2001 Tacoma Radio Upgrade Question

Long time reader, new member.
The stock radio in my 2001 recently died (the CD/Cassette version). I would like to replace with a more modern radio, primarily w/ cell phone integration. My question is: does anyone have experience with such a swap, recommendations on a unit to buy?
I see numerous units out there, anywhere from $150 to $1500. I don't mind spending a little more for a radio that works better, but $1500 is over the top.
The main features I'd like are: AM/FM, CD, Cell Phone Integration/Bluetooth (I could live without CD). I'm not interested in Satellite radio, but would be open to GPS Navigation.
If anyone has installed in a Gen 1 Tacoma, how well does the phone functions work? Do they typically come with an external mic?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

 

Welcome to TW!

If money isn't an issue, go with Alpine; In my opinion, they are the gold standard in car audio...

Next in line is Pioneer; I've had two different Pioneer head units in my truck (currently have Pioneer now), and I only replaced the first one because I wanted a backup camera and the first head unit was a single-DIN head unit that was not backup camera compatible. In my opinion, you're better off just using your phone or a portable unit (i.e. Garmin) for navigation.

I've also heard very good things about JVC; My friend has a 2004 Taco access cab with an aftermarket JVC unit and the factory speakers (sounds pretty damn good!). The wiring harness/adapter is the same no matter what Toyota vehicle you are using, and I think the internal mounting bracket is the same whether you have a 1st Gen or a 2nd Gen, though the 2nd Gen obviously has a different dash bezel.

Are you looking to do a total stereo system overhaul like I did, or just the head unit?

 

Check out Crutchfield.com . They will have everything you need for your swap and have a great customer service department. The new head units are packed with features for any price range. I’m running a Sony because I still wanted a volume knob. Xav-ax 100 I think.

 

Ditto on crutchfield, I am running a sony single din head unit with an integrated mic which made install alot easier and it looks much cleaner than having to run that little mic. It syncs automatically to your phone when the truck turns on and has a bass booster. For 100 bucks, this unit is a steal. I would also recommend grabbing some speakers for your truck if you are still running stock ones, I am running JL audio speakers and they were a huge upgrade. I got them from a local radio shop for 200 bucks. For only 300 dollars, this setup has proven to be very capable and would run it again. Here is a link to the speakers I went with

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13699044/JL-Audio-C1-570x.html?tp=105

 

Crutchfield has been my main research source.
This Pioneer unit looks to be a Cadillac and about $500 off retail. $115 less than the comparable Alpine.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130AVW8500/Pioneer-AVIC-W8500NEX.html. Comes with an external GPS antenna and external phone mic as well. Something I didn't think about before is having DVD in addition to CD, that's something that will be used a lot with young ones...

RJ, What model Sony for $100? I'm seeing them in the $200+ range. How does the integrated mic perform?
I'm on the phone a lot and my car and wife's truck both have factory integration and work great, looking for the same in my Tacoma...

I plan to upgrade speakers when I put in a radio, but will try to stay drop-in to the factory mounts/grills.

 

Crutchfield was favorite resource until a year ago...

Crutchfield is based in Charlottesville, Virginia; Until 2018 they only collected sales tax from Virginia residents, but then the stupid E-commerce tax law took effect. They started reporting out-of-state purchases to the governments of those respective states, rather than collecting sales tax at the time of purchase...

I purchased my $325 Pioneer head unit in March 2018; I got a bill for 6% Pennsylvania sales tax plus interest when I filed my 2018 tax returns in April 2019. I thought this was very sneaky and underhanded; Luckily, I purchased my backup camera before the stupid E-commerce law took effect. I purchased the subwoofer, amplifier, new speakers, and various materials needed for installation on Amazon; Amazon collects sales tax at the time of purchase and you don't get an unpleasant surprise when you file your tax return a year later...

Unless you live in Delaware, New Hampshire, or Oregon, you are better off buying on Amazon instead of Crutchfield; Also, I did some better research the second time I revamped my stereo. Crutchfield tends to sell many items at full MSRP (I overpaid for my first set of speakers), whereas Amazon's prices are generally cheaper...

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-off-your-head-unit-stereo.639423/#post-22065168

I just put mine in it was super easy. The hardest part was doing the wire harness and even that was easy using the heat shrink solder doohickey. Running the camera was a little time consuming but it was all super basic.

Also I'd base you stereo off of what phone system that you us as some work better depending on what you use Android vs apple. As most modern head units allow you to run car play wich gives you nav ect.. if you go dubble di.

I went with a kenwood non media. I'm pretty happy with it.but I use Android.
If I was a apple user I would have been all over the Sony but it doesn't support android auto. So..

 

I had already checked Crutchfield vs Amazon and Google. That Pioneer radio (AVIC-W8500NEX) at $500 off retail w/ Crutchfield was way cheaper than anyone else. I found one set of speakers cheaper on Amazon (about half), another set of speakers same price on Crutchfield and Amazon, so it appears it depends on the specific item. I'm really at the point of deciding which radio I want, then I'll find the best deal. Kinda glad to hear the brand names haven't changed much since I last bought an aftermarket radio 20 years ago.

I just ran a couple things through the Crutchfield cart and backed out, looks like they add sales tax now (I'm in NC). I would be pissed if I had to pay more tax to the state next year, good point and thanks for the heads up.

I'm currently using a Droid, but did notice one of the Sony's supported iOS and Droid...

chrslefty,
Thanks for the link, those pics give me an idea what a new one will look like.

Thanks for all the fast response, this is really helping! Still searching...

