new stereo

[crossfire]

ok, i'm finally going to break down and pitch the stock head unit, and i've been doing some homework on aftermarket goods. i know i don't want nav b/c i have a Garmin unit on my dash. mp3 and motorized face(preferably detachable) are musts. i'm looking hard at an Alpine CDA 9855 or something comperable in Pioneer. basically i'm asking is the Alpine a good unit, or is there another direction i should go??

 

[alpha]

imo, Alpine is one of the top brands in the aftermarket. they have great decks..

 

[PioneerMeta4]

You can't go wrong with both Alpine or Pioneer.
I'm biased with Pioneer, thats why my username is PioneerMeta4. hahaa. I wouldn't mind gettin an Alpine either, user friendly headunits. Good luck with your decision.

 

[crossfire]

i'm gonna go with the alpine, i'll try and get it installed sometime this coming week, and i'll post some pictures

 

[Lizardking]

If you can afford it step up to the Eclipse decks... They are really good decks with excellent audiophile features.

 

[zduchene]

I have the Alpine 9855 on my 4Runner and It looks good and works good. Espeecially if you buy the KCA-420i iPod adapter it is awesome!

 

[crossfire]

I have the Alpine 9855 on my 4Runner and It looks good and works good. Espeecially if you buy the KCA-420i iPod adapter it is awesome!

good to here, that was going to bed my next question... oh and do your steering wheel controls still work?

 

[zduchene]

good to here, that was going to bed my next question... oh and do your steering wheel controls still work?

yes, i got an adapter for that also. go to a car stereo shop and they should have it. that was a pain in the ass to set up, but it works.

 

[crossfire]

cool, thanks for the heads-up

 

[atomic punk]

I'm biased AGAINST Pioneer - but not because of their electronics, but rather, because of their (lack of) customer service. When I needed a replacement deck for mine that was defective (under WARRANTY mind you), it took forever to get a new one from them, even with my receipt from an authorized dealer. My local installer told me that Pioneer is not known for being customer-friendly and that he would've steered me away from getting a Pioneer HU if I was looking for good warranty coverage/repair work/customer service. So, if you have no problems, then this my point is MOOT.

Just my $.02.

 

[Runnin]

I just bought a 99 4 runner 2 days ago, and yesterday I bought and installed a alpine head unit and love it. But ive had alpines in my last three cars so i guess you could say i like them.

 

[voodoodown]

I have to second what Lizardking said. If you can, grab an Eclipse deck. I have the Eclipse CD5444, which has a great 5v preamp output and as previously stated, lots of audiophile features.

Mike

2005 SR5 V8 Runner

--Audio Configuration--
Headunit: Eclipse CD5444
Front speakers: Dynaudio 240MKII
Rear speakers: Canton RS16CX
Signal processor/Preamp/EQ: Zapco SP4-SL w/ Symbilink
Subwoofer: JL Audio Stealthbox SB-T-4RNR2/10W3v2
4-channel amp: Zapco Reference 360
2-channel amp: Zapco Reference 350
Dynamat Extreme: all doors, rear wheel wells, and rear hatch

 

[atomic punk]

"I am the Lizard King.... I can do anything"

I agree with Chief Mojo Rising...
Go Eclipse as well, IF you can afford the deck and IF you will make good use of all the features which will justify the price.

 

[brownier1679]

in my opinion, and i deal with a lot of car audio video products, alpine is somewhat over rated, people just think the name, and think its the best, yes there high end stuff is great, but your never gunna use those functions, i'd take a look at the new JVC's, there really nice and have all the features you'd need, and look really clean. the new clarions the look isnt as great, but they all have awesome fucntions and can do everything, i like pioneer, but there a little over priced, i know cuz i sell them, if you compare this years pioneers to the new JVC's, you might end up going home w/ a JVC headunit.

 

[Bluto]

If you plan to interface the steering wheel controls, JVC may not be a good choice:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9652

http://www.pac-audio.com/swixprogramming/default.htm