Hey ya'll! My husband and I recently purchased an 83' toy. I was looking for a little truck to be my dd for my 60mi rt to work. The truck still had the factory radio in it when we purchased it but it was no longer working. I have been digging through threads on here and other sites to see how people are installing aftermarket radios. I have seen where some people modify their stock dash to mount the radio and that is what I think I will end up doing. I do have a few questions for those who have mounted it there...

1. did you have to cut the metal support bracket in the middle of the dash (where the ac controls and ash try mount) to make your unit fit?
2. how exactly did you mount your unit in the truck? what provides the support?

I have a sony head unit that used to be in another truck that i'm planning on using for this project.

If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I had thought about mounting the radio in the glove box and running it off it's little remote, but I know I'd lose the remote by the end of the first week so that's why I'm leaning towards an in dash mount.

Thanks in advance! I have learned a lot thus far from reading through threads on here and seeing everyone's mods and I look forward to learning even more!

 

Please don't hack your dash trim if it isn't already. I would be more than willing to trade you my dash trim for yours since the guy who owned the truck prior to me cut it to install a radio.

But to answer your question, yes, you can cut the trim to insall the radio and make a bracket to support it from the rear but that's not how I would do it. I plan on fabricating a center console to house my radio and retaining the original radio. I'm going more for an original look since I'm restoring my truck.

Again, if you want to trade that dash trim out for one that will suit your needs, I'd be more than happy to work something out with you.

 

Thanks for the reply. Like you, I'm not really wild about the idea of cutting a good dash but I'm not sure of any other good options. We had thought about building a custom console but I'm not sure how safe it would be to be looking down fooling with the radio. I have found this at crutchfield http://www.crutchfield.com/p_068RC90...l-RC-900C.html and may give it a try to see if it will fit. I saw where someone used a retro sound and it looked like they didn't have to cut up their dash. I'm not sure if this is the same model they used though and I don't know how the unit would mount in the dash. I've also been looking at motorcycle radios to see if there is something else that might work better. I'm not really worried about having a CD player or anything fancy.

 

I have an '82 and listen to music through my IPhone. I just could never bring myself to altering the dash. Sometimes I think I have the last bone stock truck left!

 

I put mine in the glove box and ran a plug in for my phone into the center console I modified and just run everything from my phone if you want I can get a pic of the console its from a chevy chevvete (probably spelled that wrong)

IMAG0244.jpg?t=1352850863

 

Another idea (someone here did it) is to put the stereo in the center vent, below the dash. Just take out the vent stuff and make a stereo holder out of it.

 

Dang, I went through that Crutchfield site and they said they didn't have a replacement for my Toyota factory radio. Of course mine is gone anyway. It looks like somebody hacked out a hole with a cold chisel for the Sony Xplode that's in it. Like I need a CD player in a 4WD pickup.

I was able to find a factory looking and fitting replacement radio for my '58 Chevy pickup (with mp3 player), so hopefully somebody makes something similar for these Toyotas.

 

what about using a radio from a later model Truck/4runner/Tacoma?

I've thought about that as my 84 has the original radio as well, but I'd like to retain that stock look. A toyota radio with cd player would be a huge upgrade from my stock am/fm with push button presets.

I would think you could make that fit without hacking everything up too bad.

 

I doubt it...

Most Toyotas are pretty interchangeable, except the pre-84 ones. If any "modern" cd player, even from an 86 Toyota, fit into the stock first gen location, I'd be pretty shocked.

Crutchfield won't know that something fits your Toyota. You just kind of have to measure and do some research...

 

Saw their advertizement on one of the gearhead shows this morning. Has anyone installed one of their radios. You can provide dimensions, they build one to fit. http://www.classiccarstereos.com/pro...O-USA-230.html .

Anyone have the stock radio dimensions?

I've been thinking about one of their Secretaudio SRMS or SST units. Just thinking out loud....Ouch that hurts !!!

 

My dash has already been cut and has a stereo in it, but someone stole the face plate right before I bought it. I think I might try and make an insert for the whole center of the dash and try to get it to look a little better. It was installed with a kit, but it looks terrible. The guy I bought it from told me that the kit just came with a plastic plate to fill the radio slot and it looks really cheap, if you can avoid using one I would suggest it.

 

Thanks all for the replies!

04man.. how did you connect your phone to your speakers??

17toyotaman.. please post up some pictures of your console! I ripped mine out because it was broken.

83.. my ac is the best thing about my truck right now so I'd hate to rip out the vents and re-do it.

I have quickly learned that these trucks seem to be in the in between stage. They are not old enough for people to make vintage style aftermarket parts and the new style parts do not fit.

I like the concept of the secretaudio system but i don't like the price.

 

Ah, you have AC.

I don't, and those vents are really only good for blasting me with frigid air during the winter. Most of the vents in the non-AC models are just hooked up to fresh air and nothing more.

 

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CAdot: I really like your clock setup! What did that come out of? My AC has been removed and my vent vanes are trashed, so that would be an excellent little upgrade.

 

you could always put in one of our new dashes .... and put the sterio anywhere






oh .. and the stock speedo cluster will with as well as the stock surround , just need to cut the glass a wee bit


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you need a distributer down here slacker...seriously!!!

 

I'll second that! I've wanted to buy a set of your high clearance fenders for a while too. I'm just too broke to get something shipped.