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Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Cars / December 2006Need advice re car stereos
I need advice about car stereos and must admit I know noting about them. My pre-owned Toyota Camry came with an in-dash cassette/receiver which also controls a cd-changer that sits in the trunk. There is a free pocket just below this receiver. I want to get rid of that changer in the trunk---it is too much hassle, and also keeps getting bumped by luggage, grocery bags, and like. I am considering following solutions: (1) An in-dash cd player that would go into the free pocket and work with the existing cassette receiver. It need not and probably should not have its own radio, amplifier, etc. It could be one disc player or a changer. (2) An entirely new cd-cassette-radio player. This seems wasteful but if it is the best option, or the cheapest or something like that, I would consider it. I would appreciate advice from those who know car stereos. Brands, as well as the kind of stores I should go to (Chicago area). I don't need MP3, satellite radio etc, just "cd cassette AM FM". Thanks. > I need advice about car stereos and must admit I know noting about them. > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Thanks. crutchfield.com has excellent service, and can set you up with a unit that will fit. They will also provide a wiring adapter. If you don't mind something a little garish looking, the Sony 'Explod' AM/FM/Cassette unit is good, and inexpensive. If you want a more 'classic' look, there are other manufacturers with units that should fit. Crutchfield sells them all. mjc <DELETETHIS>13"@verizon.net> wrote: : crutchfield.com has excellent service, and can set you up : with a unit that will fit. They will also provide a wiring : adapter. If you don't mind something a little garish looking, the : Sony 'Explod' AM/FM/Cassette unit is good, and inexpensive. If : you want a more 'classic' look, there are other manufacturers : with units that should fit. Crutchfield sells them all. If I do mail order, where should I go to get it installed? > mjc <DELETETHIS>13"@verizon.net> wrote: > : crutchfield.com has excellent service, and can set you up [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > If I do mail order, where should I go to get it installed? Where in the Chicago area are you? Anywhere near Woodfield Mall?  SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) : Where in the Chicago area are you? Anywhere near Woodfield Mall? I can drive anywhere within reasonable distance. Woodfield would be ok. Although I would imagine that many suitable stores would be nearer. I just don't know them. > : Where in the Chicago area are you? Anywhere near Woodfield Mall? > > I can drive anywhere within reasonable distance. Woodfield would be ok. > Although I would imagine that many suitable stores would be nearer. I > just don't know them. Most places that sell automotive audio systems like Circuit City and Best Buy also do installations. If you have the installation kit and adapter harness and you were close by, I might even pop it in myself. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) : Most places that sell automotive audio systems like Circuit City and Best : Buy also do installations. If you have the installation kit and adapter : harness and you were close by, I might even pop it in myself. Thanks, but I haven't found the right solution yet. My cassette receiver is working fine, there is a free pocket below it. What is bothering me is the location of cd player: in the trunk. Ideally then, I would like a cd player that fits in the free pocket and is controlled by the cassette receiver. I haven't found it. Lacking that, I'll see if the cd player can be moved from the trunk to somewhere inside the car. It is kind of big, but maybe a spot could be found. Otherwise, I need to junk both cassette receiver and the cd player and buy a new unit with cassette and cd. The selection however is very limited and prices are high. > > : Most places that sell automotive audio systems like Circuit City and [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > a new unit with cassette and cd. The selection however is very limited and > prices are high. Since I am the only one that drives my cars, under the driver's seat is a good place for 'stuff'... unless you have a power seat. I figure nobody is EVER going to sit in the back seat of my Supra, so I put my 400W 4-channel power amp under the passenger's seat. ;) : Since I am the only one that drives my cars, under the driver's seat is a : good place for 'stuff'... unless you have a power seat. I figure nobody is : EVER going to sit in the back seat of my Supra, so I put my 400W 4-channel : power amp under the passenger's seat. ;) Mostly I drive my car but occasionally my SO. Once in a while we do have passengers in the back seat. I'll have to examine the car with a critical eye for the best spot to relocate the changer. > : Most places that sell automotive audio systems like Circuit City and > Best [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > buy a new unit with cassette and cd. The selection however is very > limited and prices are high. I think your least expensive option will be to relocate the existing CD changer to the interior somewhere. I had a CD changer in the trunk of my '92 Camry and agree that it was an inconvenient location. The 2000 LS 400 has a CD changer located in a dedicated compartment above the glove box, and although it is more convenient than the trunk, it is not located somewhere accessible while driving. The built-in CD changer in our '97 Avalon and '03 Sequoia is the most convenient. