Advise on Replacing Radio in 2nd Gen taco

I have 2 cars, newer SUV with most all safety features and 2005 Tacoma TRD. son is about to get his drivers license and plan to give him the SUV as its just a safer vehicle for a new driver.

that said, want to replace stock headset radio/CD player in my Tacoma with something that has apple play and maybe even satellite radio. looking for any and all recommendations on radio replacement and faceplate assuming that may have to change (current has stacked CD player but couldn’t care about that as I had put in hardwired iPod and just use that most of the time and apple play will replace that.

thanks ahead of time

 

The Tacoma is the safer vehicle

 

Kenwood excelon HU, Scosche dash kit looks great in my 2010.

 

Really, look for a headunit that has wireless CarPlay, most do now. Installation is made easier if you buy with Crutchfield. They supply a surround, wiring adapters, etc. Look for KENWOOD or Pioneer units that have features you want. Satellite radio is often an add-on box to the headunit. I’ve never seen it otherwise.

 

I recently replaced the radio in our '06 4Runner with a new Pioneer NEX HU. Best Buy had a model in stock for $299. It has no CD player, but can do SiriusXM with the right tuner add-on. Crutchfield is usually my go-to.
It was a nice, simple unit. Unfortunately that vehicle was totaled a week later.

Just a note, you'll want to get a dummy switch to simulate the parking brake being on in order to set up Apple/Android services, or just wire it in to the brake. And you'll need an adapter to make the steering wheel buttons work. Crutchfield will have everything you need.

 

SUV has back up camera, lane departure, radar cruise control, stopping tech etc. Taco is more fun (another reason I and keeping it and giving him the "safer" car)

 

Go to here https://www.crutchfield.com/S-XxrY2Bvx66L/car/carselector.aspx

Discuss this with one of their experts and they will guide you and advise you what you need. Excellent pre and post service. I have been using them for Many Many years.

 

Avoid Dual...went cheap and although it is better than stock I'll replace it eventually.

 

One more vote for purchasing from Crutchfield. Not the cheapest place to buy from, but their knowledge base is pretty amazing. They will guide you through any issues you may (will) run into during installation.

Make sure you get the wiring adapters to be able to retain the steering wheel controls. Also, it's been a while since I have looked into this, but last time I checked, there were basically two companies making the face plates, Metra, and Scosche. The general consensus is/was that the Scosche is the better fitting unit. I had one on my '05 and thought it looked/fit well.

 

Get your favorite brand double DIN head unit with Carplay/AA and with or without GPS, a good name brand backup camera (not a cheap Chinese one), an adapter plug to connect to the car's harness, a dash install kit, a steering wheel control adapter, an SXM receiver, and a SXM antenna connector (the truck should have a factory antenna). Install isn't too difficult on Tacomas. I am on my second such head unit. I put in a JVC about 10 years ago then swapped that for a Pioneer NEX since I wanted CarPlay and AA. Tried a cheap Chinese backup cam and it lasted about 2 weeks. Replaced with an Alpine (these things are universal) and it has been perfect for years.

 

Are these features actually used by teenage drivers? When my kid reach driving age in a few years, my Tacoma with steel bumpers and sliders would be much safer than my wife's new Enclave. Too bad for him he's getting a starter beater Honda.

Another vote for Crutchfield for all DIY stereo installs.

 

Many of these features are automatic and don't need to be "used" by the driver. The automatic braking in particular can keep an aggressive or distracted teen (or other) driver from rear ending someone or nailing a pedestrian. Just think of the expense and legal issues that can save.

 

You know what type of adapter it is? I installed an aftermarket head unit and the controls on the steering wheel are not working :S

 

I have used PAC-SW1 and AXXES steering wheel control adapters. I don't recall which one is in my Tacoma now. Once you install and program it you just forget about it.

 

Check out https://aucarauto.com/, Unless I find some sort of unknown negative aspects of this unit I'm pretty sure this is the one I am going to use in my 12 Prerunner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlcDWO7trmI&t=74s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtKasD5JuzQ

 

Joying for the win

 

Huge upgrade, sound quality must be a lot better? Trying to figure out mine.Don't have speakers in back ( half door style ) or sub, wonder if 6x9 " fit in doors and sub fits in between rear seats ? Also are there pre wired ? Thanks 2011 Tacoma

 

I have an access cab also and currently have a Pioneer NEX head unit, no additional main amps. I did not change speakers up front. I also did not add speakers to the rear doors, although I would have liked to. But I wanted to just use the plug and play harness and not have to figure out a way to bridge the wires from those small overhead rear speakers to the doors.

The game changer for me was to add a shallow sub and amp. I had already removed the rear jump seats so there was a great spot to put the skinny sub up against the rear bulkhead. Installed the amp under it and clipped the box onto the LATCH point. That one change made a huge sound quality improvement for me. It adds a perfect fullness to most music... and will hit hard when needed. And being shallow it doesn't intrude into the cargo space.

Something like this, although mine is a much older model:

Pioneer TS-D10LB Sealed enclosure with one 10" shallow-mount subwoofer at Crutchfield