Scion Head Units

MAC4Runner said:
Note my mods. The Scion is plug & play for all non-JBL equipped 4th gens.
Click to expand...

Right on man, I guess for clarification's sake, is that to include all of the Scion H/U's? I might be able to get an 1809 for a reasonable price from a friend and so that's why I ask. I'm not sure if it will fit the unmodified stock trim though, if it's got the same dimensions as yours, it should.

Thank you.
 
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There is a guy on DiyMobileAudio.com that installed the T1809 in his 4Runner. He really likes it.

You retain the steering wheel controls, and you can control an iPod too. XM & Serius ready. RCA outputs for external amps.
 
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hewinutah said:
Does anyone know if a Scion unit will work with a JBL equipped 4runner?
Click to expand...

It will work; but you need to purchase an extra adapter kit. Other than the iPod connections (also an extra cable purchase) I don't see any advantage of the Scion radio, over the JBL.

You can also get an iPod adapter for your JBL radio.
 
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T1808 Cable

Is there a Scion part number for the Ipod cable? The aftermarket one is rather expensive. Also do you still have an AUX port on the T1808?

-chunkee
 
Re: T1808 Cable

chunkee said:
Is there a Scion part number for the Ipod cable? The aftermarket one is rather expensive. Also do you still have an AUX port on the T1808?

-chunkee
Click to expand...

I have not seen an AUX port in the T1808. When it is mounted in a Scion, I think there is an external AUX port, that is wired in, with the iPod cable; but I am not sure about this.

The Scion cable parts are much more expensive than the eBay part. In the Scion cars, there are two separate cables, leading from the console (where the iPod connects), to the wiring harness in the dash. Then there is a cable, wrapped into the dash harness, the leads to the radio. This cable can not be ordered from Toyota. To acquire this cable, a Scion owner would need to cut the wrapps off the wiring harness in the dash, and thread it out of the dash. The other two cables are easy to remove, and can be ordered from Toyota.

Since you can get a Scion head unit so cheap, the total cost of the head unit and the eBay cable is still not expensive.

On other forums, folks are suggesting that there are better sounding, aftermarket stereos, for the same money; and they include the necessary iPod cable. Although you usually have to purchase an installation kit or two. BUT, they certainly do not look like a factory radio.
 
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The T1808 headunit has the ipod interface connector along with a steering wheel audio control/AUX in connector.
Yes, both can be connected at the same time, and swiitched between by using the AUX button on the front of the headunit.
 
On the back of the head unit, there are a number of plugs. One is the power and speakers. One is the steering wheel controls. One is the CD changer, and one is the iPod.

I use the term "CD Changer", because that is the way the 4Runner is set up. I don't know if the Scion has an external CD changer option. Maybe they just wire that connerctor to an external AUX port, and allow you to switch between the iPod and that "CD Changer" port.

I have a USA Spec TOY-15 box, purchased for my original head unit, that plugs into the "CD Changer" port. It allowed either iPod or AUX connections. I suppose it could be plugged into the T1808, in the same location, and used as an AUX port.

I wonder if the AUX switch on the front of the Scion radio, switches between the iPod port and the CD Changer port.
 
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Question...

For close to the same amount of money which would be a better option for adding iPod/iPhone controls:

1) Keep factory radio and add a USASpec adapter

2) Install a Scion 1806 or 1808 (I want knobs) head unit instead.


Sorry aftermarket head units our out of the question, I'm never crazy how they look with trim kits which is why I don't think I'm going to go with a nav unit either.

If a Scion is the way to go, I may even splurge and get the 1809.
 
I have used both systems, and the Scion unit with iPod cable definitely works better than using a USA SPEC adapter and the original 4Runner stereo.

The USA SPEC system lost a lot of voice sound and volume. Music never sounded correct. If I adjusted the setting for the iPod, it sounded horrible when I went back to FM. The volume also had to be very high for the iPod; so I had to remember to turn it back down, before switching to FM.

Scion and cable works properly, and sound quality is very good.

If you don't like the way aftermarket stereos look, you may not want the most recent models of Scion radio either. They are marketed to the same buyers, and they are starting to havethe same flashy light, colors and looks.

I'm with you on the use of knobs over buttons. That is why I picked my T1806. The T1808 is the same, but the T1809 is more like the kid radios (bling).
 
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Thank you! Scion definitely sounds like the way to go. I like the 1808 looks slightly better than the 1806 so I'll try to score one on ebay. I should be able to get one cheaper than the USASpec as well. Some right on there now even come with the iPod cable bundled.

I forgot where I was but was reading some reviews on the 1809 and it functioned well but navigation on it via the knob seemed a little tricky. Not having tried it, I can't say for sure but I think the 1806/08 are a little more true to the 4Rs factory look anyway.

I don't mind the fancy graphics and lights on the aftermarket stereos, just the trim kits I've seen for the 4Runner just aren't great, at least for the double DIN radios, which is why I'm not crazy about any of the navi offerings. The single DINs seem to have better fitted trim kits but that small radio in a big hole doesn't appeal to me.
 
Yes, $120 is a good price; but, with a little hunting around, you can probably get one for less than $100 shipped.

Check out www.ScionLife.com

They are always selling and buying bits of stuff for thier rides.
 
Thanks you've been a tremendous help.

I'll take a look at the Scion forum and it looks like there may be a couple for sale here as well.



edit: I just spied one on the Scion forum for $75 shipped, hopefully it's still available.
 
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That's the ticket! If you can get it for $75, that leaves $45 towards the proper iPod cable, from eBay.:D

After you install it, we all want to see a picture of the T1808 in the 4Runner.
 
I asked this in an earlier thread, but I think people may have lost interest in it.
Are the Scion head units plug and play for an 04 JBL unit? I'm looking to gain the iPod/Satellite/aux inputs. I'm currently running everything through a cassette adapter and I have WAY too many wires running around my dash!
Thanks
 
The Scion HU's are not Plug-N-Play for a JBL HU. There are some adapter setups that can be used, to link everything up; but it can get expensive, with all the parts.
 
Bummer. Thanks for the info. How expensive are we talking? $300 to 500? More? Less?
What about going with a newer Toyota JBL unit? I'd really like to have that aux input.
 
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