I have a 2002 4runner with stock stereo and was at circuit city to upgrade to an alpine and some new speakers. They told me that there is an amp in the current system that needs to be bypassed. SO that if I just replace the radio they have to wire each speaker separately and of course if I change the speakers they also have to be handled the same way, direct connect to speakers. Not sure what they told is accurate, but I just don't know. Can anyone help me , can I change to to another head unit and not have to go thru what Circuit city told me. I am very confused...I thought a simple radio change could be done here.

 

Yes, there is an amp that has to be bypassed. When I went to C.C., they removed the amp and wired the new headunit to the existing speakers using an adapter. Sounds like you got an installer at C.C. that either didn't know what he was talking about or was WAY behind on his commission quota for the day. My Alpine is wired in with two adapters: one from the radio to a generic adapter, then one from the generic adapter to the factory speaker & power harnesses. Makes it very easy to switch headunits later and replace the factory one if needed. Go to another C.C. or another high-end car audio store and see what they have to say. Not sure where you're located, but Car Toys, Best Buy and SoundTrack/Ultimate Electronics have good car audio installers, with Car Toys doing more high end and custom work.

Good luck with the install.