CD player replacement

[Dbiz]

So...My CD player (stock) in my '96 SR5 has been kinda going in and out for a while now. It keeps giving me something like an Error-4 message and won't read the cd's. Then every now and then it will and it works fine. I haven't really dealt with this mainly because I usually just use my ipod with the cassette adapter but I kinda do want to do something about it eventually. So my question is this:

Is it better to

A) just replace the stock CD player(say from a toyota dealer or getting one online somewhere) and if so where is the best/cheapest place to get one

B) replace the existing stock CD player with a new aftermarket unit and if so what is good to get that fits in a '96 4Runner and not horribly expensive

C) just say screw it and not spend the money either way and just leave it with the ipod adpater

Let me know what you guys think and thanks.

 

[trd_4runnin]

A.) If you go this option, you are probably going to find that eBay will be your friend. Also check the classifieds on here and on yotatech.com. A new one through the dealership is going to run you upwards of $700.

B.) Best option IMO. You can get a brand new aftermarket head unit for not much more than you will find a used factory head unit. I am partial to Alpine, but when I buy a cd player I'm going for sound quality not screen savers and pretty lights. You can get an entry level Alpine on eBay for around $120 and it will have full-speed Ipod controls. You have to buy an extra cord for this, which is about $20 but its well worth the money. PM if you want more info bout the alpines. Other companies offer these same options and might have better cd players for you, I'm just not familiar with their options.

C.) I would definitely replace it if I were you.

 

[benormous]

I would replace it with an aftermarket player. I have a pioneer, it was pretty cheap and the ipod controls are great. I bought mine from crutchfield which is nice because they include the harness, single DIN pocket and instructions.

 

[Dbiz]

Ya. I had a nice alpine unit in my old Civic back in the day. I was actually thinking of going that way anyways if I was to go aftermarket just because it's something I'm familiar with and I know that it's good quality. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[p nut]

If you go with an aftermarket unit, do yourself a favor and order it from Crutchfield. I've ordered tons of stuff from them and their customer service has been A+. They make the install a snap, because they provide virtually everything you need. I was looking at a new Eclipse head unit and it was about $150. Alpine is also a great product. Either way you go, the sound quality will be FAR better than stock.

Oh, I have a coupon code for $20 off, if you want it.

 

[Dbiz]

Ya. I was looking at Crutchfield today and they seemed to have some good stuff. If you aren't going to use that $20 off coupon I'll definitely take it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[p nut]

Ya. I was looking at Crutchfield today and they seemed to have some good stuff. If you aren't going to use that $20 off coupon I'll definitely take it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Yeah, I just ordered a bunch of stuff for my Integra from them. Very nice to deal with. Oh, just found that the coupon is good if you spend $200 or more. So if you are, then great. If not, oh, well.... This is the code:

psysz-i191e-uwjg9

There is another code for $20 off of $100, but it cannot be applied for Alpine or Eclipse, so it won't do you any good.

 

[polvadis]

Seems like you've already gotten your answer and are going with an aftermarket unit. I second that motion.

I just got a replacement Alpine for my car from eBay for $71 bucks. There are brand new Alpine CDA-9884 units on there for $145. So it's really not that expensive and that unit is very iPod friendly.

 

[Dbiz]

Ok, question.

I'm looking seriously at getting the Alpine 9886 unit off of crutchfield. My question is whether or not this would just be a do-it-myself plug and play scenario or if there would be more involved in the installation. Any ideas?

 

[benormous]

Its pretty easy, I did it myself a couple weeks ago. I looked into getting it professionally installed and it just didn't seem worth it. I don't want to say hardest, but I guess the most tedious part is soldering the alpine harness to the toyota adapter. If you don't like the idea of soldering, you could try something like this:

http://www.scosche.com/products/sfID1/151/sfID2/158/sfID3/177/listPage/3/productID/668

I haven't tried it b/c I found that site after I did my install, but at $15 its worth trying it out.

If I were you, I would order the unit from crutchfield and get one of those direct connection harnesses. That way, the install shouldn't take you more than an hour. While you have the dash open you could consider doing an antenna switch mod. Aftermarket units tend to put the radio antenna up whenever they are on instead of just when the tuner is on. I found that incredibly annoying so I stuck a switch in the power antenna wire!

Good luck