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 was going to look at a junk yard for a factor radio to replace the one i have and would like to know what radios from what toyota cars have the same plugs and would work in my 94 camry le? does my car have the amp too? i was using the search but didn't see any list of compatible radios. i also seen that some people used eclipse radios too. are all eclipse radios the same or is there certain ones that can plug in? thanks for help.
i do have a after market one (vr3 vrcd400sdu) that has been in a few cars that i could use but i think the factory radio sounds better then it.
to the person that asked about the pictures in another thread i will get them when i can get a way to upload. not at home and stuff
You can grab a radio from a newer camry (CD + Tape + Radio) up to around 2001 since everything 2002 has the radio with the bezel mold around it.
Let me go find pictures about it right now.
Also with your Camry, Do you have 'tweeters' on the front door? (located on the top'ish' part of the door? Covered with a frabic cover?) Usually tweeters indicated 'PREMIUM' sound, so you'll have an external amp - which is easy to by pass.
You can grab a radio from a newer camry (CD + Tape + Radio) up to around 2001 since everything 2002 has the radio with the bezel mold around it.
Let me go find pictures about it right now.
Also with your Camry, Do you have 'tweeters' on the front door? (located on the top'ish' part of the door? Covered with a frabic cover?) Usually tweeters indicated 'PREMIUM' sound, so you'll have an external amp - which is easy to by pass.
ok thanks. how does the benzel mold on 02+ interfere? i am alright if it is not factory look if the plugs fit and it slides in dash.
i haven't looked that close yet since just got the car so don't know if it has tweeters. have to look latter to see.
Last edited by james42519; 02-17-2011 at 04:37 AM.
(click on the link for the PDF file for the 92~95...the 96 should be the same)
It also goes over on how to bypass the factory amp. If your using a Toyota Radio that has an internal amp (such as the stock Toyota CD from a 2000~2001 Camry), you will need to unplug the connection on the side (you can see where they disconnect the factory amp) and use those connectors to fit into the 'newer' toyota radio. If you have the 'standard' trim radio (4 speakers and no tweeters), you can just go and plug in your toyota radio into it.
So with regards to why a 2002 and + can't fit...I'm sure the plugs would fit, but the bezel and the radio itself is molded to the design of the dash...as shown below
From a 2002 Camry. Take noticed how it is rounded edges.
This comes from a 2001 or 2000 camry. Noticed how it is square and a double dim size.
This is the reason why a lot of newer cars requires aftermarket 'kits' as when they remove the factory radio, the bezel around it is attached to it.
If you DO get radio unit from a newer camry, you need to make sure that it is one that isn't from a 'premium' audio one as they all seem to be propertary to their generation (assuming as I have not heard anybody taking a JBL unit from a '00 and '01 and install it in their '95 premium audio w/o bypass). I do not know if the premium 'JBL' head unit from the 00 and 01 camry will fit into a 'premium' audio of a '94~'96 Camry. I DO know that a 'standard' head unit from a '00 or '01 should fit as long as you bypass the 'premium' audio amp (as mention again on that PDF).
Basically, I've confirmed that the 2000/2001 Radio (CD/TAPE/RADIO) will work for any toyota '87 and up (In this case, my Cressida '87) ...hence why wire adapters usually say '87 and up for toyota's.
Or you could just make sure the backing of the head unit you want to buy (toyota) will fit yours....or maybe just buying a new aftermarket head unit. The reason I like going this route is to keep it as stock as possible with a 'better' head unit with CD...especially for these older camries.
1) If you have this 'metal' thing box looking heatsink think under your passenger front seat, you have the EXTERNAL AMP
2) If yours came with 'premium' audio - this means tweeters in the door. I have not seen a Gen3 with tweeters that wasn't premium audio...I could be wrong. (See the that 'triangle cover' near the handle? That is the tweeter)
If you are going aftermarket deck, you normally would want to go aftermarket speakers all around. I've done with both (stock deck with aftermarket speakers, aftermarket deck with stock speakers), a lot of times the stock deck will try put out 'extra' bass and lack the highs, so it gets a bit muffled/distorated. Aftermarket deck with stock speakers will just sound a bit flat and since the stock speakers are not really great for highs, it'll just sound cruddy on the highs (like the stock speakers are hitting it, but it just isn't clear). If you want a nice 'bass', you might want to consider getting components in the front 6.5" and 6X9 in the rear (gotta mount tweeters seprate though). A subwoofer will be needed if you want more bass, but I've tossed in component and replaced my '3 way' speakers. sounds a bit better.
thanks guys. so basically i will be looking for any toyota radio 87 or newer? do all toyota radios use the same plugs or are there ones that are different? i know the 4runner uses the same now since Safari Wagon said it worked. i am guessing some lexus sienna, corolla, tocoma, solara, supra, and scion ones will work too. would be nice if there was some list of radios about cross platform. guess will have to try and look online more
Kingdom934 looking at that 2002 radio is not that different and if it just rounds on the front not too bad. i seen some newer camry radios that are bigger at the top then bottom and i know those will not work now.
