I'm sure we've been over this before...I may have even started a thread. But searching isn't doing much for me.

How far has new stereo technology come since our vehicles? I saw the back of a new stereo I was thinking of buying for my '78, and it didn't even have wires coming out of the back...just some sort of plug-in.

If I go buying a new stereo, obviously I'll need to do some mods, but are some new ones almost incompatible with our trucks? Size of the unit aside. I can work with something slightly bigger than stock, but I'm talking more about issues with wiring it.

Anyone been through this recently?

 

I'm thinking about doing this and sticking an old sony x-plode stereo I have in my glovebox so it will stay hidden and I can keep the stock look.

 

If you can find a Kenwood KRC-3006 Radio unit somewhere it will bolt in the stock location with minimal modifications. If you find one, even it is not working, you can send it to Kenwood for repair. You can add a Kenwood Amplifier, 10 disc CD changer and speakers (all currently available). Go to Crutchfield on the WEB. They have great deals and Tech support. If you go to my photo album-"My Toy" you can see my installation of the KRC-3006.

 

But...do all the new stereos still just have wires coming out of the back for me to hook up? Will they be compatible with my wiring?

Like I said, I'm not as worried about fitting in the stock location as I am with the connections. I guess I can just go to a store and look, but I wondered if someone here might know.

 

Crutchfield has adapters and wiring instructions for your year Toyota truck and if you have a problem contact me and I will help you. I wire my friends street rods, customs and trucks all of the time. I have a wire list of my installation and can walk you through your install. I will just need to know what make / model unit you are installing.

 

Awesome.

Thank you.

I think crutchfield may have said nothing fits my truck...I'm doing this for my 78. I'll check again though.

 

Yeah crutchfield says "does not fit" for everything. But of course it doesn't fit. It's the wiring I want to know about, and what adapters. I guess maybe I should just call them.

 

If they do not have adapters don't worry about it. Again, I just need to know the make / model of the unit you want to install and I will explain how to hook up the wiring. Radio Shack has multi pin wiring connectors and they will work fine.

 

Great, thanks. I might order an adapter for an 87 Toyota...earliest I can find. If I can get that wired into my truck, it ought to make the next stereo install go easier (if it ever needs another stereo).

I've got a gift card coming eventually. When it shows up, I'll be ordering a stereo, speakers, etc.

I've got to stop spending every spare dime of my paychecks on this thing...I'm getting sick of being broke!

 

this should get you pretty close:

http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/Toyota-Wiring.pdf


i spend too much on my truck too..

 

Thanks!

I actually have an FSM for my 83, so hopefully that's all in there. Probably not spelled so nicely, though, so that will help.

What I saw when I looked at some new stereos was just a place to plug a circuit or prong into, and since it's been soooo long since I even thought about replacing a stereo, I got worried that maybe a new stereo would just come like that...and I'd be left with no way to hook it up to my truck.

But I'm sure the photo just wasn't showing the wiring, or I was forgetting that I can just buy an adapter that will plug into the stereo, and I can just splice my wires into that. Or something...

 

All new stereos come with their own pig tail. Your factory wiring will not plug directly into anything. All you need is a ground a constant and key on power.

 

yea..
with that diagram all you'll need is the wire set that comes with the stereo the "pig tail."

you won't need to buy a harness and i don't even think that they are applicable.