2003 stereo replacment

[inerax]

Hey everyone. I was hoping for some help with replacing a stereo. Nothing is wrong with the stereo just want an upgrade with an aux/bluetooth.

I was looking at something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/PIONEER-AVH-...stereo+double+DIN&refinements=p_85:2470955011

Looks like it has an aux plug in the back and I can run the cord into my center console or somewhere i can plug my phone in.


I was also looking at the install kit here:
https://www.amazon.com/2003-2009-Installation-Package-Replaces-replacing/dp/B00SUEBEW6?th=1

First question, what is RDS? How do I know if I have RDS? I have a 2003 limited v8... Does that help?

Also, what is involved with replacing everything? I would like to not have to cut the wiring harness.

Any help would be great! Thank you!

 

[xwake4lifex]

I would recommend you check out Crutchfield if you don't want to cut with wiring harness. For $20 they'll connect all the wiring for you. They are who I was going to use, but I decided to use an FM transmitter for $16. Where I live has limited stations so it was a decent choice for me and much cheaper than a new head unit.

The install seems fairly simple from YouTube videos I watched on how to do it. Would have attempted my first install myself to save a lot of money.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[inerax]

So you are saying to take my car to Crutchfield or to buy the parts from them. I just noticed my location says Colorado... I am in Virginia now however.

 

[OliviasDad]

I just replaced my head unit this past weekend with a Pioneer AVH-X490BS that I purchased off of Amazon. I also got the metra wiring harness and faceplate as well. Although I like Crutchfield and have used them in the past, their prices tend to be 15-20% higher than what you can get on Amazon and there are plenty of videos/websites that give you the info needed to install, so I'm not sure going with Crutchfield is any better unless you want to spend more. You can even find their install directions via the web (file:///C:/Users/smithjami/Downloads/CrutchfieldMasterSheet-0000530079.pdf).

The wiring literally is matching wire color to wire color (metra includes this in their packaging) and then plugging it in. Although it takes time, it's not complicated. Getting the dash disassembled/reassembled is what takes the most time.

Here is a pic of my final install:

 

[AuSeeker]

RDS stands for Radio Data System, it basically displays the radio station call sign and song/artist/content info on the radio display, in some areas you can also get traffic info, etc, as well, so if you see this type of info on the radio display you have RDS.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Data_System

On 2003 to 2005 T4Rs I think you have to have the JBL system to also have the RDS, but on later year models that may not be the case and you will probably have to check and see if you see radio station and content info displayed on your radio display to know if you have RDS, on my 2004 T4R there is has both JBL and RDS printed in the face plate of the stock radio.

 

[xwake4lifex]

So you are saying to take my car to Crutchfield or to buy the parts from them. I just noticed my location says Colorado... I am in Virginia now however.

I was saying order your head unit from them and you will get all the required hardware. Again, I've never ordered from them but I was going to. Seemed like a decent deal. However, I agree with everything quoted below about their prices. If I was more familiar with car stereo equipment I would order all the pieces from Amazon and save even more money.

I just replaced my head unit this past weekend with a Pioneer AVH-X490BS that I purchased off of Amazon. I also got the metra wiring harness and faceplate as well. Although I like Crutchfield and have used them in the past, their prices tend to be 15-20% higher than what you can get on Amazon and there are plenty of videos/websites that give you the info needed to install, so I'm not sure going with Crutchfield is any better unless you want to spend more. You can even find their install directions via the web (file:///C:/Users/smithjami/Downloads/CrutchfieldMasterSheet-0000530079.pdf).

The wiring literally is matching wire color to wire color (metra includes this in their packaging) and then plugging it in. Although it takes time, it's not complicated.

 

[inerax]

Thank you for the link. I like that setup, it looks great.

Can you link the wiring hardness and trim? Also, with the metra harness did you have to cut the existing harness at all?

I just replaced my head unit this past weekend with a Pioneer AVH-X490BS that I purchased off of Amazon. I also got the metra wiring harness and faceplate as well. Although I like Crutchfield and have used them in the past, their prices tend to be 15-20% higher than what you can get on Amazon and there are plenty of videos/websites that give you the info needed to install, so I'm not sure going with Crutchfield is any better unless you want to spend more. You can even find their install directions via the web (file:///C:/Users/smithjami/Downloads/CrutchfieldMasterSheet-0000530079.pdf).

The wiring literally is matching wire color to wire color (metra includes this in their packaging) and then plugging it in. Although it takes time, it's not complicated. Getting the dash disassembled/reassembled is what takes the most time.

Here is a pic of my final install:

 

[OliviasDad]

Here are the parts I bought/installed (should add here that mine is a 2004 SR5, non-jbl system):

Metra Radio Harness

Metra Multi Dash kit (trim)

Parking Brake Bypass (allows dvd to play when car is in motion, not necessary but I added it anyways since I was doing the wiring myself)

I also added a usb/aux mount and I'll probably add an HDMI socket so that my phone can be mirrored on the head unit (i.e., for navigation).

As for the wiring, I didn't have to cut anything from the the 4R radio's pre existing harness. You ultimately just wire the harness that comes with the new head unit, to the metra harness linked above (as well as parking brake harness linked above) then plug it into the old radio's harness. Here was a pic of my harness after I wired it up:

Very happy so far with this pioneer head unit, although I've only used it for a few days so I haven't figured out all of the bells and whistles. It does make the original speakers sound much better though.

