Stereo Upgrade BASIC How To... (2nd Gen)

Save. At that price, consider something like this. Better sound, better controls, and expandability. Crutchfield says they contain all you need, but you have to do it yourself (not too bad). You could also try a local shop, which may have it at a lower price (usually) and should install for free, but you have to pay for the mounting gear. Either way should be about the same price.

 

Go to circuit city. For 50$ i got an ipod charger/ aux plug that plugs into the back of the stock player. 15 min install

 

subd

 

Thanks 478dblspt!!! That is exactly what I was looking for. I will be picking one up next week. I will let you know if I am happy with it. scrapedface does that allow you to control the Ipod from the deck?

 

Hey Chris, great directions. Just curious if there is any roadblock to running the i-pod cable down and into the console. That's the preferred place for me. Thanks.

 

Thanks for the info and the pictures.

 

I am not sure if I am in the right "room" or on the right thread. I have a 2008 Tacoma with a stock CD player. Since the truck is prewired for cruise control (which I have installed) is it possible the truck is prewired for the radio controls on the steering wheel? So all I have to do is buy the steering wheel controls?

 

I have a 2008 Tacoma with the stock deck (single CD). I bought through Circuit City (now out of business) an adapter for an Ipod that plugs into the 6 CD changer port on the back of the unit. It works great and charges the Ipod while using the Ipod. You have to remove the radio to do this but that was easy once you find out the tricks. I found those tricks on Google. I think the total time to do this was a half hour to 45 minutes. The operation is great, you hit the disc button on the head unit twice and now you have access to your Ipod.

 

Room is sooo 80's

Hehe, just teasin'.


You've found the right section, but I would recommend creating a new thread if you haven't found answers by using search.

 

After being inspired by some of these posts, I gave it a go. I'm really happy with the results, and I had no previous experience.

Stereo units have come a long way in recent times, and so I decided there was no point messing with an iPod adapter when a whole new receiver with way better specs is not much more.

My requirements - #1 iPod functionality, #2 improved sound from factory speakers, #3 HD radio nice to have

I ended up installing an Kenwood KDC-X494 for about $180, and it works great - excellent iPod controls, bypasses the iPod completely for digital-analogue conversion, definitely better sound from factory speakers (main issue now is not the sound but the wind and engine noise). No HD radio but I just liked the Kenwood.

I went with Crutchfields, and would not hesitate to recommend them, great help on the phone. Maybe not the cheapest, but the service is more than worth it. Comes with adapter kit and harness. Yes the adapter is not as solid as OEM, particularly the plastic mounts replacing the factory steel - but I can live with it.

Few tips:
- It's easy to scratch the dash when removing the A/C control panel, be careful
- The hazard switch assembly was a bit puzzling to remove at first - you only need to remove the inner unit, and there are 6 clips that need to pop out
- The extra wiring harness means that you leave the factory plugs intact, which is good
- You have to match the wire functions of the adapter to the wire functions of the harness supplied with the stereo unit - not all are needed
- I used washers on the stereo mounts, to avoid crunching the plastic mounts , and I also had to play with the four mount points a bit to get the unit lined up
- I had a clip missing for the dash panel supplied with the adapter kit - Crutchfields sent a replacement kit at no cost
- Had to file down a bit of plastic flash on the dash panel adapter to enable the clips to pop into place correctly

Good luck with yours!

 

Just noticed Chickenmungas post above with exactly the same stereo unit, what a coincidence!

 

Is it true that you can take out the plastic in the back seats to make room for your Subs, Amps. etc?

-Bryan

 

Yes, it's about 4 bolts and a few snaps. Depending on space requirements, you can also remove the plastic from the backside of the seats.

 

Does anyone know how hard is it to run the wires for the gps and bluetooth throughout the truck w/ a new head unit? i'd like to put the gps behind the intstrument console so its out of sight. Any suggestions?

 

There are gas shocks available for the tailgate but I forgot where I saw them. They're out there though.

 

Interested in upgrading the center/radio dash area. The additional storage slot would be very nice.

Would I be able to do a dash upgrade and reinstall the factory radio?

Or is it if I want to upgrade the dash cover, I would need to get a new deck as well?

 

You will need a new deck, the factory HU is a double din design leaving no extra room for a pocket.

 

If figured, but might as well throw it out there.

 

Thanks for the thread OP, helped me put in my Kenwood Excelon KDC-X794

 

Just upgraded my stereo and had issues taking out the hazard lights panel. Saw a few others who had issues there too. I took a couple pics of the pieces disassembled. When I have the chance to edit them to emphasize where the tabs are I'll put them up here.