 

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158DSXA41B/Sony-DSX-A415BT.html?tp=5684

this is the head unit i installed

 

I have this one:.


Pioneer DEH-S5100BT in-Dash Built-in Bluetooth CD, MP3, Front USB, Auxiliary, Pandora, AM/FM, Built in iPod, iPhone and iPad Controls, Dual Phone Connection Stereo Receiver

$107 Pioneer DEH-S5100BT in-Dash Built-in Bluetooth CD, MP3, Front USB, Auxiliary, Pandora, AM/FM, Built in iPod, iPhone and iPad Controls, Dual Phone Connection Stereo Receiver

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07526JF15/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_N6rCEb6ZMAB20


It was only 70 bucks, but I'm very pleased with it. The Bluetooth part works flawlessly with my Android phone. Call quality I guess is fine as long as I'm not moving, too noisy in the cab when driving. I recommend it.

 

Thanks for all the input, I went with the Pioneer AVIC 8500. I needed a 4" radio to fill the dash from the factory and this one does everything I need, plus is back-up camera compatible.

PennSilverTaco,
I ended up finding everything from Amazon a bit cheaper than Crutchfield, although the radio vendor from Amazon is Crutchfield...

I'll post up some pics in a couple weeks when I'm done. Perfect time to run the back-up camera harness as I need to raise the bed to upgrade the fuel pump to finish the 7th injector install.

 

I had Best Buy put my Pioneer head unit FH-S501BT plus speakers. It has Bluetooth features and they’ll put the external mic in a convenient spot.

 

I installed this one in my 2000. The biggest reason APPLE CARPLAY. Its been great, and not to expensive $250. I did order from crutchfield and payed an extra ~$25 for an option they call their "ReadyHarness"...its basically a pre-soddered wire and plug assembly that allows for easy install (literally a monkey could have done the install w/ a ready harness).

Bonus of CarPlay is google maps, Waze, Overcast, and just added recently GAIA GPS!!! You can add a rear view camera too. In many ways this setup is nicer than some newer car's multimedia headunits. If $250 isn't a stretch than a good CarPlay headunit will make driving more modern and enjoyable.

I will say the one BIG drawback is that at this price point the screen is a bit muted-dull in bright sunlight...its a drawback but in my mind I'm living with it because of the PHYSICAL volume knob, the front facing USB outlet and the price. Remember if the Unit does not have a built in USB outlet then it is probably included as a dongle that you then have to install somewhere (could be a pro or con based on your preference).

Again this is a great option if you don't want to hassle with extra wiring, soddering, etc. Oh and it does have an external mic that you can mount wherever you like.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV1000/Sony-XAV-AX1000.html

 

I've always loved Crutchfield's customer service, but the whole tax issue pisses me off; I'm glad that I'm supporting Crutchfield by buying through Amazon!

 

One more feature you forgot to mention about that unit........you get a clock that you can actually read!

 

you do realize it's not Crutchfield's fault right? Sales tax has been being collected for some out of state purchases for years.

make sure you check your receipts and purchase orders, it will tell you if sales tax will be collected.

When I bought the AVX-1000 through Rakuten they did not collect sales tax, but I did have to pay it. They gave me notice that PA required this and when I filed taxes I printed off my purchase orders and determined what the tax amount will be.

Amazon already adds taxes since it's easier for them and less hassle in the long run. I think most places are now doing the same if I'm not mistaken.

This is the reason I buy from fleabay many times, prices are set and either have tax included, or they don't collect it

 

Ok, installed the Pioneer yesterday and it fits/works great. The phone function is perfect and the screen tilt feature in the radio aligns the screen perfectly even with the lower mounting location, however I'm struggling on 2 issues:
1) Reverse wire in the dash area. I know I can get a reverse voltage in the back near the tail lights, but I'm struggling to find one in the cab. I've read no less than a dozen threads on the subject, but most threads are really old and pictures/schematics no longer present. Best I can figure is there is a white w/ blue stripe wire in the left kicker panel/under the carpet on the driver door side. I checked all white wires in that vicinity and no reverse voltage. I confirmed the wire color at the tail light (white w/ black stripe), but nothing in the cab on that color. Any help is appreciated, I ran the wire to the left kicker panel under the main fuse block before I buttoned the dash back up, so I hope to find a contact there. Worse case I'll run to the rear when I run the back up camera as I didn't do that yesterday.
2) I ran the park brake contact to ignition voltage, but the Pioneer isn't recognizing and won't play DVDs or allow the Andriod Auto to connect. There is an active high software switch for the reverse signal in the radio settings, but I couldn't find one for the park brake wire to make sure that wasn't the issue. The adapter harness I picked up off Amazon didn't have a wire installed for this contact, but it did have a few spare wires and pins, I will need to check to make sure that pin makes contact (like if I installed the pin in the connector upside down). For those with experience, I should only need to run the park brake wire to voltage to simulate the parking brake contact, right? Additionally I did not and don't plan to connect the speed signal wire.

Thanks in advance for any help!
Also note the 2 USB knockouts from Fixxxer! I painted the wrong color, but they worked great.

 

How long have you had this stereo? For the price it looks to be a great option for sure.

 

For the park brake just run a toggle switch to trick the unit into thinking the vehicle is in park and put it under your dash where it isn’t visible.I had no issues with my radio setup when I installed it so on your other question I don’t have an answer for you

 

I figured out #2 in the thread below, there is a hidden software switch in the Pioneer...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-enable-video-bypass-on-pioneer-nex-units.376546/

You can also buy module on Amazon for $15 that you can hard wire to similate the brake on, off then on, but the software switch appeared to work just fine.