03 Radio Replacement

[WYFFFT]

Doing some research on this and there are several opinions out there so I came here to a dedicated 4Runner forum.
The CD player has quit working, has CD’’ s still inside and will not eject them. I’m finding I may have to take the unit apart to get them. Ideas?
So I also want to upgrade the radio to a double din type with CD player, Bluetooth at least and retain the steering wheel controls. What receiver options are there that anyone has personally used or using along with adapters, harnesses needed to retain steering wheel controls and all speaker functions. Part numbers and locations would be great. I have the JBL RDS system. If all this isn’t possible what options?
Thanks in advance

 

[ArthurKotb]

You don't say which radio you have. CD players have a pin hole on the face somewhere that you can put a paper clip into and pop out the CD. I have no idea how the 6 CD in dash ejects them, especially if the device is frozen and won't rotate the CDs into the ejection place.

The 6 CD in-dash is a double DIN. I would assume the standard radio with 1 CD is the same.

Your best bet is Crutchfield for all your questions. They are VERY helpful, even years after your purchase. I put a new radio in my wife's Sienna but opted not to have the cable for the steering wheel controls. That was 6 or 7 years ago. This year I felt bad about it and called Crutchfield. I could still order the cable and it works perfectly.

Since the CD player is jammed I would suggest upgrading the radio. It's not difficult to remove it. My 6-CD still works but I bought a device that allows me to connect my SiriusXM head unit (AUX), Bluetooth for streaming and phone calls and a charging port. That was $200 so you'd be better off just replacing the radio with a new one.

Crutchfield: Car Stereo and Audio, Speakers, Home Theater, Pro Audio, TVs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfECle3VqOI (Remove radio)

This is the device I connected to my OEM 6-CD radio to get the Bluetooth, phone and charging port
USA Spec BT45-TOY Add Bluetooth(R) functionality to select Lexus, Scion, and Toyota vehicles at Crutchfield

 

[WYFFFT]

Sorry for not posting that. It’s the 6 disc in dash version. I am thinking of just replacing the head unit.

 

[Buckaroo]

Second the recommendation on Crutchfield. You enter your vehicle details and they will give you all the available options with great directions for install and excellent tech support for any questions. They identify and supply all the trim pieces and wiring harnesses that you need to make it work. We installed a new head unit in my son's 2005 T4R and it turned out great!

 

[ArthurKotb]

Sorry for not posting that. It’s the 6 disc in dash version. I am thinking of just replacing the head unit.

I agree but remember that the premium radio has an amplifier (330 watt?). My wife's Sienna had one and the new radio was more powerful than what the amplifier was so it now sits in my garage. The premium radio probably has that separate amplifier so be sure to mention that and get any necessary cables for it and the steering wheel controls.

My experience was that the cables supplied by Crutchfield just connected together and you just had to mount the radio. It was all pretty simple with their instructions and the YouTube video I linked in the earlier post to show you how to get at the radio.

If my CD player had died I think I would have bought a new radio but I like the RDS, 6-CD and cassette player. I have a lot of cassettes from that era. It has been a great radio. Now, with the Bluetooth addition, it's even better. The SiriusXM app on my Samsung S24+ makes the music better than the Sirius head unit and it's nice to have the Google Maps directions play through the radio.

 

[CarlosV]

Crutchfield

Also excellent experience with Crutchfield

 

[Harlock]

I too have used Crutchfield to replace my head unit with an aftermarket one. The best things about them are that you can put your specific vehicle into their site and it'll find everything you need for the install. Then they send very good vehicle-specific instructions for how to put it in. This simplifies things considerably. The 4Runner has a good amount of space behind the radio and aftermarket units are also smaller. So there's lots of room and the 4Runner only needs a faceplate bezel and a couple of mounting brackets. So there's nothing complicated like cutting, etc. I installed a JVC unit, but am replacing it with an Alpine. I bought both from them.

 

[bongfoo]

i've been thinking about a replacement myself. thinking about going with an android head unit like joying

 

[CAFunRunner]

i've been thinking about a replacement myself. thinking about going with an android head unit like joying

I installed a Joying head unit. It's solid. The Wireles carplay works great, and I also added the backup camera. I used the Metra 95-8210 Double DIN Installation Kit and it ended up really clean.