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

[Hepar]

Bumping an old thread:
When you pull out the factory unit, there are 2 plugs off to one side. I know one is the antenna, but the other looks similar, and is smaller.
What is that? And what do I hook that wire to? There's nothing that matches that on the new unit.

There are two antennas in your car. The large plug is for the main one off the front passenger fender while you can see the other one in the glass around the rear passenger cargo glass. You can either get a Y connector and combine them or just plug the main one in.

 

[Kmurt]

I know this thread is older, but I still need some input.

How are you guys with 01'+ 4runners removing the 4wd shift knob? Or do you really need to remove the whole lower plastic to take apart the area around the radio? I searched and searched but could not get a straight answer for the 01'+ model years.

Thanks.

 

[jsukey]

I never had to remove the 4x4 knob to get that done. The upper bezel removes a little easier if that part is out though, because it has a lip that holds it in. If you just pull up on that bottom bezel, an inch up in the front will be sufficient enough to let the radio bezel pop out. If you feel like the knob needs to come off, it's super easy...it's only held on my a small Phillips head screw on the driver side. It slides right off after you take it out.

I know this thread is older, but I still need some input.

How are you guys with 01'+ 4runners removing the 4wd shift knob? Or do you really need to remove the whole lower plastic to take apart the area around the radio? I searched and searched but could not get a straight answer for the 01'+ model years.

Thanks.

 

[Kmurt]

I never had to remove the 4x4 knob to get that done. The upper bezel removes a little easier if that part is out though, because it has a lip that holds it in. If you just pull up on that bottom bezel, an inch up in the front will be sufficient enough to let the radio bezel pop out. If you feel like the knob needs to come off, it's super easy...it's only held on my a small Phillips head screw on the driver side. It slides right off after you take it out.

Awesome. That's the answer I needed. Thanks for a really quick reply!

 

[vanion2]

I also found it easier to remove after you pull up on the cup holders and removed that part. It's just held in place by 4 clips and you don't have to jam the shifter boot plate back in place afterwards.

 

[jsukey]

No problem. I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but be careful removing the bezel. 15 years of life in and out of the sun tends to make plastic brittle. This was the outcome of the dealership fixing the antenna on the 4Runner that I bought for my sister 3 weeks ago.

 

[jeremyc74]

No problem. I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but be careful removing the bezel. 15 years of life in and out of the sun tends to make plastic brittle. This was the outcome of the dealership fixing the antenna on the 4Runner that I bought for my sister 3 weeks ago.

This seems to be more of an issue with the woodgrain parts. I have the black plastic and it's still very sturdy. I've had it in and out at least half a dozen times in the last two years.

 

[jsukey]

I had never seen it before either. I don't know how many times I've had mine out over the years. This was the dealership we're talking about though. Just to show you how shitty the dealership was, they said they would only pay for 1/2 of the bezel...which was around $550. Had to fight them on it.

 

[jeremyc74]

I had never seen it before either. I don't know how many times I've had mine out over the years. This was the dealership we're talking about though. Just to show you how shitty the dealership was, they said they would only pay for 1/2 of the bezel...which was around $550. Had to fight them on it.

Damn.... that sucks. It would make me especially pissed knowing how easily that thing comes off. They must have had a gorilla doing the work.

 

[jsukey]

Lol, I know right?!! They only tried to pull that crap because it was my sister who took it up there. They would've had a hard time pulling that crap with me.

 

[vanion2]

Just to show you how shitty the dealership was, they said they would only pay for 1/2 of the bezel...which was around $550. Had to fight them on it.

Wait what?! They did the work and then said you have to pay for half the damages? Now there's a quick call to Toyota national filing a full on complaint. Let me guess, they tried to say age was a factor? Time to find a new dealership (or better yet a good independent Toyota mechanic).

 

[jsukey]

Yup. Jack holes! I don't take mine to the dealership. I live in Fort Worth. My sister however, lives in Shreveport. She didn't know any better. She does now though!

 

[scrapper]

good shit!

thanks!

 

[Ser1clymb]

I am needing to switch the head unit in my car and I don't have the (4) screws/bolts that hold the head unit in place in the dash. Does anyone have size and length so I can replace these for cheaper than the dealer is asking ($9)? Thanks.

 

[Chim]

I am needing to switch the head unit in my car and I don't have the (4) screws/bolts that hold the head unit in place in the dash. Does anyone have size and length so I can replace these for cheaper than the dealer is asking ($9)? Thanks.

You should have these screws all over your dash for reference. I think its the same size screw as those used to hold your instrument cluster in place..

 

[jsukey]

Junkyard.

I am needing to switch the head unit in my car and I don't have the (4) screws/bolts that hold the head unit in place in the dash. Does anyone have size and length so I can replace these for cheaper than the dealer is asking ($9)? Thanks.

 

[Ser1clymb]

You should have these screws all over your dash for reference. I think its the same size screw as those used to hold your instrument cluster in place..

Thanks for that. Should have thought to check on that first. They are the same and the size is 5mm. Got it all hooked up.

 

[BoomSticks]

Was going to start another thread, but might as well add to this one.

I don't care about crazy good sound or extra speakers. I just wanted a basic single DIN aftermarket stereo so I could use modern inputs like an aux cable.

I went looking, and for someone who has never done anything like this, it was confusing as hell.

This is exactly what I used and did for my 99 Limited.

Maybe this plus the OP will help........

Take off center console. Start with cup holder and work forward. [https://youtu.be/AbdoAcwrbJ8] Move shifter back into the furthest position to give yourself more room (push little white button to shift gears when car isn't on). No need to remove fascia around shifters, just move it back enough to get to the main center fascia. I lifted it up and over the main shifter, and then flopped it over to the left using the slack from the skirt of the transfer case shifter. See pics below.

Be gentle and start around the sides. Once those clips are out, start working on the top.

Unhook radio connectors and antenna, move rest of console off to side. No need to unhook everything. Don't unhook the airbag light? Will throw a code if you do?

Remove old head unit from console, remove brackets from old head unit.

Unbolt and remove amp.

Attach new stereo harness to adapter (Scosche TA021). The colors seemed standard, so it was a matter of matching them up and connecting with a butt connector.

Put OEM brackets on new stereo, and use kit brackets to attach cubby under stereo. I found a Raptor brand dash kit at Autozone that had both the cubby and front fascia. It appears now they're sold separately under the Metra brand (Metra owns Raptor). Just buy the Metra 88-00-8000 kit, because all you need is the cubby. The 88-00-9000 is a weird shape made for CD cases?

Connect stereo, make sure your connectors are all good before you go buttoning everything back up.

If it's good, start bolting it all back together.

[More pics and better description later when I have more time.]

This is the dash kit I used. Don't think it's still available, but the only thing I used out of it was the large cubby, one of the trim pieces with the cubby, and a bracket. Now that I look around at what's available, I wasted money on this crap. All I needed was the cubby kit, which was included in the Raptor (owned by Metra) kit.

Just buy the Metra 88-00-8000 kit.

 

[octanejunkie]

Nice write up and pics!

I am considering the same radio swap-grade. What was the cost of the bezel, bracket and cubby kits at Autozone; if you don't mind sharing?

 

[BoomSticks]

Nice write up and pics!

I am considering the same radio swap-grade. What was the cost of the bezel, bracket and cubby kits at Autozone; if you don't mind sharing?

The adapter was ~$6, the dash kit was $20, the stereo was an open box from Frys for $25.