3rd Gen Stereo Head Unit Install w/Pic's

[BigRogers]

Always use good sense before starting up a project, disconnect the battery.

Overall a pretty simple install as long has you have the wiring harnesses, directions with installing the harness (should come from where you buy the harness), basic hand tools, some electrial crimps, nuts, or soldering iron.

1. Remove dash starting from the shifter plastics up. then the head unit.



2. Remove the small amp that is behind the head unit.



Amp gone and new wiring harness installed:



3. Install side plates back on new unit and single den.



I had to remove the face plate as it wouldnt fit though the opening.



4. Wire up the harness plug & play. Install in same position of stock deck, install center panel, and done.

I do recommend checking things out along the way. It is easier to find out a wiring issue early on.

 

[Hepar]

Looks good. Nice clean install.

 

[hrt4me]

I also plan to change my head unit in the next week or so... you're local to me, so too bad we couldn't have done these projects together!

 

[bergeron37]

Hey man looks good, I did this earlier in the summer. Great minds think alike:

 

[jsukey]

Love the CB installed where the ashtray was!

 

[DarkSideGTI]

I just bought a new HU and will be tackling the job this weekend. For the wiring harness, do you just cut/splice the two together?

 

[jsukey]

It's a lot simpler if you just go buy a harness from somewhere. Best Buy, any audio place...possibly even Wal-Mart. Then you just have to tie it straight to the radio harness and not have to worry about digging into your trucks wiring. They're fairly cheap.

 

[BigRogers]

Love the CB installed where the ashtray was!

Thanks! but i got the idea from Ripcord. He has a pretty good write up in his build thread. I love the location, nice and tight.

It's a lot simpler if you just go buy a harness from somewhere. Best Buy, any audio place...possibly even Wal-Mart. Then you just have to tie it straight to the radio harness and not have to worry about digging into your trucks wiring. They're fairly cheap.

Cant agree more. pretty simple if you have the wiring harness for the truck, but you will also need to understand what the wires are for, which should also come with the harness and your new stereo. I think I have a diagram at the house that came with mine (Alpine), if you need some help.

 

[Ghostrider]

It's a lot simpler if you just go buy a harness from somewhere. Best Buy, any audio place...possibly even Wal-Mart. Then you just have to tie it straight to the radio harness and not have to worry about digging into your trucks wiring. They're fairly cheap.

It's not just a lot simpler - it is crazy to not spend the 20 bucks for the adapter. Otherwise you are splicing 10+ wires into the harness and something will go wrong. The adapter is wired to the new radio on the workbench in 10 minutes or so and you are done. Plug the other end into the factory plug and everything works.

 

[jskingry]

So.... this was a very timely article as I am installing a new radio as soon as it gets here in the mail this week. It is a double din unit and I bought a wiring harness I just had a few questions:

1. On a 2002 I just need to remove the lower plastic around the shifter area and then the dash front just pops off right????? Meaning besides any screws hidden at the lower end there are no screws behind the AC faceplate like on the older 3rd gens right???
2. I have replaced a toyota radio with a scion unit before and was just able to take the wings off the toyota unit and screw them on the scion unit and bolt it in. This install will be the 4runner double din being replaced with an aftermarket double din, As I understand it I just unbolt the mounting wings and screw them on the new unit and everything just goes in nicely with maybe a little plastic trim here or there right???

Thanks in advance any help is appreciated, I will figure it out but information will saves time and cursing and breaking stuff!

 

[jsukey]

First start by popping the plastic piece that goes around your emergency brake. Then pop off the piece by the shifter, then the main trim bezel surrounding the radio. Be careful as some of the plastic holding the clips on may be brittle. There will be 4 screws holding the radio in. Something metric...can't really recall. Mine are metric but have a Philip head slot in them. Can't remember if those were factory or not though.

 

[JadatheRottweiler]

nice work!

I love alpine headunits. I used to work for car stereo for circuit city back in 2003. Still got the same head unit working without any issues!

 

[jskingry]

Thanks jsukey!

I recall the screws, sounds like the same ones from my wife's old RAV4, think there were 9 or 10mm with a philips drive center. I have been breaking clips all week so I am sure I will break a few more on this install!

 

[cRhack]

It's not just a lot simpler - it is crazy to not spend the 20 bucks for the adapter.

I bought my wire harness for my Pioneer DVD headunit for 5 bucks on amazon IIRC and it was shipped and at my house in 2 days. I'd reccomend doing it that way, just make sure that the harness matches the truck.

 

[DarkSideGTI]

Do all the 4Runners with stock Double Din's have the external amp? I went to Best Buy and they had two different wire harnesses. There's were also $20 while you can get one for a few bucks on Amazon.

-Edit-

So it looks like everyone takes out the factory amp so I will pick up a non amp harness.

 

[bergeron37]

Yeah you bypass the amp anyway so that's the one you'll want.

I got my head unit from Crutchfield, safe to say I'll go that same route for future projects. They include the wiring harness, installation manuals, and the extra pocket for double-din slots FOR FREE.

 

[DarkSideGTI]

I got my head unit for $90 cheaper on Amazon vs Crutchfield so I'm ok with buying a $7 harness.

 

[bergeron37]

I got my head unit for $90 cheaper on Amazon vs Crutchfield so I'm ok with buying a $7 harness.

That's probably true. Good for you sir.

 

[DarkSideGTI]

One last question guys. My Metra harness has a wire labeled power antennae, but I don't see one on my Pioneer HU harness. What wire did you use to activate the power antennae?

 

[jsukey]

It's been so long since I've fooled with one, but I believe you would hook the Remote wire up to it any vehicle with a power antenna, if it doesn't already have its own separate wire. If you are running an amp, it would have to be tied into it as well. The remote wire basically just sends a small signal to whatever device it's hooked up to, to trigger a relay so it will power on.