Stinger Audio

If anyone is looking for an affordable radio for their 2nd Gen NON-JBL, this is actually a pretty good deal

https://stingeroffroad.com/products/toyota-tacoma-6in-double-radio-kit

 

The joying cost roughly the same price, has a larger display and has more functions.

 

or buy one of these for $150:

$120 PLZ 7" Wireless Double Din Car Stereo Apple Carplay Radio Screen for Car Audio Receivers, Bluetooth 5.3 Car Play Android Auto Touchscreen, 240W 4.2 CHN 2 Subwoofers Outputs, Backup Camera, SWC, FM/AM

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFL3MFXF
and get a bezel, like this

$28 Metra Electronics 95-8214TB Double DIN Dash Kit for Toyota Tacoma 2005-2011 Vehicle (Black) 11.00in. x 8.60in. x 3.40in.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A6JMWEM/
and a wiring harness like this

$12 Metra Toyota 20-pin Steering Wheel Control Add-on Harness with RCA

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064J4LOM/
and save $200

 

To each his own. I prefer to buy from places that I know I can get customer service from. Stinger has great customer service and tech reps for any install issues.

 

I have been eyeing this but cannot find any photos of it installed.

 

Here is a pic of the $150 head unit installed in my truck;


It is a VAST improvement over the OEM 6-disk unit, and so far, it works great!

 

Update: after 4 months, and driving from Fort Myers, FL, to Boston, MA, I am very happy with this radio.

PLZ just released a new version with a better (QLED) display, for $160. If that works as well as the one pictured above, it is a great deal.

 

Thank you for the update @eherlihy

I looked on there store and didn’t see the newer OLED model you mentioned. would you
link it please? Contemplating this for my 2013..

Thank you for the recommendation OP, considering that vs Joying as well.

 

Here is the link to the NEW PLZ MP-926W Head Unit;

$160 PLZ 7" Wireless Double Din Car Stereo Apple Car Play Radio Carplay Android Auto QLED Touch Screen, Bluetooth 5.3 Audio Receivers, 1080P Backup Camera, 4.2 Channel Outputs 240W, 2 Subwoofer, FM/AM, SWC

https://www.amazon.com/PLZ-Wireless-Bluetooth-Receivers-Subwoofer/dp/B0D1BGXBG4
$169.99, but with a $30 coupon means that it will cost you $140 plus tax.

Also - In post #3 above, I neglected to mention an ISO to Tacoma wiring harness that I purchased for $12.

$12 RED WOLF Car Radio ISO Wiring Harness Compatible with Toyota 2005-2020 Tacoma, 1996-2009 RAV4, 2004-2018 Tundra, Subaru 2014-2019 WRX Forester Non JBL System Aftermarket Stereo ISO Wire Cable Plug

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LQ6C45Q/

The whole setup will still cost you <$200, and give you: Wireless Android Auto/CarPlay, a backup camera and display, an amplifier that is BETTER than the OEM, Preamp outputs - if you want to run a separate amp, and steering wheel controls.

 

I'm looking at that for my 2012. Any tips on fitment- I looked on their Amazon store but couldn't find much. Thanks for the tip on the harness!

 

I used the OEM radio mounting brackets (steel) rather than the plastic ones included with the Metra bezel.

Regarding the SWC, here is how I THINK that I did it 4 months ago;

DISCLAIMER: Please don't blame me if you screw this up. I am recounting the info below from memory, and I find that my memory isn't what it once was.

I looked at the OEM SWC wiring diagram:


The SWC uses pins 6, 7, and 8 on the 20-pin connector.

I then modified the

$12 Metra 70-8114 Metra Toyota 20-pin Steering Wheel Control Add-on Harness with RCA

Metra 70-8114 wiring by cutting the Green, Yellow and Black wire at CONNECTOR B (which will not be used), and splicing the G, W & B wires to the Grey, Green and Black wires of the PLZ C connector which was included with the radio (steering wheel controls - CLEARLY labeled). The white and red coax connectors on the Metra connector C are not used.


Here is the PLZ wiring diagram:


Then, simply plug connector C into the stock wiring harness, and the C connector into the radio, I programmed each button, and vollia!

Ya, sorry for the hijack.

 

I have the rear camera in my rear view mirror. Will it hook up to this unit?

 

Yes, it would, but you would have to chase the wiring diagram to figure out where to tap into the video input for the mirror. I believe that there is a spot near the interior fuse panel.

I also have the rear view camera in the mirror of my '09. But, I installed the PLZ camera over the license plate IN ADDITION to the stock camera. Now I have a view of what is going on behind me if the tailgate is open or closed.

It has been almost a year since I installed the older PLZ head unit in both my '09 Taco, and my '01 Avalon, and it has been the single best mod that I have made to these vehicles.

 

Did you use the camera that came with the radio? Where did you run the new wires?

 

WOW! The units that I have, the PLZ MP-902W is now down to $120! The fancier one with the QLED display is $135!!
I doubt that these prices will hold if the threatened tariffs are implemented.

Regarding the questions:

• Yes, I used the camera that was included with the radio.
• I ran the wire from the radio, behind the glove box, down the footwell, under the passenger seat, through a rubber plug (now a gromet) along the frame rail to the rear bumper. I mounted the camera above the license plate.

You didn't ask, but I also installed a Waterproof DC Converter 12V 24V to 5V 6A 30W USB Female DC and Type-C Converter DC,DC Buck Converter Power Adapter (this thing:

Waterproof DC Converter 12V 24V to 5V 6A 30W USB Female DC and Type-C Converter DC,DC Buck Converter Power Adapter Step Down Module

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BZTV9M19) in the console. This way I can put my Android phone in the change holder next to the shift lever, and charge my phone as I drive. I also have the second port installed in my center console compartment, so that I can charge my rechargeable flashlights. I imagine that there are Apple chargers that you could do the same with.

This has been installed in both of my vehicles since December 2023 (Avalon)/January of 2024 (Tacoma), and it works great.

 

I ordered it for the Black Friday discount. Thanks for the info

 

Could the G,W,B wires (highlighted above) be a typo? Could it be green, yellow & black as mentioned in the previous sentence or am I looking at the wrong harness?

 

Yes, it could be a typo. As I said, the post was made from my memory, which may not be what it once was (I don't remember).

Rather than worrying about the color code, look at the pin outs on the connectors. Connector C (20 pin connector) Pins 6, 7 and 8 are used for SWC. The picture above shows the Metra Harness wire colors as Green, Yellow and Black. On the Head Unit the C connector harness colors are Grey, Green and Black. The Black is the only wire that is critical that you get right. I believe that the Green and Yellow wires are interchangeable.

 

Hey y'all this thing looks awesome. Any suggestions on what subs to run with this.