Stereo upgrade question

I’m very confused by the single and double din stereo question. I have a 2003 Tacoma with the factory radio and cd player and I’m just not sure if this is single or double din. I would like to upgrade to a touch screen. Right now I have one of those devices that pair your phone through fm and it works great around here but when I take longer drives I get a lot of static. Should I be looking for a single or double din kit? Basically I’m asking what I need to buy to get it installed. Thanks!

 

Sounds like you’re looking for a double din if you want touchscreen.

 

Touchscreen = double DIN

Be warned, the low positioning of the stereo makes for a lot of glare on the screen of a double DIN touch screen.

 

The only site you need...

https://www.crutchfield.com/car/outfitmycar/mycar.aspx

 

Double DIN is twice as tall as single DIN, visualize putting a thinner stereo in and fitting a small storage space below it, that's a single DIN.

I just went through this with wife's RAV4, a new Pioneer, and totally agree, glare and brightness is a huge issue. Her only complaint is the touchcreen is not bright enough/contrasty, I.E. hard to see when it's bright out. If I had to do it again, I'd pay more attention to screen specs and look for something with a more powerful screen.

Get the proper wire harness adapters so you're not cutting up/soldering up wires in the dash, you can bench solder them to the harness that comes with the stereo and just plug everything in. Most harnesses come with a map of what wire goes to what and mine was actually correct. There will be one wire for the reverse switch, this threads down to your shifter and goes on the hot side of the reverse plug.

Most of them have an integrated safety device (can't recall what they call it) that won't allow the main screen to display video unless it's in park (for DVD's streaming, etc.) You can buy a device to bypass this if it's important.

All the new ones have backup camera options, it's a bit of work getting under the interior panels to the back but well worth it since the cams themselves aren't expensive. If you're looking at a $200 cam, you don't need it.

Whatever you get, find the correct dash kit for it, it will install looking factory, they're also pretty cheap.

 

Thanks everyone. That cleared some of it up. I think the low positioning may make the touchscreen not worth it. I’m going to look into the stereo style ones.

 

I have found during day light most all touch screens are impossible to see.

Break out the blanket or find a shady spot to hide in driving is impossible.

 

I went this route and am happy

 

Similar set up in my 98

 

This is what I used to replace the stock radio in my 2004 Tacoma. Crutchfield for the win.

 

double din. glare is moderate when sunny but rarely unreadable.

 

I installed a double din. No real issue with glare. Crutchfield also. Don't get the Boss BE62CP, has no preset volumes for apps and starts super low.

 

I installed the Pioneer wc5700nex in mine. It works well and I haven’t had a problem with glare.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I’m leaning towards a single din but….

I’m still looking at units. In general I think I would prefer a double din with a touch screen but I’m concerned about the placement and glare. Any suggestions on single or double din? Has anyone installed a double din touch screen and regretted it? I did have that Boss mentioned above in my cart but removed it after I saw the post about the volume settings.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500UTE73BT/Alpine-UTE-73BT.html
This is what I’m leaning towards.

 

Took this out of cart. Thanks.

 

My 98 has a single DIN media player. Love it. Also love the fact I have a switch panel below it.

My 04 came with a double DIN touch screen. I hate everything about it.

 

Here is my setup, love it and no issues with the Atoto from Amazon.
Atoto A6 PF / Torque app themes

 

This is what I ordered from Crutchfield. Hope to install it this weekend. I would probably have preferred the touchscreen but I just wasn’t down for all the work of the climate controls to put it in the best location. After all, I’m listening to music and talk radio, not watching videos, so it’s not like it is a must. My GPS on the phone will still give me turn by turn and the blue tooth will give me hands free. That’s all the essential functions. Thank you all for the responses. I’ll post a pic when I’m done. Wish me luck. I’ve never installed a stereo and I’m not much of a DIY guy.https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500UTE73BT/Alpine-UTE-73BT.html

 

I just had the same head unit installed in my 04 Tacoma. It installed super easy and fast, especially because I spent the extra $20 for Cruthfield to pre-wire the harness. They did a clean job with that as well. It works well, sounds good, Bluetooth works easily. Only complaint is it is impossible to read the radio screen if there is any sun.

The speakers were a different story. Ordered from Crutchfield as well, website says they fit the front and back with no modification, but significant cutting of the mounts was required for all 4 speakers to get them to fit. Luckily @Superdave1.0 is a wiz and had them installed quickly.

 

yep, i had them wire the harness for me too. Im hoping it really is that easy.