Stereo Upgrade BASIC How To... (2nd Gen)

Looking for some information: I bought a JVC KW-R920bts, and it will hopefully significantly improve the sound quality in the truck. Did anyone who has replaced their stereo buy a wiring harness? Does the wiring harness replace the harness that actually plugs into the back of the stereo, or will I have to splice into those wires with the harness and then it plugs into the truck? I would like to go the easiest/cleanest route. Also, how did you run the microphone? I would like to run mine up into the headliner and have it come out right by the plastic overhead console closest to the windshield. Lastly, what issues did you run into that I should anticipate? I still have to buy a dash kit and am debating about the steering wheel adapter kit.

 

I actually bought this same radio back in July. I haven't had time to install it yet but I bought a Crux wiring kit along with the Scosche dash kit. The crux wiring kit is suppose to retain the usage of the stereo steering wheel controls. I hope to install it soon.

Crux wiring kit -

$54 CRUX SWRTY-61S Radio Replacement with SWC Retention (for Select Toyota Vehicles 2003-2011)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BM3QGD8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Dash kit -

$30 SCOSCHE TA2053B Car Stereo Complete Basic Installation Double DIN Dash Kit for 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014KOA42/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are cheaper wiring kits, i think they run about $20.

 

Thanks, I will have to check out that wiring harness and see what it does, or doesn't, include. I would LIKE to keep my steering wheel controls, but that is not a deal breaker for me. If I was still living down near Lake Charles, we could have had an install day!

 

Hello, instead of making a thread maybe I can post my question here.. I have a 2012 TRD OR ed with the non-touchscreen system. I really want touch screen though as well as navigation. Could I install a 2016 tacoma touch screen system into mine? Would this work? Thanks, I really have no idea about the sound system or how it works..

 

Looks great!

 

Anybody use the Crux wiring kit? Using it on my '08 with a kenwood double din. I'm a huge wiring nube, so if anybody has any pictures on where to connect the wires too that would be huge!

 

Almost ready to install in my 07. Got all of the parts to change to black. Metra kit is garbage, would have to cut it, I do like the matte black around the hazard on the metra but the Scosche kit fits the pioneer perfectly for anyone looking.

 

Yeah, I did the same thing... I thought I done something wrong initially, however I couldn't get the Metra thing to look even half decent for my level of OCD...

 

Any suggestions on getting a new stereo head unit for my 2011 trd sport. I would like to have a touch screen compatible with my IPhone 8, a backup camera, Bluetooth, and if I can navigation. Also, if you guys have a guide to putting it in that would be great.

 

For a low $$ impact I like the JBL CP100 pic attached if you dont need a CD drive.
If you do I like the Pioneer AVH-2300NEX which I have and it works well. Be sure to get a Scosche kit. and BTW the steering wheel control kit comes with connectors so no need to buy them if you have steering wheel controls.

 

So my wifes 09 TRD Prerunner sport JBL head unit final is dead. For years we have had the issue with the screen not working or displaying funny, blame the Arizona heat and poor design. Now it doesn't display at all and only plays one station, good thing she likes it.

Looking to go aftermarket with CD but keep all of the functions she has now like steering wheel controls and phone connectivity. Looks like the Scosche double din kit is the way to go for the dash kit. Is there one wiring kit that plugs in and keeps factory functionality? Meaning like not running a new mic or buy other adapters for steering wheel controls?

Also is there a kit that is textured, seems like the only ones I see are smooth?

Thanks all!

 

I just installed an new Radio head in my 05 Tacoma and the Metra Kit has the same texture as the OEM face on the factory radio. I used Crutchfield to determine the radio, and the wiring and faceplate were included. It looks good and works like a champ. I had to ground connect brake wire to get full functionality, but it works like a dream right now. Only about 2-3 hours of my time to do the install. So I was pleasantly surprised.

 

What functionality required brake ground? Thanks for the feedback, found the metra kits that have similar texture but missing the 4 notches at the top. Then the scochse kit has the 4 notches at the top but not the texture.

 

Since I was only expecting to use it as Radio and connection to my Android device and not video's I did not think I would have to connect the parking brake wire to prevent DVD playback. It did not allow me to actually connect my Android Auto either, so I had to connect it to finish the set up of Android Auto. I found the easiest method was to connect that wire to the chassis ground instead of running it all the way to the fuse block and then connecting it to the pin on the harness.
Now everything works like it should. The radio head is a Kenwood DMX7704S.
As you said, I noticed the missing notches on the Metra install kit, but I thought it was better to match the texture than the notches since no one else would notice that difference unless they knew it was there to begin with.

 

Thanks for the response, huge help.

Do you have to use the mic that comes with the new head unit or is the factory mic still used. Actually not sure where the factory mic is even located. My wife uses the Bluetooth for the phone a lot.

 

Sorry for the slow response, CSPCRX.
I actually installed and am using the mic provided for the radio head. In the past, I only had my phone available as I did not have a digital head prior to the Kenwood installation. My wife told me that radio head mic is substantially better than the mic on my phone that I was using hands free (speakerphone) or even my bluetooth headset that I only occasionally used since I always forget to charge it.
I installed the mic on the headliner right by the mirror. I saw this as a suggested location on an install video. They suggested this over the A-Pillar location due to road noise if you happen to have the window open. Since the headliner is pretty open, I was able to install there, removing the A-Pillar hardware to run the wire through the dash completely unseen.

 

hey guys im almost ready to pull the trigger on a head unit im going with sony xav-ax100 i already have the dash kit but what harness are you guys using for the steering wheel controls ? i have the non jbl system. thanks in advance

 

I used the Axxess ASWC-1 module to keep my steering wheel controls with the exact same head unit. I didn’t buy any of the fancy kits either to plug and play the module, I just used a wire tap on the couple of wires I needed to tap onto for the module to work. Install was easy and everything auto recognized without input from me. One word of warning though, Sony doesn’t make their radios compatable with the phone steering wheel controls. Only one of the two buttons work and it just opens the phone screen on my headunit. No big deal though since Siri is available through car play and she’s a lot more useful than the pickup button on the wheel lol.

 

Yeah the controls didn’t work.. do you know how to get album art work to appear mines not showing up

 

Which controls? My other five buttons were auto detected and work perfectly.

What source are you using? My CarPlay displays album art just fine but I was reading some android users were having trouble with it.

I’d try reloading your music onto the source and make sure when it plays locally on your phone the art is there. If you do that and you’re still having issues check out some of the online forums. This is a popular headunit, someone probably knows how to fix your issue.