Audio upgrade while retaining OEM head unit

[whyzee125]

I've bought this twice now as the first one was stolen along with my 4runner.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017YKQUW0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has a knob and buttons, blue tooth, touch screen, sub woofer outlet, backup camera etc. For the money I've been super happy with it. And you can change the lighting to match factory or any other color you want.

Nice e36s I went through your whole thread a while ago. I love your truck! Do you like that unit? I've run across that a few times on ebay and I like it. Seems to fit pretty well too, which is huge to me. Can you dim/turn off the display easily at night?

 

[cblock406]

Nice e36s I went through your whole thread a while ago. I love your truck! Do you like that unit? I've run across that a few times on ebay and I like it. Seems to fit pretty well too, which is huge to me. Can you dim/turn off the display easily at night?

Thanks! I really like it for the price, no complaints. It fits great, the nice thing with these double dins is they bolt right into the dash, no using a dash kit or anything and they fit perfectly.

I'm actually not sure if you can dim the lighting, I would suspect so as you can change the color but I've never tried. It sits low enough in the dash it really isn't distracting.

 

[96RedRunner]

It is possible to get very good sound from OE HU, not real cheap though. Put a LC7i between HU and your new amp, your going to need more power to push good speakers. I just did what your talking keeping OE HU.

 

[jgue467]

... Do you like that unit?

Do read the review write-ups on this unit at the bottom of the page, I liked unit until i read them, especially #s 1, 4 and 6. Luck in the radio hunt! :cowboy:

 

[infantry503]

I'll be upgrading to the LC2i in the future and will update this thread when I get done. Its pretty much a higher quality speaker level converter.

LC2i - AudioControl

If your going to do that you might as well get a mini premium amp for like 40 bucks more.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

This is the T1819. A factory Scion and Toyota radio. Bluetooth audio streaming, USB, hands free (Via Bluetooth) calling, on a iPhone Siri is fully active through the radio. And I believe a built in 200w 4ch amp, it also has a separate center channel RCA output.


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[fourfive]

This is the T1819. A factory Scion and Toyota radio. Bluetooth audio streaming, USB, hands free (Via Bluetooth) calling, on a iPhone Siri is fully active through the radio. And I believe a built in 200w 4ch amp, it also has a separate center channel RCA output.

Is that model a direct fit & plug n play for the 3rd gens?

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Is that model a direct fit & plug n play for the 3rd gens?

It's plug and play with the Toyota harness kit. But center trim piece and mounting brackets need modified.


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[whyzee125]

If your going to do that you might as well get a mini premium amp for like 40 bucks more.

That's exactly the amp I want to use. Could I get good sound by using this with the OEM head unit? Lc7i is too pricy for me

 

[drei4runner29]

This doesn’t have the volume knob that you’re looking for but for the price point, you get a 7” screen and you can actually turn off the screen while still able to play music. What I also like about this is the layout of the buttons at the bottom of the screen instead of at the side. Plus you can adjust the angles of this unit.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06W...avh-x490bs&dpPl=1&dpID=41ugaSFdyxL&ref=plSrch

FYI, I have this unit installed in my wife’s Sequoia and I have the 6.2” model and I actually prefer hers over mine.

This is my Pioneer 6.2” HU. And yes get an aftermarket amp if you’re replacing the stock OEM HU.


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[whyzee125]

This is the T1819. A factory Scion and Toyota radio. Bluetooth audio streaming, USB, hands free (Via Bluetooth) calling, on a iPhone Siri is fully active through the radio. And I believe a built in 200w 4ch amp, it also has a separate center channel RCA output.


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Dang that sounds really nice. Plug and play, built in amp.. dang that's nice. I wish I could get over the look but I'm just being really picky about this for some reason. If it didn't require cutting thebezel and it sat flush i'd be on that in a second. Thank you for sharing!

This doesn’t have the volume knob that you’re looking for but for the price point, you get a 7” screen and you can actually turn off the screen while still able to play music. What I also like about this is the layout of the buttons at the bottom of the screen instead of at the side. Plus you can adjust the angles of this unit.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06W...avh-x490bs&dpPl=1&dpID=41ugaSFdyxL&ref=plSrch

FYI, I have this unit installed in my wife’s Sequoia and I have the 6.2” model and I actually prefer hers over mine.

This is my Pioneer 6.2” HU. And yes get an aftermarket amp if you’re replacing the stock OEM HU.


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This looks nice, I will look into it. Thank you! I have a little cigarette lighter to USB adapter for charging my phone in the truck rigth now and the LED alone is driving me nuts driving at night. I think being able to turn off the screen may be even more important to me than a volume knob though I'd like both.

 

[drei4runner29]

If you look at the picture of my radio, on the left hand side where the buttons are, the DISP (display) button is what you would press to turn off the screen but still have power to listen to your music. It helps when you want to go incognito especially when driving in a parking structure


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[drei4runner29]

Oh and if you decide to purchase from Amazon, try purchasing from Sounds of Tri State. They’re an authorized online dealer for Pioneer products last I checked. That will help with warranty


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[paulmofyourhand]

If your going to do that you might as well get a mini premium amp for like 40 bucks more.

Those amp with built in line levels are the same cheap $10 LOC junk. The audiocontrol LCXi line is built to properly convert the signal. Also, the 'accubass' feature keeps the bass from dropping off at higher volumes as designed by Toyota.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Dang that sounds really nice. Plug and play, built in amp.. dang that's nice. I wish I could get over the look but I'm just being really picky about this for some reason. If it didn't require cutting thebezel and it sat flush i'd be on that in a second. Thank you for sharing.

There is a audio section with a thread called something like the Ultimate Scion Head Unit thread. Or something similar.

The second reason to invest all that time is any of the newer OEM head units (the touch screen with SAT and Navigation) will now fit.

Edit: I forgot to mention I like this so much I put one in my 2002 Saturn SL1. Cause I missed all the functionality when driving my little shit box for work.

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[infantry503]

I installed this today. It dims when I turn my lights on and has the option to be blacked out while still playing.

 

[Scramble]

Bluetooth connections will sound better than Aux. cable connections, every time. The Aux cable distorts the sound and adds background noise, a bluetooth connection is crisp and clear everytime. USB is second best, but still better than Aux.

Nothing "over the air" will sound better than a good quality copper (or silver) cable.