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Stock Look Radio Face Plate?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Blues0010, Sep 28, 2015.

  1. Sep 28, 2015 at 9:57 AM
    #1
    Blues0010

    Blues0010 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ben
    Boise, ID
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    2001 Tacoma SR5
    Hey all,

    I have an '01 and would love to upgrade the stereo with something that can accommodate some combination of USB/aux/Bluetooth inputs while keeping the look of the dash as close to stock as possible.

    Does anyone know of any stereo units/face plates that accomplish this?

    Thanks for the help!
     
  2. Sep 28, 2015 at 12:18 PM
    #2
    deckeda

    deckeda Well-Known Member

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    Yes. Keep what you have and add an "interface" to it. That would be a small box that plugs into the unused CD changer port on the back of your Toyota radio. The box will then handle the USB/aux/Bluetooth aspects.

    Option #2:
    I bought the simplest-looking aftermarket radio I could find, a Blaupunkt New Jersey from Crutchfield. It's plain-jane, unlike anything from the Japanese makers. However, unlike nearly *any* other brand in the world (?) you can't change the color of the lights; they are white (with blue-lit knob). It doesn't even dim with the interior light dimmer.

    In my picture you can also see I've got a right-angle USB cable (downward angled) plugged into it that snakes under the radio and through the ashtray and over to my iPhone elsewhere.

     
  3. Sep 28, 2015 at 1:15 PM
    #3
    Blues0010

    Blues0010 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. This is definitely what I'm looking for. I like the look of this but agree with you that they need to provide some options other than that blue knob.

    Is there any noticeable change in audio quality? I want to leave room for future stereo upgrades in the future too.
     
  4. Sep 28, 2015 at 3:24 PM
    #4
    deckeda

    deckeda Well-Known Member

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    I made other changes at the same time and so, can't comment on just the head unit's sound.

    It has front/rear RCAs but no separate suwoofer out like some do. So yeah you have some ability to cleanly add other amplification/speakers.
     
  5. Sep 28, 2015 at 3:34 PM
    #5
    DustStorm4x4

    DustStorm4x4 BBC 2020

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    I bought the truck with some random aftermarket stereo in it. I hate it because it stands out.

    I'm actually thinking of going to a stock stereo and just buying a cassette tape aux cord.

    Or I might go all out and try to get a touchscreen that can fit. But I hate touchscreens. So who knows. Id just like it, because most 1st gen don't have one, and its a bit unique compared to all the plane Jane buttons. It'd be nice to have nav, and some album cover art. But I know I hate the touchscreen in my mom's new Altima, it already broke. So who knows.
     
  6. Sep 29, 2015 at 3:27 AM
    #6
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Harlan
    Maricopa, Az
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    '01 Prerunner, '03 cbr600rr, '09 R1, '03 cbr954rr
    I absolutely love my Pioneer double din. Might not be "stockish" looking. But I think it fills in the dash very nicely. The display isn't the biggest or best as far as displays go, but that's exactly what I wanted. Something simple. And not too fancy. Im used to the old school simple displays anyhow. Easier to navigate I think... The lights are a bit bright and barely dim in dim mode, and thought it might be annoying, but it's grown on me and I love it. didn't want a touch screen either. And the remote tops it off. I barely touch the deck itself. Everything is handled through the remote easily. Here's the model I got:
    Pioneer In-Dash Double DIN Car Stereo Receiver with Bluetooth, FH-X700BT https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091UW7F6/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_QtMcwb00WYS5B

    And the newer version is actually cheaper:
    (Dont know anything about this one and the differences)
    Pioneer FHX720BT Double Din Bluetooth MIXTRAX I https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MRL30N4/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_IyMcwbGH2KWHY

    Anyways.. just my .02. I can take a pic of it in the daytime if you like so you can see it in our dash.
     
  7. Sep 29, 2015 at 9:07 PM
    #7
    Caligula

    Caligula Well-Known Member

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  8. Sep 30, 2015 at 4:06 PM
    #8
    slander

    slander Honorary Crawl Boi

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    After my second after market cheap stereo got stolen out of my truck, I swapped in a scion stereo (forgot the model) and a Grom USB adapter for my USB stick. So far I'm happy, it looks stock and sounds OK.

    Link http://gromaudio.com
     
  9. Oct 1, 2015 at 5:13 AM
    #9
    Blues0010

    Blues0010 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Slander,

    I'm leaning towards doing a box like the Grom and then maybe some speaker upgrades. Do you have pictures of where you have it mounted?
     
  10. Oct 1, 2015 at 5:25 AM
    #10
    deckeda

    deckeda Well-Known Member

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    Interface boxes like GROM are small and stay hidden, not "mounted" per se. And there's plenty of room behind the radio for it. Zip ties, Velcro or just shoved back behind the radio should work.
     
  11. Oct 1, 2015 at 8:34 PM
    #11
    slander

    slander Honorary Crawl Boi

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    Maybe in the build link in my SIG? Its zip tied where my ashtray used to be.
     
  12. Oct 14, 2015 at 4:53 PM
    #12
    Ray M.

    Ray M. Member

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    If you're a DYI kind of guy, go to http://www.crutchfield.com/ and pick your poison.

    I'm not, so I went to my local Car Toys (http://www.cartoys.com/) store and paid the nice man $70 to install the radio of my choice.

    Either way a new, big, fancy, high-end radio will be feature rich but seriously overly complicated to set up and use. Get ready for the learning curve.

    My quick thoughts are: HD radio is pretty darn cool. SiriusXM is even cooler. You'll get used to the display color. You could easily spend over $2K if you want NAV and a Backup camera. And another $2K for radar/laser protection. Be emotionally ready for the upsell. Even a four door truck is just too small for a full on monster sound system upgrade. Don't get too carried away.

    I bought a Kenwood double DIN unit and it works for me. Maybe something else would have been better, but hey...

    DSC08043.jpg
     
    Blues0010[OP] and DustStorm4x4 like this.
  13. Oct 14, 2015 at 11:21 PM
    #13
    petronemoslappywag

    petronemoslappywag I gotcha a dollar. Now give it back.

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    David
    North of Seattle
    Vehicle:
    '03 Xtra Cab 4x4 2.7
    Westin bug deflector and bed rail covers, Trail Gear rock sliders, LED Interior with footwell lighting, WeatherTech floor mats, 7 wire trailer harness
    I picked up a JVC KW-R910BT for mine. You can exactly color match the lights to the interior, and it sounds really good with the stock speakers. It's on sale for $129.

    http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KWR910B/JVC-KW-R910BT.html?tp=5684

    Things I would recommend: turn off Demo mode (of course - it's a nightmare of flashing lights), set the clock to not set itself (local stations can have the wrong time, clock ends up wrong), and get the accompanying wire harness adapter. Solder the harness adapter and the radio harness together and use heat shrink. All colors pretty much are 1:1 on the wiring.

    Things I really like: the mic can be placed anywhere, I put mine between the sun visor and the pillar on the top edge of the pillar cover. You can stream Internet audio easily, and the call quality is really good. It gives you a bling when you get an SMS.

    Things I haven't figured out: if the volume screen can be color matched to the regular scheme. My display zone turns bluish when changing volume, getting an SMS, or a phone call.

    Two mild annoyances: if you have it set to mute and get an SMS, the bling sounds, and the radio unmutes. The display always animates two scroll bars in a repeating pattern. Not sure if that can be turned off.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2015

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