What stereo do you use?

[t3chfr33k]

I am looking to upgrade my stock head unit to something newer, preferably with iPod/android support. I've looked around but have seen mixed reviews or sites just don't have many that fit 4runners.

I was writing if you had any suggestions, or just wanted to share what you are using and what you think of it.
Thanks!

 

[white_n_slow]

Any single-DIN stereo fits with a trim kit that costs like $20 at BestBuy or the like.

I got a cheapo JVC unit with USB, aux front and back, bluetooth and radio for about $145 out the door including wiring harness and afore-mentioned trim kit.

 

[313n703]

I got a JVC 50W x 4 MOSFET Apple iPodReady Digital Media Receiver KDX50BT - Best Buy. Not the greatest, but does it's job and plays music via BT from the phone.

 

[rideexileex]

Pioneer DEH-80PRS - Hands down, amazing

 

[nodixe]

Anything that can play music from an mp3 device as they will rarely skip esp if using flash or ssd since they have no moving parts. I'm looking at one that accepts digital input from ipod to use the units internal DAC.....but that's after susp tires lol

 

[BrianSD_42]

You are browsing the wrong sites.

Go to crutchfield.com

 

[JayRolla]

You are browsing the wrong sites.

Go to crutchfield.com

If you want to pay full retail yea go to crutchfield. I used to be a huge car audio guy and crutchfield was crazy priced. Now I just run a walmart $50 MP3 radio. Has no cd player, just radio, usb, 3.5mm aux.

 

[mphudak]

I love my Clarion CX501, bought on amazon. Bluetooth, 6ch, ability to change the display/lights to match (relatively close) to OE green, ipod/android compatible and pushed my alpines quite nicely w/out amp. Price was around 170 and is a double DIN. Fit perfect and used factory brackets to mount.

 

[BrianSD_42]

If you want to pay full retail yea go to crutchfield. I used to be a huge car audio guy and crutchfield was crazy priced. Now I just run a walmart $50 MP3 radio. Has no cd player, just radio, usb, 3.5mm aux.

A $50 radio lol. Yes it is true you can buy cheapo stuff at Walmart. Crutchfield also sells < $100 stereos. I meantion that site because for stereo noobs it is the perfect resource.

 

[alaskaflyer]

I like my Bluetooth! I can run apps off my iPhone like Nav and with a OBDII adapter my engine parameters will show up as well. JVC KWAV71BT

 

[BrianSD_42]

OP I recommend you read this thread ----> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/146087-aftermarket-stereo-install-electrical-issues.html

And do a search for stereo install. See my signature.

Below is my setup:


Direct Link ----> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...rnal-build-maintenance-thread-post767748.html

Stereo Upgrades [moved]



PICS - Alpine Head Unit, Amp & Infinity Kappa's


Today I would like to talk about a few Stereo Mod's I've done. I put these speakers in over 2 years ago but last week I had my door panels off and thought I would take some pictures.

The panels are really easy to remove for anyone who hasn't done it before.

I needed a new stereo because my beloved 2003 Alpine MP3/CD Radio finally died last month. *It is pictured below

I ended up buying a really kick-@ss used Alpine MP3/CD Premium Head Unit on EBAY for $200. *It has a born on date of 2005




Picture of my previous head unit; I loved this Alpine stereo

It died in February 2011 sadness ensued[/B]







New Stereo Upgrade

1. Sound Deadening Mod - Roofing Material

2. Alpine Stereo CDA-9835

3. Infinity Kappa 6.5 Component Set

4. Alpine 75W RMS x 4 AMP

5. Ran new 14 (or 16g?) wires from the amp under the seat to all 4 doors (this is highly recommended by me)




*****************************
Alpine Premium Head Unit
*****************************

Here is my new (used) Alpine 9835 MP3/CD Head Unit. I cannot stress enough how much of a difference the 4V pre-out, 109db signal to noise ratio and the TILT feature make this thing awesome. Bought on ebay for $109 + $99 for a new faceplate.

Alpine 9835 Features (2004)
1) Tilting faceplate (big deal on 4Runner, means no glare)
2) 4V Pre-outs (to my two amps)
3) Nice big clear buttons
4) Almost a 100 professional audio features, thats why they were $500-$600 back in day
5) 109db Signal to Noise ratio ~ translation: amazing audio quality
6) 3.5mm direct-wire audio input
7) Plays mp3 playlists from CDRs (yes they still exist)
8) Factory pre-set 6 band EQ
9) Alpine V-Drive 27W RMSx4
10) 512 Color Display


******** No Tilt ********




******** With Tilt ********


:bat:




Speakers, Sound Deadening, and new wiring























Tweeter Install

lane:

 

[afg10000]

I gots this JVC Arsenal KD-HDR52. It was around $120 with the harness and such from Crutchfield. I just wanted the USB input. It's got bluetooth and pandora and whatnot. Easy as hell to install and sounds fine to me. Installed a rocker switch in-line with the power antenna lead so could retract it when the HU is on. Brian SD, are you sure Moog doesn't make any stereos?

