Need New Head Unit, questions

12guns

12guns

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My JBL 6 disc changer gave me an "error 3" code today. I took it out and tried to jimmy the disc's loose, but still doesn't work. Now it says "no disc". I'm not sure if I messed up some kind of sensor or what, but looks like I'm ready to upgrade! I don't really care if the replacement is a changer, just want a decent quality player w/ an aux hook up. Bluetooth would be nice, but not a must. What are some options? If I go aftermarket, will the new player come with a filler panel to make it fit nice? I also want the steering controls to still work, I'm sure that will limit my options, but I'm ok with that. Thanks for any tips!
 
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I know a lot swap the Scion or Eclipse radios, but I'm don't think they are plug and play for the JBL equipped 4runners. Do you want a standard single din or a double din unit? If you go aftermarket, you will need a wiring harness, steering wheel control interface, and a dash kit. The radio won't come with anything to fill in the gap left, the dash kit will need to be purchased. The steering wheel interface will allow any radio to work off the steering wheel controls, so you're not limited. Some have said the aftermarket ones don't look right, so they go with the Urban Runner trim piece (~$80 + shipping). The harness is fairly expensive, around $100 if I'm not mistaking. Here are the Metra (car audio supplier) part numbers for the items you'll need:
Wiring harness: TYTO-01
Steering wheel control interface: ASWC
Dash kit: 95-8202 (double din) or 99-8206 (single din) I *think*
 
Awesome info, thanks.
Looks like the Scion 1809 will plug and play w/ our 4th gens. And I can keep my steering controls. I'm not 100% sure about it being plug and play w/ stock units vs. JBL but I'll see if I can find out.
I don't mind spending a little money ($300-$500) if needed, just want a good quality, good sounding system. Especially if I ever do the sub mod that you did. Just started looking, so I'm not sure what I'll come up with. I'm fine with a single disc player as well. I had a Clarion in the old Tacoma that lasted as long as I owned the truck. Not sure how the newer Clarion stuff is though??
 
Not familiar with Clarion (had one in an old truck, liked it). The Scion's are 100% plug and play for non-JBL 4runners. The Eclipse systems are popular, and from what I read, they still require the TYTO-01 harness but the steering wheel controls plug directly in. You'll want to confirm that. They say a new head unit will do wonders for the system, I've yet to try it though. We carry Kenwood and Pioneer where I work, I really like the Pioneer units. I had an Alpine in my Mustang that was pretty nice, actually like some of the Pioneers better though. I've not looked at the newer setups other than what I have at work, so I'll let others make suggestions for actual head units. Crutchfield is a great place to look, a wide selection and user reviews on most everything.
 
Man, lots of cool options out there! Crutchfield has some double din with NAV that are pretty cool!
Now back to reality, I'll be searching back in my price range from now on, lord knows I don't need to drop 1k for a new radio!
I'll admit to have nav w/ my new head unit would be pretty cool...hmm
 
LOL, you can spend as much or as little as you want on it. You could get out for $200 or $2000, just depends on what you want. If you end up looking at nav systems, be sure to look and see what the updates cost. I know the OEM nav update is about $300 through Phil Wright. Aftermarket should be cheaper, but something to keep in mind.

I'd go with a double din, look better IMO. They've got some nice ones out that do nav, dvd, both, or neither. Again, just need to decide what features you want and go from there. A non gps/dvd unit but does have bluetooth and aux in should be within your price range.
 
Since I have such a strong following on this thread...HA! Thought I'd update with my purchase info.
After lots of research and shopping both in Little Rock and online, lots of phone calls to ARK_SWAMP_RIDER, I decided there are not very many units that will stream bluetooth music from a smartphone like I thought there were. Many of the units that have "built-in Bluetooth" are only good for phone calls. Anyway, bottom like is that the Clarion CX609 as installed in another thread here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/71352-radio-installed.html
has all the features that I wanted and the double din looks better than the single din's I was looking at.
I found it "refurbed" and paid a total of $194 shipped 2nd day air!! Not bad. Thought I'd take a chance to save some money, we'll see how it turns out.

Oh, and Wireing harness was extra as swamprider posted. So was the steering wheel control kit. Total I'll have about $450 in my setup. You can save some by buying the harness kit online, but I bought locally because the guys at my local store were MORE than helpful.
 
