Hi, the 99 4runner base model I bought came with a pioneer what I believe you young people call an audio system. It has mp blah, blah, blue teeth something or other, and flashing disco lights that turn all different colors, and hole to put something into it that I don't even know. I'm a senior citizen for Christ's sake! I listen to talk radio and a couple of classic rock stations. Maybe a few CD's now and then. I downloaded the instruction manual for it, but it might as well be written in Chinese. I'm not gonna lower myself to get a 16 year old kid to program this thing for me. I get enough crap from someone in India to help me with my computer. So my question is...If I can find a stock radio, what should I be looking for. This much I know, it doesn't have a diversity antenna like my 2000. I don't think it has an amplifier, but I'm not sure. I don't know if they fecked with the original speakers. I know the push in plastic rivets on the door panel were missing, so at one time or another, somebody got into both panels. What they did in there, who knows. What should I be looking for on Ebay and will it work? Some of you boy scouts out there, please think of this as helping an old feeble man across the street. Thanks.
1999 stock radio question
- Thread starter 4SKIN
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I'm not sure how many factory stereos were available, but I think there were a couple of versions. Factory stereo has an amp, which might still be installed in your truck. I'd hit up your local toyota dealer or favourite toyota parts source and get the part number. Internet or wrecking yards from there!
I'd pull out what you have in there and take a peek how it's wired etc. Hopefully they didn't cut out the factory connectors and just bought a harness adaptor.
If all the connectors and amp are still back there then you should be able to simply plug in your "old" new stereo and you're done.
I'd pull out what you have in there and take a peek how it's wired etc. Hopefully they didn't cut out the factory connectors and just bought a harness adaptor.
If all the connectors and amp are still back there then you should be able to simply plug in your "old" new stereo and you're done.
Thanks. Would I be able to tell if they used an adapter? What should I look for? I guess the only way to tell is if I got a 99 radio and looked at the connections. If there's an adapter, I should be able to remove it and plug the factory harness right into the factory radio, Right? Buying a factory radio from Toyota is out of the question, I checked, they want more for one then I paid for the vehicle.
There will be a plug into the back of the current stereo. Obviously that is different from the factory plug. Follow the wires down to the splice, then below that there will hopefully be another plug (or 2, one is for power etc and one is for speakers) If that's the case you're good. Remove the current stereo with the wire harness adaptor. I believe the harness you'll be left with plugs into the amp. I'm not sure how the amp is connected to the factory head unit as mine was missing when I got it too so you might need a cable from the head unit to the factory amp.
Not suggesting you get a brand new factory one, just get the part number that goes with your VIN, then start your shopping there.
I'm surprised it doesn't have the diversity antenna. Mine does. It's not connected because I have an aftermarket stereo but I know the cable is there and the antenna is in the glass.
sterbenlicht
New member
You're looking for something like this: http://factoryradioservice.com/images/MVC-254S_TO.JPG
or this: http://images.sc1.netdna-cdn.com/D/Factory-Stereo-R-1984-detailed-image-1.jpg
There are variations of them depending on the year of the truck and the model it came from, but aside from antenna functions, pretty much all will work. I can almost always find used ones on Craigslist very cheaply, so check there. I actually have one that worked fine when I removed it except the backlighting doesn't work which is why I took it out. I also have two of the amps, both in working condition as far as I know.
If you take out that aftermarket radio and you find that you still have the factory harness available, then you're more than welcome to the parts I have. The route I took, which I think works out better, is a Scion radio. It uses the same factory harness, and a cheap antenna adapter solves the rest. It has a built-in amplifier and it sounds way better than the two trucks I pulled the factory radios and external amps out of. The only headache is trimming the surrounding bezel because the scion radios are about 1/4" wider. If you figure anything out, feel free to send me a message if you'd like the parts I have. I don't check in here often enough to keep up with updates in the threads.
Also, it's difficult to tell what's still in the truck even if you get your hands on another radio to look at. Because these had external amps, the normal wiring plugs into that amp, then there are wires from that amp to the radio. The normal universal connector that works in the back of many Toyota/Lexus/Scion radios is usually present, but it's connected to the back of the amp rather than dangling out in front of you when you remove the radio from the dash. Since there's an aftermarket radio installed, there's a chance they've taken the wires from the other side of the amp bypassing the middle man to connect to the new radio, and it won't look the same as the connectors on the back of the factory radio.
or this: http://images.sc1.netdna-cdn.com/D/Factory-Stereo-R-1984-detailed-image-1.jpg
There are variations of them depending on the year of the truck and the model it came from, but aside from antenna functions, pretty much all will work. I can almost always find used ones on Craigslist very cheaply, so check there. I actually have one that worked fine when I removed it except the backlighting doesn't work which is why I took it out. I also have two of the amps, both in working condition as far as I know.
