Radio replacement
- Thread starter pghchuck
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wc11
New member
There's a plethora of choices from different brands but I would imagine you should install a double din monitor.
Pretty much all of them will have Bluetooth & navigation built in.
Personal choice really.
MStudt
official vendor
I installed a single DIN Pioneer a couple months ago. I used Crutchfield to find everything that I needed. Then I bought everything off eBay for around half the price as Crutchfield. I like the single DIN since it adds an area where I keep my iPod when I'm using it.
Nelsonmd
New member
Ditto, I have an old Pioneer premier single DIN deck and it is still awesome, about 7 years old now. I just regret that it doesn't have bluetooth, though that wasn't that popular when I bought it.
I would go with single DIN unless you specifically want the display of a double DIN for something like a rear view camera or navigation. I personally didn't want that, I'd rather have my navigation on an external GPS or smartphone that I can easily and cheaply upgrade/update. I haven't heard any lasting good things about built-in navigation systems, they always go "obsolete" Single DIN is way cheaper anyway.
Do you have the digital CC? It is separate from the radio part, so you shouldn't touch it when replacing the stereo.
Nelsonmd
New member
Yeah, I felt the same thing when I first installed mine on my old grand am. The 4runner radio was better, but it still isn't nearly as good as an aftermarket one.
Once you replace the speakers, you will discover bass in your music. Be careful though, the improvement may addict you and you may end up like me, with a sub, 2 amps, and all new speakers...
BrianSD_42
New member
I have an older alpine single DIN.
Definitely save the cash and go with a decent single din.
Definitely save the cash and go with a decent single din.
TheeMikeB
New member
So many radio choices now and the big thing now is 'media' units vs CD players. Since most people don't use CDs anymore there are a lot of choices that just play 'media' and have USB connections and ipod connections only.
I would first determine my source of music (CD/Ipod/iphone/pandora/spotify/satellite/USB mem stick) then start looking at the head units that have the best interface for that style of listening.
I purchased the Alpine ida-x305 a few years ago thinking I was going to load up an old ipod and keep it in the glove box to have all my music with me at all times. Which I did for a while, then i discovered spotify and now just about exclusively use that app. Which my HU has no interface for so I end up using the screen on my iphone.
So like I said figure out your music source first, then start looking for the HU that best interfaces with your style of listening. In any case I would look at a media unit and bail on the CD, those are old news.
I would first determine my source of music (CD/Ipod/iphone/pandora/spotify/satellite/USB mem stick) then start looking at the head units that have the best interface for that style of listening.
I purchased the Alpine ida-x305 a few years ago thinking I was going to load up an old ipod and keep it in the glove box to have all my music with me at all times. Which I did for a while, then i discovered spotify and now just about exclusively use that app. Which my HU has no interface for so I end up using the screen on my iphone.
So like I said figure out your music source first, then start looking for the HU that best interfaces with your style of listening. In any case I would look at a media unit and bail on the CD, those are old news.
Dezert4Runner
Senior Member
I agree with researching on Crutchfield and buying on e-bay or Amazon.
I just got in a Kenwood KDC-BT555U that will be installed this weekend after my Metra antenna splitter shows up. It has Bluetooth for phone calls and music, integrated Pandora controls, USB & Aux on the front of the deck, CD, remote, and the backlight for the unit changes to damn near any color to match dash lights, even if you changed your interior to custom colored led's. I got it for well under $140 shipped from Amazon after researching Crutchfield first.
Kenwood KDC-BT555U In-Dash CD/MP3/USB Car Stereo Receiver with Bluetooth:Amazon:Car Electronics
Some Bluetooth units have a built in mic while others use an external mic that you clip to the visor or route through the driver's side A-pillar. After reading customer's reviews on how the built in mic units have mediocre functionality, I decided to get a unit with the external mic.
And x2 with the single din vs double din comments above. I like having a single din with a cubby for my iPhone or iPod.
I just got in a Kenwood KDC-BT555U that will be installed this weekend after my Metra antenna splitter shows up. It has Bluetooth for phone calls and music, integrated Pandora controls, USB & Aux on the front of the deck, CD, remote, and the backlight for the unit changes to damn near any color to match dash lights, even if you changed your interior to custom colored led's. I got it for well under $140 shipped from Amazon after researching Crutchfield first.
Kenwood KDC-BT555U In-Dash CD/MP3/USB Car Stereo Receiver with Bluetooth:Amazon:Car Electronics
Some Bluetooth units have a built in mic while others use an external mic that you clip to the visor or route through the driver's side A-pillar. After reading customer's reviews on how the built in mic units have mediocre functionality, I decided to get a unit with the external mic.
And x2 with the single din vs double din comments above. I like having a single din with a cubby for my iPhone or iPod.
frank_socal
Member
I got rid of the CD player and got an Alpine UTE-42BT radio and Alpine KTP-445A 4 Channel Amplifier. install was easy with metra adapters and Toyota pocket kit. I put all my mp3's in on a mini SanDisk 32GB USB Drive, works great.
BrianSD_42
New member
Lets say you have $450 ready to buy a double DIN. This would be a low end double DIN with a decent LCD screen because the low end starts at around $400 and high end is somewhere between $1100 - $1500.
So in theory you have $450 ready to go ....
Instead ...
1. Just buy a nice Alpine Single DIN like this one: CDE-HD149BT ($220)
Amazon.com: Alpine CDE-HD149BT CD Receiver with Bluetooth and HD Radio Built-in: Car Electronics
2. And then buy a Nexus 7 Tablet ($220) to use for Navigation and Music.
Now that $440 has been WELL spent!
So in theory you have $450 ready to go ....
Instead ...
1. Just buy a nice Alpine Single DIN like this one: CDE-HD149BT ($220)
Amazon.com: Alpine CDE-HD149BT CD Receiver with Bluetooth and HD Radio Built-in: Car Electronics
2. And then buy a Nexus 7 Tablet ($220) to use for Navigation and Music.
Now that $440 has been WELL spent!
Finally mounted ny Nexus 7 ....
Required tools:
* $5 - Heavy duty velcro
Pics ....
:bluejump:
rideexileex
Senior Member
This decision should be based off your ears and intention for growth. Are you picky for good sound? Do you need detailed EQ options? Will you be upgrading speakers? Adding an amp or multiple? Would you want to run an active setup?
For me, it was all yes, and I ended up with a pioneer deh-80prs.
If no, any basic entry level radio will suffice.
For me, it was all yes, and I ended up with a pioneer deh-80prs.
If no, any basic entry level radio will suffice.
Mc1337sauce
New member
I really like my Clarion CX501. It's a double DIN unit and goes for a hair over $170 on Amazon. It has pretty much everything except for navigation. Best part is you can match the backlight color of the screen and buttons to the factory green that illuminates the rest of the dash. Great sound quality too.