Stereo replacment?

[majdomo]

I replaced my working stock radio with CD with a single DIN Pioneer with CD & Bluetooth, I stream everything from my phone, hardly use the CD these days.

No modification other than removing the factory amp and splicing a Toyota adapter harness to the Pioneer plug.

I also added a Y adapter and micro antenna adapter to feed both the mast and rear window "diversity" antennas into the Pioneer. I put the motorized mast on a switch and rarely raise the mast any longer.

I recently installed a recoil 9" sub under the driver's seat and will probably upgrade the front door drivers but the sub made a huge difference by itself filling out the low end.

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Ok, off topic but what mobile setup are you running for 2M that fits in the ashtray location?? 73, KN6KUD

 

[octanejunkie]

Ok, off topic but what mobile setup are you running for 2M that fits in the ashtray location?? 73, KN6KUD

AnyTone AT-778UV Dual Band Transceiver Mobile Radio VHF/Uhf Two Way Radio https://a.co/d/0YyIVJP

Didn't fit without hacking up the bezel but you'd never know it without inspecting it closely out of the truck. Might tuck the radio 1/2" further back. Volume of the radio is good, it amplifies itself in the pocket under where the ashtray was.

21" fender-mounted antenna waiting on Z bracket

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[gamefreakgc]

My wife and I are looking to replace our original stereo. We have the double-din JVC unit with CD player and....cassette player (hahaha). Really all she wants is something that can play CD's. We don't really care about features like bluetooth, or any of the spotify, pandora, android or that other phone stuff, but would like something that has good bass, and that we could set our own color (likely green to match the rest of the colors).

I have been browsing on Crutchfield. It seems as though even the most basic stereo units have all those added features we will never use. But that's ok, I guess most people must want them, or they wouldn't make them like that now. I mentioned to her that "JVC" and "Kenwood" are actually the same company, although she said she does not want a JVC. Although the original stereo actually is a JVC. On Crutchfield and on the Alpine website, it appears that the company Alpine has discontinued the ones we were interested in and the only one they offer is an expensive touchscreen unit.

I mostly just listen to AM radio so this is more for my wife than me.

Does anyone care to share what you replaced the original stereo with? Did you use Crutchfield, or another source? Did you also replace the speakers, or just keep the original speakers? My wife wants new speakers, but I am trying not to spend too much money on this project.
Any thoughts or input is appreciated!

Crutchfield is a great place and they have a good team that can answer a lot of questions like if you need an adapter. They also sent you step-by-step photo instructions on how to install it - no one else does that. Look for Scratch & Dent items as they are usually 10-25% off.

A few thoughts on my own stereo overhaul:

• Most aftermarket head units are in the 15W-25W RMS range which is comparable to the stock 4Runner amp that is rated at 15W I believe. The W RMS rating will improve the clarity and sound of the speakers but most head units cannot adequately power the speakers.
• One that same note, more expensive speakers don't make the music sound better on their own. You could replace the stock paper speakers with a high end $200 set of speakers rated for 180W peak 90W RMS but if your stereo only puts out 15W RMS they will sound like the stock ones you replaced.
• The biggest difference is adding a amp. I have an Alpine head unit and they make a small Class D amplifier that puts out 45W RMS and is completly plug and play with their head units, no wiring needed. It was an easy installation and made the biggest different in sound quality. Link to amp - Wow these got expensive! I paid $100 new 7 years ago. Here's a more affordable one - they have a Refurf at $109 but will require either using the pre-amp outputs or wiring it up: Kenwood amp
• You won't have good bass unless 1. You buy quality component speakers to replace the front and replace the rear 5.25" speakers with 6.5" speakers or 2. You add a small subwoofer, such as a 10". There is no other way.
• Audio can get expensive fast.

Here's my full notes and photos from my audio overhaul I did 7 or so years ago:

Thinking About Upgrading Your Sound System? Do It! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

 

[octanejunkie]

Crutchfield is a great place and they have a good team that can answer a lot of questions like if you need an adapter. They also sent you step-by-step photo instructions on how to install it - no one else does that. Look for Scratch & Dent items as they are usually 10-25% off.

