Car receiver recommendations?

[NathanOfSeattle]

I'm looking to replace my stock receiver on my 2000 4runner but am a little overwhelmed with all the choices out there. I'd like to buy off Amazon.com so I can take advantage of my Prime membership. I can do the install myself with the help from a friend. I just need help with deciding which receiver to get. I'm looking to spend less than $300. The features that would be nice to have would be:
- iPhone integration so I can stream music either on my iPhone or through music services like Pandora, iHeartRadio, etc
- Bluetooth for handsfree calling

Also, in addition to the receiver recommendation please also let me know what kits I need to make it work. Do I also need a wiring kit? How about a dash kit?

Thank you guys! I look forward to reading your recommendations.

 

[jluu6r]

you will need a dash kit, unless you buy a double din head unit and get a wiring harness so all you have to do is match the wire colors. then all you need to do is plug it in.

 

[ajonesnv]

Anything between 200-300 should get you where you want to be. Pioneer and Alpine are my brands of choice. And both will allow for your options. Alpine has a power output for the antenna, which is nice, so that the antenna only comes up in radio mode.

Like the above post said you will need an install kit and wiring harness unless you buy a double din, in which case you then will only need the wiring harness.

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

Thanks! I plan to buy a double din unit. What wiring kit do I get?

 

[MONTYMTB]

Happened to spot this one today. Good price, and has excellent reviews.
I'm not crazy about how this one looks, but you might like it.

 

[foskco87]

I can recommend the kenwood kdc-x598. I just got it for Christmas and it is relatively cheap (less than $150) and does everything, Bluetooth, iphone sync, aux, serious radio, whatever you want. Looks decent and is really easy to use.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I have this one and it is awesome:

Alpine CDE-HD149BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

* 4V Pre-outs
* HD Radio (built in)
* Satellite Radio Ready
* 105+ Signal to Noise Ratio
* Bluetooth Audio for iPhone and Android
* CD / MP3-CD Player
* Actually works with the 4Runner up/down antenna

I have also been considering this one for a while now for the Lexus but I haven't bought it yet:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ICSX7HD/Alpine-ICS-X7HD.html


:fishing:

 

[Frontier719]

Sometimes places like cartoys or drive-in auto sound have good deals. I got a refurbished kenwood for $375 with a free two year warranty. It has nav, bluetooth, hd radio, back up camera, DVD/CD, USB, and is satellite radio ready.

No dash kit needed since it's double din. You can just buy a toyota wiring harness from Walmart or autozone in the stereo section. Then you just splice the wires which are color coordinated and plug it in.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

I run a Kenwood kiva bt901 and while it's old....it's awesome. Has all of your needs built in but doesn't have a cd player. Great sound quality and a huge amount of tuning ability should you add amplifiers.

Also it's available on prime. I paid almost 400? It's 184 bucks now.

Kenwood KIV-701 iPod/iPhone Digital Media Receiver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051FNXUS/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_WQkRub15004KH

I have a pic of it installed on my build thread...should be in the first page.

 

[repo]

I have been researching this myself and decided on a Pioneer DEH-X6700BT, $100 from amazon. The 6700BS model is $10 and can do sirius xm radio.

Hopefully this stuff will work, never installed one before. Also replacing a broken antenna mast and a few bulbs that are out in the dash while I'm at it.

Amazon.com : Pioneer DEH-X6700BT CD Receiver with Mixtrax and Bluetooth, USB : Car Electronics

Amazon.com : Install Bay RVBC 22/18-Gauge Vinyl Connector, Red (100-Bag) : Vehicle Speaker Connectors : Car Electronics

Amazon.com : Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up Power 4 Speaker : Vehicle Wiring Harnesses : Car Electronics

Oh yeah and from what I read you need to get rid off the stock amp thats behind the radio, it's not needed.

 

[Mgyver1]

I am a fan of Alpine. After much consideration I bought this one
Alpine CDE-HD148BT CD Receiver with built-in Bluetooth & HD Radio:Amazon:Car Electronics

Sadly I can't give a review of it since it's still in the box waiting to be installed. But I've had an Alpine in my Tacoma and this one's replacing an older Alpine model in my Runner. It works fine, just doesn't have USB input.

I went with a single DIN so I can mount my 2m/70cm below it.

 

[I-4x4]

When replacing the receiver your antenna might stay up anytime the receiver is on (or not - depends). My antenna stays up at all times when the radio is on FM and will go down when CD is selected if the radio is on AM.

Two things to consider:

A. The antenna switch mod.
B. Buy the 2 antenna adapter (front power antenna and rear window) and cut the black/white wire. This would leave your antenna down permanently but from what I've heard the rear window antenna is more than enough (if you've got the right year 4runner).

