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Wiring up an aftermarket stereo in addition to the stock stereo cassette deck

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Coma Tose, Jan 12, 2020.

  1. Jan 12, 2020 at 5:34 PM
    #1
    Coma Tose

    Coma Tose [OP] Member

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    Sorry if this is a complete n00b question or if it's been covered elsewhere. I tried searching for it and couldn't find what I was looking for. I figured it would be best to ask and confirm before I go and F*** something up.

    Basically I am hoping to run both my aftermarket bluetooth stereo deck in tandem with the original stock stereo cassette deck. Obviously I wouldn't need to run both at the same time, just one or the other.

    Currently the single DIN aftermarket stereo is wired in (from the previous owner) and works fine as is. The original stock cassette deck is still in the dash as well, but it is no longer hooked up. I'd really like to get the cassette deck wired back up and running again so I can still listen to some cassettes, or have the option to use to the other aftermarket BT stereo if I'm not listening to a cassette.

    Is it really just as simple as getting a wire harness that fits the stock cassette deck and splicing it into the aftermarket stereo harness? Or does a splitter plug exist? Would I run the risk of damaging anything if I don't put them on separate switches? Lastly, would I need to upgrade the fuse? Or anything else I'm missing here?

    Thanks for your help!
     
  2. Jan 12, 2020 at 5:36 PM
    #2
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    Does the aftermarket deck have an AUX input? I'd wire up the cassette deck speaker outputs to a line-level converter and route it into the aftermarket deck.
     
  3. Jan 12, 2020 at 5:48 PM
    #3
    CrustyTaco

    CrustyTaco Well-Known Member

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    Another option to consider would be removing the OE deck and just using a portable cassette player plugged into the AUX in when you want to play cassettes. Wiring up two stereos sounds like more trouble than its worth IMO.
     
    0xDEADBEEF likes this.
  4. Jan 12, 2020 at 5:49 PM
    #4
    Coma Tose

    Coma Tose [OP] Member

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    It does, but I think only the 3.5mm mini plug in the front. But I'd still need a wire harness for the stock cassette deck to give it power again and have the speaker output leads. Would it really be better to run them through a line level converter and run it into the front of the aftermarket decks AUX input? Seems like it would possibly be easier or at least cleaner just to splice into the wire harness inside the dash?
     
  5. Jan 12, 2020 at 5:53 PM
    #5
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    I'm not entirely sure what would happen if you were driving one set of speakers with two different amplifiers. The speakers would probably be fine, but I don't think the two decks would like each other much. Ideally you'd have a big switch that switches all the speakers and all the power and leaves the unused deck disconnected.

    I'm guessing the power for the old deck was unplugged and attached to the new one, so you'd have to splice power, ground and the turn on wire at least to get power to both.
     
  6. Jan 12, 2020 at 5:54 PM
    #6
    Coma Tose

    Coma Tose [OP] Member

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    Thanks, I definitely thought about that as well. But I already have the OE deck in the dash and figure I might as well use it if I can, rather than buying another external cassette player and having it kick around the cab of the truck. It would also make for a much cleaner look and interior to run the OE deck again, and the controls would be right in the dash, which I would really prefer if at all possible.
     
  7. Jan 12, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #7
    tacoma_ca

    tacoma_ca Well-Known Member

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    I think you are asking about just wiring together the speaker outputs from each deck to the common speakers. Don’t do this, the deck outputs have lower impedance than your speakers so most of the power would go into the other deck which would certainly cause problems.

    Instead, but still simple, put both deck outputs into an output selector that connects just one deck to the speakers at a time.

    Get a 4-pole double throw 12V relay to switch your fronts, and another relay for the rears. Hook the 2 relay coils to a switch that gives 12V. This single switch would be your selector controller, so mount it somewhere accessible.

    If you want more details about this let me know, it is super easy and prob costs $20 total.
     
  8. Jan 12, 2020 at 6:06 PM
    #8
    tacoma_ca

    tacoma_ca Well-Known Member

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