HU UPGRADE "Best-Of Thread" - 3rd Gens\Newer T4R's (Kenwood 5140 w\satellite radio)
My 2000 T4R SR5 just turned over 180k this summer. Since I’ve committed to try & run it another 100k, I decided to upgrade my OEM audio to enjoy the ride a few more years anyway. I started off doing a basic thread with questions, then ended up doing more searches and found a ton of GREAT POSTS & PICS about HU installs for 4 Runners - not only from this site, but other Toyota forums as well. Everyone has been really helpful with my dumb questions (thanks!). I thought it might be worth posting a “BEST-OF" with several installs, threads, links & pics that I found helpful with mine. Hopefully, this might be an easy reference for next person (without having to do a bunch of searches), or at the very least, a great place to start your install. No matter what HU unit you’re installing, most of the info here should be similar. I intentially didn't post a lot of pics since most of the install process is covered very well in the other links at the end of this thread.
Below are my install pics (Kenwood dnx5140 into a 2000 T4R SR5), & below those are the many other threads I found from older posts on this site & other boards with much more detailed photos. I didn’t find a lot about satellite (or radar dect) installation, so I tried to touch on that with my pics here – good luck and happy installing! :
Before I started:
Install complete:
My grubby finger marks from testing it...
IPOD Hiding spot:
I ended up pulling through the USB connection plugs into the glove box also (not pictured) so I'd have the option to use a thumb drive as an alternate to the ipod. FYI: Thumb drive has a much slower screen repsonse time than the ipod does - but can also be used for transferring files \ pics.
I have a radar dectector (with propiatary connection), so I pulled it through with the GPS Antenna - radar dectector connection comes through benzel (pic below) to the lighter plug. Both GPS & Radar Dect wires run through defrost vent behind dash.
Radar wire through to lighter plug on benzel. I put a rubber gromet in the hole (gromet not pic). The hole is barely noticable, but if I did it again, I'd likely drill to the right side of that cubby hole (left of lighter plug). Either way, I don't have to deal with the wire in front of radio and have easy access to the propiatary plug with fuse.
Satellite antenna mounted in front of rear hatch center. I don't have a lift kit and had to get on my toes to take this pic (I'm 6ft). So you really can't see it from any angle unless you're looking for it (and know it's there).
Satellite ANT wire through to cabin:
I just brought the wire through the existing rear light wiring boot and put a dab of rubber sealant on the entry point. By using the lower side of boot, it helps divert water away from the boot. If you insert on top, it might drip into wiring connections.
GREAT SIRIUS HIDING SPOT Options for satellite receiver placement seemed limited. However, after snooping around a bit, I found a great spot next to the HU. Take off the four bolt plastic piece below the steering wheel. Up inside, there's a PERFECT place for any satellite receiver (or other small accessory such as HD radio unit, Ipod, etc...) It's an open space for one of the above, just to the left of the radio housing frame. The frame has a firm & flat surface - any unit could be bolted, but I just used velcro to attach the sirius receiver -see pic below:
BELOW ARE THE MANY LINKS I FOUND HELPFUL. These are older threads from this board & others with much more detailed pics and info about installing a HU into an 3rd gen & newer T4R's.
My fist\original thread with questions which spawned into more curiosity and searches found below. Special thanks to Toylocost for his early responses….
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=53413
Howto: 2000 Stereo Replacement : Scroll up in this thread if you start at the bottom - it’s a 2000 4R Audio Upgrade with great pics
http://www.4runnerforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6010
HU Install pics for a 1997 T4R
http://yotatech.com/f127/aftermarket...4runner-75275/
Install pics for a 2002 T4R from yotatech.comhttp://yotatech.com/f2/kenwood-dnx5120-nav-system-installed-my-02-runnner-pics-177830/
Working around the safety break issue & antenna locations inside by vent.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=47684&highlight=sirius
SIRRUS SCCI install on an 08 T4R http://www.digitalradiocentral.com/...-2008-4runner-toy-sc1-sc-c1-installation.html
This thread talks about the famous Toyota diversity antenna’s (two male factory leads but only one female jack on new aftermarket HU)
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=16339&highlight=Antenna
Diversity Antenna – more info
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=52895&highlight=Reception
Kenwood dnx5140 install on a 2007 T4R – includes SWI control info used on newer models
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2748153
My 2000 T4R SR5 just turned over 180k this summer. Since I’ve committed to try & run it another 100k, I decided to upgrade my OEM audio to enjoy the ride a few more years anyway. I started off doing a basic thread with questions, then ended up doing more searches and found a ton of GREAT POSTS & PICS about HU installs for 4 Runners - not only from this site, but other Toyota forums as well. Everyone has been really helpful with my dumb questions (thanks!). I thought it might be worth posting a “BEST-OF" with several installs, threads, links & pics that I found helpful with mine. Hopefully, this might be an easy reference for next person (without having to do a bunch of searches), or at the very least, a great place to start your install. No matter what HU unit you’re installing, most of the info here should be similar. I intentially didn't post a lot of pics since most of the install process is covered very well in the other links at the end of this thread.
