Where to find Eclipse Head Unit?

[Flashcrunch]

Hi everyone,

I'm sort of a newbie here and have been browsing the board for a few months. I am not the proud owner of a 4Runner yet, but I do have one on order and will receive delivery in 2 months or so. I'm definitely looking forward to the new ride! In the meantime I was looking at all of my stereo options and I am interested in buying an Eclipse unit for the new truck. I've gone to the website at eclipse-web.com but cannot seem to find any distributors for their equipment. I know the chain electronics store Tweeter can special order Eclipse models, but for any of you who have any experience with these units, is there any other place on the web, or a good reliable shop that you know of that sells these models? Any help would be appreciated.

Take care,
-Clay

 

[Biff]

you can find some good h/u on ebay. Thats where I got mine

 

[Yvonne01]

Clay,

EBay has good prices as well as carstereo.com.

But, if you are getting a Limited with the JBL 10 speaker stereo, the Eclipse will not work. I just went through it with my new Limited yesterday. The electronics shop spent a good couple of hours trying to make it work. They said the other Runner models would work with the Eclipse unit.

I was really bummed because it is such an awesome nav unit. I have decided to go with the Delphi Mobile Navigation unit instead.

Good luck

 

[Pribilof]

But, if you are getting a Limited with the JBL 10 speaker stereo, the Eclipse will not work. I just went through it with my new Limited yesterday. The electronics shop spent a good couple of hours trying to make it work. They said the other Runner models would work with the Eclipse unit.

What about the eclipse unit wouldn't work with the JBL 10 speaker setup? How were you trying to integrate the unit?

 

[Yvonne01]

I was afraid some one would ask that !! I don't understand electronics at all! In a nutshell, there was problems with the wiring, as well as the unit fitting in the dash. Essentially, I was planning on the Eclipse being in the same spot as the factory stereo. They had three technicians look and try for quite a while. Let me know if you'd like me to get clarification on their rationale.

The store is one of the most reputable in the area and the preferred store of the dealer, so I trust them, but I would be interested to know if anyone else has had the same experience or not.

Also, today, they installed a remote starter and viper alarm system today and could not get the back glass to go down with the new fob. They are planning on contacting the dealer for the manuals to see if they can figure it out so I don't have to carry two key fobs.

It can never be easy, eh?

 

[davisc23]

I had the same problem with my 03 Limited and the stereo shop not being able to install an alpine headunit. They said the dash install kit wouldn't fit the Limited and the wiring with the JBL factory amp was impossible to hook up to the alpine stereo (which is true). As far as I know, there is no "plug and play" wiring harness available for the JBL system.

I knew the dash kit would fit so I decided to buy the dash kit off the internet and install it myself. I got a Scosche kit and it fit nicely (although there is a gap around the sides, but it doesn't look too bad). The only problem with using an aftermarket headunit and the JBL system is that you have to rewire all the door speakers and either feed them into the new headunit or to separate amps. That part of the install took the longest for me. So, it is possible to install an aftermarket stereo into a Limited w/ JBL, but it's a lot of work.

 

[webshot]

Going through all the wiring diagrams and understanding the the setup of the factory JBL system, it would be impossible to use the factory amp. The amp controls everything like the volume controls, bass, treble, balance, and fader all from a simple data (two wires) conection from the head unit to the amp. One thing I did notice is that if you unplug the stock head unit (six disc changer) and then plug in a different stock head unit (Toyota NAV unit) the amp remembers your settings and displays those on the new head unit. I would imagine that these settings would be reset if the battery was ever disconnected.

Bottom line is that until an adapter is produced, you would have to replace the amp as well.

Good Luck

 

[partsrep]

Seems to me that if you're going to upgrade to an after market head unit you should go with an external amp. And also upgrade the speakers to handle the new power. That would require a full installation which any competent installer should be able to handle.

Don't expect the best installers to do miracles with non-compatible equipment.

Personally, I upgraded to a Scion Pioneer xB head unit which swapped out perfectly and I can still use all the steering wheel controls. It has 165 watts maximum power so I added some Polk Audio DB series speakers and it sounds real nice and looks like a factory install.

 

[Flashcrunch]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I appreciate the help. I am actually getting an SR5, so it sounds like the installation should be possible. I've checked a few reputable local shops which distribute and install the Eclipse units, and they said they have already done a 2004 4 Runner, which was an SR5 as well, and that it does fit properly. They said a small trim ring needed to be made for the dash, but that was the only customization needed. I am going for the AVN2454 model with the navigation and DVD player. It looks really nice, and I can't wait to get it in there. I have the 10spk synthesis system in the truck (no 6 disc in dash) so I am assuming when the install happens it will have to bypass the factory amp? Thanks again everyone.

Take care,
-Clay

 

[Wah]

Can you post some pics when you get the system installed? I wanna see how the HU looks in the dash.

 

[partsrep]

Sounds good Flash.

Let's see some pics when it's all done.

I've heard real good things about the Eclipse products, especially the video quality.

Good luck.

Here's a shot of my Scion Pioneer installed.

 

[Flashcrunch]

Nice!

Very nice Partsrep!

That Scion unit is perfect in there. It's looks sweet, and I like the silver jog / shuttle piece at the bottom. Fancy stuff. Those are high powered units, right?

 

[partsrep]

160 watts maximum output. Compared to aftermarket units I figure that to be around 25 RMS per channel. It really sounds sweet and the units can be had from Scion owners on ebay or Scion forums for around $100.

Did I mention all the steering wheel controls work as they should?

 

[steph280]

Anybdoy know of any good Eclipse dealer in Los angeles/Orange County area?

Thanks,

Stephen

 

[Flashcrunch]

Local Dealer?

Anybdoy know of any good Eclipse dealer in Los angeles/Orange County area?

Thanks,

Stephen

If you are looking for a local dealer just call Eclipse direct at 800-233-2216 and speak to someone in sales for the particular item you are looking for and they can direct you to shops that sell them in your area. Hope this helps.

-Clay

 

[MAC4Runner]

So the Scion radio is more powerful than the stock JBL 10 headunit?
It is a nice install but to be honest, it looks alot cheaper than the JBL 4R headunit to me.

But if it sounds better and has MP3 with 6-disc, it got my attention!
Thanks for posting a picture of it installed partsrep. It is a very clean install.

FYI - The Scion headunit will NOT work will the JBL system.

 

[steph280]

Re: Local Dealer?

If you are looking for a local dealer just call Eclipse direct at 800-233-2216 and speak to someone in sales for the particular item you are looking for and they can direct you to shops that sell them in your area. Hope this helps.

-Clay

I did, they gave me a 800-553-2547 automated number which will connect me to local dealer based on my caller ID. Except this system doesn't work at all.

Thanks anyway.

Stephen

 

[Flashcrunch]

Re: Re: Local Dealer?

I did, they gave me a 800-553-2547 automated number which will connect me to local dealer based on my caller ID. Except this system doesn't work at all.

Thanks anyway.

Stephen

Ut-oh! That's not good. Well I tried to streer you in the right direction at least... When I called, I got a live person which discussed the model with me and then she listed about 10 phone numbers off with dealers and installers around my area. I was never referred to the automated line. Weird.
In any case, good luck!

-Clay