12guns said:
I really like this guys Clarion
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/71352-radio-installed.html
Clean install and it has the options I can add on to get what I want. See what you can come up with and I'll keep searching.
Click to expand...

I like the clarion, but they don't sell it any more. I really like a few they have. Even the new version of mine is touch-screen. Nice and clean looking though!
Clarion VX400 DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com


One thing I didn't have to worry about was steering wheel controls if you have those. Honestly, as long as you have a smart phone, I'd go with this since you can just load MP3's on it and stream them over the bluetooth. I just love that. All the wires on the back of mine are run into the pocket at the bottom of the center console.

I saw you got the radio. The dash filler kit will work great. Don't worry about the wiring, not hard. Make sure you connect all the blue wires (one will go to the antenna booster). You may have to run an antenna splitter and adapter for the small antenna wire. I added this cause the reception sucked at first. I'd at least start with just making sure the antenna booster is connected. I want to say it's pin 8 on the harness. I had to search for it.

Oh, and look online for how to connect the bluetooth, it's not the most straight-forward as you have to press the play button to select "pairing", then hold for a second for the steps after that... kinda odd, but anyways, you'll figure it out knowing that much. Oh, and I figured out you can just let it search for about 10 seconds, then hit play again to stop the searching. It'll bring up the name of your phone and hold play to select to pair it.

If you have questions, PM me. I just wired the amp/sub up to mine.
 
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Awesome, thanks for the help. I already bought the steering control plug, so I'll have that to hook up as well. I ordered the adapter for the dual antenna plugs, so I should be able to rig something up. How do I splice into the antenna booster wire? Or where does it go once I locat it? I like the 609, not crazy about the touch screen stuff, too high tech for me! I'll be PM'ing you if I run into any issues. Thanks again!
Oh, one question I do have...I selected "with RDS and with JBL". But I didn't have an option for Sport vs. Limited. I hear they are different dash kits? Not sure though. Thanks
 
Gonna work out great, good to see there are some out there that stream audio! I guess I took it for granted that most of them did. The only difference sport vs limited is the dash kit. What part number is it? Manufacturer?
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
Gonna work out great, good to see there are some out there that stream audio! I guess I took it for granted that most of them did. The only difference sport vs limited is the dash kit. What part number is it? Manufacturer?
Click to expand...

Dash kit was free with the purchase. Scosche TA2079B
Let me know if that's not right and I'll order the correct one. Some places even prompt you for "with RDS or without RDS", yet they look like the same part number. I already have a dash kit for a single din, so If it happens to be the right one I can use the brackets from it, and the trim piece from the one they are sending.
 
Not familiar with the Scosche kits, but we should be able to make it work. Where'd you buy from? I'd bet money that you've got the right one, many don't know the limited is different thus the most common part number is the one that's fits the SR5 and Sports.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
Not familiar with the Scosche kits, but we should be able to make it work. Where'd you buy from? I'd bet money that you've got the right one, many don't know the limited is different thus the most common part number is the one that's fits the SR5 and Sports.
Click to expand...


Bought the unit and dash kit from sonicelectronix.com.
I bought a single din dash kit from the local store that is for my Sport but w/o RDS, where as my 4runner DOES have RDS. They told me it wouldn't matter, but did confirm the part number for the Limited is different. I should be ok. If the one that comes w/ my new unit is wrong I'll use part of the one for the single din or order the right one.

I didn't know about "sonicelectronix.com" at first, but read several people that have been very happy w/ their purchases through them. Thought I'd take a chance on the refurb unit for the low cost. Hell, it was only $159 for the unit w/ free shipping, I just added for third day shipping b/c I'm impatient and it would still be below $200 which is much less than I would have spent on a unit from Best Buy.
The Clarion also has higher power and better quality, so it should be a ton better sounding. I like the looks of it, and it meets all my needs. Now if it would just get here already!
 
The wiring kit should connect into the booster. Just make sure all the blue wires are connected. I'm not sure about the difference in sport and limited. They should be the same shape opening. Even if you look at a wire and say "ill never use that" (like maybe the dimmer wire) make sure to connect all the similar colored wires anyways.

This should be the info you need on the booster:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/38450-2-antennas.html
 
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