Removing Fascia to access radio

[Bearded Cabbage]

Video is worth 1000 words

search is your friend

watch the dude here do it laid back style...

1998 Toyota 4Runner Limited radio removal - YouTube

 

[T4R_Finally]

Video is worth 1000 words

search is your friend

watch the dude here do it laid back style...

1998 Toyota 4Runner Limited radio removal - YouTube

Yep, thanks. And as I mentioned at the beginning of this thread, and contrary to popular belief of some around this forum, I do and did do a search of this forum and of the web before creating this thread. That video is exactly the one I found. But, because it's a 98 and the dash is a little different, and I know there have been some posts here about the differences in consoles (2000 console swap mod), I thought I'd ask to make sure.

 

[KAILUAZ]

Remember when re-installing that there is a false plug that the harness for the clock LOVES to go in. If you put everything back together and you clock doesn't work, that's the problem.

Good advice, I just did that and had to scratch my head until I noticed the actual plug for the clock.

 

[ClimbOrDie]

You do understand that you'll need to use the harnesses that Crutchfield sent along with the aftermarket stereo harness to "build" your final wiring harness by soldering (or crimp connectors / wire nuts etc if doing it the crappy way) everything together?

Also, unless your aftermarket head unit comes with a separate ground wire for the dimmer (most don't), DO NOT wire the dimmer wire, or else you'll burn out the rheostat and blow the fuses for your dash lighting due to the goofy way Toyota set up the dash lighting circuit.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Reviving this thread because I'm a couple of days away from doing this install. I understand I need to first pull the armrest part of the console up to make room to move the center portion, where the shifters are, out of the way, and then finally the dash fascia. Nobody mentioned this but I see a screw installed on either side of the console that seems to fasten the armrest part and the center portion together. Don't I need to remove these screws? And are there any other screws that need to come out to get everything to come apart? Again, I just don't want to go yanking on stuff only to find that there was a screw or bolt somewhere that I needed to remove.

 

[Millerad1651]

The only screws I had to remove were on the main trim piece (behind the AC controls). There were only two screws holding that in. The armrest and the shifter trim didn't have any screws on mine, they just popped out, but its a 98, so yours may be different. I'd just wait until you get the directions from Crutchfield, they'll take you step by step through the whole thing. It will be less confusing than getting advice from 20 different people on here.

 

[Kung]

What he said. I just did this install not a month ago (only diff between mine and yours is that yours is a limited, and you have an E locker, but same year other than that - at least according to your sig).

In any event, even if it's slightly earlier, it's easy. Like you, this is by far not my first HU install. I did tear everything out from the middle, but in retrospect I coulda just removed the faceplate.

There were no screws that I remember to remove the armest; just have to unscrew the 4x4 shifter knob. Once the faceplate is off, the only thing I did (and would recommend doing) was to unplug darn near every harness from the top part, to give yourself the ability to move the faceplate down and out of the way.

Once THAT is done, you just need to undo the 4 screws for the factory HU and remove that; then you'll see the factory amp. Removing that will be easy as well; and then you're left with the factory harness and the 2 antennas plugs. I only plugged the one in and my reception is fine, though my OCD nature with electronics (I was a Nuke ET in the Navy, and am an IT specialist for the gov't) dictates that I'll eventually install the Y splitter. LOL

If you need it, I believe I actually have the Crutchfield install paperwork @ home on PDF form.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Thanks for all of the tips and feedback. Just got done with the install and with the tips in this thread and crutchfields instructions and harnesses, there were no surprises. The harnesses matched up color to color and i did not hookup the dimmer as suggested. The power antenna works perfectly and picks up stations just fine with only the mast lead hooked up. And i live in an area where reception is not all that great anyway. Sounds much better than the stock unit even with the stock speakers.

Thanks again...