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) : I think your least expensive option will be to relocate the existing CD : changer to the interior somewhere. I had a CD changer in the trunk of my [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] : accessible while driving. The built-in CD changer in our '97 Avalon and '03 : Sequoia is the most convenient. Yes, I'll explore the relocation option first. The problem with the trunk, besides lack of access, is that the various objects keep bumping the player. Besides, it also makes it inconvenient to get to the spare tire and jack. I am surprised that the selection of components for car audio is so poor. All I needed was a cd player, without radio, amp etc. For home audio, we can get all sorts of things and that's why I thought getting such a component for car audio would be possible. Apparently not. > : I think your least expensive option will be to relocate the existing CD > : changer to the interior somewhere. I had a CD changer in the trunk of [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > audio, we can get all sorts of things and that's why I thought getting > such a component for car audio would be possible. Apparently not. There does not seem to be many choices for an add-on aftermarket CD player that fits in the pocket under the radio. There seem to be several CD changers that fit in the trunk, but if you want an in-dash installation, you will have to replace the entire system. Crutchfield.com has a pre-paid installation option where they refer you to a local installer. Places like Best Buy or Circuit City do the installations in-house. You can probably get a Tuner/CD player, mounting and wiring adapters, and installation for under $250. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) > : I think your least expensive option will be to relocate the existing CD > : changer to the interior somewhere. I had a CD changer in the trunk of [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > audio, we can get all sorts of things and that's why I thought getting > such a component for car audio would be possible. Apparently not. Just go onto EBay, type in the year, make and model and CD player. You will find a lot of these Toyota add-on CD players that fit in place of the storage bin. I did this with a 1998 Corolla that we had. Less than $100 delivered, brand new. >> : I think your least expensive option will be to relocate the existing >> : CD changer to the interior somewhere. I had a CD changer in the trunk [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > storage bin. I did this with a 1998 Corolla that we had. Less than $100 > delivered, brand new. 10 kajillion of them! Some people were nice enough to include the faceplates. Note: Matsushita = Panasonic Fuijitsu-Ten = Fujitsu, Ten + Eclipse The Panasonic units are so-so with really good radio reception. The Fujitsu units have excellent tape and CD sections, so-so radio, and really good sound. : Just go onto EBay, type in the year, make and model and CD player. You will : find a lot of these Toyota add-on CD players that fit in place of the : storage bin. Storage bin as in the box between the driver and passenger? Does the unit replace this box or go inside it? > : Just go onto EBay, type in the year, make and model and CD player. You > will [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Storage bin as in the box between the driver and passenger? Does the > unit replace this box or go inside it? The factory add-on CD players replace the box. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) > : Just go onto EBay, type in the year, make and model and CD player. You > will [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Storage bin as in the box between the driver and passenger? Does the > unit replace this box or go inside it? The storage bin that I am referring to is the bin under the radio. The radio was half Din height, the same height as the storage bin. The radio and storage bin were assembled to the same mounting device. One removes the mounting bin from the mounting device and replaces it with the half Din height CD player and then reinstall the whole unit. It took me less than 15 minutes and I had never even tried this before. >> : Just go onto EBay, type in the year, make and model and CD player. You >> will [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Din height CD player and then reinstall the whole unit. It took me less > than 15 minutes and I had never even tried this before. Actually, the box is 1 DIN, the radio is 1 DIN, and together, they are double-DIN. