Aftermarket Radio Dash Kit Blank Space - Toyota 4Runner Forum

drewsro · 08-21-2019, 01:45 PM

Hey all, tried doing a little searching but couldn't find any dedicated threads to this, but I'm trying to see what options we have when it comes to the very large blank spaces on each side of the radio when putting in an aftermarket radio. Would prefer to see photos of either what you have done or what someone else has. Thinking along the lines of phone mounts, switches, etc

Whippersnapper02 · 08-21-2019, 02:03 PM

You can get the China T8/T9 headunit which uses these spaces for buttons.

Otherwise there are no real options. Some owners mount communication radio mics there.

KuhDunkADunk · 08-21-2019, 02:14 PM

Depends on which aftermarket kit you get. There is a Scosche one and a Metra one. I think I have the Metra. Ironically, I use Scoshe dash mounts on both sides of the radio display to magnet mount my phone and my wife's. However, with both together, I can have an ipad covering everything.

drewsro · 08-21-2019, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whippersnapper02

You can get the China T8/T9 headunit which uses these spaces for buttons.

Otherwise there are no real options. Some owners mount communication radio mics there.

A couple things here. First off, I'm gonna take a hard pass on that headunit.

Second, saying there are no real options is dumb to say. It is just a piece of plastic. You can cut, mount, and paint it easily. I'm not limiting this to accessories made for that dash kit (there are none), but rather, what custom things people have done.

Whippersnapper02 · 08-21-2019, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewsro

A couple things here. First off, I'm gonna take a hard pass on that headunit.

Second, saying there are no real options is dumb to say. It is just a piece of plastic. You can cut, mount, and paint it easily. I'm not limiting this to accessories made for that dash kit (there are none), but rather, what custom things people have done.

I meant there are no bolt in options.

drewsro · 08-21-2019, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whippersnapper02

I meant there are no bolt in options.

Unfortunately you are right, that is why I'm hoping someone has done some cool modification. The idea of putting switches in that area sounds appealing, but I don't remember how much space is behind there. I had my radio out a few times but never really looked. Even small cubbies might look okay in those spots.

Hans Moleman · 08-21-2019, 02:48 PM

That's why I haven't bought an aftermarket head unit. The traditional 7" screen ones look all weird with the huge amount of blank space on the sides.

The T8/T9 look nice but they are full of bugs.

Supposedly 2020 4Runner head unit looks a lot better and has a bigger screen.

drewsro · 08-21-2019, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hans Moleman

That's why I haven't bought an aftermarket head unit. The traditional 7" screen ones look all weird with the huge amount of blank space on the sides.

The T8/T9 look nice but they are full of bugs.

Supposedly 2020 4Runner head unit looks a lot better and has a bigger screen.

That's why I held off too. The 2020 would be awesome but I don't think it will work in my 2012, and the price would be astronomical.

drewsro · 08-23-2019, 01:28 PM

Anyone have anything? My thoughts right now are to try to find a cubby of some sort that can fit/mount on one of the sides and that can also double as a wireless charger. Also thinking about some switches on one of the sides.

gainman · 08-23-2019, 01:53 PM

I have the t9 unit and it's awesome. Looks factory, works great

msp · 08-23-2019, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewsro

A couple things here. First off, I'm gonna take a hard pass on that headunit.

Second, saying there are no real options is dumb to say. It is just a piece of plastic. You can cut, mount, and paint it easily. I'm not limiting this to accessories made for that dash kit (there are none), but rather, what custom things people have done.

100% right. I thought about putting an analog clock on one side. I thought about putting a phone holder or CB mic holder on one side. It has to be something you need easy access to. Haven't come up with anything to make me want to start cutting plastic. I did see, somewhere, a guy who had drilled a hole and put the external mic for his head unit in it. I thought that was clever.

drewsro · 08-23-2019, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msp

100% right. I thought about putting an analog clock on one side. I thought about putting a phone holder or CB mic holder on one side. It has to be something you need easy access to. Haven't come up with anything to make me want to start cutting plastic. I did see, somewhere, a guy who had drilled a hole and put the external mic for his head unit in it. I thought that was clever.

Exactly. I couldn't think of anything besides my phone right now that I would need to mount. Switches could be nice, but I don't have any extra accessories or lights at this time. Just wish Scosche or Metra could of put a little more effort into designing these.

drewsro · 08-23-2019, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gainman

I have the t9 unit and it's awesome. Looks factory, works great

Looks great, yes, but until I can see proven reliability (sounds like a mess from what I read in the other threads) and better OS, I'm going to pass.

msp · 08-23-2019, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewsro

Looks great, yes, but until I can see proven reliability (sounds like a mess from what I read in the other threads) and better OS, I'm going to pass.

I had the T8. Great screen. Didn't want to endlessly tweak the thing to get it all sorted out. If that's your thing, I'm sure the T9 is a little better. I'd prefer spending my time on other more interesting projects.

jaemz · 08-23-2019, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KuhDunkADunk

Depends on which aftermarket kit you get. There is a Scosche one and a Metra one. I think I have the Metra. Ironically, I use Scoshe dash mounts on both sides of the radio display to magnet mount my phone and my wife's. However, with both together, I can have an ipad covering everything.

i was planning on doing this exact setup with my ipad 12.9. how big is your ipad? stability offroad?

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