 

[snivilous]

Amazon.com: JVC DVD-CD-USB 6.1" Screen Bluetooth KWAV60BT: Car Electronics

JVC KWAV60BT.

$280. I had a single-din Pioneer that sucked for $100 and upgraded to this. I wanted a touch screen with a volume knob, and this radio has a ton of features for the price. It has bluetooth, 6.1" touchscreen, can talk through the radio via your phone and use apps/navigation, backup camera compatible, play DVDs which is nice for car camping, can customize the display a lot and turn the display off when driving at night, plugs into the power antenna which is also automatic if the radio is on (previous radio the antenna popped up if the thing was turned on, which was stupid), can tap on the volume knob to instantly decrease the volume for calls or whatever. Very nice stereo all around I think. The wiring was very straight forward, and install was easy (did it all myself). Just make sure you get a double din installation kit ($10), it will have two adapter plates. Everything is pretty universal and easy. My only complaints are that the touchscreen can be annoying, switching radio stations by manually changing the channel or switching songs through the radio takes a second to look and put your finger to the touchscreen, since it's not a physical button. The radio also wants the parking brake to be engaged for some features (movies and stuff), but I didn't wire that in so all I had to do was tie the parking brake wire into the ground and it was fixed.

I didn't like the extra same under the single din, so the double din is nice to take up all the space (preference for me).

Depends on your price and what features, you can get anything you want. I originally got the $100 pioneer because the tape deck adapters kept dying on me and I just wanted to play through my ipod, though the radio wasn't very nice so upgraded to this 6 months later and hopefully will never have to touch the system again.

 

[zooroadbaja]

I just bought the Pioneer x4500 and love it. Does everything except Nav, XM, and HD Radio. But it has the 7" screen, does DVD, BT, CD, Ipod, AUX. Basically everything.

You can find them new on Amazon for $300

 

[lilsid112]

I have my old Pioneer D3 unit from my first car with a pair of JL C2 component speakers.

 

[jtdunc]

Pullman guy, I'm thinking the same thing.

I love iHeart radio way better than Pandora and I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 and a company-provided iPhone 4S.

Crutchfield is just 10-20% higher than SonicElectronix.

To get A2DP music streaming for that Android, I also need bluetooth. Also going to run a USB extension from the rear USB port to one of the driver's side blanks so no dangling cords to charge my Android or flow music from my microsd card in my Galaxy S4.

This is what I'm pulling the trigger on:

Kenwood eXcelen KDC X897

Kenwood KDCX897 In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA Receiver w/ Bluetooth, Pandora Support and Wireless Remote

For $190 you can do most anything - Android/iPhone/USB drive. With my Basslink, I'll be plenty happy with some thump thump in the back.

I'd love a double din but being 20-22" below eye level, you can't really enjoy the video screen while you're driving. So that won't work for me.

And with a single din, you can pull the faceplate off to deter punks.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Brian SD, are you sure Moog doesn't make any stereos?

Lol. Apparently my smack talking about MOOG parts apparently had a large audience.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I want this one: Alpine ICS-X7HD | $599



Alpine ICS-X7HD Digital media receiver at Crutchfield.com

General features:
digital media receiver with AM/FM tuner (no built-in CD player)
internal amp (18 watts RMS CEA-2006/50 peak x 4 channels)
7" touchscreen display
MirrorLink™ for in-dash control of select smartphones
built-in Bluetooth® for hands-free calling and audio streaming
built-in HD Radio™ with iTunes® tagging
iPhone® Pandora control through USB
Android™ Pandora control through Bluetooth®
iPhone app direct mode
fits double-DIN (4" tall) dash openings
Audio/video features:
9-band parametric equalizer with 10 preset EQ curves
24-bit digital-to-analog converter

Expandability:
compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner

inputs: rear USB input, rear A/V input, rear camera input

outputs:
rear A/V output,
6-channel preamp outputs (2-volt front, rear, subwoofer)

 

[jtdunc]

Is it just me or anyone else a tad twitchy about installing a nice double din stereo in the T4R?

It just screams snag me if you HAVE to park your rig in a downtown area on the street.

How does everyone feel about the risk of not being able to remove the faceplate?

There are a few double dins with removable faceplates though.

 

[Durango24runner]

I'm having a JVC nt310(don't quote me on the model#) installed with a backup camera(why not). My last JVC served me very well and worked flawlessly with my android phones over the years. Unlike the old Durango, it worked well always. I saw no need to go to a different brand.