6 Disk CD Changer
- Thread starter Richie k
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ant46
New member
I don't have one but am looking for one and can't seem to find it. Toyota is completely clueless when it comes to changers for the navigation system. Is yours mounted in the glove box? was it dealer installed or did you do it? does it play dvd's on the navigation screen as well? Also I thought i saw in the navigation manual that you can controll it using the screen.
Hi Ant:
You have the same 4runner like I do...V8, Nav, galactic gray, Air suspension. Congrats on a good choice of vehicle. i.e., 4runner.
I added the CD changer through Soundadvice, an electronics chain here in Florida. They are part of the Tweeter Group so you might be able to do it in other states. They did it for about one third the price of the stealer.
I saw the unit that the stealer had, and it looks very similar to this Panasonic that I added to mine. One was marked Toyota and the other Panasonic. Turns out that Panasonic makes the 4runner audio equipment head units for 2003. It required an adapter from Blitzsafe and a harness from Toyota. It goes in the center console, and fits neatly on the drivers side, next to the coin holder. (That is where the stealer installed one goes as well so I told my installer to put it there. It is easy to use in that location.) They cannot fit in the glove box, the "trunk" area is just plain inconvenient, and under a seat means it has to be oriented with the door to the back, making it vulnerable to being kicked by a rear passenger.
The unit only plays CDs. I guess you would have to get the DVD changer to play video, and I am not sure it can be done on the NAV screen. In any case, the NAV screen does not seem to have good enough resolution. The Panasonic has not skipped on me as yet, and it plays CD/R.
Incidentally, Soundavice told me that Blitzsafe is aware of the glitch in selecting disks on the nav, and they are supposed to update the adapter software to fix this in a few weeks. Soundadvice promised to install the new adapter when it comes in, since they gave me the word that this thing would work. In thinking about this, the other head units (non-NAV) do not seem to allow selecting CDs manually (based on the manual) so this feature might be unique to the NAV.
In a few weeks, I will let you know if the adpter update is real.
I must have been the guinea pig for a 2003 4runner w/NAV non-dealer CD changer install, but so far, I have no regrets considering the amount of money I saved, the look of this thing in the console, and the performance and use that I have gotten so far.
You have the same 4runner like I do...V8, Nav, galactic gray, Air suspension. Congrats on a good choice of vehicle. i.e., 4runner.
I added the CD changer through Soundadvice, an electronics chain here in Florida. They are part of the Tweeter Group so you might be able to do it in other states. They did it for about one third the price of the stealer.
I saw the unit that the stealer had, and it looks very similar to this Panasonic that I added to mine. One was marked Toyota and the other Panasonic. Turns out that Panasonic makes the 4runner audio equipment head units for 2003. It required an adapter from Blitzsafe and a harness from Toyota. It goes in the center console, and fits neatly on the drivers side, next to the coin holder. (That is where the stealer installed one goes as well so I told my installer to put it there. It is easy to use in that location.) They cannot fit in the glove box, the "trunk" area is just plain inconvenient, and under a seat means it has to be oriented with the door to the back, making it vulnerable to being kicked by a rear passenger.
The unit only plays CDs. I guess you would have to get the DVD changer to play video, and I am not sure it can be done on the NAV screen. In any case, the NAV screen does not seem to have good enough resolution. The Panasonic has not skipped on me as yet, and it plays CD/R.
Incidentally, Soundavice told me that Blitzsafe is aware of the glitch in selecting disks on the nav, and they are supposed to update the adapter software to fix this in a few weeks. Soundadvice promised to install the new adapter when it comes in, since they gave me the word that this thing would work. In thinking about this, the other head units (non-NAV) do not seem to allow selecting CDs manually (based on the manual) so this feature might be unique to the NAV.
In a few weeks, I will let you know if the adpter update is real.
