Replacing 2003 Factory Stereo Question

[southbaytodd]

I need to replace a broken 2003 factory 4Runner pioneer stereo with a new one. Does anyone know if I can use any factory pioneer stereo from 2003-2008 4Runners? What about JBL? Would a 2007 factory pioneer stereo work in a '03 4Runner? help!

 

[jharris2]

I put a Scion head unit in mine -- inexpensive (about $100), it's plug-and-play, and a huge improvement over the original unit. Lots of posts on the board where others have done the same thing.

 

[southbaytodd]

I put a Scion head unit in mine -- inexpensive (about $100), it's plug-and-play, and a huge improvement over the original unit. Lots of posts on the board where others have done the same thing.

thanks for the reply...is the scion unit the same size? i kinda like the look of the newer 4Runner stereos without the cassette slot, which is why i'd love to put in a stereo from a '06 or '07, for example. i looked for some other threads but couldnt find them. anyone have a link to old threads with some info?? thanks!!!

 

[wolfgang]

JBL will take addition of the remote amplifier and new wiring harness - probably not worth cost. As long as you go with same CD capacity (single or 6) then newer year ones should be plug and play. (The height of face place is different on the single and the 6 CD units!) SCION unit is popular "upgrade" but it does say SCION and looks quite different (may have different color back lighting too). I like having the cassette slot to enable using an auxiliary cassette audio feed - from XM, DVD player or MP3 player.

 

[southbaytodd]

JBL will take addition of the remote amplifier and new wiring harness - probably not worth cost. As long as you go with same CD capacity (single or 6) then newer ones should be plug and play. SCION unit is popular "upgrade" but it does say SCION and looks quite different (may have different color back lighting). I like having the cassette slot to enable using an auxiliary cassette audio feed - from XM, DVD player or MP3 player.

are you saying the newer 6 cd pioneer is a different size than the old 1 cd pioneer with cassette slot? they look like the same size to me? anyone know for sure?!

 

[drmorbius]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9821&highlight=swap+jbl This thread may help answer some of your questions.:cheers:

 

[southbaytodd]

thanks for the info, that thread is helpful.

i'm going to attempt to replace a single disc pioneer in my 2003 4Runner with a 6 disc pioneer from a 2007 4Runner. wish me luck!

any tips???

 

[drmorbius]

thanks for the info, that thread is helpful.

i'm going to attempt to replace a single disc pioneer in my 2003 4Runner with a 6 disc pioneer from a 2007 4Runner. wish me luck!

any tips???

According to that thread you will also have to replace the silver bezel (top to bottom) on the dash and maybe the AC controls and computer. Try member A/V1. He may still have some parts you can use. Good luck!

 

[southbaytodd]

According to that thread you will also have to replace the silver bezel (top to bottom) on the dash and maybe the AC controls and computer. Try member A/V1. He may still have some parts you can use. Good luck!

You sure? I'm not replacing a JBL unit, these are both the Pioneer units. Here's a picture of the new stereo...

 

[drmorbius]

You sure? I'm not replacing a JBL unit, these are both the Pioneer units. Here's a picture of the new stereo...

I would measure them both horizontally where they go through the bezel. I replaced a standard system with a 2005 JBL single disc head unit which fits factory clean. With the Ipod adapter I don't need to play discs much now. Also, what is broken on your present stereo? I found that all the 4th gen radios except for the 6 disc (JBL or otherwise) have the exact same cd player and cassette player whether from a Tacoma, Sienna or 4runner. Just remove the top and bottom covers and front panel and remove a few screws and they both unplug from the radio board.

 

[southbaytodd]

Also, what is broken on your present stereo?

the current stereo is just totally on the fritz. the display sometimes goes on/off or shows screwed up letters, sometimes some/all buttons don't work, the cd player randomly ejects, etc..

i bought this 4runner used and inherited the problem so no idea what caused it. it seems like someone sprayed water inside it or something!

