I have tried searching but didnt find the info i want. I need to know if a stereo from an 04 4runner will work in a 1996 tacoma? I am not sure if the taco has the external amp, the 04 does not. So are the plugs the same between the 2 or are they different. Thanks.

 

Any aftermarket stereo will be better than any factory stereo. How about do yourself a favor and don't swap out junk for newer junk. Get a quality aftermarket stereo. Atleast then you have future options.

 

Yeah but the taco is not mine and the owner just wants the stock look and nothing fancy since its his beater but only has a tape vs the newer 'junk' has both tape and cd.

Oh, and thanks for the insight, really helpful.

 

if you take out the headunit and the external amp together, the wire between the two are unique, but the wires from external amp to speakers should be the same. You do not want the external amp to be paired with a HU with an internal amp anyway. Easy check, find the aftermarket stereo install wiring adapter harnesses online for both trucks, if they are the same part numbers, then your plugs are the same =)

 

I have found that most factory equipment from the same manufacturer are all compatible. I installed my 94 Toyota stereo in an 87 MR2 which had the same brackets as well as the same wiring connector. I'm sure ther comes a time when manufacturers change little things like that but most of the time, to save production costs when building 5-10 different models, they will use the same stuff for many years, which is good for us.

 

if the 04' does not use the external amp, and maybe the taco does, then just unplug the wires from the amp in the taco and plug them to the head unit. I did this when i installed my head. If the taco doesnt have an amp, then simply just plug the bracket into the new head.

 

Cool thanks guys. Thats what I thought may be the case.

 

I have a 04 4runner single disc (non JBL) Stereo. I am wanting to swap it out with the with the JBL 6 Disc Changer. I have been told they are compatible but I need to verify this before taking the plunge.

Thanks

 

No it wont work. The JBL and the non-JBL are not compatible because of the proprietary stuff on the JBL. If you want a 6 disc changer track down one from a scion on ebay. It will be compatible and its an easy swap.

 

I also have the Toyota AMP that is part of the JBL system. Will the factory harness fit the AMP/Stereo?

 

honestly ive never dealt with the JBL system but from my understanding its completely different, amp, HU, sub, ect... If you are going for the stock look you would really just be better getting a scion 6 cd changer like this since its swap and go:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyot...spagenameZWD1V

 

The 04 4Runner stereo is bigger than the slot in the 96 tacoma. Many toyota radios will plug into you tacoma, but the 04 4runner is not one.

This statement is just plain uninformed. Many toyotas use high watt multi speaker systems that are better quality than many aftermarket decks. Just becuase a deck has flashy lights and is "new" doesn't mean its better. Many Toyota's even paired with JBL for some of the best sound quality i have ever heard. And how about the Lexus with the Mark Levinson systems? You're going to tell me some $100 pioneer deck is better than an 11 speaker 300 watt mark Levinson system?

Besides that, aftermarket decks are not made to last as long as factory decks. Many people complain that decks are dying after 2-3 years if not sooner, and yet there are still 95 4Runners with factory decks running around working fine. I would take a newer factory deck over most aftermarket decks any day of the week.

 

btw for all you guys wanting to do the Scion swap, remember you WILL have to modify your radio surround, as the Scion decks are 2" wider than the 95-04 Tacoma decks.

 

well this is an old thread and the 04 stereo fit in the taco with some modifications to the face plate/surround piece. Already done months ago.

As far as the JBL HU in the 04 runner w/o JBL stuff...what i said applies.

 

Suppose I should have checked the dates lol. I dont always catch every thread.

Although, i was still right. The deck doesn't fit in without modifying the surround.