Aftermarket Stereo

[CA4Runnin]

Has anyone installed the Pioneer Avic-120 themselves? Anyone have pics of install?

Trying to decide if I can handle it on my own. Good with electonics but don't have a lot or car stereo experience. Assuming I'd save lots of cash installing myself.

Will need to install HU with adapters for steering control, XM module, and want to keep USB in dash active so will need an adapter for that too.

How difficult is removal of dash face plate and install of Metra kit?

Any input from your experiences would be great!

Doodman....when can we see your black dash kit installed? May want to do that but can't paint! Maybe will take it somewhere to be painted.

Thanks!!

 

[historyteacher]

So if I plan on getting an aftermarket stereo, should I even bother getting the upgraded one with MP3 and the Bluetooth when I get my 4Runner? I'm thinking I should just go with the base one that comes in it to save some money that I can put towards the aftermarket one.

 

[mgrande]

So if I plan on getting an aftermarket stereo, should I even bother getting the upgraded one with MP3 and the Bluetooth when I get my 4Runner? I'm thinking I should just go with the base one that comes in it to save some money that I can put towards the aftermarket one.

there's always the option of keeping your stock head unit and getting a JL audio clean sweep

 

[historyteacher]

I'm showing my ignorance, but I'm not sure what a JL audio clean sweep is. I was thinking of replacing the head unit based on some of the posts in this thread. It sounds like the steering wheel functions get eliminated, so I'd rather not have useless buttons on my steering wheel.

there's always the option of keeping your stock head unit and getting a JL audio clean sweep

 

[mgrande]

here you go, you may or may not be able to use steering wheel control, I believe it just depends on the vehicle.

Bridging the Gap Between OEM and Aftermarket - Review Reviews - Car Audio and Electronics

audio gear reviews - Signal Processor Review - JL Audio Clean Sweep

 

[enoxard]

I'm thinking I should just go with the base one that comes in it to save some money that I can put towards the aftermarket one.

i tried to do this but could not find a 4runner without the 'DJ' option in so cal.. some of the option combos are regional.

I do like the shark fin antenna better than the regular one you would buy at an electronics store, but it wouldnt be worth paying for the audio option just for the sharkfin.


on a hijack note, anybody use sirius sat rad with the AVIC 110bt or 120bt and use the fancy shark fin antenna?

and finally, got a link to the harness needed to retain glove box and rear USB functionality?

e.

 

[SeattleMike]

i tried to do this but could not find a 4runner without the 'DJ' option in so cal.. some of the option combos are regional.

I do like the shark fin antenna better than the regular one you would buy at an electronics store, but it wouldnt be worth paying for the audio option just for the sharkfin.


on a hijack note, anybody use sirius sat rad with the AVIC 110bt or 120bt and use the fancy shark fin antenna?

and finally, got a link to the harness needed to retain glove box and rear USB functionality?

e.

I've had the shark fin off. Toyota calls it a "telephone" antenna and the board inside it can house three different items on it. I know one is the XM receiver, and the other two are for the Safety Connect system (one for GPS location and one for cellular connection) according to the manual. On my Trail Edition I only have the XM, so the other wires are taped off. I don't know that you could swap out an XM receiver for Sirius one with the stock HU, but the wiring is there to try it with an aftermarket HU.

 

[Muleguy]

This looks tempting

JBL MS-8 optimizes your car's stock audio system | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews

 

[CA4Runnin]

Anyone with Avic install pics??

Has anyone installed the Pioneer Avic-120 themselves? Anyone have pics of install?

Trying to decide if I can handle it on my own. Good with electonics but don't have a lot or car stereo experience. Assuming I'd save lots of cash installing myself.

Will need to install HU with adapters for steering control, XM module, and want to keep USB in dash active so will need an adapter for that too.

How difficult is removal of dash face plate and install of Metra kit?

Any input from your experiences would be great!

Doodman....when can we see your black dash kit installed? May want to do that but can't paint! Maybe will take it somewhere to be painted.

Thanks!!

 

[reklov]

I'm showing my ignorance, but I'm not sure what a JL audio clean sweep is. I was thinking of replacing the head unit based on some of the posts in this thread. It sounds like the steering wheel functions get eliminated, so I'd rather not have useless buttons on my steering wheel.

NO steering wheel functions get eliminated. Only PARTY mode. The new systems sound better than party mode did anyhow.

 

[reklov]

If anyone wants to buy my dash kit and stereo from my TE hit me up via msg.

 

[adio3x]

NO steering wheel functions get eliminated. Only PARTY mode. The new systems sound better than party mode did anyhow.

Awww no party mode? My friends think that its the coolest addition on the 5th gens. I wonder if theirs a way to wire it up.