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) : Just go onto EBay, type in the year, make and model and CD player. You will : find a lot of these Toyota add-on CD players that fit in place of the : storage bin. I did this with a 1998 Corolla that we had. Less than $100 : delivered, brand new. I must be doing something wrong because all I got were ads for used cars (with cd players, of course)! Will try again with some variation. >mjc <DELETETHIS>13"@verizon.net> wrote: >: crutchfield.com has excellent service, and can set you up [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >: you want a more 'classic' look, there are other manufacturers >: with units that should fit. Crutchfield sells them all. >If I do mail order, where should I go to get it installed? either a car stereo shop, or a mechanic. You just need somebody capable of pulling the stereo out of the dash and of inserting connectors. > I need advice about car stereos ==== Go to Crutchfield.com and search brand: Alpine, pick the one you like. > I need advice about car stereos and must admit I know noting about them. > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Thanks. There are a few car stereos that incorporate the AM/FM/Cassette/CD, but they are kind of expensive. Can you ditch the Cassette, or do you have a large variety? Also, what kind of changer is located in the trunk? There are some units, ie, Kenwood, Sony, Clarion that have propreitary adapters to only work with a macthing head unit, 'generic' adapters, such as Sony's D-Bus that are compatible among head units, or have a built-in FM transmitter that sends the signal from the CD to the radio via a pre-set (changable) FM frequency, like some of the XM radios do. What year Camry is it? Most of the installations of aftermarket radios into a Toyota are real easy; you can pick up a wiring harness adapter at Wal*Mart for $7 that works with ANY Toyota from 1980-present. All aftermarket radios now use the same color coding for the wires, and the adapter uses the same color scheme, so fitting the new radio is easy; match the colors to the new adapter harness, twist and secure with electrician's tape, snap the harness in and bolt the radio in! That simple. UNLESS, the person before you cut the wires to put in the new radio. Then it's a bit more difficult, but if it is a recent radio it will still be the same color scheme, so you can clip the wires from the existing radio leaving a bit of the colored wire behind, and again match them up, splice and cover with tape. Either that, or, hopefully the person that installed the radio left the markers on the wiring explaining which wire is which connection. Removal of the dash panel is pretty straightforward; there are usually screws under the top of the bezel that can be viewed by looking up above the ashtray, usually above the heater controls. Also, you will need to pull the ashtray and remove the two screws you'll see, and then the screws holding the metal 'snuff plate' (as I call it) and then GENTLY unsnapping the bezel. Again, knowing which year we're dealing with will help here. The radios are usually secured to the dash using 4 10mm screw/bolts, I suggest using a 10mm socket since they are soft and if you don't have the correct screwdriver you'll strip the heads. Then the radio and the pocket come out as one unit, and there are screws on the side of the radio securing the bracket to the radio. Almost every single radio sold now has holes on the side marked "T" and "N", T for Toyota and N for Nissan. Place the brackets in the holes marked "T" and use the screws you removed to secure the bracket, then snap the harness together and mount the radio. It's a fairly simple process, and, again, unless the harness was cut out, should take less than an hour! And, another hint: I get most of my aftermarket radios from e-Bay. The only problem I have had so far was I bought an Eclipse there, and the 13 pin harness (WHO THE HELL thought up a 13 pin harness?!?!?!) was missing and the radio is 'keyed' to a CD the original owner had. I wouldn't buy an Eclipse unless the harness is included and the seller either tells you or provides you with the CD he used as a 'key'! They are REALLY good stereos, however! Since I only paid $15 for it, eh...live and learn. I can send it to Fujitsu to have it reset...but I digress. If you decide to do this yourself, I'm almost always here every day, and would be glad to answer any more questions. > And, another hint: I get most of my aftermarket radios from e-Bay. The > only problem I have had so far was I bought an Eclipse there, and the 13 [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > however! Since I only paid $15 for it, eh...live and learn. I can send it > to Fujitsu to have it reset...but I digress. Hachiroku, Regarding your eBay adventures, are you buying new radios or used? Do you have a reliable seller? Thanks! BC >> And, another hint: I get most of my aftermarket radios from e-Bay. The >> only problem I have had so far was I bought an Eclipse there, and the 13 [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Thanks! > BC I'll have to check it. There was one guy from Vancouver, IIRC, that was very good. I bought 2 JVC MP3 players from him. But all the radios I bought from e-Bay were no problem, except for the Eclipse. >>I need advice about car stereos and must admit I know noting about them. >> [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > sends the signal from the CD to the radio via a pre-set (changable) FM > frequency, like some of the XM radios do. (...) I'm *fairly* sure that the Sony 'Explod' stereo I mentioned has a CD changer controller as well as the cassette deck, but I don't know if it's proprietary. That's a question that Crutchfield could also answer. I mention this model not because it looks like a jukebox or video game (which, unfortunately, it does), but because it's made in Thailand, where they actually have labor unions and decent working conditions. >>>I need advice about car stereos and must admit I know noting about them. >>> [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > (which, unfortunately, it