I must have been the guinea pig for a 2003 4runner w/NAV non-dealer CD changer install, but so far, I have no regrets considering the amount of money I saved, the look of this thing in the console, and the performance and use that I have gotten so far.
ant46
New member
Rich
Thanks for the info. At least it's good news. So would you be able to give me more info like model number, how much you paid and all that. I'd greatly appreciate it. I wonder if Soundadvise would be able to reccomend someone up here in Jersey wher i can get it done. Thanks.
-ant
Thanks for the info. At least it's good news. So would you be able to give me more info like model number, how much you paid and all that. I'd greatly appreciate it. I wonder if Soundadvise would be able to reccomend someone up here in Jersey wher i can get it done. Thanks.
-ant
Ant:
Go to www.tweeter.com and look in the store locator for a Tweeter store near you. Tweeter is the division of chains in Jersey. I hope they operate like Soundadvice.
The model is the Panasonic CX-DP 610. I paid $333 including tax, installed for the Panasonic changer. I paid an additional $20 for the Toyota harness from the dealer. I was concerned that the dealer would not sell me the harness, but I got them to order the Toyota changer, harness, and bracket, and then I bought the harness alone.
Also go to blitzsafe.com for a better understanding of the setup and the adapter that is required.
Go to www.tweeter.com and look in the store locator for a Tweeter store near you. Tweeter is the division of chains in Jersey. I hope they operate like Soundadvice.
The model is the Panasonic CX-DP 610. I paid $333 including tax, installed for the Panasonic changer. I paid an additional $20 for the Toyota harness from the dealer. I was concerned that the dealer would not sell me the harness, but I got them to order the Toyota changer, harness, and bracket, and then I bought the harness alone.
Also go to blitzsafe.com for a better understanding of the setup and the adapter that is required.
Last edited:
Ken Briggs
New member
To answer Richie k's question. Yes.
I had the dealer install the 6 disc changer rather than go after market. No special adapters and it's covered in my 100,000 mile waranty.
Be aware, the mounting bracket holds the changer up too high and the console cover hits the finger pull on the sliding front door cover. I did a bit of chopping on the bracket and slotted the mounting holes to let it sit lower. It still just barely fits in the center console. Also the heads on the mounting screws are too tall. The installer had only put screws on one side of the unit to allow it to fit. I replaced them with some lower profile metric pan head screws.
I had the dealer install the 6 disc changer rather than go after market. No special adapters and it's covered in my 100,000 mile waranty.
Be aware, the mounting bracket holds the changer up too high and the console cover hits the finger pull on the sliding front door cover. I did a bit of chopping on the bracket and slotted the mounting holes to let it sit lower. It still just barely fits in the center console. Also the heads on the mounting screws are too tall. The installer had only put screws on one side of the unit to allow it to fit. I replaced them with some lower profile metric pan head screws.
Ken Briggs
New member
Sniggle,
Out the door it was $723.50 including tax. I managed a 20% discount on the already 100% marked up parts. Again I didn't want to mess with the Blitzsafe adapter and the whole thing is covered under my 100,000 mile waranty. The parts totaled $616.58 before discount and labor was $179.37.
Out the door it was $723.50 including tax. I managed a 20% discount on the already 100% marked up parts. Again I didn't want to mess with the Blitzsafe adapter and the whole thing is covered under my 100,000 mile waranty. The parts totaled $616.58 before discount and labor was $179.37.
ant46
New member
But there's a mounting location right in the glove box. there's a second compartment for a 6 disc cd/dvd changer. why then mount it in the consoul and have to cut and make changes to it when there's already a specific location just for a changer? Thre's also supposed to be a direct factory connection back there somewhere as wall. Or it's a least supposed to be available through Toyota. I'd still rather go with the stock mounting location if possible. any idea of any changer that will fit in the glove box changer mounting location?
thanks
-ant
thanks
-ant
Ken Briggs
New member
I just went out and did a quick measure. Looks like it might fit. Except in the vertical direction, it looks pretty tight. The bracket is specifically designed to mount in the center console. Maybe there is an alternate bracket.
