Radio upgrade for 94 le needed

[WaxonWaxStillOn]

I've got the stock radio in my '94 LE, radio and cassette, but I want a cd player in the car and prefer staying with a stock toyota unit.

Do all stock gen3/4 stock radios use the same bracket size/wiring connectors etc., or is there something more particular that would make the best fit/replacement for this unit?

[the94camryman]

You'll never get the same quality out of a factory stereo that you will from an aftermarket one.

If you're worried about looks, then try something like this:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-KD-AVX77.html

When it's off it just looks like a black box.

But to answer your question, I'm almost positive they use different connectors. You'd have to splice the two together, and that's at best.

[nathanours]

I just bought a Sony aftermarket unit (along with all new speakers) and it wasn't too expensive. It looks pretty good I think.

[Brit101]

WoWSO cd's are old school, now get a am/fm with a usb port and you will be hip!

Go to this site and you can speak to an I.C.E.(in car entertainment) tech on their 800#. They will impress you with their knowledge and suggestions so you will want to deal with them. I kid you not.

www.crutchfield.com

I know you'll want to click on the "Thanks" button for this super useful information.

[fenixus]

yeah, I dumped he factory unit (CD was broken and tune knob started acting up recently), replaced it with a JVC deck from Crutchfield's:


I wouldn't bother getting a "factory" unit, it's an ancient technology, 'cmon, get something modern

[WaxonWaxStillOn]

Part of the reason for wanting stock is budget...I can get an inexpensive stock unit at a pick and pull. If I spend more money on the unit to get a nicer one, I will just be frustrated by not having better speakers. Going stock keeps my expectations down, for me as well as any potential thief...atleast until I'm ready to pony up for a better set of components.

[rusty9]

check ebay for cheap stock units. i got a nice double din cd/cassette from a 2000 toyota something for like 20 bucks. just make sure you measure the opening, some have a face trim that are slightly too big to fit in the gen 3's opening. they all have the same wiring since like '84+ you may need to buy an adapter though depending on if you want to use the stock amp.

[71Corolla]

1990-2001 Camry's all used the same connector for the stereo, assuming you do not have the external amplifier. If you find a car that has the external amp, you may be able use that unit as well, but you will need to get the harness that goes from the dash to under the passenger seat. Check the connector style to make sure it will plug into your existing setup.

Other Toyota models are also potential donors, like the Sienna, Tacoma, Solara, Avalon, Tundra etc. As an example, I pulled a stereo out of a Solara that had the external amplifier. The harness mates with the harness in my '93 and works fine, although I ended up selling that unit and installing one of these.

Faceplate IDs 16810,16814, A56813 are all basically the same and are nice units. P/N 86120-0C020 or 86120-04100.

[pmesfun]

I have the factory head unit from my 99 avalon I'm willing to let go. The whole sound system sounded better with it in comparison to the Pioneer I put in 3 years ago.

[thaharlequin]

I suggest going with a nice factory pull like others have mentioned or a used low cost version from a high end manufacturer. I have a nakamichi 35z that works as well now as the day I bought it used five years ago and integrates very well into the black color theme. Flashy decks don't tend to sound very good and are eye candy for thieves.