 

[OliviasDad]

BTW - for the amazon links above, make sure you look at all of the price options available, because the main link isn't always the cheapest!!!!

 

[inerax]

You ROCK, thank you.

Last couple questions. I am not worried at all about the install but how hard was connecting the wiring harness? It does not look bad but does it come with what to connect and where? Then pull the old stereo and install the new?

Also, the harness says "4-speaker". I thought I had more than that? maybe? I guess I am asking if your system still sounds just as good if not better and the sub still works in the back.

Thanks again.

Here are the parts I bought/installed (should add here that mine is a 2004 SR5, non-jbl system):

Metra Radio Harness

Metra Multi Dash kit (trim)

Parking Brake Bypass (allows dvd to play when car is in motion, not necessary but I added it anyways since I was doing the wiring myself)

I also added a usb/aux mount and I'll probably add an HDMI socket so that my phone can be mirrored on the head unit (i.e., for navigation).

As for the wiring, I didn't have to cut anything from the the 4R radio's pre existing harness. You ultimately just wire the harness that comes with the new head unit, to the metra harness linked above (as well as parking brake harness linked above) then plug it into the old radio's harness. Here was a pic of my harness after I wired it up:

Very happy so far with this pioneer head unit, although I've only used it for a few days so I haven't figured out all of the bells and whistles. It does make the original speakers sound much better though.

 

[OliviasDad]

You ROCK, thank you.

Last couple questions. I am not worried at all about the install but how hard was connecting the wiring harness? It does not look bad but does it come with what to connect and where? Then pull the old stereo and install the new?

Also, the harness says "4-speaker". I thought I had more than that? maybe? I guess I am asking if your system still sounds just as good if not better and the sub still works in the back.

Thanks again.

Looking at the wiring harness pic I posted, the black connection on the right plugs into the new head unit, while the two white connections plug into the car's old head unit harness. They simply snap together. You'll also have 2 antennae wires, but I only installed the larger of the two (two were used for the style of antennae installed in the 4R but from what I read only one is needed) and any additional supplemental connections you want to add (e.g., usb, aux, microphone, rca jacks, video output for camera, etc.). There was one harness on the back of my old radio that did did not get hooked back up and and I couldn't figure out what it was for (nor could I find it via search). Fortunately however, I did not have any effect on the final result by not hooking it up. I suspect this extra harness was for options already built into the new head unit, but can't confirm.

As for number of speakers. I have the non-jbl system, so if you have the jbl system then you may need to order a different harness. The metra website allows you to search by vehicle type. I have 4 front door speakers (a low and high on each side), as well as a pair in the rear doors. If you have a subwoofer in the rear of the vehicle, then you likely have a jbl system and may need to add a different harness. You can also use the rca jacks on the back of the new head unit to account for additional speakers, which I may add down the road. :cheers:

 

[inerax]

So from what I can tell I would need the below unit. The pic is wrong but based off of the customer pics and comments this is the one that works with JBL systems.

https://www.amazon.com/Metra-TYTO-0...e=UTF8&qid=1505152814&sr=1-1&keywords=TYTO-01

Looking at the wiring harness pic I posted, the black connection on the right plugs into the new head unit, while the two white connections plug into the car's old head unit harness. They simply snap together. You'll also have 2 antennae wires, but I only installed the larger of the two (two were used for the style of antennae installed in the 4R but from what I read only one is needed) and any additional supplemental connections you want to add (e.g., usb, aux, microphone, rca jacks, video output for camera, etc.). There was one harness on the back of my old radio that did did not get hooked back up and and I couldn't figure out what it was for (nor could I find it via search). Fortunately however, I did not have any effect on the final result by not hooking it up. I suspect this extra harness was for options already built into the new head unit, but can't confirm.

As for number of speakers. I have the non-jbl system, so if you have the jbl system then you may need to order a different harness. The metra website allows you to search by vehicle type. I have 4 front door speakers (a low and high on each side), as well as a pair in the rear doors. If you have a subwoofer in the rear of the vehicle, then you likely have a jbl system and may need to add a different harness. You can also use the rca jacks on the back of the new head unit to account for additional speakers, which I may add down the road. :cheers:

 

[OliviasDad]

So from what I can tell I would need the below unit. The pic is wrong but based off of the customer pics and comments this is the one that works with JBL systems.

https://www.amazon.com/Metra-TYTO-0...e=UTF8&qid=1505152814&sr=1-1&keywords=TYTO-01

I looked on both Crutchfield and Metra, and both suggest Metra 70-8117. Runs $44 on both Crutchfield/Amazon, but is slightly less if you google it. Surprised a harness costs this much, considering mine was < $10

Keep in mind, this harness does not include the steering wheel harness adapter. So if you have a steering wheel with radio input options, you'll need that harness as well.

 

[inerax]

I am thinking of going with the below. an extra $71 and I get everything, including steering wheel controls. I would also add the USB and 3.5mm jack for $10.

Seems like the best way to go.



https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130290BT/Pioneer-MVH-AV290BT.html

EDIT: wrong link

I looked on both Crutchfield and Metra, and both suggest Metra 70-8117. Runs $44 on both Crutchfield/Amazon, but is slightly less if you google it. Surprised a harness costs this much, considering mine was < $10

Keep in mind, this harness does not include the steering wheel harness adapter. So if you have a steering wheel with radio input options, you'll need that harness as well.