Aftermarket Radio

I’ve got a 2004 Tacoma with the original radio. It’s starting to act up a little bit, lights won’t light up sometimes, connection will get bad, volume sometimes doesn’t go up/down. Anyways, I’m wanting to put in a radio and wanted to see if any of you would recommend a certain one/version. Don’t want to break the bank but also don’t want something that looks cheap/plasticky if that makes sense. Thanks guys!

 

Tons of options there. Check Crutchfield, you can search by vehicle and they usually include any installation parts you'd need for free. As well as support for help installing/figuring out what you'd need.

 

I switched my factory radio to this one I got at best buy
Pioneer - Bluetooth - In-Dash CD Receiver - Black
Model:FH-S501BT
SKU:6065202
It was 109.99 and they installed for free in 40 mins. Works good and the music is much louder than the factory radio. Only dislike is that the lights are blue and my dash lights are orange but I'm going remedy the dash lights in the future as half of them are burnt out.

 

Some stereos like Kenwood (I think) have changeable light colors. I got one of those for my first gen so I could match the color of the radio lights to the dash lights so it looked more like stock.

 

Most of the models now have LED RGB. Just look on the box or list of functions for multi color.

 

I have a pioneer with hands free blue tooth, and color changing LED’s so that I can adjust the color to whatever I want. I paid like 100$ for it off of eBay and did the install myself in an hour.

 

Seconding Crutchfield. I bought a Sony xav-ax100 in mine. With Android Auto (or Apple Car play if you swing that way) you get hands free calling and texting, in-dash navigation, the radio of course, whatever music streaming you want, etc, etc.

 

This, I have a Kenwood and love it.

 

I've done a fair amount of purchases from Crutchfield, and they've always been great.

Tacomas have a pretty standard "double DIN" radio, but you can also get a single DIN and a pocket for under the radio. I got mine from crutchfield and it came with a wiring kit and the pocket. Super easy.

I have a Kenwood, but it's getting pretty long in the tooth (12+ years old) but still works perfectly. The pocket is pretty handy too.

 

Just looked and there’s a couple good deals on Amazon. There’s a deal with a kenwood Bluetooth radio as well as 2 pairs of new aftermarket kenwood speakers along with it.

 

Like mwrohde, I also went with the Sony xav-ax100. Best radio I’ve ever had.

 

I just replaced the radio in my truck with an Alpine CDE-172BT from Crutchfield. It's not relevant since I don't think you have steering wheel controls but the

$60 Crux SWRTY-61S Radio Replacement with SWC Retention (for Select Toyota Vehicles 2003-2011)

Crux SWRTY-61S they suggested to interface in my 2008 works perfectly. I'm really happy with the radio and it's not expensive at all. Paid about $160 for everything including the bezel to replace the big honking thing in 2nd gens. It would have been $30 cheaper without the steering wheel interface box.

 

I just replaced the radio in my 2002 Tacoma with a Pioneer 1330 Sirus/xm ready. Did the work myself. It fit with no problem and used the original brackets Love it.

 

Did you use or need an install kit for mounting. I know a wiring harness is mandatory.

 

Crutchfield includes the wiring harness and anything else you need. With my daughter's car that always includes a bezel. I don't recall needing anything else for the Tacoma.

 

Just pick the double din radio you like... Then find it on Amazon for cheap. Get the wiring kit on Amazon also. It's a pretty easy install

 

I trust Pioneer products !!!

I started off with a Pioneer 3900BT single Din bluetooth had that for a year

Upgraded to a Pioneer 4200 Nex Double Din bluetooth had that for a year


Now have a Pioneer 8400 Nex Double Din bluetooth with navigation

 

I think I just removed the brackets from the factory radio and installed them on the new one. Crutchfield has the wiring harness. Also, Sony makes a killer small 4channel amp that I would highly recommend.