Metra vs Scosche dash kits

[gamerc]

For those who own the Metra kit or are wondering whether or not the Scosche kit is worth it, I suggest you go ahead and purchase the Scosche. I just finished replacing the Metra I've had in the SR5 for more than a year, and it looks MUCH better. The sides of the Metra kit have bothered me for a while, but there wasn't much else for options. The Scosche kit solves this problem with a decorative groove and angle that takes away from the flat, plain surface of the Metra kit. The other visual difference is the lack of the bezel piece that recessed poorly, wiggled loosely, and just generally looked like crap on the Metra kit. The Scosche is a one piece front that visually looks good.

There are a few caveats, however. With the Metra kit, I was able to use the metal stock head unit brackets that came with the truck. With the Scosche, you must use the plastic brackets that come with it (because it changes the angle and position of the head unit a little). I was skeptical at first, but once it is it screwed in, the head unit doesn't appear to move. I still trust metal way more than plastic, but we'll see how it does over time. This also presents an interesting wiring issue, as the hazard light harness is no longer grounded to the stock brackets and the wiring is not clipped to the side.

I'll look at the Scosche in the morning to make sure that the color matches, because initially, it looks to be a little more gray and less glittery than the Metra kit. I believe that I'll eventually use the cans of Krylon Fusion I have sitting on the shelf to make it black and not silver, but I'll wait until I'm working on the end car and not the trade in (see my other thread about SR5 to Limited if you care).

Amazon sells both dash kits, and the Scosche seems to be a little cheaper than the Metra.
Scosche
Amazon.com: Scosche TA2106B 4-Runner Double Din and Din with Pocket for 2010 Toyota: Car Electronics
Metra
Amazon.com: Metra 99-8227S Dash Kit for Toyota 4 Runner 2010 (Silver): Car Electronics

 

[dpast276]

Small Bezel Parts 5th Gen radio

If you are replacing the Radio Bezel with an after market, pay special care to the small black faceplate cover that goes over the A/C control wheel. Toyota does not make a replacement part for these***at all*** as I have recently found out when my driver side 1 broke in the replacement process. I have contacted them directly for the possibility Toyota might be willing to assist a customer, ya a serious no go. There best answer was buy the entire bezel which ranged greatly from $1097 to $5K. No sale here for a $3 to $5 piece at most.

This is my post searching for a replacement.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/123475-radio-c-bezel-vent-control-small-parts.html

 

[Jtraskell]

That sucks. Have you been hitting the Salvage yard circuits yet? You might get lucky and find a wrecked one just sitting out there waiting for you to take pieces home......good luck and be safe.

 

[cmitch]

Do you still like the Scosche kit better? I am trying to decide which one to buy.

 

[GrantK]

I've had both dash kits. I ended up using the Scosche kit because it has stronger supports for the radio and looks better with the indentations around the radio. Color matches good on my 2012.


Here are the requisite pics of it on my rig...

 

[cmitch]

Agreed. Scosche it is. Thanks!