 

[drmorbius]

the current stereo is just totally on the fritz. the display sometimes goes on/off or shows screwed up letters, sometimes some/all buttons don't work, the cd player randomly ejects, etc..

i bought this 4runner used and inherited the problem so no idea what caused it. it seems like someone sprayed water inside it or something!

Have seen posts here where the owners believe this problem is heat related. So maybe over a long period of time it finally becomes permanent. Do you already have the new radio?

 

[southbaytodd]

I have the new radio but I don't want to rip everything apart until I figure out if it will easily work. If it won't work easily I will track down one that will...used stereos are pretty easy to find

 

[drmorbius]

Oh I just remembered that the front panel which is held on to the radio by little slots in the plastic which snap over little metal protrusions also plugs into the main radio board. That plug may just need cleaning.

 

[drmorbius]

I have the new radio but I don't want to rip everything apart until I figure out if it will easily work. If it won't work easily I will track down one that will...used stereos are pretty easy to find

You don't have to rip anything apart to measure.

 

[twilkes]

I have factory radio from 04 if interested.

 

[wolfgang]

Yes - measure height of the 6 CD face plate --- it is different than the single CD unit --- which results in you having to change the trim surround pieces and the AC/computer controls. VERY costly plastic pieces new at the dealers.

The link to Sharp4Runner's install covers it - he swapped all the trim pieces with another 4RNR owner.

 

[Photog3]

thanks for the reply...is the scion unit the same size? i kinda like the look of the newer 4Runner stereos without the cassette slot, which is why i'd love to put in a stereo from a '06 or '07, for example. i looked for some other threads but couldnt find them. anyone have a link to old threads with some info?? thanks!!!

The Scion Head units do fit, with no trimming, etc. If you have an iPod, you can forever forget the CD player. I thought I would use my CD player with MP3's and WMA'a; but I never have. Get the iPod cable on eBay, as it is a pain to pull all the cables from a Scion car. They also support some type of satellite radio.

These units sound much better than the original 4Runner head units (except maybe the JBL). I like this model T1806, because it has knobs, and not entirely push-button controlled. Personal preference. The T1808 also has knobs.

 

[southbaytodd]

Yes - measure height of the 6 CD face plate --- it is different than the single CD unit --- which results in you having to change the trim surround pieces and the AC/computer controls. VERY costly plastic pieces new at the dealers.

The link to Sharp4Runner's install covers it - he swapped all the trim pieces with another 4RNR owner.

hmm i measured the height of each and they seem the same or nearly the same. although i could not get a totally accurate measurement on the old one as it is still in my 4Runner. does anyone know what the difference in height is? i could not tell any my first measure...

 

[Photog3]

SouthbayTodd,
Do you have the instructions for taking the dash panel off, to get at the stereo?

You should try it once. It might take you 20 minutes the first time. It will only take 10 minutes the second time.

You could be done by now.

As a time saver, you don't have to take the dash apart, under the steering column. Just remove the 3 bolts under that panel, and remove the plastic ring around the ignition switch. The panel is now loose enough to get at the bolt that holds the center panel down. This bolt is near the gas peddle. Remove that bolt.

Edit: Only two bolts for dash panel under steering coulmn.

Follow the other instructions as listed.

With the center panel in your hands, you can see if your new head unit will fit in the opening. If it does, you can now remove the existing head unit, and see if all your cables have a place to plug into your new head unit. If they do all plug in, then move the mounting brackets from the old stereo to the new stereo.

With the brackets mounted, plug in the wires, bolt in the stereo, and gentely fit the center panel back in.

The thing to look out for here is; the higher end head units that need a different center panel, have the stereo face leaning back at the top. Our standard level stereos have the stereo face vertical. This may cause problems, even though everything else fits properly. This might be controlled by the way the mounting brackets attach to the head unit.

If everything fits, you will be done in less than an hour. If it does not fit in the center panel in the beginning, you will be done in 30 minutes.

This is easier than replacing your brake pads.