does), but because it's made in Thailand, where > they actually have labor unions and decent working conditions. Most of the stuff I buy says Made In Japan. I tend to shy away from the Made in China stuff... >>>>I need advice about car stereos and must admit I know noting about them. >>>> [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > I tend to shy away from the Made in China stuff... In the last two years it's become almost impossible to find anything except some high-end merchandise made in Japan. Even Taiwan is now fairly rare...Korea is currently outsourcing to China. >> Hachiroku ???? wrote: >>> [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] > > I tend to shy away from the Made in China stuff... Remember the old days when anything Japanese was considered junk...a LONG time ago!! >>> Hachiroku ???? wrote: >>>> [quoted text clipped - 52 lines] > Remember the old days when anything Japanese was considered junk...a LONG > time ago!! LOL! I Had mantioned that in another thread...about Ford merging with Toyota, IIRC! Remember the Japanese toys? I wish I had kept some of them... : There are a few car stereos that incorporate the AM/FM/Cassette/CD, but : they are kind of expensive. Can you ditch the Cassette, or do you have a : large variety? I do have a cassette collection but also, at $2 each rather than $10-15 pr cd's, tend to buy cassettes when traveling overseas, to experiment with music that seems interesting but not a sure bet. Thank you for your detailed advice. My car is 1998 Camry LE 6-cylinder 4-door sedan. The in-dash cassette receiver is branded "Toyota" and is working just fine. There is free pocket below it. The cd changer in the trunk has some other name ("Eclipse"? I'll have to look). I want to get rid of it because it tends to get bumped by luggage and sometimes won't play unless I stop the car, open the trunk, and reset it. So ideally, I would just want a cd player that would go into the free pocket and connect to the cassette receiver. I don't really want a new AM/FM/Cassette/CD unit, I am just prepared to consider it if it is the only solution. : Also, what kind of changer is located in the trunk? There are some units, : ie, Kenwood, Sony, Clarion that have propreitary adapters to only work [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] : If you decide to do this yourself, I'm almost always here every day, and : would be glad to answer any more questions. > : There are a few car stereos that incorporate the AM/FM/Cassette/CD, but > : they are kind of expensive. Can you ditch the Cassette, or do you have a [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > AM/FM/Cassette/CD unit, I am just prepared to consider it if it is the > only solution. Whoa! Eclipse is Good Stuff! Maybe I'll throw you a few bucks for it! I'd move it to under the driver's seat, myself. Since it is an Eclipse, unless there is a direct connection to your radio (meaning you have a Fujitsu Radio...) then does it tune into the radio, or is there a button on the radio to allow control of the changer from the stock radio? This is interesting... The only place you're going to find a direct-connect CD changer is from Toyota, or from a junkyard or e-Bay. I'd like to see this setup so I could tell what is needed! A lot of the stock Toyota radios through the 80's and into the 90's had a DIN connector on the back of them to plug in other accessories such as a CD deck or an Equalizer. But, even though DIN 'means' STANDARDIZED, it is not possible to tell if one manufacturer's pinout matches another's pin-in! If you can get a look at the back of the radio and see if there is a DIN connector that is plugged into a socket, then you may be able to get something that will work. I can't remember how Fujitsu marks their units. At one time, even though the radio said TOYOTA on it, there was also another little mark on the faceplate that defines the MFG; a small Capital N with a lightening bolt for National (Panasonic), or what kind of looked like the GE (General Electric) 'meatball' with the word "TEN" across it for Fujitsu. (See, I DO remember!) If one of these marks is on there, it will help even further; I'm willing to bet since it is an Eclipse changer then it's probably a Fujitsu head unit... If you find something, let me know! There is another way to tell...the National branded radios had REALLY good FM reception (almost TOO good! Stations splashed over each other) while the FM section on the Fujitsu's wasn't as good, but the tape section sounded GREAT! (but that's a generalization...) : Whoa! Eclipse is Good Stuff! Maybe I'll throw you a few bucks for it! : : I'd move it to under the driver's seat, myself. Since it is an Eclipse, : unless there is a direct connection to your radio (meaning you have a : Fujitsu Radio...) then does it tune into the radio, or is there a button : on the radio to allow control of the changer from the stock radio? The cassette receiver has a button marked cd and that controls the changer just fine. The changer works fine and I am glad it is a good brand; as my posts have made clear, I am only unhappy about its location in the trunk. You have given me another idea; maybe I should look into moving it inside the car. : This is interesting... : [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] : the FM section on the Fujitsu's wasn't as good, but the tape section : sounded GREAT! (but that's a generalization...) |
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