My stereo keeps falling out!

Pulled out the radio to install a bluetooth module in my '05 Tacoma. Now the deck falls out when climbing steep hills. The clips are still in place on the faceplate, but they don't click in so the whole unit is held in by gravity only. It sits flush with the dash but falls out at the top, since the bottom has a lip to hold it in. I removed the faceplate from the head unit and it still doesn't click in, whereas the climate piece below goes in and out fine. The holes seem to big to offer any purchase for the clips. Did I break five mounting points? Were there backing pieces that fell off? What am I missing? Thanks for any advice.

 

I wonder if this is a case where you have to remove those clips from the faceplate, put them into the holes, and then push the faceplate into the dash.

 

Tried that but they just don't get any purchase. The clip holes for the climate control piece below are much narrower and work correctly.

 

my 2008 factory stereo has four bolts holding it in place as well as the plastic clips. If need be, sometime tomorrow, I can take mine out and photo the steps.

 

Pretty sure you’re missing brackets.

 

Does your radio still work? Just realized you removed the faceplate off of the back of the radio.

 

that’s what I was hinting at. There’s brackets that four bolts hold in to keep the stereo in place. They need a 10 mm socket to get them in and out. They hold the stereo frame in and the clips are mainly to hold the trim in

 

The mounting for the radio looks broken. Those four 10mm bolts above the AC unit are supposed to hold the radio in.

IIRC to remove the radio you're supposed to pry the AC controls out and then undo those bolts before pulling the radio out of the dash. The clips line everything up but they're not going to hold the radio into the dash.

 

The head unit should be held in by two brackets (left and right) that attach to the dash by the bolts circled in red in the post above. The clips secure the bezel to the dash, but are not capable of securing the radio. I had a pair of plastic brackets that came with an aftermarket bezel for an aftermarket head unit. I threw the plastic brackets away and used the metal brackets that were used with the OEM radio. The OEM part numbers for the brackets are: 8621104050 and 8621204040

 

Here is what the brackets look like.

 

Awesome - thanks guys. I put this in a couple of years ago, and I don't remember those brackets but I might have them around somewhere. If not $60 is worth it so my stereo doesn't fall out. Much appreciated!

 

If I'm not mistaken , I had to do the same. Not too difficult to do

 

im sure someone on the forum here has a set they’re not using.

 

@sfmike What Bluetooth module did you install? I’ve got a Bluetooth to AUX adapter that works, but is often in the way. Would love to have something that is hidden instead.

 

I bought

USA Spec BT45-TOY Bluetooth Phone & Music Interface, Black

this one off Amaz** - no longer available but I'm sure there's something similar. Works great for calls and phone audio, but cost $140. Now I want a rear view camera and I would love to get a new head unit - but I'm spooked about theft since I park it on the street in San Francisco...