Okay, so you guys convinced me to get a Scion head unit to replace the crappy sounding stock '04 4runner head unit. But...now you're trying to convince me to do my own installation...oh boy...I am not good at that kinda thing but I figured I will read the thread with the instructions and do a dry run. Okay, I can't even get the black trim off to start with! I opened the big console, and pulled on the black trim, but not even a budge! Do you pry it off, open the little compartment with that has the spring door in it and the dc plug in it, and pull that out first? Need instructions for the handicapped installer! Thanks guys!
Can't get out of the starting block on the head unit installation!
- Thread starter rhlitt
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Toy-Man
New member
Open the big center console door so that it is out of the way, then open the little spring loaded door with cigarette lighter inside. Grab hold of the little door and give a good quick pull upwards. The whole piece should come away with no problem. Disconnect the 3 or 4 wire connectors and put the piece in a safe place to protect it from scrates.
You should not need to pry any of this pieces, besides prying could cause some damage.
It may be a bit more difficult to get the dash disassembled the first time, but after 10 or so times its comes away easier.
All the parts will need a good tug the get them loose and off. This time of year when the weather is warm that is no problem, but use caution in the cooler winter weather, the plastic pieces are more brittle and have a tendancy to break.
Here are the full instructions. They are not mine , I found them on this forum somewhere, my apolgies to the original author. They are written for the 03 Limited so colour of pieces may be different but the procedure is the same.
2003Toyota 4Runner LE
Removing the Trim around the Center Console
1. Pull the black trim up from around the gear shift (no bolts/screws)
2. Pull the silver trim up from around the center console (around the gear shift as well.. but this time the outer trim) No bolts or screws, unhook the connectors
3. Remove the lame slim storage tray in the center of the dash that pops out (below the A/C controls(just flip it open, then pull up)
4. Look for the one screw behind the tray near the top. Remove that screw.
5. Grab the AC controls and the computer display. Just give it a good yank. It will come out. Unhook the connector.
6. Now. Remove the two bolts by the driver’s knees, pull that panel out (the driver’s knee panel below the steering wheel.)
7. You will find one bolt hiding to the right of this panel that is holding on the center trim. Unbolt that bolt, and the two bolts that are now visible behind the computer/AC controls.
8. Now pull the center trim (silver) from the panel.
9. You will find two remaining bolts holding the radio in, unbolt them and you are done.
Once you have done it a few times, you can have your truck apart in under 5 minutes
Good Luck -TM
You should not need to pry any of this pieces, besides prying could cause some damage.
It may be a bit more difficult to get the dash disassembled the first time, but after 10 or so times its comes away easier.
All the parts will need a good tug the get them loose and off. This time of year when the weather is warm that is no problem, but use caution in the cooler winter weather, the plastic pieces are more brittle and have a tendancy to break.
Here are the full instructions. They are not mine , I found them on this forum somewhere, my apolgies to the original author. They are written for the 03 Limited so colour of pieces may be different but the procedure is the same.
2003Toyota 4Runner LE
Removing the Trim around the Center Console
1. Pull the black trim up from around the gear shift (no bolts/screws)
2. Pull the silver trim up from around the center console (around the gear shift as well.. but this time the outer trim) No bolts or screws, unhook the connectors
3. Remove the lame slim storage tray in the center of the dash that pops out (below the A/C controls(just flip it open, then pull up)
4. Look for the one screw behind the tray near the top. Remove that screw.
5. Grab the AC controls and the computer display. Just give it a good yank. It will come out. Unhook the connector.
6. Now. Remove the two bolts by the driver’s knees, pull that panel out (the driver’s knee panel below the steering wheel.)
7. You will find one bolt hiding to the right of this panel that is holding on the center trim. Unbolt that bolt, and the two bolts that are now visible behind the computer/AC controls.
8. Now pull the center trim (silver) from the panel.
9. You will find two remaining bolts holding the radio in, unbolt them and you are done.
Once you have done it a few times, you can have your truck apart in under 5 minutes
Good Luck -TM
Last edited:
Toy-Man
New member
Well as I remember, the center trim (step eight above) you have to move it around a little to get the bottom corners out from in front of the center console piece once it comes away from the dash. Its a pretty tight fit around the center console piece. Some people take the whole console off which involves a few more screws. I have never bothered. By moving the the center trim around it finally finds a way to let go at the bottom edges, its just that the trim fits a bit tighter at the bottom. You'll know what I mean when you get in that far in.
Good Luck
Good Luck
RHLitt, I was very nervous about doing this install on my own as well. However, this past weekend I installed my single disc Scion HU and an FM modulator that's hardwired into the unit to play my iPod. I used the following link as my guide. It has step-by-step pictures and easy to understand instructions.
http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/
The first time I installed the equipment, it took me about 20 minutes to take the dash apart. The key is to take your time. Go slowly and apply force gradually when pulling the pieces apart. You'll find they come out quite easily with the exception of two instances. The HVAC controls need a good yank—literally. These clips hold in place nice and tight, so even though you might think you're going to break something, apply force gradually and give it a nice pull from the bottom left corner. Once the bottom corner comes off, the rest is easy.
As for the silver trim around the radio/HVAC controls, this will require some wiggling too, but comes off easy once you wiggle the middle section out.
I ended taking most of the dash apart again yesterday to install a better quality y-adapter cable for the modulator. This time, it only took me about 10 minutes. Just take your time, use some prudence and you'll be fine.
http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/
The first time I installed the equipment, it took me about 20 minutes to take the dash apart. The key is to take your time. Go slowly and apply force gradually when pulling the pieces apart. You'll find they come out quite easily with the exception of two instances. The HVAC controls need a good yank—literally. These clips hold in place nice and tight, so even though you might think you're going to break something, apply force gradually and give it a nice pull from the bottom left corner. Once the bottom corner comes off, the rest is easy.
As for the silver trim around the radio/HVAC controls, this will require some wiggling too, but comes off easy once you wiggle the middle section out.
I ended taking most of the dash apart again yesterday to install a better quality y-adapter cable for the modulator. This time, it only took me about 10 minutes. Just take your time, use some prudence and you'll be fine.
TRD04RUNNER
New member
Thia is what it's look like when you have it apart!
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