looks under the passenger seat and looks like my car don't have a amp so guess i can't use any radios that use that too. there is this funny plastic thing under there though. first though it might be a connector for a amp but there is nothing in it. seems more like a vent but don't know.
i don't want to get after market one because would have to change speakers and don't want that now. like i said the factory one sounds better i think then the after market one i have now. another factory one with cd will be cheaper then a after market too i am sure.
ok found out the eclipse i read about is not from a mitsubishi eclipse but is actually a name brand is that right?
edit
almost forgot. should i be worried about theft systems on the radios? if i get one that needs a password how hard is it to unlock?
i also came across this and thought it might be helpful to others
Well, after checking your post it looks as if your looking for an OEM CD-player. I have a Tape-Deck radio. I only would want around $20.00 for the radio anyways, but i dont think your looking for a stock Tapedeck Radio
thanks guys. so basically i will be looking for any toyota radio 87 or newer? do all toyota radios use the same plugs or are there ones that are different? i know the 4runner uses the same now since Safari Wagon said it worked. i am guessing some lexus sienna, corolla, tocoma, solara, supra, and scion ones will work too. would be nice if there was some list of radios about cross platform. guess will have to try and look online more
Kingdom934 looking at that 2002 radio is not that different and if it just rounds on the front not too bad. i seen some newer camry radios that are bigger at the top then bottom and i know those will not work now.
looks under the passenger seat and looks like my car don't have a amp so guess i can't use any radios that use that too. there is this funny plastic thing under there though. first though it might be a connector for a amp but there is nothing in it. seems more like a vent but don't know.
i don't want to get after market one because would have to change speakers and don't want that now. like i said the factory one sounds better i think then the after market one i have now. another factory one with cd will be cheaper then a after market too i am sure.
ok found out the eclipse i read about is not from a mitsubishi eclipse but is actually a name brand is that right?
edit
almost forgot. should i be worried about theft systems on the radios? if i get one that needs a password how hard is it to unlock?
i also came across this and thought it might be helpful to others
If you would want a 'flush fit', you will have to get a head unit that is a squareish design (like the one I posted from the '00/'01 Camry). IMO, that head unit would most likey be the best due to the design and has CD capabilities.
Since you do NOT have the amp in your car, your running a 4 speaker standard audio. That plastic black looking thing on the floor is for the air vent (When you set it to dash/foot, it blows air down there).
h
I'm almost 100% sure, but any radio that the 'anti-theif' lock is usually the 'premium' line of radios, in this case here the JBL some high end unit from a Avalon - won't bit a direct plug and play I believe, so don't worry about that too muc
Just to give you a price range, a radio unit that is from a '00 or '01 Camry is priced around on ebay $40~$80, depending on the seller. As mention a 4runner unit will fit, it'll just be 'orange' VS the camry 'green'. Other camry line should also fit. Again, 2002 and on will/should fit plug wise (this needs to be verified), but it may not fit in the dash all that well.
If you would want a 'flush fit', you will have to get a head unit that is a squareish design (like the one I posted from the '00/'01 Camry). IMO, that head unit would most likey be the best due to the design and has CD capabilities.
Since you do NOT have the amp in your car, your running a 4 speaker standard audio. That plastic black looking thing on the floor is for the air vent (When you set it to dash/foot, it blows air down there).
h
I'm almost 100% sure, but any radio that the 'anti-theif' lock is usually the 'premium' line of radios, in this case here the JBL some high end unit from a Avalon - won't bit a direct plug and play I believe, so don't worry about that too muc
Just to give you a price range, a radio unit that is from a '00 or '01 Camry is priced around on ebay $40~$80, depending on the seller. As mention a 4runner unit will fit, it'll just be 'orange' VS the camry 'green'. Other camry line should also fit. Again, 2002 and on will/should fit plug wise (this needs to be verified), but it may not fit in the dash all that well.
ok thanks. i am looking for anything from 86 i think it is to i guess 02 sold locally. as long as it plugs in and is cheap will work. not in a hurry really but the little missing knobs for bass, treble, and fades are starting to hurt finger adjusting and lights burnt out in it so can't see anything at night. good i don't have to worry about anti theft thing i guess. do have more impotent stuff to do really like replace the bald tires and get new breaks and replace fuel filter. i was just asking so i know what to look for in thrift stores,and flea market. chances are it will be a few months before i get another because really don't even have the money for tires and breaks but have to do it. (sucks being broke having $250 a month after bills). man why do i always do tangents. this is not the place for this.
Last edited by james42519; 02-17-2011 at 05:44 PM.
Here is a crappy phone pic of the 4runner unit -
It really did fit there perfect - even the screw holes lined up! Looks like it belongs there too.
Something oem (still being an upgrade for you) should be well within your budget of a few twenties. Sorry to hear about the financial situation.... When I got my wagon last year, the stereo, mirrors and lighter didn't work. After figuring out the problem, the stereo did not play tapes or cds and did not get FM - AM only! That was a lot of fun
Luckily my inlaws had a the HU above laying around their garage!
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what factory radios are compatible
(See the that 'triangle cover' near the handle? That is the tweeter)
95 Camry
AUTO to MANUAL Swap Guide (3rd Gen) - 
Goldie
Linear Mode
