2000 RADIO SWAP/UPGRADE to 6 disc? help

[CAMREE00]

My volume knob is wacked causing the radio to go on and off like it's possessed. I found a cheap replacment on LKQ. But, i also saw a unit with a six disc player. It may be from an 02. Is the 6 disc an easy plug and play? Is it compatible?
Thanks
A

[Jimnist]

From another Toyota? It should be fairly straight forward and compatible, as long is it fits in the current spot. Even if you're putting an aftermarket headunit on, the most you would do is a bit of soldering or (if you're lazy), buy wiring harnesses to fit. Sometimes one (toyota to headunit) or sometimes 2 (toyota to a a 'universal' then 'universal' to headunit).

[Heat]

How cheap?

You can get really nice aftermarket radios for $150 or so, ones that play .mp3s, .wmas, hooks up to your iPod, etc.

With regard to the 6-disk internal CD changer, that's obsolete technology. Unless it's really, really cheap, go aftermarket and get the current technology including the ability to read compressed music. Just as an example, on my radio there is a front-facing USB port. I just transfer music from my computer to the flash drive and plug it in directly to the radio. On a 2GB flash drive, you can hold twenty or more CDs worth of music. With a 4GB, forty or so. As you can see, CD changers are obsolete and I would recommend avoiding it unless it's dirt cheap.

[Jimnist]

Originally Posted by Heat

How cheap?

You can get really nice aftermarket radios for $150 or so, ones that play .mp3s, .wmas, hooks up to your iPod, etc.

With regard to the 6-disk internal CD changer, that's obsolete technology. Unless it's really, really cheap, go aftermarket and get the current technology including the ability to read compressed music. Just as an example, on my radio there is a front-facing USB port. I just transfer music from my computer to the flash drive and plug it in directly to the radio. On a 2GB flash drive, you can hold twenty or more CDs worth of music. With a 4GB, forty or so. As you can see, CD changers are obsolete and I would recommend avoiding it unless it's dirt cheap.

+1.

[CAMREE00]

Great ideas, thanks for your input. I saw the original radio for 75 bucks delivered and figured it would be a 10min job to swap. I do like the idea of an ipod port. I haven't done a radio upgrade in about ten years. Does this require alot of cutting and soldering in this application? Or do they come with universal plugs these days?
Is original unit internally amped or is it under the seat somwhere?
Thanks

[skuttduck]

Originally Posted by CAMREE00

Great ideas, thanks for your input. I saw the original radio for 75 bucks delivered and figured it would be a 10min job to swap. I do like the idea of an ipod port. I haven't done a radio upgrade in about ten years. Does this require alot of cutting and soldering in this application? Or do they come with universal plugs these days?
Is original unit internally amped or is it under the seat somwhere?
Thanks

I just installed a Kenwood DNX 7120 in my 2000 Camry. If I didn't have my own two amps and replaced the speakers, it would have been real easy to do.

Just get a wiring harness, hook it up, and plug it into the factory plugs.

All you will need is the new radio (possibly the pocket unless going with the Double Din unit) a wiring harness, some crimp connectors (if you don't like soldering) and a 10mm socket.

You basically pull the ashtray out, grab onto the plastic, pull it out, and then remove the bolts for the factory stereo. You may need the mounting brackets off of the factory one. Put it on the new one, plug in the harness to the factory wiring and be done with it. There is a good guide on www.installdr.com

As for your question about the factory external amplifier, I found none in my 2000 camry and I had the factory tweeters. Far as I can tell that probably only exists in the JBL audio system.

[Heat]

The original radio isn’t worth $75 delivered… it’s fifteen or sixteen year old technology plus the radio itself is that old. Would you spend $75 on a seventeen year old VCR?

Take a look at Crutchfield, browse around their car receivers, like the Sony CDX-GT630UI for $150:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158GT63...I.html?tp=5684

I don’t have this radio but I do have a similar Sony from a couple of years ago in my Toyota. Any purchases over $129 through Crutchfield comes with a free harness, kit (if you need one), and shipping.

It won’t be pre-plugged, but all you need to do is to connect the harness that comes with the radio to the harness they also send you, you can do this at your kitchen table. Solder, or use red butt connectors (which is what I use). Once you have the harness connected to the radio, installing it into your car is maybe a ten minute job, fifteen tops. Really an easy job with this car.

On my car (’95 LE), the amp was internal, I don’t know if the higher trim lines came with external amps or not. If so, not a big deal, just bypass it (I had to do this on a Volvo I once owned).