Same OEM Radios for 03 Tacoma have 2 different back panels...????? Help..!!

OK, the OEM AM/FM/CD/Cassett Radio crapped out on me about 6 months ago. So I'm at the point of buying another Used replacement. Needless to say, not as easy as I thought. I found many OEM units that are "Exactly" the same on the front, no difference at All. But, the back of these units have 2 different panels. What is different? Will both work the same? Does it matter which one I get? Looks like it has the same exact plugs, but they are in different spots, even the antena plug is in a different spot. What the hell??? All listings say they are from and for my 2003 Tacoma SR5 Double Cab V6. I found one I can afford, but back panel may not be the same as mine. I will pull mine out tomorrow and check. Just incase its different, I'll need to know why, what, will it work, etc.

Here's what I mean. Both are for my 03 and are "Exactly" the same on front. But here are the backs of them.


Yet Both look like this on front.

Both say standard OEM system on descriptions. There are many like this, and all say the same even though the back panels differ. I just can't afford to waist money on something that won't work for me. I'm on a very limited fixed income.

Thank you for your help.
Bob

 

The top one is the 6 disc "upgraded" model. Both are oem. Both will work.

 

Id highly recommend just going aftermarket though. You can get a much better radio with way more features for under $100 these days. Not all of them are real flashy either.

 

Na, Then I'm spending at least $75 bucks or more. I only use the truck to haul my dirt bike trailer, maybe 1,500 miles a year if that. Plus "IF" I even listen to the radio, its talk radio anyway. Don't need a better unit compared to a $20 used stock unit. I'm 54 and haven't rocked out tunes in years.....LOL Thanks anyway.

 

Ok, that makes sense. So the plugs would all be the same? Just plug in and play?

Thanks

 

Should be plug and play. I believe most toyota, lexus, scion radios of the time used the same wiring.

 

I also have a crapped out radio in an 03. Are they easy to pull from the dash? Any hints? I also just want to replace with OEM.

 

takes 5mins

 

Yes, like devin said. Its easy and takes about 5 or 10 minutes. Do a YouTube search for "How to Remove Tacoma Radio". Or "Replacing Tacoma Dash Lights". Then look through a few of those that show on a 1st gen. There are some real good ones that show every step with every screw and bolt, sizes, exactly where they are, all tools needed, etc. Hell, a few are so good a 10 year old kid could do it in 5 minutes. I had replaced all my dash lights at the same time I looked at my radio, easy peasy...... If I still have the video I used saved on my YT play list, I'll post it here for ya.

 

Not the one I used, but at about 3 minutes into video he shows how to remove the stock radio. Hope this helps.

https://youtu.be/9pAGomsyUHA

 

Thanks for the info. I should have thought of YouTube. My '03 is just my work truck but would be nice to have tunes an talk radio.

 

remember the 4runners used the same radio. you can even get the green version to spice it up!!