New to me 02 Sport with old crappy Pioneer CD player. I’ve taken out the old head unit to see what awaits me for this new stereo install from unit when my Crutchfield unit arrives. I paid the extra $25 to have Crutchfield do the harness connections for me.

1st issue: I see two antenna wires wrapped in foam which, after researching, I now know need to be combined using a Y adapter I can get on Amazon, and an adapter that makes the little teeny rear antenna plug the same size as a regular plug. I got that. These two antenna inputs were not inserted into the back of the old head unit, which tells me why I got such crappy radio reception.

But... I also see what looks like an antenna input that also comes out, a third one and not part of any harness, and not wrapped in foam, and it has a red plastic end. It’s a double wire, like lamp cord, and it has one large and one small wire. The large side has the red antenna input which I removed from the old pioneer head unit, and the small wire has been separated and wire nutted to a blue and white wire on the old pioneer harness. Any idea what this 3rd “antenna wire” is and what I do with it?

2nd issue: The power antenna is shot and I want to replace it with a rubber antenna, like 12-14 inches tall. I’ve read countless threads on the taco whip mod, but all I want is a regular screw down antenna, I don’t really care about Toyota OEM stuff for an antenna. As long as it fits I’m good. I’m wondering if I can just go to AutoZone and just get a regular screw down antenna and the parts and housing that bolts down onto my fender. Is this possible or do I have to use OEM?

EDIT: I just remembered that the previous owner installed an antenna that sticks to the inside top windshield. Probably because he was too cheap to replace the broken power antenna.

Sorry for the long post, and any and all help is much appreciated !

What model Pioneer stereo was in there out of curiosity? What are you replacing it with?

Old unit was a Pioneer DEH1300MP, new unit is a Kenwood Excelon DPX793BH

Funny I have a OEM Pioneer T1819 head unit in my 2002 Saturn and it kicks ass. I started with the T1819 in my 97 4Runner. Couldn't do without the connectivity.


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Funky third antenna jack was connected to the cheap, stick-on antenna stuck inside the front windshield. Hopefully that’ll do it for this install. Thanks for all the help.

Regarding the original duplex antenna: you don't need both antennas -- it's a premium feature that Toyota decided to put in the 4Runner to offer better reception -- perhaps because the truck is designed to be driven off road, where reception is likely to be worse (but that's just a guess). If you just connect the front antenna, you'll have the same system that's in 99% of other cars on the road.

BTW, Pioneer is known for having the most sensitive tuners on the market. If you live in a city, it's no big deal. But if you live out in the country and you want good radio reception, Pioneer is the brand you want. Point being, if you weren't getting good reception with the head unit you removed, it was because of that crappy antenna. (BTW: that's actually a very good head unit. A little old, so it doesn't have modern features most of us want... but it's a solid unit in terms of audio performance.)

Yes, you can just get a simple/inexpensive antenna at any auto parts store -- there's nothing special about the mount on the 4Runner.

My input on the non OEM "Autozone" Taco Antenna is this- It bolts up fine, but you will not be able to reuse the factory grommet on top due to a different angle it comes through the fender. I ended up custom making a piece of rubber to match the angle better- even so , my antenna isn't sitting quite vertical. But, for $12.50 with the mast, it was well worth the investment IMO.

I ordered a Metra antenna off amazon. One of the questions asked was replied to by the owner of a 99 4runner, and he said it fit his just fine so I’m hoping this works.

Good to know about the front antenna being what 99% of you use, but I have already ordered the adapter that puts two into one so I think I’m gonna use it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Do you have a link to that antenna y adapter? This one just took me to an aftermarket antenna...

Do you have a link to the rear antenna adapter?

Y- adapter

https://www.amazon.com/Metra-40-UV43...ntenna+adapter

Mini adapter

https://www.amazon.com/Metra-40-UV43...ntenna+adapter

Just an FYI, you don't need both antennas hooked up. One or the other is enough.

See above

So I ordered that generic antenna, and I have an 02 Sport with the OEM wheel "flares" (no idea what they are called).

How hard are they to get off? I've seen numerous videos that show how you have to remove the inner plastic on the wheel well, but how hard is removing the outter plastic?

Should only have to remove the inner wheel well plastic. (which is extremely flexible/durable) Might have to "break" a couple of those plastic plug fasteners with the holes in them. Remove just enough to expose the antenna.

The hardest part is fishing the new antenna cable through your interior. Not sure if you removing your old one or just cutting it off. I replaced my entire motor and pulled it through using the cable already in place. Was still a pain. Honestly it's so much easier just to replace the mast. Then put a switch in and keep it down and use the diversity antenna for reception.

My plan is to tie a string on the end of the original antenna as I pull it out through the wheel well, then use that same string to pull the new one through.