Aftermarket radio recommendations

I installed a Kenwood from Crutchfield yesterday. They offer a kit with everything you need (keeps all controls and plug ins) and for $24, they will splice everything except two wires... easy stuff.
Here is what I did: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...en-tacoma-today.6499/page-11612#post-27385366

 

Wow that looks good!

 

Does your truck have the JBL system? I can’t remember if 2007 had them, it would have the JBL logo on the radio.

if so, that presents some additional hurdles.

 

Didn't see a JBL logo - although an online review says for 2007 there's "all-new audio head units".

Didn't try an MP3 CD, likely not compatible.

 

An ‘07 has the JBL logo in the middle of the lower front door speaker. If your ‘07 is like my ‘06, no it won’t play mp3 CDs. If it did I would have kept mine longer.

 

You had me curious, so I checked, no logo on the speaker. Mine is an SR5, I guess that's considered the basic model.

Did some research and 2009 may be the first year that could play mp3s. Also, if this is like any other CD player, it won't play CD-RWs,
just CD-Rs. I know this is cave man technology I'm talking about! Then again - back in the 70s I recorded many, many cassettes with segued playlists using 2 turntables. I even had an 8-track recorder for the player in my first car.

 

Don't take as gospel, but my wife had a 2005 Rav4 and pretty sure the HU would play a CD-RW. I could be mistaken but can't hurt to try.

I'd suspect you're a non-JBL especially since it's the SR5..if that was even offered back then. My 2010 was a regular but I didn't care since I knew the whole thing was getting ripped out when I bought the truck anyway.

 

Haha. Cassettes in the ‘80s for me, than CD-R and RWs. I hear ya, radio sucks. I went with an Alpine single DIN stereo for years, as it had a USB input on the back that I routed the cable to in the Center console, still have one there. But with streaming services, there’s more selection and playlists that it’s worth the cost. I have a stupid amount of data on my cell plan that I got through work (yay discount!), that I’m set. I have a double DIN stereo now and I love it.

 

That looks great! I assume a touch screen? I'm not too familiar with these new fangled things! And agreed, I haven't listened to FM radio in years. On the way to work AM radio for traffic, news, weather. If I had a large data plan on my cell phone I'd consider streaming Pandora, which I have a paid subscription for which I use at home. I've got tons of purchased music (I believe in supporting musicians) - maybe a couple here and there that were free. There was as service my kids told me about when they were here in the 2000s, maybe Napster?

The stock stereo and speakers in my 2007 sound good enough IMO. If I did go with a new unit, I'd probably keep the speakers. If I heard on rattle though, or any speaker deterioration - time to replace.

 

Yup, touchscreen. I use Apple Music for my sub, also supports the talent. I agree, FM=less music, more talking. AM=news and sports team play-by-play.

Keeping speakers is fine if you update, but yes after 15 years the foam surrounds are starting to break down.

 

Good deal. I realize streaming does support musicians in some cases.

Not that I'd be using Google Maps much anymore - but would these new units be able to cast the screen of an Android phone? Not a deal breaker if it wouldn't. My CR-V did not, just the audio. So, if I wanted to hear Google Maps instructions, I'd have the system on Bluetooth to connect with the phone. If I kept in on the USB drive for music, I'd have to turn off the cell phone Bluetooth so I'd hear directions through the phone. I did have music on the phone though, and that would automatically start playing. The fade out/in for the Maps audio worked nicely. But - it would be good seeing the map on that nice big screen.

With my former job I had the 'luxury' (normal to a lot of you guys!) of having a touch screen entertainment center on the company Kia Sedona.

I

 

@Stelcom66 Absolutely would. My stereo can do either Apple Maps or Google maps. For you, you would download an app called “Android Auto”. Everything you’d want is there. Music stored on your phone? Sure. Maps of your choosing with directions? Done. Streaming? Yup. Calls and texts read to you? You betcha. I think you get it. It’s like modernizing a 15+ year old vehicle. Love mine. I’ve never tried maps with USB though, but I don’t think that would work.

*edit*. Just checked. No-go on the USB Music and Maps. Can’t have everything I guess.

*double edit*. There is a function on the stereo I have called “Screen Mirroring”. Don’t know what it does, but something to look at.

 

@ZMan2k2 Thanks for checking, still the best of both worlds, a Tacoma I can afford with a high end entertainment system.

I do see a USB icon on the screen - so I assume you can play music from a USB drive, it's just that you can't use the USB and Maps
at the same time? That's fine, what I was used to previously.

 

@Stelcom66 Correct. You can play from a USB stick. I bought a 6ft extension, and have the drive in the center console box(pic attached). But from what I can tell, you’re right, no maps and USB tunes.

 

Oh wow - that's good you can place it in the console. I was going to ask where the USB drive inserts. That's how it was (factory) with my SUV, out of sight out of mind. Probably playing from the USB drive and using Maps isn't an option with any system, since they're 2 different sources. The workaround is just have some music on the phone.

 

@Stelcom66 Yes, music on your phone instead of USB would solve that. Then you use Android Auto to browse music, play albums, shuffle all, etc. I actually found putting music on the phone better in some respects. You don’t have to go to the truck, get the USB, load it then put it back. It can be put in the phone in your pocket anytime and you’ll never forget to put it back before you drive. Ask me how I know.

 

Hey been there, done that - made a new playlist on the USB drive only to realize I left it at home after selected it as the source! I send music to the phone the old fashioned way - connected via USB. I believe that does retain the Windows Media Player playlist which is nice. I do also like the shuffle option at times.

 

@Stelcom66 Thats how I added music to my phone, wired to the laptop.

I tried with my USB today, you can shuffle albums or folders, I don’t have any playlists. But scrolling, etc. is definitely benefitted by your ability to label folders, albums and songs. Tagging is key. Makes moving through so much easier.

 

Good to know. Supposedly a USB drive will play files (if not in shuffle mode) in the order they were placed onto the USB drive when played in a typical vehicle audio system, but I haven't confirmed that.

 

Can confirm this happens on mine..Pioneer single DIN