I've got the adapter and both antenna's with my 97 and I think reception is better with the front down, and I don't think it helps with spotty reception either.

My 96 doesn't have the rear antenna, I've just got a switch for the front antenna.
My husband drives the 99- he did put in both a switch like yours and the adaptation for the rear antenna. Says it gets better reception when the front is down, especially noticeable as he's leaving town. He also says raising the front antenna when reception's getting spotty doesn't help that much more.

If you have a rear antenna it's easy enough to see those orange-ish lines in the passenger side cargo area glass.

 

[ireoyellet]

It works fine, just doesn't have USB input.

 

[kolelt]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EEO4WD4/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1420626583&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SY200_QL40


I have this one. And it's awesome. Not to bright. Has everything from Bluetooth to aux to usb ect.... And not expensive.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I have this one and it is awesome:

Alpine CDE-HD149BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

* 4V Pre-outs
* HD Radio (built in)
* Satellite Radio Ready
* 105+ Signal to Noise Ratio
* Bluetooth Audio for iPhone and Android
* CD / MP3-CD Player
* Actually works with the 4Runner up/down antenna

I have also been considering this one for a while now for the Lexus but I haven't bought it yet:
Alpine ICS-X7HD Digital media receiver at Crutchfield.com


:fishing:

Do you have any direct experience using "mirror link"? I am using a tablet in my truck, but it would be too much for my wife. Someday I'd like her to have a good double din with Bluetooth, and I like the idea of mirroring some apps for her too.

 

[jeremyc74]

B. Buy the 2 antenna adapter (front power antenna and rear window) and cut the black/white wire. This would leave your antenna down permanently but from what I've heard the rear window antenna is more than enough (if you've got the right year 4runner).

You definitely want to hook up both IMO. I tried it both ways and the best reception is with both working.

Personally I have a Kenwood DDX receiver that works pretty well and will do everything you're looking for, but there are a lot of options in that price range. One of the things I like about this model is that it has a physical volume knob. A lot of the DD units have small buttons or soft keys for volume, and I prefer having a knob.

One thing I really wish it had was an outside thermometer. I'm not sure if any of the units in that price range have one, but that would be a standout feature for me if I were going to upgrade.

A note about the installation:
Some of the 4Runners have an amplifier from the factory. It's mounted right below the factory head unit. When you install an aftermarket unit, you unplug the output side from the amplifier and plug it into the aftermarket harness. You don't want to push the high power from the aftermarket deck through the factory amp. The good thing is the wires from the amp are long enough to plug directly into the deck for models that don't come with it, so there's no issue with the length.

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

You definitely want to hook up both IMO. I tried it both ways and the best reception is with both working.

Personally I have a Kenwood DDX receiver that works pretty well and will do everything you're looking for, but there are a lot of options in that price range. One of the things I like about this model is that it has a physical volume knob. A lot of the DD units have small buttons or soft keys for volume, and I prefer having a knob.

One thing I really wish it had was an outside thermometer. I'm not sure if any of the units in that price range have one, but that would be a standout feature for me if I were going to upgrade.

A note about the installation:
Some of the 4Runners have an amplifier from the factory. It's mounted right below the factory head unit. When you install an aftermarket unit, you unplug the output side from the amplifier and plug it into the aftermarket harness. You don't want to push the high power from the aftermarket deck through the factory amp. The good thing is the wires from the amp are long enough to plug directly into the deck for models that don't come with it, so there's no issue with the length.

Thanks, is this the Kenwood DDX that you have? http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DDX47...F8&qid=1420917346&sr=8-1&keywords=Kenwood+DDX

 

[jeremyc74]

Thanks, is this the Kenwood DDX that you have? Amazon.com : Kenwood DDX471HD DVD receiver : Car Electronics

I think that's the updated version of mine.

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

I think that's the updated version of mine.

Thanks! Any reason you got this one instead of the higher end DDX models? Is it because the higher end DDX models are full touchscreen without the knob?

Also, for this, do I need a dash kit or wiring kit? I'll be doing the install myself. Please let me know what else I need.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Do you have any direct experience using "mirror link"? I am using a tablet in my truck, but it would be too much for my wife. Someday I'd like her to have a good double din with Bluetooth, and I like the idea of mirroring some apps for her too.

I only know what I have seen from the YouTube videos. It does look cool and one day I may buy a HU that supports it but it won't be for the 4Runner.

Personally, I like my current setup using the Nexus 7 over BlueTooth. My Alpine model does not have a MirrorLink friendly kind of screen or in any way support MirrorLink.