A few thoughts on my own stereo overhaul:

• Most aftermarket head units are in the 15W-25W RMS range which is comparable to the stock 4Runner amp that is rated at 15W I believe. The W RMS rating will improve the clarity and sound of the speakers but most head units cannot adequately power the speakers.
• One that same note, more expensive speakers don't make the music sound better on their own. You could replace the stock paper speakers with a high end $200 set of speakers rated for 180W peak 90W RMS but if your stereo only puts out 15W RMS they will sound like the stock ones you replaced.
• The biggest difference is adding a amp. I have an Alpine head unit and they make a small Class D amplifier that puts out 45W RMS and is completly plug and play with their head units, no wiring needed. It was an easy installation and made the biggest different in sound quality. Link to amp - Wow these got expensive! I paid $100 new 7 years ago. Here's a more affordable one - they have a Refurf at $109 but will require either using the pre-amp outputs or wiring it up: Kenwood amp
• You won't have good bass unless 1. You buy quality component speakers to replace the front and replace the rear 5.25" speakers with 6.5" speakers or 2. You add a small subwoofer, such as a 10". There is no other way.
• Audio can get expensive fast.

Here's my full notes and photos from my audio overhaul I did 7 or so years ago:

Thinking About Upgrading Your Sound System? Do It! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

Great response! I added a 9-in sub under the driver seat and it made more difference than anything else audio related that I have done so far.

I never tried keeping the factory amp when I added my Pioneer radio, would there be any advantage to keeping the factory amplifier in line?

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[gamefreakgc]

Great response! I added a 9-in sub under the driver seat and it made more difference than anything else audio related that I have done so far.

I never tried keeping the factory amp when I added my Pioneer radio, would there be any advantage to keeping the factory amplifier in line?

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No and actually it can cause issues if you do try. It is always bypassed.

 

[Stephen941]

Thank you

Crutchfield is a great place and they have a good team that can answer a lot of questions like if you need an adapter. They also sent you step-by-step photo instructions on how to install it - no one else does that. Look for Scratch & Dent items as they are usually 10-25% off.

A few thoughts on my own stereo overhaul:

• Most aftermarket head units are in the 15W-25W RMS range which is comparable to the stock 4Runner amp that is rated at 15W I believe. The W RMS rating will improve the clarity and sound of the speakers but most head units cannot adequately power the speakers.
• One that same note, more expensive speakers don't make the music sound better on their own. You could replace the stock paper speakers with a high end $200 set of speakers rated for 180W peak 90W RMS but if your stereo only puts out 15W RMS they will sound like the stock ones you replaced.
• The biggest difference is adding a amp. I have an Alpine head unit and they make a small Class D amplifier that puts out 45W RMS and is completly plug and play with their head units, no wiring needed. It was an easy installation and made the biggest different in sound quality. Link to amp - Wow these got expensive! I paid $100 new 7 years ago. Here's a more affordable one - they have a Refurf at $109 but will require either using the pre-amp outputs or wiring it up: Kenwood amp
• You won't have good bass unless 1. You buy quality component speakers to replace the front and replace the rear 5.25" speakers with 6.5" speakers or 2. You add a small subwoofer, such as a 10". There is no other way.
• Audio can get expensive fast.

Here's my full notes and photos from my audio overhaul I did 7 or so years ago:

Thinking About Upgrading Your Sound System? Do It! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

Thanks for this post and info. No Alpine CD players are available. Each one says "discontinued". Seems weird that Alpine doesn't make any of them any more. The only one they have from Alpine is with a map program and costs over $800, well beyond my budget for this. I was actually looking on eBay at original T4R stereos....would that be insane?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Thanks for this post and info. No Alpine CD players are available. Each one says "discontinued". Seems weird that Alpine doesn't make any of them any more. The only one they have from Alpine is with a map program and costs over $800, well beyond my budget for this. I was actually looking on eBay at original T4R stereos....would that be insane?

If you are just looking for CD functionality and want something that's 100% plug and play it's not a bad option - and cheap. I sold a few stock head units when I was junking 4Runners a few years ago.

Sad to see Alpine go, they had some good head units a decade ago. I wonder if custom audio is becoming a thing of the past, just like performance tuning. So many cars roll off the factory floor with premium audio, performance engines options, even off-road components that were never available in the past.

 

[Bad Luck]

If you are just looking for CD functionality and want something that's 100% plug and play it's not a bad option - and cheap. I sold a few stock head units when I was junking 4Runners a few years ago.

Sad to see Alpine go, they had some good head units a decade ago. I wonder if custom audio is becoming a thing of the past, just like performance tuning. So many cars roll off the factory floor with premium audio, performance engines options, even off-road components that were never available in the past.

A lot of the new vehicles (especially ones with a touchscreen display) don't have much if any aftermarket options for head units. It's either the OEM replacement or nothing. I can't speak for any other manufacturer, but I'm willing to bet that for any GM vehicle in the US 2010 and newer your only option is OEM head unit/display.