After Market Stereo - Suggestions Welcome

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koder

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Bought my 2003 a couple of months ago and a rusted out muffler I am currently replacing (parts store is closed on Sundays, gonna finish it tomorrow) got the ball rolling on other weekend ideas I could do. So the obvious came to mind - Bluetooth stereo.

Does anyone have any experience with a good after market stereo and the difficulty to install it? I'm looking at Sony WXGT90BT amongst others but not sure on the exact model yet. Primary objectives is to get Bluetooth phone and audio streaming functionality. Everything else is optional.

I know I need to get a mounting kit but they all seem to be sold separately and come in a fixed size. That said, if the stereos are different sizes how do I ensure everything looks crisp when installed? Probably missing something.

First audio install, any advice is appreciated.
 
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i have a kenwood excelon kdc-x597. its discontinued but they make a similar model now with the same features. streams audio from my phone, pandora, iheartradio, and has ipod/iphone playback, as well as a good bluetooth interface. i bought it from crutchfield and they send everything you need to install it in your vehicle, a little soldering and youre ready to plug and play
 
I have had the Sony for almost two years and it has been great. I am using the factory speakers and had considered replacing them but found I did not need to. This head unit has a lot of sound and color options.
 
Thanks Roger. Was the install pretty easy to do? I saw a couple of videos and it doesn't look hard but was wondering if there's anything special that needs to be done that may complicate the process at all.

Thanks,

Alex
 
The install is pretty easy. I highly recommend Crutchfield also as they supply wiring harnesses and instructions specific to your vehicle and lifetime technical support. Also, there is a booster on our 4runners' antenna that has to be powered or radio reception will be poor. Had to take mine back apart and get that hooked up. Worked great after that. Good luck Alex!
 
i recommend pioneer and kenwood radios, the sonys tend to be junk especially the people who get craigslist special for me to install. there is a big difference in sound quality too.
 
i bought it from crutchfield and they send everything you need to install it in your vehicle, a little soldering and youre ready to plug and play
3c.jpg
 
tn4r said:
Also, there is a booster on our 4runners' antenna that has to be powered or radio reception will be poor. Had to take mine back apart and get that hooked up.
Click to expand...

Is that what the small plug next to the antenna plug is? The one that looks like a smaller version of the antenna plug?
When I just installed my new kenwood, I didn't know where that went so i just left it hanging. Radio does work, but now I'm wondering if the reception could be better.
 
I have a 2003, and installed this radio a few weeks ago.

Pioneer FH-X720BT - Custom Sounds

Bluetooth, USB, and Aux. It is a Double-Din, so it fills in the dash nicely. The wiring harness and mounting kit was about $30 total for both. The radio is about $150. I originally got this one because I could change the lighting color to match my gauges. I am pretty happy with it. I have since added an amp and a 10" sub.
 

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On the wiring harness there is a blue wire for a power antenna that can also power the booster. Splice the blue wire into the blue/white wire to the booster to power it. This way the booster is only on when the radio is on. Like night and day in reception quality.
 
koder said:
Bought my 2003 a couple of months ago and a rusted out muffler I am currently replacing (parts store is closed on Sundays, gonna finish it tomorrow) got the ball rolling on other weekend ideas I could do. So the obvious came to mind - Bluetooth stereo.

Does anyone have any experience with a good after market stereo and the difficulty to install it? I'm looking at Sony WXGT90BT amongst others but not sure on the exact model yet. Primary objectives is to get Bluetooth phone and audio streaming functionality. Everything else is optional.

I know I need to get a mounting kit but they all seem to be sold separately and come in a fixed size. That said, if the stereos are different sizes how do I ensure everything looks crisp when installed? Probably missing something.

First audio install, any advice is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Pioneer
Alpine
Kenwood
Jvc

From best to worst, and worst is still good. Pick the one with the features you want and like. I suggest the pioneer avh-270bt. If you plan to upgrade your speakers down the line and want some tuning abilities out of you HU, get the avh-2700bs.

Wiring it up is not that hard. Solder the aftermarket harness to your radio's harness, theres wiring diagram that comes with the harness, after that just plug into your 4runner's harness. If you want to retain your steering wheel controls, your gonna need an adapter I suggest this one, check Metra site for the radio your gonna get. I use one for my 2700bs, no problem.

Metra Axxess Aswc Steering Wheel Control Universal Interface Module | eBay

tn4r said:
On the wiring harness there is a blue wire for a power antenna that can also power the booster. Splice the blue wire into the blue/white wire to the booster to power it. This way the booster is only on when the radio is on. Like night and day in reception quality.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, I don't listen to radio much anymore, but when I do I notice the signal was very weak compared to stock toyota/scion radios.
 
The Kenwood DDX series is a very good product, along with the Pioneer AVH series. You should decide what features you need vs what you want (Bluetooth, HD radio, NAV, XM, touch screen etc...) Crutchfield is a great starting point for information, but I have gotten much better pricing from caraudiogiants.com.

My most recent purchase was a Pioneer AVH-X3700BHS (for my 05 Mustang) and 2 sets of Pioneer 6x8 speakers. The radio was 130.00 cheaper than Crutchfield and the speakers were 59.00 cheaper. I got the radio harness, dash kit and speaker harness from them as well and still saved more than 140.00.
 
tn4r said:
Also, there is a booster on our 4runners' antenna that has to be powered or radio reception will be poor. Had to take mine back apart and get that hooked up. Worked great after that. Good luck Alex!
Click to expand...


Do you have a link to this booster for the antenna? Thanks
 
tn4r said:
No but I found a diagram of it on Village Toyota Parts.com searching electrical then antenna.
Click to expand...


I meant the aftermarket adapter to use on new radios. I recently installed a new Kenwood deck and only used the antenna that connected leaving the smaller one unconnected. I get my radio stations ok but seems like I may get better results using the proper adapter. I am just having trouble finding the correct one everyone in this thread is speaking about.
 
Wow! Thanks for all the feedback everyone, it's really appreciated. Good thing I joined the forum :)

I was sold on the Sony until I found out about the Jensen touchscreen and saw the Kenwood in action

Jensen : Mobile Multimedia : VX3020
http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DPX500BT-Double-In-Dash-Receiver/dp/B00B7IR426

Both really impressed me now I just need to make up my mind and place the order. It seems as though no one in town actually has them in stock. Once I put it in I'll let you guys know.

Thanks again,

Alex
 
I installed the Pioneer 5600bhs a few weeks ago, great unit. $399 shipped with dash kit and harness, you also get 1/2 price on any other adapters you may need if you want to keep steering wheel controls or JBL amp.

After installing the deck, I installed Infinity components up front and 2 way infinity speakers in the rear doors. Sounded way way better then the stock stuff. Right now Cruchfeild has Infinity on sale, you could pick up front and rear for under $200 with all you need to install
 
Finally Installed

Well I finally installed my Kenwood DPX501BT. Overall a solid deck that's very easy to use and looks very flashy. The best part is the colors are totally customizable to match the interior which I didn't think would be a big deal but once you have it you appreciate it.

Overall the install was pretty straight forward. The hardest part was sawing off the unnecessary parts from the mounting kit (Metra 99-8300). One issue I found was that the car itself has 2 antennas; AM and FM. The new head unit only has 1 input so I ended up plugging in the FM port so I don't have any AM radio right now. Going to look for an adapter.
 

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I'm interested in all of this as well. I can get the Scion t1819 for around $100-$140 + adapters. Is this the best way to go, or should I go another way? Is the 2014 version that much better? Or aftermarket? I don't think I want to add an amp, but who knows? And, what adapter handles both antennas? Thanks!
 
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