1998 XLE audio questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

LedZeppelinG20 · 03-20-2009, 02:08 PM

Hello,

I just bought a 1998 Camry XLE, and I'm looking into putting a new head audio unit in it. I'm looking into some of the Alpine models, ones with CD/MP3/iPod/USB support. I'm new to installing car stereos (I want to do this one myself) and I'm just wanting to make sure I get all the required parts. If I order from Crutchfield, they say they'll include all of the installation instructions and pieces I need, but the head units there seem to be a higher price. If I buy from somewhere else, what do I need (wiring harness, faceplate) to install just a basic head unit that's the same size as the one that is already in there?

Also, the large speaker in the front right door seems to buzz at certain frequencies (not really volume dependent), so I was wondering if anyone else has any suggestions about this... should I try to pull off the door panel (found some walkthroughs on doing this on these forums) and see if there's something to be glued back together, or just buy new speakers?

I apologize if there's another thread on the audio stuff, I did a quick search but didn't see anything. I'd appreciate any suggestions about what kind of head unit to get, how to go about installing one, or the speaker issue.

Thanks!

Manny1337 · 03-20-2009, 03:31 PM

when getting a new head unit on the 98 all youll need is the stereo itself and a wiring harness. You use the orginal brackets and transfer them onto the new stereo its very simple. and extremely secure seeing on how 4 bolt hold the stereo itself in. As for the front speakers id say replace them. Does you modle come with stock tweeters in the front door? ( they are 2 inch circles in the top corner)

LedZeppelinG20 · 03-20-2009, 04:26 PM

Thanks, that helps. I found the wiring harnesses for about $12 for the 98' XLE online, so if that's all I need, it should save me a bunch of money. Is there anything special I need to pay attention to when attaching the wiring?

Also as per your question, I'm pretty sure I've got those 2" speakers as well in the door. Are those cheap to replace (if I need to)?

Manny1337 · 03-20-2009, 11:49 PM

eh you can get cheap ones you or can get good ones. if you order a stereo from crutchfield i believe they come with the wiring harness. and no its simple just match color to color plus im sure it comes with instructions. and if anything id say replace speaker and tweeters with new ones since you said the old ones were falling off. look on crutchfield i always shop their =P

BaconatedGrapefruit · 03-21-2009, 07:05 AM

I ordered one Thursday from Beach Audio for 8 bucks shipped: http://www.beachaudio.com/Metra/70-1761-p-46383.html

Even if heads from crutchfield come with a harness (I didn't think they did), you're paying a lot more than 8 bucks more than other internet dealers. They might be worth getting speakers from for free wires and adapter mounts, but normally you'd choose them because they ship fast and have good customer service, not the installation extras. On that note, I wouldn't order from onlinecarstereo.com. I ordered speakers from them (75 less than crutchfield) on Wednesday, and they haven't shipped yet.

EDIT: Note if you have the premium sound package with your camry (component speakers with the door sail tweeters and an amp behind the glove box), there are 2 harnesses you can get. The one I linked bypasses the amp, and is not plugged in where the stock stereo plugs in. The harness the stock unit plugs into (15 pin) goes through the amp, then the wires come back and split to a pair of harnesses that the harness I linked will plug into. If you DO have the amp and DON'T want to bypass it, you'd need the 15 pin harness (probably the premium sound system one with RCA plugs for line-level output, which you'd have to patch onto the +/- wires going into the amp).

If you don't have the premium sound system, the model of harness I linked is the only one that works, and plugs in the same place the stock head unit plugs in.