Pioneer FH-X720BT - 2-DIN upgrade?

[ThorInc]

I have been pondering changing my stock radio/cassette/cd player(cd player was added after by dealership) on my 1997 SR5 T4R. Would the model above be compatible with the Scosche TA02B harness and would this unit be a noticeable improvement over the stock system above with the original factory speakers for now? Also, would this be a good system or are there better within the same pricing range? I have done some research but am still not sure of the direction the possible purchase should go. What I am looking for is a little louder and better cleared sound with the stock speakers......

Appreciate all answers/feedback and attached a pic of the stock setup.

 

[ThorInc]

:bump:

 

[3rzrunner]

I personally prefer the Kenwood DPX500BT over the pioneer, I have it in my truck.

A new HU will provide you with slightly better sound, due to the more powerful amp built in.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Stereo choice is very subjective. Reading some of the reviews on this stereo and many others (I've been searching also) is that a lot of people find the display annoying and hard to see at night. I have a touch screen now and not being able to see the display at all in the day time is super annoying.

I've been eyeing this one up mainly because it's display is more "friendly" and you can angle it to make even easier to use.

Pioneer AVH-X4700BS Double-DIN Car Stereo w/ 7" Display & Pandora

It's a little pricey, but it's a newer model so I'm hoping they'll come down in price or I can pick up a lightly used one.

Keep searching, read reviews. Focus in on what YOU want and how you'll use the head unit. If you stream a lot of music, try to get a unit with the latest Bluetooth protocols. I wanted HD radio stations so that eliminated quite a few units. Using the search criteria on sites like Crutchfield or SonixElextronix really help you whittle down the choices so you get all you want IN YOUR PRICE RANGE (the most important criteria)
Good Luck!!

 

[yota_addict]

I personally prefer the Kenwood DPX500BT over the pioneer, I have it in my truck.

A new HU will provide you with slightly better sound, due to the more powerful amp built in.

I agree about the kenwood. Mine is the newer version. I bought because price, free 1 day shipping at the time and the multiple rca plugins. This thing is great. The negative reviews complain about not seeing display during day. It sits low in 4Runner so visiblity is a tad better but who need to look at screen when playing music thru Bluetooth or iPod/aux plug in. I look at my phone for music and use remote to change selection. Paired with good speakers and mild sub and sounds great!

 

[Coolman]

I just installed this head unit today and it did improve the sound quality, enough to be noticed but not completely. Im not sure if that harness is compatible or not. I just went to best buy to buy my head unit and had them search the correct harness for our 4runners. ill get back on which one it was

 

[skier46er]

I have this stereo in my 99. I love it but just wish I went with a single din so I could put my phone in the open slot but you learn I guess. It does its job well.

 

[Tyota89]

If you want better sound and stock look I would get a jbl clean sweep and new speakers..or rocksford 3.sixty. A new headunit wont do much for stock speakers.

 

[yota_addict]

The wiring harness should be correct just remember when you pull factory stereo it only has a one plug harness. You have to pull out that converter thing or whatever it is to get to the real 2 plug harness.

Pull this out - or just reach behind it and pull the 2 harnesses to plug and play. I left mine bolted in just in case I go back to factory

 

[ThorInc]

Thanks for the experiences & oplnions. More to research now, will update this thread once I pull the trigger on the purchase.

 

[UnderFire]

Unless you need teh Bluetooth or Android support, just get the FH-X520UI, exact same headunit minus those 2 features, saves you a bit of money.

 

[ThorInc]

Just a quick update, I decided on a Kenwood DPX301U as I already have a Bluetooth speaker system in the truck. The install went well after removing the stock radio/tape and CD player along with the stock amp. I will however be re & re-ing the system once more as I will install a toggle switch for the power antenna and a y antenna adapter and a reducer for the AM antenna connection which is currently no longer connected. Thanks for all the help folks and here is a generic pic of the double din:

Sounds waaaayyyyyyy better than stock system with the stock speakers, tweeters and the radio reception is superior to stock.

 

[jeremyc74]

You get a lot of "bang for the buck" when it comes to aftermarket head units these days. Defiantly a worthwhile project.

 

[ThorInc]

Update

I am going to wire in a toggle switch to the blue and blue/white wires on the HU/Metra harness for the power antenna. This is the 5 prong pin out on the rear of the toggle:

- +
- NC
- NO
- C
- -

Novice at wiring, how the heck do I wire this?

 

[ThorInc]

Now that makes sense, thank you! Could I also bridge C to +ve and run the -ve to the chassis of vehicle or back to the chassis of the HU? This was the light on the switch only works when the HU is turned on?

 

[jeremyc74]

I am going to wire in a toggle switch to the blue and blue/white wires on the HU/Metra harness for the power antenna. This is the 5 prong pin out on the rear of the toggle:

- +
- NC
- NO
- C
- -

Novice at wiring, how the heck do I wire this?

Feed the blue power wire from the stereo into the C (Common), and then go from the NO out to the antenna. If the switch is working opposite from what you want, switch to the NC instead of NO. The + and - are most likely just to light the switch up and you don't really need to hook them up at all for it to work.

 

[ThorInc]

Appreciate the help guys! Just tried this with a 12 volt battery, jumped the C to the +ve on the toggle and applied 12 volts to C with -ve on toggle to -ve on battery and the LED is lit. Now I just have to find if it's NC or NO. :frog:

 

[ThorInc]

Actually I think I follow that . I was thinking that the blue carries 12 volts when the HU is powered on, so if I bridged C to + on toggle then the led on the toggle should power on only when the HU is turned on which seems to be true with my test. But I will need to ground the - on the toggle for the led to light so I thought I could run a ground to the vehicle chassis or back to the body of the HU. I would test this but don't want to fubar something.

 

[ThorInc]

I am going to install the Y with adapter for the AM antenna when I wire in this switch. Will update either later today or tomorrow as to my success.

 

[jeremyc74]

Its not a AM or FM specific antenna. Just an antenna for any type of reception. Also I was thinking about your idea of bridging C and +. This might work in theory. I just err on the side of caution when messing with my vehicle and I know the way I told you earlier works. You have a picture of the switch you are using?

It's my understanding that in the factory configuration the rear antenna is only used to boost AM reception, but I have the Y adaptor on mine too an it makes a fine FM antenna in my experience.