Installed a double din radio from a newer Scion.

For 2nd gen's you just gotta get one of these. I installed a double din myself 6 months ago.
Noticed an improvement in sound quality and volume immediately.
That being said, I also have aftermarket kicker speakers that were not getting enough power from the OEM headunit.


I ended up replacing the housing after about a month with the one in the first picture. Higher quality IMO and actually matched the factory dash.
The smooth plastic looks a lot better than the bumpy stuff.

 

^ I'll be repalcing the factory speakers in a week or two, and that's exactly what I wanted to avoid. the new speakers not getting enough power.

 

Also interested in this. I have very little electrical training but have done some minor projects. How difficult would something like this be? Going from a stock headunit

 

Also LOL at Hot Tub Time Machine

 

It appears to be "plug & play", as per the thread linked above.

 

So, I went with this model:
The T1806 (Part# PT546-00080)

• upgraded '05 - '06 model
• two knobs
• single disk
• has the color changing LCD
• plays MP3s and WMAs
• Aux input via harness
• has ipod controllability

It works like a charm, and I spent less than $25 shipped!

I used this video to disassemble the radio area: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ0-KrKdJTQ&t=200s

Warning, without a Dremmel or similar tool, it won't work. Some plastic trimming of the radio bezel area will have to be done. Also, the radio metal harness from the factory radio MUST be used, and it also will require some trimming to make it work.

Tools needed:
1. Medium size phillips screwdriver
2. 8mm wrench, or ratchet wrench, to adjust the radio screws. I was only able to get 3 screws in.
3. 10 or 12mm wrench to remove factory radio metal harness.
4. Dremmel with plastic cutting blade