3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I just wanted to share with everyone my experience with swapping the original, stock 1-din cassette/radio unit from my 96 Camry XLE to another Toyota OEM 2-din cassette/cd/radio unit.
I got sick and tired of dealing with tangled cable clutter for my GPS, MP3 and portable CD player. So I figured it was time to get a cassette/cd/radio unit.
I originally wanted to purchase the JVC 2-din cassete/cd/radio/aux/sat-rdy (model XC410). Unfortunately, JVC stopped manufacturing that unit and based on the limitted supply, it was selling for around $259.99. Now, for an 11 year old Camry like mine, I wasn't about to spend that amount. So I did the next best thing and searched ebay for OEM Toyota stereos.
I finally found a unit that I liked for 50 bucks. It was black and blended very well with the Black dash color that was common for Gen3 Camry's. Just to be sure, I called the seller and he explained to me that unit would work with Camry XLE's. Apparently the Camry XLE power harness uses a 15-pin female plug and required the radio unit to have a 15-pin male. He was very helpful in pointing me to a unit that was fully compatible for 159.00 (about 189.00 after s/h/insurance).
Down side, I still don't have a aux port, but at least I can do away with the cable clutter from the portable cd player. I tried to futz around with a wired fm modulator, but that just added to the cable clutter. I'm back to using the cassette adaptor for my mp3.
Anyway, to make a long story short, if anyone is looking for an OEM radio replacement and want to preserve the dash color scheme of their Toyota, go to http://stores.ebay.com/OEM-Car-Audio.
Good stuff. I recently did the same with my '97 CE. I just had a single DIN cassette/radio, but got an OEM CD/Cassette/Radio on eBay for $25. Turns out it also needed the 15-pin external amp, which my car didn't have. However, I went trawling through my local pull-a-part and found one in an old 4Runner. The case of it was nearly all rust and the aluminum heat sinks were covered in white corrosion - so they let me have it for free. Ended up working perfectly!
I'm not generally a big fan of aftermarket stereos - the factory look and finish of an OEM stereo outweighs any potential aural quality loss, in my mind.
My unit isn't protected by a security code, so I didn't have to worry about that. However, I did an OEM radio swap once in my old Jetta, and to get the security code for the new radio, I just went to the dealer, gave them the serial number of the stereo, and they looked it up and told me the security code. Kind of defeats the purpose of the security code, but I guess they figure nobody steals 15-year old factory cassette decks anymore.
It’s a nice write-up but I really recommend that people look into aftermarket radios, dirt cheap these days and all sorts of features. And depending on what brand / model you get, they can look nice too.
Anyway, the point of this post is that even if you do stay with an OEM radio for whatever reason (appearance, theft, love cassettes, etc), replace at least two of your OEM speakers. I bought a new radio and four new speakers this past June (I got my ’95 LX in May). Before changing the radio I put in the new speakers – even with the OEM radio the sound quality dramatically improved. You can pick up a pair of 4.5” rounds pretty cheaply to replace your front door speakers. For the rear deck I put in 5.5” rounds with an adapter though apparently you can make 6x9’s fit also.
If I had to choose between new speakers or a new head unit, I'd take the new speakers.
It’s a nice write-up but I really recommend that people look into aftermarket radios, dirt cheap these days and all sorts of features. And depending on what brand / model you get, they can look nice too.
Anyway, the point of this post is that even if you do stay with an OEM radio for whatever reason (appearance, theft, love cassettes, etc), replace at least two of your OEM speakers. I bought a new radio and four new speakers this past June (I got my ’95 LX in May). Before changing the radio I put in the new speakers – even with the OEM radio the sound quality dramatically improved. You can pick up a pair of 4.5” rounds pretty cheaply to replace your front door speakers. For the rear deck I put in 5.5” rounds with an adapter though apparently you can make 6x9’s fit also.
If I had to choose between new speakers or a new head unit, I'd take the new speakers.
Amen to that! Before doing the swap, I got a cheap pair of Infinity 4.5" rounds for the front and matching Infinity 6x9s for the back off eBay. They made a huge difference - the addition of the external amp for the new stereo gave it a lot more oomph as well.
The dealer can reset the code but they often want a lot of money to do it. If the owner then the radio never set the code it will operate without issues.
Yeah, you’re right, the front takes 6.5" rounds though I put in 5.25" rounds. The back takes 6x9 speakers though there I put in 6.5" rounds using an adapter.
It wasn't my first choice to buy smaller speakers than I could use, it just sort of worked out that way due to a great rebate that Crutchfield was running at the time.
It’s a nice write-up but I really recommend that people look into aftermarket radios, dirt cheap these days and all sorts of features. And depending on what brand / model you get, they can look nice too.
Anyway, the point of this post is that even if you do stay with an OEM radio for whatever reason (appearance, theft, love cassettes, etc), replace at least two of your OEM speakers. I bought a new radio and four new speakers this past June (I got my ’95 LX in May). Before changing the radio I put in the new speakers – even with the OEM radio the sound quality dramatically improved. You can pick up a pair of 4.5” rounds pretty cheaply to replace your front door speakers. For the rear deck I put in 5.5” rounds with an adapter though apparently you can make 6x9’s fit also.
If I had to choose between new speakers or a new head unit, I'd take the new speakers.
Sounds like good advice. My speakers are working fine though. I guess if my aim was to improve the sound quality of my music, I'd replace the speakers. But I just wanted to reduce the cable clutter around my shifter.
Has anyone tried to install a 2-din motorized lcd screen unit yet?
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Used OEM Radio Swap
Good stuff. I recently did the same with my '97 CE. I just had a single DIN cassette/radio, but got an OEM CD/Cassette/Radio on eBay for $25. Turns out it also needed the 15-pin external amp, which my car didn't have. However, I went trawling through my local pull-a-part and found one in an old 4Runner. The case of it was nearly all rust and the aluminum heat sinks were covered in white corrosion - so they let me have it for free. Ended up working perfectly!
Linear Mode
