Installing New Stereo in Glovebox?

tdcomer1

tdcomer1

Member
Hi guys,

Just purchased an incredible 2nd Gen 94 4Runner, in my favorite red color. Everything is completely stock, untouched, even the stereo.

Stereo still works, but quality is pretty poor. I don't want to ruin the authenticity and originality of this amazing vehicle, so I was thinking of installing a new stereo hidden in the glovebox, and just bypass the original stereo.

Has anyone seen or heard of this being done?
 
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Hello, I would not go through all that work as it is just a radio and usually people put them in the glove box to keep the originality of the vehicle however those are usually show cars that are very old.

If you do decide to go through with the idea if you are understanding with wiring it won't be too bad but making the new radio in the glove box look good is somewhat of a headache. Also make sure to add a switch between the OEM radio and the new one so you can switch between each the one you want to use.

Good Luck!
 
Why not just replace the speakers with new ones that are better quality than the stock, 21 year old speakers?

If that doesn't do it for ya, then slap a 4 channel amp in there, have a local car audio shop wire it to the stock head unit and call it a day! You keep the original head unit and gain a much better quality sound. And if you still don't think that's enough, then drop a sub in and you'll have plenty enough sound.

There's a ton of adapters and wiring connectors so you don't damage any of the stock wiring too, so you could pull the stock unit out and replace it with an aftermarket head unit, and if you ever need to sell the 4R, pop the old one back in.

I've always hated the idea of ripping up a glove box just to put a stereo in there. Its a pain to get to when you're driving, and dangerous to see what's going on while you're cruising down the road.
 
tdcomer1 said:
Hi guys,

Just purchased an incredible 2nd Gen 94 4Runner, in my favorite red color. Everything is completely stock, untouched, even the stereo.

Stereo still works, but quality is pretty poor. I don't want to ruin the authenticity and originality of this amazing vehicle, so I was thinking of installing a new stereo hidden in the glovebox, and just bypass the original stereo.

Has anyone seen or heard of this being done?
Click to expand...

This wouldn't be too hard to do. Just buy the harness adapter and extend the wires to the glove box. However i am with everyone else. This would be useless and dangerous. I have an aftermarket head unit in mine. You can swap them out withou hurting the runner. I didn't pay attention and started trimming out the slot before i realized the i didn't need to use a mounting sleeve. If you remove the "slide or mounting sleeve" then your deck will mount to the frame on the sides of the deck with little screws. So all im saying is that you can install a deck without hurting anything in your rig
 
A speaker up grade shouldn't be to bad. I'd have to look back at my Amazon order on speakers I got. Back ones where a pain and would not work with new head. Issue was due to a mini-amp in the rear speaker boxes. I was able to mount the new speakers on the old boxes with a little bit of easy trimming. There is an approx 1 in raised lip the old speaker mounted to on the box that prevented me from mounting a new speaker. Score with hack saw blade, bend inward and down with pliers and it snaps right off at the box.

If the original head has a tape deck (did any?) you can use the old school head phone jack to tape deck adapter kit for an ipod connection.

If not they make tuners that have a head phone jack for ipod. You pick what channel you want your ipod on with the device and then change to that FM station. Down side of this is if it's in an area with a lot of stations you might get bleed over. I got around that by disconnecting the antenna.

I'd ditch the old one and save it for later if needed IMO. Just keep in mind you might have to bypass the mini amp in the rear boxes. I removed mine completely since I have a 1k amp.
 
I would not bother installing in glovebox. If I were to do it on a budget, I'd upgrade speakers first; 21-YO electronics sound good, 21-YO speakers do not.
Then I'd find a tasteful new head unit to match stock dash, and get advantage of having AUX, USB and Bluetooth inputs.
Like mentioned ^^^ use proper wiring adapters for clean, reliable install.
 
RAD4Runner said:
I would not bother installing in glovebox. If I were to do it on a budget, I'd upgrade speakers first; 21-YO electronics sound good, 21-YO speakers do not.
Then I'd find a tasteful new head unit to match stock dash, and get advantage of having AUX, USB and Bluetooth inputs.
Like mentioned ^^^ use proper wiring adapters for clean, reliable install.
Click to expand...

I recently installed this unit and I've been really pleased.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MRYHNPM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00


Edit:
Looks like there's a never version of it:
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-X...h-Receiver/dp/B01463W1IU/ref=dp_ob_title_home

Not sure of the difference.
 
Last edited:
No need to mess with the factory dash wiring or tear up the glovebox. Hide an amp somewhere in back, and run a line in from your phone or tablet.
 
Nice!
I wish it had knobs for both volume and tuning, though; So much easier to find and operate while driving and more-glove friendly than push buttons.

nicnmike said:
I recently installed this unit and I've been really pleased.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MRYHNPM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00


Edit:
Looks like there's a never version of it:
Amazon.com : Pioneer DEH-X6800BT Single DIN Bluetooth In-Dash CD/AM/FM Receiver : Car Electronics

Not sure of the difference.
Click to expand...
 
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