If you take out that aftermarket radio and you find that you still have the factory harness available, then you're more than welcome to the parts I have. The route I took, which I think works out better, is a Scion radio. It uses the same factory harness, and a cheap antenna adapter solves the rest. It has a built-in amplifier and it sounds way better than the two trucks I pulled the factory radios and external amps out of. The only headache is trimming the surrounding bezel because the scion radios are about 1/4" wider. If you figure anything out, feel free to send me a message if you'd like the parts I have. I don't check in here often enough to keep up with updates in the threads.
Also, it's difficult to tell what's still in the truck even if you get your hands on another radio to look at. Because these had external amps, the normal wiring plugs into that amp, then there are wires from that amp to the radio. The normal universal connector that works in the back of many Toyota/Lexus/Scion radios is usually present, but it's connected to the back of the amp rather than dangling out in front of you when you remove the radio from the dash. Since there's an aftermarket radio installed, there's a chance they've taken the wires from the other side of the amp bypassing the middle man to connect to the new radio, and it won't look the same as the connectors on the back of the factory radio.
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TheDurk
Elite Member
Actually, I'm pretty sure the '99 base model did not have an external amp, nor a double -DIN. The same harness plug that goes into the amp would have gone right into the head unit, which was probably a simple stand-alone cassette/AM/FM single-DIN height unit with no external amp. That's what was in my '99 SR5 when I brought it home new from the dealer and it was in there almost until the middle of the afternoon. (I gave it away that week, or I'd give it to you.)
If you have that harness plug available, pretty much any factory stand-alone dash unit or head/amp combo can be dropped in. IIRC, there were two of each type available in 1999; they are described in the manual. The radio will still work without the diversity antenna, if the main one works. We really need a pic of the wiring behind the center console with close-ups of the harness plugs to best tell you your options.
If you have that harness plug available, pretty much any factory stand-alone dash unit or head/amp combo can be dropped in. IIRC, there were two of each type available in 1999; they are described in the manual. The radio will still work without the diversity antenna, if the main one works. We really need a pic of the wiring behind the center console with close-ups of the harness plugs to best tell you your options.
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Thank you all. If I get some time maybe this week I'll take the console out and see what I have going on in there. I don't remember what I saw in there when I had it off, and at the time, I wasn't even thinking about getting rid of this radio. Now I want it gone. Today my wife tried to set the clock for me and she even gave up and she's usually pretty good at this sort of thing.
sterbenlicht
New member
Ah, these would be some of the details I'm not aware of. Is this just a base model thing? The two radios and amps I have are from a 1996 SR5 and a 2001 SR5. I just assumed the rest across the board would be a similar setup.
TheDurk
Elite Member
No, as I said, my '99 SR5 had no amp. Look at the pages starting with p.85 in the '99 manual. It describes four types of audio systems.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxyYXlkb3VibGUzNjB8Z3g6MmExYjU0ZTQ3MjJkMWU3YQ
Mine had the type 2-1 and it had no external amp. Neither did type 1, I'm sure. I'm sure all Limiteds had amps. SR5's could have either with or without.
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sterbenlicht
New member
Oh wow, I've never seen the first two types. The one I have out of the '96 was something like type 3, and if I remember correctly, the upper and lower halves were individual units and were joined together. I found that interesting, but never considered they'd offer an option without the cd player. In any event, both of the ones I have were replaced with Scion units, and the sound quality is incredible compared to the old units and amps that were removed. The speakers now sound better than I thought they could.
I'm not particularly interested in all of the fancy aftermarket systems out there, but I'm sure some people here have setups that sound amazing.
RussToy
New member
I have a 2000 SR5 that I just took my factory radio and Amp out of. I put in a single din and then some switches.
Buddy, if you want them...they yours for the cost of shipping. Unfortunately I live in Ohio, so it might set you back $10-$15. This is the one I have. Let me know Sir :snacker:
http://images.sc1.netdna-cdn.com/D/Factory-Stereo-R-1984-detailed-image-1.jpg
Cheers...
- Russel
A.Wilson013
New member
Now that I think this thread is complete...
How have I never noticed the teeth on your avatar? Ha!
RussToy
New member
Thanks...we have 2 pugs here at the house. They are the best dogs ever...and when I saw this picture I about died laughing..hahaha!! I used that for my avatar when I started on here as a joke and was going to change it. But I received a lot of positive feedback...so just left it.
Speaking of avatar...yours has always made me jealous...hahaha!! And actually ended up costing me $1300!! Because I ended up having to buy a supercharger for myself!! Have to be honest though...I need to say thanks! I really love my supercharger...lol!!
**Just a side note: you have one of the nicest 4Runners on here...awsesome build!!**
Have a great Thanksgiving my Friend
- Russel
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