I just bought a 4Runner today and it didn't have a radio in it, so I was going to buy a new deck and install it myself. i'm not sure what the back of the cd decks look like though. Where my radio used to be (it was stolen) are a bundle of 6 wires. They are the kind you plug into your TV (like the AV cables) only they are all red and white (no yellow). And there are some other wires next to those but they are all connected to something I think. I'll try to get pictures of what I'm talking about tomorrow.

Does anyone know how to install a deck? Some pointers?

 

The red and white RCA cable usually go to amps. But post up the picture and well see what you got

 

Ohhhh... Yeah there is an amp in the back. I want to take it out. I'm never going to use it.

I'll get those pics tomorrow

 

What year is your 4Runner?

1989-94 Toyota Pickup/ 4Runner Stereo Wiring
Constant: 12V+ Blue/Yellow
Switched: 12V+ Gray
Ground: Brown
Illumination: Green
Dimmer: n/a
Antenna: Right Front
Front Speakers 4" Doors
Left Front: (+) Pink (-) Purple
Right Front: (+) Light Green (-) Blue
Rear Speakers 5 1/4" Side Panels
Left Rear (+): Black (-) Yellow
Right Rear (+): Red (-) White

Those are the wiring colors you'll need if you're gonna do it yourself. Other wise you can go to Walmart and pick up a wiring kit for about $8.

 

It sounds like there was an aftermarket stereo in there before, so you probably will not find all the wires listed above.
Most new aftermarket stereos have RCA connectors, so you can use them.
Keep the amp, move it if you have to. Unless it's a really crappy amp, it'll give you far better sound than any head unit can alone. Plus, it sounds like the wiring is already done and that's the hard part.
Follow Kodiak's wiring as best as you can, but here's a coupel things to add to it:
white/black is also a ground
switched +12v: gray this will probably be referred to as ACC by the new head unit

If you decide to ditch the amp then you are going to have to trace down the old speaker wires and rewire them so the go to the front. This can become a big project if the wires have been removed.

 

i've got a 1999 4Runner. If it really is that difficult to change it back to how it was, I might just leave the amp in there. I don't know much about stereos, but I know I don't want any Subs in the back.

 

An "amp" is an amplifier, and, despite what may be popular, have many uses apart from obnoxious subs that simply waste space.
I have an amp in my 85 and it's a nice setup, but I don't have subs (nor do I want them).
An amp will give you clearer sound, specifically in the higher volume ranges.
That being said:
start by trying to find the original speaker wires and see where they're at. A good place would be at the speakers themselves. It's likely that the old wires will be near them, though disconnected. Once you find those, look for the same colored wired under the dash. If you can find all four pairs both at the head unit and the speakers then you can wire it straight to the head unit and forget the amp.
If you can't find those wires then you're probably better off keeping the amp.
Another thought: if the amp is simply in a crappy location, they're easy to move. The can be mounted in any mannerism, mine is under my passenger seat, nice and neatly out of the way.
Let us know how that goes.

 

How do you feel about making lemonade?
Leave the wires hanging out and install the new deck in the glove compartment. Keep an honest man honest I say. You can also install it any place out of sight and run a remote control up to the the driver for DJ duty. Or get a deck with an ipod connection, hide the deck and use the ipod as a jukebox and controller that you take with you.

Go to Frys or online and get a plug that connects to the factory harness. The wires are color coded and labeled for your make and model chariot, whatever it is. Someone already did the leg work for you. Then go down to Harbor Freight and get yourself a solder iron kit and some shrink tube. Do a first class install. Learning to solder is quick, about five minutes to get the feel of it and ten minutes to get the hang of. Of course you cannot leave the factory wires hanging out because that is what you need to tap into. But if they took the deck and left the harness and both plugs then you are golden. Use the plug, that plugs into the factory harness and solder the new deck to that. The new deck will come with a diagram, unless you returned the favor to someone else, but you won't need it. Just slip a bit of shrink tubing down each wire and then match up the color coded wires and either crimp them (uh) or take a shot at the diy pro install title and solder those babies. Then, slide the tubing down over the bare wire connection and shrink them with a lighter or heat gun, even a hair drier. Unless they absconded with your speakers as well you will not have to touch the other components in the system once you install the deck. The juice from the amp will make the sound, cleaner and crisper at low volume as well as at higher levels especially if there are already after market speakers in there. I'm not saying that you are going to be able to distinguish the sound of each individual violin in a concerto barreling down the highway with crimping demerits hanging over your head like the sword of Damocles, but hey you never know.

