Guys,

Thanks to YT member DavidA for providing all the great advice in this writeup. And yes, DavidA answered all my noobie stereo head unit questions via email



For those of you who are mystified by the whole process and what to do, read my writeup. I believe most if not all of the principles will apply to any head unit installation. And hopefully it will give you the confidence to install your own aftermarket headunits w/o paying the ridiculous stereo shop prices.

http://www.4runners.org/articles/headunit


Enjoy!

Bob

 

I've done a bunch on installs and that is a great write-up. If anyone in the Bay Area is afraid of installing a deck, send me a PM and I'll try and help you out - but read Bob's article first, it's great!

 

Great job man!!! I was glad to be of service. You guys are a pleasure to be around. Bob...did I reply to your last email? I forgot if I did. Please let me know if I didn't...I just forgot.

 

Great choice in HU's. I got the 745 off of ebay a few months back for less than $240 shipped. I love it... now I just need a 4ch amp for mids and highs and I'm set.

 

Glad you finally made the move from tape to CD's.

Looks like a nice HU you got there, are you going to get Sirius?

 

Travis,

No, I don't think I'll get the Sirius for now. I don't drive enough to take advantage of it.

Bob

 

i got a problem with my HU. I got a panasonic cq-8300u. MY problem a buddy of mines helped install it. But the attenna wont pop up when i initialize the radio. It did with stock radio casette deck.

 

You have to attach the Amp turn on lead/Electric Antenna wire to the turn on wire in the factory harness, otherwise it will not receive the signal to activate the antenna.

Per the diagram below you should find the Black/Red wire on the factory harness and attach it to your Panasonic's turn on lead.

1998 Toyota 4-Runner Stereo Information
Constant 12V+ Blue/Yellow
Switched 12V+ Gray
Ground Brown
Illumination Green
Dimmer n/a
Antenna Trigger Black/Red
Antenna Right Front
Front Speakers 6 1/2" Doors
Left Front (+) Pink
Left Front (-) Purple
Right Front (+) Light Green
Right Front (-) Blue
Rear Speakers 5 1/4" Rear Doors
Left Rear (+) Black
Left Rear (-) Yellow
Right Rear (+) Red
Right Rear (-) White


Hope that helps!

Info found at www.the12volt.com

 

great choice on the headunit, i got my a few weeks ago for $90

 

I love mine. I got mine for $108. Best price on an MP3/WMA unit I have found. And the quality has been great! I love the built in electronic crossover and the interesting sound customizing features it has.

 

Thank you. Ill tackle it sometime

 

thanks it works now! =)

 

Great write up, Bob... though I could have used it 2 months ago! Still I was able to get my Pioneer working without much damage (total amateur).

Why did you run a wire to the battery? I don't remember needing to do that. Is it so you can power the stereo without the key in?

 

phoenix,

thanks for the compliment. i ran that specific wire to the battery per instruction of the manual. i cannot power the stereo without turning the key to ACC or actually starting it up.

bob