (which I have not yet tried)

Reviews said the screen is hard to see, but in the Freelander 2 it is fine during the day. I've not tested it at night yet.

To install

- Unclip and remove the Carrozzeria screen
* Unscrew the display plate that attaches the screen to the dash (the dashboard side, not the display side)
- Four easy Philips screws and two underneath requiring a short Phillips bit to access (hold with small vice grips to break free) - see arrows



- Remove the ball joint from the Capapro plate
- Drill a hole in the middle of the Carrozzeria plate, and drill a matching hole in the ball socket of the Capapro plate
- Select a drill size that is tight for the bolt so it slightly threads when screwing in. This gives better grip



- Grind down the bolt and nut to be flush (or buy close-to-flush bolts and nuts) - photo above shows before grinding
- Note, if grinding, keep a bucket of cold water nearby and dunk the grinding before it overheats and melts the plastic
- Reattach to the dash. If the bolt and nut are not completely flush, buy slightly longer screws - use screw locker to hold
- Plug into cigar lighter and aux - Note if cigar lighter is always hot, unplug when leaving car... find ignition wire to power
- Turn on and link to Bluetooth


Next step (not done yet) is to hardwire the 12v into a feed that only works when the car is on, and wire the Aux so it is hidden.
There should be correct wires in the Carrozzeria screen plug, but I am reluctant to start chopping - right now all is reversible
After that give the rear camera a try. No idea how it activates when in reverse.

For $40 the FL2 2008 Midrange radio and Nav unit has been upgraded to 2025. It looks clean, almost factory and it integrates an Android phone (Pixel 9XL Pro) into the car's amplifier and speaker system which is superior. It does require pressing the Aux button to switch from radio to cell phone, Spotify, Google map voice, but that is a minor sacrifice. It gets rid of an inferior orange screen with Japanese characters, a Nav screen that says the car is in Japan, and a screen that does not turn off - annoying at night. Overall, it is a very-low-cost upgrade that takes less than an hour. No telling how long it will last, but at this price, it's worth a try.

How does this play sound through the car's speakers?

I just have a cubby hole where you have the screen. I see that Capapro can transmit sound on an FM transmitter that can be picked up by the car's built in stereo. Sounds like a good option, so I'd just tune the car's stereo into the Capapro but still get the annoying notifications.

Edit : just re read and see you use the aux.

I’m guessing one of those leads sticking out the side of the unit plugs into the 3.5mm ‘line in’, by the handbrake.
I have a small usb player plugged into mine, so can play memory sticks full of my tunes through the car sound system.

My phone just connects to the hands-free in the car for calls.