The advantage to the center console mount is that you can reach it while driving. It's a long reach to the glove box location from the driver's seat. Something I wouldn't do while driving, but, then again I've seen stupider things done.
The advantage to the center console mount is that you can reach it while driving. It's a long reach to the glove box location from the driver's seat. Something I wouldn't do while driving, but, then again I've seen stupider things done.
ant46
New member
Ken
Thanks for checking out the measurements. I agree about the ease in the center console but i'd still love to use the hidden locatioin in the glove box.
Richie - have you installed one in the glove box? so it really doesn't close? what do you do, you have to leave it open?
thanks guys, i'm really hoping to sort this all out soon
-ant
Thanks for checking out the measurements. I agree about the ease in the center console but i'd still love to use the hidden locatioin in the glove box.
Richie - have you installed one in the glove box? so it really doesn't close? what do you do, you have to leave it open?
thanks guys, i'm really hoping to sort this all out soon
-ant
Two different dealerships told me that it had to go into the center console, but I did not believe them, since the manual shows the DVD going into the glove box. Then when I had the Panasonic CD changer installed (same size as the Toyota CD changer), I had the installer push it into the glove box slot. When he tried to close the glove box, the lid hit the changer. When he moved it to the center console everything fitted and closed well .
In the end, the console is more convenient (obviously still not good while the car is in motion). The glove box is still a far reach when the seat belt is on, even if the car is stopped. I now have 6 CDs in the magazine, and a filled 32 CD wallet beside the changer in the console. The nick nacks that I usually threw into the console until I got home now get thrown into the glove box.
By the way, I have found myself using the steering controls to change through CDs...very convenient.
In the end, the console is more convenient (obviously still not good while the car is in motion). The glove box is still a far reach when the seat belt is on, even if the car is stopped. I now have 6 CDs in the magazine, and a filled 32 CD wallet beside the changer in the console. The nick nacks that I usually threw into the console until I got home now get thrown into the glove box.
By the way, I have found myself using the steering controls to change through CDs...very convenient.
ant46
New member
Richie
Are you sure that the Panasonic you installed is the same that Toyota would supply? If so i'm curious as to why it didn't fit in the glove box? was there no way to make it fit? Thanks for all your help on this. I'm definitely going to do it either way but just want to be sure before i do it. what's the model number of the changer again? and still no word on playing DVD's correct? Oh one more thing, is the installation to difficult to do yourself? is that why you had someone do it? and if you could let me know of what connectors and anything else i need to get it all done. Thanks again, i really appreciate it.
ant
Are you sure that the Panasonic you installed is the same that Toyota would supply? If so i'm curious as to why it didn't fit in the glove box? was there no way to make it fit? Thanks for all your help on this. I'm definitely going to do it either way but just want to be sure before i do it. what's the model number of the changer again? and still no word on playing DVD's correct? Oh one more thing, is the installation to difficult to do yourself? is that why you had someone do it? and if you could let me know of what connectors and anything else i need to get it all done. Thanks again, i really appreciate it.
ant
Ken Briggs
New member
Here are the Toyota part numbers:
Changer 08601-00871
Cable 08695-00370
Bracket 08695-35801
Changer 08601-00871
Cable 08695-00370
Bracket 08695-35801
Ken Briggs
New member
The Panasonic CD changer is CX-DP610. Just checked the Crutchfield website and it is no longer available. The changer magazines are (CAMP600) at $24.99. The dealer wanted $80. Told him no way for a $2 plastic part.
The model is the Panasonic CX-DP 610.
The dealers insisted that the Toyota changer goes in the center console.
I had the seller install it because they did it for about $55, and they are more familiar with ripping up dashboards and reassembling them than I am.
The other information is in the earlier posts on page 1 of this thread.
The dealers insisted that the Toyota changer goes in the center console.
I had the seller install it because they did it for about $55, and they are more familiar with ripping up dashboards and reassembling them than I am.
The other information is in the earlier posts on page 1 of this thread.