 

[mgrande]

Awww no party mode? My friends think that its the coolest addition on the 5th gens. I wonder if theirs a way to wire it up.

Doesnt it just increase the volume? You can accomplish the same thing by adjusting the balance/fade to the rear in the stereo settings and the volume controls.

 

[Ryan_S]

Doesnt it just increase the volume? You can accomplish the same thing by adjusting the balance/fade to the rear in the stereo settings and the volume controls.

There is actually a relay on each side that turns off the second row (rear doors) speakers when party mode is on. It sounds like it also changes the EQ since the button is wired into the radio as well.

 

[westwind77]

Doesnt it just increase the volume? You can accomplish the same thing by adjusting the balance/fade to the rear in the stereo settings and the volume controls.

Does a lot more than the volume. I have tried to 'duplicate' party mode normally with EQ adjustment and volume and not even close, so it does add a little something extra, not just volume or the rear hatch speakers.

 

[harper7]

I installed my AVIC Z120BT nav over the weekend. It was not a day at the beach as I had to use adapters(TYTO-01 AND Axxess AWSC) to use the Factory JBL amp and 15 speaker system. All speakers and steering wheel buttons work as before. Don't ask for a step by step as I just followed the directions and the wiring diagrams.I got lost a couple of times!I have wired stereos before but not using existing factory amp and speakers so I stumbled thru it in about 6 or 7 hours.

Ended up painting the Metra dash kit like doodman was going to do using satin black Krylon fusion and satin clear . Looks way better IMO and going to do the 2 silver parts under the nav too.

Oh yea , the "Party Mode" still works so the switching must be in the amp as I used the existing JBL amp. I also did the yellow wire parking brake bypass per youtube and everything works while in motion including dvd playing, all handsfree phone stuff and nav programming.

For anyone doing the JBL upgrade to aftermarket in the future, the speed sensor wire is a green wire, pin number 5 on a 20 pin NAV connector. What differentiates this plug is it's a 9 over 11 pin connector . Took me awhile to find it in the wiring diagrams. I did'nt need to find the reverse wire because the factory camera would'nt work so no camera yet.

Absolutely lovin' this Pioneer and glad I changed my mind from the Kenwood!The new Pioneer Z120BT software works flawless with the iPhone and iPod and even streams Pandora thru the HU and has a free app for it.

 

[historyteacher]

This is why I was looking at doing an aftermarket stereo. It just looks so much nicer than the factory one, and I'm sure the sound quality is much better.
Besides, I'd like to have NAV in my SR5, but I don't think it's an option, or if it is it's really expensive.
I'm glad to know that the steering wheel functions will not be lost.

 

[enoxard]

any chance someone can post up the wiring harnesses required to;

1) Wire the steering wheel controls - (PAC SWI-PS?)
2) Utilize the factory stereo wire harness with the avic z120bt (TOYO-01 AND Axxess AWSC?)
3) Utilize the USB port in the glove box?

thanks.

 

[harper7]

any chance someone can post up the wiring harnesses required to;

1) Wire the steering wheel controls - (PAC SWI-PS?)
2) Utilize the factory stereo wire harness with the avic z120bt (TOYO-01 AND Axxess AWSC?)
3) Utilize the USB port in the glove box?

thanks.

Well ,there are at least 3 different stereo combinations for the 5th Gen 4Runner that I know of plus some port installed ones.Which one do you have.They have different harnesses and connectors so they will be different . The ones I posted up(TOYO-01 and AXXESS AWSC) work with the JBL 15 speaker nav system using the existing JBL amp.

I called installer.com tech support and did research to find out what I needed .

When you are hooking up the harnesses you are using wire taps to tap into specific wires in the old harnesses . It's not like you plug one harness into the other inline with the aftermarket nav. and hit the switch and it works.

Even though they call it a 15 speaker system ,there are only 5 channels,front left and right, rear left and right and the sub.To get 15 speakers they count each speaker within the speaker. Like each co-axial they count as 2 .A tri-axial would be 3 speakers.

All the other factory stuff like the XM radio(it's under the front seat), USB in Glove box,GPS antenna in the dash,microphone overhead and back up camera use connectors that are specific to the JBL nav and won't work on aftermarket stereos like the Pioneer. They have their own peripherals.To get USB in the same location in the glove box you have to do custom work to mount the Pioneer USB there.

You may need to check out a local audio shop for the install .

 

[lefthook00]

I think the stock nav looks better b/c of the side dials/buttons. But that is a nice nav hu right there! Higher quality than the stock one for sure! I'm digging the black. I'm going to leave my hu alone but I want to get a Descendant Audio sub to replace the JBL one(hope it fits in that little compartment!) and get more juice flowing to it.