Below are my install pics (Kenwood dnx5140 into a 2000 T4R SR5), & below those are the many other threads I found from older posts on this site & other boards with much more detailed photos. I didn’t find a lot about satellite (or radar dect) installation, so I tried to touch on that with my pics here – good luck and happy installing! :
Before I started:
Install complete:
My grubby finger marks from testing it...
IPOD Hiding spot:
I ended up pulling through the USB connection plugs into the glove box also (not pictured) so I'd have the option to use a thumb drive as an alternate to the ipod. FYI: Thumb drive has a much slower screen repsonse time than the ipod does - but can also be used for transferring files \ pics.
I have a radar dectector (with propiatary connection), so I pulled it through with the GPS Antenna - radar dectector connection comes through benzel (pic below) to the lighter plug. Both GPS & Radar Dect wires run through defrost vent behind dash.
Radar wire through to lighter plug on benzel. I put a rubber gromet in the hole (gromet not pic). The hole is barely noticable, but if I did it again, I'd likely drill to the right side of that cubby hole (left of lighter plug). Either way, I don't have to deal with the wire in front of radio and have easy access to the propiatary plug with fuse.
Satellite antenna mounted in front of rear hatch center. I don't have a lift kit and had to get on my toes to take this pic (I'm 6ft). So you really can't see it from any angle unless you're looking for it (and know it's there).
Satellite ANT wire through to cabin:
I just brought the wire through the existing rear light wiring boot and put a dab of rubber sealant on the entry point. By using the lower side of boot, it helps divert water away from the boot. If you insert on top, it might drip into wiring connections.
GREAT SIRIUS HIDING SPOT Options for satellite receiver placement seemed limited. However, after snooping around a bit, I found a great spot next to the HU. Take off the four bolt plastic piece below the steering wheel. Up inside, there's a PERFECT place for any satellite receiver (or other small accessory such as HD radio unit, Ipod, etc...) It's an open space for one of the above, just to the left of the radio housing frame. The frame has a firm & flat surface - any unit could be bolted, but I just used velcro to attach the sirius receiver -see pic below:
BELOW ARE THE MANY LINKS I FOUND HELPFUL. These are older threads from this board & others with much more detailed pics and info about installing a HU into an 3rd gen & newer T4R's.
My fist\original thread with questions which spawned into more curiosity and searches found below. Special thanks to Toylocost for his early responses….
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=53413
Howto: 2000 Stereo Replacement : Scroll up in this thread if you start at the bottom - it’s a 2000 4R Audio Upgrade with great pics
http://www.4runnerforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6010
HU Install pics for a 1997 T4R
http://yotatech.com/f127/aftermarket...4runner-75275/
Install pics for a 2002 T4R from yotatech.comhttp://yotatech.com/f2/kenwood-dnx5120-nav-system-installed-my-02-runnner-pics-177830/
Working around the safety break issue & antenna locations inside by vent.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=47684&highlight=sirius
SIRRUS SCCI install on an 08 T4R http://www.digitalradiocentral.com/...-2008-4runner-toy-sc1-sc-c1-installation.html
This thread talks about the famous Toyota diversity antenna’s (two male factory leads but only one female jack on new aftermarket HU)
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=16339&highlight=Antenna
Diversity Antenna – more info
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=52895&highlight=Reception
Kenwood dnx5140 install on a 2007 T4R – includes SWI control info used on newer models
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2748153
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