Replacing My Car Stereo

[Seahawk]

Good news for me. My wife's mother has been bugging me to sell her my 2009 Venza and late last week I finally decided to.

My wife's 2003 4Runner has over 170,000 miles on it so we decided to buy a new Highlander (at zero percent interest) for her to re-baseline the fleet.

That means I get the 4Runner to finish driving the tires off of. It is in great shape so I'll put at least another 100k on it.

The only fly in the ointment is the Highlander has a Bluetooth enabled radio which, after using it a few times, I think is the business. The old 4Runner isn't equipped with BT so I've been looking on Crutchfield and other places for a retrofit radio that does.

Has anyone done this and do you have any preferences, tips, avoidances, etc.? I don't need GPS/Nav, etc.

Not a big deal, but I am looking for programming the steering whell buttons, etc.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Paul, good to hear the 4Runner is doing well. I put one of these in my RX8 and was generally happy with the end result.

https://gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/grom-usb2p-toy.html

It's not as slick as an OEM setup, but effective and pretty easy to install. Plus you get to keep the OEM look radio, which I prefer.

Aftermarket units are hit and miss, the reviews on Crutchfield are very helpful. Bluetooth and microphone performance in particular seem to vary greatly. Integrating with your steering wheel controls with an aftermarket head unit might be a challenge, I installed a nice navigation HU in a 2009 Chevy truck with Bose, integrating with the Bose amps and steering wheel controls took two different 3rd party conversion boxes. Doable, but not fun. Crutchfield customer service is top notch, if all else fails just give them a call to talk through your options.

[scottmandue]

I always buy from Crutchfield, put in the year/make/model at their website and it will show you what will fit without modification. When you buy from them you also get all the brackets needed, a print out of instructions, a 800 help phone number and most importantly... a wiring harness adapter... unless you want to be on you back with a soldering iron sorting through a dozen or more wires to the radio that little sucker is priceless!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Paul, good to hear the 4Runner is doing well. I put one of these in my RX8 and was generally happy with the end result.

https://gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/grom-usb2p-toy.html

It's not as slick as an OEM setup, but effective and pretty easy to install. Plus you get to keep the OEM look radio, which I prefer.

Aftermarket units are hit and miss, the reviews on Crutchfield are very helpful. Bluetooth and microphone performance in particular seem to vary greatly. Integrating with your steering wheel controls with an aftermarket head unit might be a challenge, I installed a nice navigation HU in a 2009 Chevy truck with Bose, integrating with the Bose amps and steering wheel controls took two different 3rd party conversion boxes. Doable, but not fun. Crutchfield customer service is top notch, if all else fails just give them a call to talk through your options.

Thanks, Matt.

The 4Runner is a beast and I am happy to be driving it. Since we bought it from you it has had zero issues and has been a phenomenal ride.

It is funny, but 10 years later the Highlander is the same size of the old 4Runner!

[rattlsnak]

I just went through this. Just bought a brand new radio that has Bluetooth streaming, hands free calling, and IPod connections , for @$ 130.00. It works so well, that I put them in three of my cars last week! The hands free phone feature itself is worth the price. Highly recommend this route over going with grom adapters and such. Those are geared more towards newer radios that have Nav systems and such or for people who want to keep their original head unit.

Alpine CDE-133BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

I just went through this. Just bought a brand new radio that has Bluetooth streaming, hands free calling, and IPod connections , for @$ 130.00. It works so well, that I put them in three of my cars last week! The hands free phone feature itself is worth the price. Highly recommend this route over going with grom adapters and such. Those are geared more towards newer radios that have Nav systems and such or for people who want to keep their original head unit.

Alpine CDE-133BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Were you able to make the buttons on the steering wheel work?

[rattlsnak]

I think there is actually another car specific adapter for that, but I didnt bother with it. You dont even have to take your phone out of your pocket. It syncs when you get in, and you simply just push one button and say "call xxx" and mutes the radio and dials it.

[Rot 911]

Here is the 4Runner forum I post on. Pretty knowledgable group. This link goes right to the audio/electronics section: Audio & Electronics - Toyota 4Runner Forum

[intakexhaust]

This super cheap 12volt unit has worked great for 3 years going. Great for any car and older vehicles too.
VR3 VRFM9BT Bluetooth FM Modulator : Amazon.com : Automotive

It takes any BT and sends to FM. Also, has an SD card slot so you can load up with MP3.

[notmytarga]

This was stated on the listing for the Alpine at Crutchfield:

Want to keep your steering wheel controls?
In most vehicles, you can use an adapter to connect your vehicle's steering wheel controls to this Alpine stereo. Connect a few wires, then program the adapter for your particular car and the Alpine, and you'll retain the convenience of your steering wheel controls. Check the "Accessories" tab for compatible adapters.

Steering Wheel Audio Control Adapters - http://www.crutchfield.com/Learn/steering-wheel-control-adapters.html
If you're considering replacing your factory radio with an aftermarket receiver, adding a steering wheel control adapter lets you keep the full functionality and convenience of your steering wheel controls. In this article, we'll cover how steering wheel adapters work and how to choose one that...

I've been thinking of putting one of these in the Targa.

[ErVikingo]

Pablo,

I just did that on my Avalanche. I got a Pioneer head unit from Crutchfields with the kit for the steering wheel controls to work, etc.

Very happy with it. Pioneer avh-p3400.

[Seahawk]

Great stuff, folks.

So if I am reading right, the steering wheel stuff is not required, still easy to use just with the radio head.

Excellent.

[RANDY P]

JVC Mobile Entertainment \ ProductLine Receivers - Digital Media Receivers

Bluetooth streaming digital reciever- NO CD PLAYER.

However, I'd use an old IPOD and connect it to the rear for music source. Throw it in the glovebox, and since the IPOD cable runs out the rear of the radio no one notices it. That's the downfall these days all the IPOD / USB ports are on the front.

Ugly, cluttered and theft magnet.

Check out the prices of this stuff on Amazon. You can get a nice featured one under $100...

Absurdly cheap.

rjp

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Here is the 4Runner forum I post on. Pretty knowledgable group. This link goes right to the audio/electronics section: Audio & Electronics - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Great link. Interesting in that there is a topic about the desire to split the off topic forum into regular OT and a PARF-like forum.