 

Here are some additions to your 4Runner wiring:

Car Stereo Antenna Trigger Wire: Black/Red
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amplifier Location: N/A

All the other wires are still the same. Your 4Runner may have come with an amp depending on the model, hence the amp location. Either way your new deck will have have a spot to connect your amp if you decide to keep it. Do as Jackwolf said and make sure as to wether or not you have the original connectors still there. If you do, your in luck cuz this is guna be an easy install. All you need is the correct wiring kit for you vehicle (like I said before you can get one at walmart for around $8). If the factory connectors are out of the picture just trace the wires, find the right colors (use the colors I gave you before) and connect the dots. Stereo wiring can seem complicated at times especially if you've never done it before. Don't worry you'll get it.

 

don't you all have Best Buy or other big box stores that install for free?

Personally I stopped doing car stereo work years ago. I can tear my dash apart just fine, it is the putting it back together that always threw me....

Find yourself a decent deck-you may want the blackout type of faceplate or removable or both so this does not happen to you again. However I did have an Accord wagon years ago that the lack of faceplate did not stop the thieves from ripping up the dash to get at the radio.

 

Op please do not take your stereo to best buy, Worst idea ever.
Id trust a local private shop before best buy.


Oh ron, Your loving your time away from T4R arent you ?

 

nah I am still a bit pissy about it. I'll get over it.

Actually I agree with you about Best Buy specifically but now that Circuit City bit the dust.... they did my Basslink install and I was very happy with the thoroughness of the dude I had do the work.

They quoted a specific price and it took them better part of the day but it was exactly what I wanted.

Waiting on the cable installer dude. I should have gone to the hills.

 

So I found out a little more about the wiring today. When the thief stole the deck, he ripped out the power wires from the wire harness. I went out, and bought a new wire harness, but now don't really know where to splice everything. I decided to leave out the AMP. It's too complicated, and the head unit I bought only has 1 pre-out thingy and the AMP has like 6.

Any wiring diagrams online?

 

I say politely that this may be more than an amateur should take on.

Car stereo shops do this all day long and it is likely well worth their price to put your wiring back together again as it should be.

You have insurance? This is covered under your Comprehensive coverage?

You may have a deductible but it's likely well worth the money spent to insure it is done correctly. They deal with theft issues probably at least weekly if not daily.

I am presuming they did not damage your hazard wiring switch harness or you would have a lot more brake light and other issues.

This is an 05? 4th Gen 4Runner or what?

 

The radio was stolen before I bought the car.

I am not a professional, but I went to school for automotive technology, and I'm trained in working with electronics (although it was my weakest subject). I've done plenty of cutting and splicing so I'm not worried about that.

This is a 1999 4Runner. 3rd Gen

 

In the installation guide, there is a wire that says Power control/antenna control.

Anyone have any idea where that would connect to on the Toyota wire harness? Do I even need it?

 

There is no black/red wire.

 

I got everything installed. It was pretty easy with KODIAKS wiring identification. Everything works great, except my antenna doesn't go up and down.

 

glad to hear. that has to be a nice feeling of accomplishment and how are the tunes?

Way to help out kodiak90

Have a safe 4th guys

 

Yeah ditch that auto antenna. My 1998 4runners antenna has broke 2 times. Before you do that though check the fuse. You could have shorted it in the install.