3rd Gen OEM Head Unit Upgrade Questions...

MONTYMTB said:
A lot of them are too flashy, but you can still find some that aren't that way. I have an Alpine that's pretty basic and I really like it. This model from Blaupunkt is sweet, and I think it would work well with the interior of a 3rd gen:
Blaupunkt Brisbane 230 Digital media receiver at Crutchfield.com

The front USB port is the best thing since sliced bread. Just load up a mini flash drive like this one with your favorite tunes:
Amazon.com: Kingston Digital 16GB DataTraveler Micro USB 2.0 (DTMCK/16 GB): Electronics
Click to expand...

Blaupunkt is the OEM supplier for many Euro autos I do believe. The glossy black finish still looks a little off to me IMO. Becker used to be my top pick but they stopped making HU's unfortunately.

669637d1349514942-becker-grand-prix-7990-photo.jpg


Perfect.
 
T4R2014 said:
The problem with 99% of aftermarket HU's is that they look like they were designed by highschool-aged Honda enthusiasts...
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THIS!

Subscribed for future reference. Wanting a new hu soon and having the same issue. Keep the suggestions coming for clean-looking units, please!
 
Brique said:
THIS!

Subscribed for future reference. Wanting a new hu soon and having the same issue. Keep the suggestions coming for clean-looking units, please!
Click to expand...

Kenwood KDC-BT558U (kdcbt558u) Single-Din Bluetooth Car Stereo w

Pioneer DEH-X9600BHS Bluetooth Single-Din Car Stereo w/ AUX & USB

This one might match well if you haven't changed your dash lights to a different color: Pioneer DEH-X6700BS Car Stereo w/ Bluetooth & SiriusXM Compatibile

http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-KDC-152-In-Dash-MP3-Receiver/dp/B006KKS7XQ
 
To comment on the thoughts about factory head units. Personally I have a preference for factory units over the aftermarket units I've seen. But I tend to run my radio by feel, I don't actually look at it. This keeps my eyes on the road.

The aftermarket units I've looked at tend to have tiny buttons that are hard to distinguish from the rest of the unit by touch. The factory units are easy to distinguish the buttons by touch. Maybe I'm weird like that
 
T1819 in my 97 SR5

iPod
Bluetooth
HD Radio
 

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T4R2014 said:
The problem with 99% of aftermarket HU's is that they look like they were designed by highschool-aged Honda enthusiasts...
Click to expand...

Agreed. Walking into the car stereo section of a store requires sunglasses and a high tolerance for disco lights.

I just put in this Kenwood-KDC-BT958HD. One of the reasons I got it was because of the lower key looks than other units. I changed the lighting on the face to white.
 
I like the factory hu as well. So to talk on my phone I just use the tape adapter and plug it into my phone and put the phone on my lap. Its kind of ghetto but it works well.
 
I have it hooked up




as mentioned other places, you need cable PT546-00120-AD just to make the radio work. as is, my bluetoth and SAT do not work, but I will deal with that later..


I put the 1819 in my 3rd gen and the 1809 in my tundra

 
MTD said:
Looks nice, did you have to do a lot of trimming to get the bezel to fit?
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I had to trim about 1/4 off of each side to make it fit. I did not want to trim it at all, but mine only had a tape player, not even a CD player, so it was a must (IMO).
 
TOY2G said:
I had to trim about 1/4 off of each side to make it fit. I did not want to trim it at all, but mine only had a tape player, not even a CD player, so it was a must (IMO).
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I plan on doing this to my 97 real soon I'll need to pick up the required cable yet.


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Here's mine: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...e-one-those-android-radios-2.html#post2550400

Minimal grinding with a dremel and some filing to get a nice fit. Used the existing mounting brackets... had to bend the tabs and grind 1 area back a bit for clearance to sit flush. Toyota connector was provided by the manufacturer. Stock speakers sound a bit better, but plan to upgrade those as well. Haven't installed back up or dash cams yet. OBDII connector works great with Torque app. I just set my phone as a wifi hotspot and it's connected to the web. It's a great unit with all sorts of features and the price doesn't break the bank.
 
Any new options? Not into that huge circular selection dial on the Scion, and the trimming required would bother me to no end. I miss bumpin Biggie Smalls on the old school Alpines. Those HUs looked so clean, just wish they had Bluetooth now.
 
JVC makes awesome double dins will multiple zones that allow you to change the colors individually or together. Way better than any OEM head unit IMO. Bluetooth audio and hands free phone options, not to mention I have a 32gb mini usb stick plugged in.
 
I found a T1819 local for 50 dollars. I'm going to live through it for documentation purposes. I'll post info on my thread. This and the other T1819 in a 3gen is my inspiration. The basket case I bought needs a radio.......


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I ended up buying an Alpine IDA x300 out of Europe (on UK eBay) after loving my US version - the x300 has green illumination and simple digital fonts that match the factory clock somewhat... and leaves room for the Suby FMU beneath :)
 
Where can I find this thread? I have a 98 Limited where the factory HU is broken (not just no bluetooth - it spits out CDs too). I'm starting to search Ebay for a T1819 and want to know how to install it.

Thanks

19963.4lsr5 said:
I found a T1819 local for 50 dollars. I'm going to live through it for documentation purposes. I'll post info on my thread. This and the other T1819 in a 3gen is my inspiration. The basket case I bought needs a radio.......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
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