What stereo to buy for my 1999 4Runner?

[CyberNinja]

Hi everyone. After a year of stalking these forums I decided to sign up and participate so hello to you all.

I have a 1999 4Runner (love my truck a bunch) and am looking to replace the factory 6CD audio system with another deck/system.

The stock sound system is just fine but I want better quality. Would be nice to hear from others who have done so who may have suggestions?

My biggest want is iPod integration. I bought the cassette tape version and like my current audio it is "just fine."

My budget is limited and my skills for installing something are about average. Any advice you can give on speakers and stereos/places you have had a good experience with (Best buy, car toys, etc), would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!
Mark

 

[BrianSD_42]

I just bought a used Alpine 9835 (2004) MP3-CD Player. It's retail price in 2004 was $599.

It was $110 on EBAY but they can go for up to $199. I also bought a brand -new- faceplate for $89 on EBAY.


Why get a stereo from 2004? The Alpine series were *very* high quality back then and most of today's stereos have a -low grade- feel to them. The only feature I wish I had was built in HD-Radio.

This radio has all of these features for the $199 I paid.

* 4V pre-outs (4 channel + stereo sub output)
* 109 db Signal to noise ratio (can only be matched by a Kenwood Excelon)
* 27W RMS Alpine V-Drive with option to add 45Wx4 amp for $99
* Large volume nob that is not flimsy
* TILTING FACEPLATE (very useful in our 4Runners)
* 512 color changing faceplate
* CD-Changer if desired
* XM-Radio can be added
* Plays MP3 CDs (put 4-6 320 KBps MP3 albums on a single CD)
* IPOD adapter can be added for $19.00

Even if it does break, Alpine will repair any head unit for $99 flat rate. If you troll the car audio forums you will find these older Alpines are very highly regarded and unlike other brands such as Eclipse, Alpine is still in business and will repair them cheap. My previous Alpine lasted 6 years without any problems.


If you don't want to go the OLD SCHOOL route then get this Kenwood:

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X995 CD receiver at Crutchfield Signature


Here is a picture of the Alpine:

 

[CyberNinja]

Great information to have, thanks so much. I am going to have a look at both and do some comparisons.

Cheers.

 

[DirtDawg]

Hey Mark,
I also have a 1999 4Runner. I just replaced my stock headunit with a Kenwood KDC-X395. I got mine for $135. It is a single din unit, meaning your gonna have the head unit then a pocket. It has the ipod integration you are looking for. It has a USB plug on the front and also an auxiliary port. You can control your iPod from the headunit via USB port. It is a very easy install, you will use your existing brackets. All you need is the headunit, the pocket (or adapter), and the wiring harness. The wiring harness is easy to hook up. Just match the colors and crimp them together. Takes you an hour tops. I imagine the installation process would be the same for a similar headunit. The sound quality is amazing! Trust me, when it comes to your radio you want a good quality headunit. Do your research and make a good decision. I personally would order online and do most all yourself. Most stereo stuff is just "plug and play". When it comes to speaker and other components, the place you purchase from doesn't matter. The brand matters. Some good brands are kenwood, boss, alpine. So just do our research and dont be afraid to ask for help. If you have anymore questions just ask!

Here's the head unit I have: Kenwood - KDC-X395

-Connor

 

[BrianSD_42]

YEP ...

If you are looking for sound quality this is what you will need in a head unit:

1) WATTS RMS (RMS is key here unless you are using a 4-channel amp)
2) Pre-out voltage; 4 or high is preferred
3) Signal-to-noise ratio; should be higher than 100, 105-109 db for Excelon/Alpine; most Pioneer/Sony/Jenson ect come in at 90-95


I posted some good links on this thread a while back:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/94843-do-i-have-ty-sound-system.html

:bat:

 

[jirehn]

Choosing the bets stereo in your car is also a enjoyable thing,But you must choose wisely.

 

[415runner562]

Hi everyone. After a year of stalking these forums I decided to sign up and participate so hello to you all.

I have a 1999 4Runner (love my truck a bunch) and am looking to replace the factory 6CD audio system with another deck/system.

The stock sound system is just fine but I want better quality. Would be nice to hear from others who have done so who may have suggestions?

My biggest want is iPod integration. I bought the cassette tape version and like my current audio it is "just fine."

My budget is limited and my skills for installing something are about average. Any advice you can give on speakers and stereos/places you have had a good experience with (Best buy, car toys, etc), would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!
Mark

Mark,

Since your biggest want is iPod integration, I would get an Alpine iDA-X305S. I had an Alpine CDA-9830 (2005) and it was awesome. However, times have changed, so I wanted to stop burning CD's.

It retails for $350, but most places sell it for $200+ online, used and in car audio shops. I got mine for much cheaper because Best Buy had a clearance on them back in May.

My only issue with it is that in comparison to my older Alpine unit, it doesn't get as loud. It's also a 2v preout, unlike a 4v preout like my old head unit.

 

[CyberNinja]

Thanks for the information Conner. I am going to shop for the Alpine 9835. It has solid reviews and is affordable. Have a couple of irons in the fire and hoping to close the deal soon. It sounds like I will be able to handle the installation (knock on wood).

Thanks again for your help everyone, I will keep you posted.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I just installed the 9835.

It is the highest model from the last year before the tilt function disappeared. I suggest you buy the cheapest one on ebay, not paying more than $150 and then buy a brand new faceplate for $89 on ebay.

I am very happy with the 9835.

 

[CyberNinja]

Hey everyone. I was trolling Google for the past week and picked up an Alpine CDA-9835. I ended up paying $ 160.00 for it but the guy was local so I was able to get it right away. I opted to have it installed by Car Toys, they charged $ 50.00 which was reasonable to me.

I made a mistake and assumed that the iPod connector was automatic and that was not the case. So I now have on order an iPod adapter cable ($ 19.00) and Car Toys said they will do it for $ 20.00 (looking forward to that).

I love the stereo! I kept the stock speakers, and I cannot believe how good the stereo sounds. Only thing I have noticed is that the FM reception fades in and out (which did not do before). I am not sure if that is the norm with this stereo or if I need to have CT have a look at the antenna hook up.

Overall, the CDA-9835 was the perfect choice for me and exactly what I was looking for (Love the tilt feature too!). Thanks to all for your feedback and suggestions.