How hard is it to install a Stereo yourself?

Im planning on getting a Stereo for my truck, and my dad wants me to get it installed by a professional and get it from best buy, but its $40 cheaper on crutchfield.com and comes with an install kit included the box that fits the truck and stereo and a wiring kit that is for the tacoma AND the stereo.

Here is the links to a couple of stereos im looking at:

http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_500CDA9886/Alpine-CDA-9886.html?tp=27783

http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_500CDE103B/Alpine-CDE-103BT.html?tp=27783
At the very least I would get this one, although I would rather have one of the other two.
http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_500CDA105/Alpine-CDA-105.html?tp=27783

So it comes with an installation kit worth $35 and I think al of them include an Ipod cable. Would this be easy to install? Anyone ever install of these stereos? I have a '99 extended cab if that helps. Any recommendations for a stereo in the $150-$280 range?

 

It really isn't hard at all.

http://www.customtacos.com/tech/index.php?article=77 Just follow up to step 5. Also you will need to remove the two pop deals where the cig lighter is, one on each side. Also for the wiring connector, I soldered all the connections together and heat srinked them. For my iPod cable, i drilled a hole in the pocket below the deck, and slipped it through.

Hope this helps, I did mine by myself, the second day I had the truck.

 

Thank you!! Good website!

 

its really simple.
usually i have zero luck with taking the dash apart and whatnot but these trucks are pretty easy. i.ve taken mine apart several times first to instal my H.U. then my cb and then my sub.

 

very easy. plug and play, almost.

 

Doing a HU swap in the tacoma is very eay, and there's a ton of info on this site that can help.

Do some research and find the info, then show your Dad how much you learned and how prepared you are.

If he's like me, he probably doesn't want you opening up the dash and "exploring" in hopes you will figure it out once you're elbow deep in parts and wires.

 

somewhere here there is a step by step stereo install. do it yourself, it means more when you do it yourself

 

AND, you usually save a crapload of $$$$$ .

 

Doin' mine tomorrow, on an 04. Already have the harness adapter soldered together and ready to go. Just need to pull the dash apart... right after I get back from house browsing.

 

Yeah I ordered it off crutchfield, so it should be here on Monday. I got on TW at his work and thankfully the first response came with a link on how to do it. Yeah I was pretty bummed when he said I shouldn't do it myself. But I showed him how it works and Im glad I get to do it myself. I'll see whats in there, and hopefully get some ideas for future mods

 

Not to mention (and this is coming from a former Best Buy employee) Best Buy employees and installers aren't necessarily the most careful and knowledgeable. I've seen some pitiful work/messy installs done by "professionals" before!

 

Installing stereo... not an issue. (Soldering iron helps with making clean connections with the adapter harness to the new HU harness.)
Only problem I had was I broke the two plastic clip deals on the lower plastic/dash piece that holds the ashtray deal on the sides... i ain't fixin' it either.