Just got a 2006 Corolla; going over audio options

[diablopath]

I bought my Corolla on Wednesday of this week. I love it, but I've got one issue.

Music. I have an iPod, and I want that to be the source of my music.

It doesn't have a CD changer, and even if it did, I'd want iPod functionality. I tried a FM transmitter. I owned one before, and it was really good quality. However, I've bought and tried about four separate ones now, and they just aren't cutting it.

Onto my other options:

1) New headunit. I'm contemplating buying a Pioneer 2200UB and putting that in. However, I'm kind of afraid of how it's going to look. I'm having trouble finding a good gallery of people who have put in new units into their Corollas, so I don't want to be the guinea pig. For anybody who has put a new unit into a 2006 Corolla, mind showing me some pictures?

With that said, I'm also afraid of doing it on my own. I tried to do it on my '99 Cavalier back in 2007, and the dash never did go back together the same. I'm terrified I'm going to break something.

2) The USA SPEC PA11-TOY option. Again, I'm unsure of this. It looks kind of like a jerry rig to me, so I'd want to have direct control over my iPod instead of using control via the stock unit. In some places, it says I can do this, while others makes that seem questionable. Also, again, unsure of installation. I wonder if the dealer would do this?

Basically, I'm asking for experienced opinions. I'm also asking for media; if you have pictures, please share! I'm really wanting to take care of this, but I'm really unsure at the same time.

[bennor]

Do a search in this forum and you'll find lots of posts from people who have replaced their radio's.

I think someone here at one point posted a thread with pictures on how to remove the Corolla OEM radio. There are also various pages on the web, like this one which detail how the radio gets removed.

The FM transmitters are hit or miss. I also use one on an 05 Corolla and it works OK for the most part.

When replacing the radio look for the proper dash trim kit and possibly the use of a premade wiring harness for the specific radio brand. It makes installing the radio much quicker. Some have indicated in other threads here that the after market radio they purchased came with a dash kit that appeared to fit the Corolla. Crutchfield seems like the go to place for some when looking for the right audio equipment and dash kit parts for the Corolla.

Metra Electronics Corp makes some wiring harnesses for certain brands of radios.

Dash Kits Examples

Toyota Corolla 03 - 08 DIN

Toyota Corolla 03 - 08 DIN

Metra 95-8204 Double DIN Installation Kit for 2003-up Toyota Corolla Vehicles

Metra 95-8204 Double DIN Installation Kit for 2003-up Toyota Corolla Vehicles

Crutchfield: Scosche Dask Kit

ETA: If you plan on using the USA SPEC PA11-TOY adapter, it plugs into the CD changer port on the back of the OEM radio (including the six disk OEM radio/CD player). You may be able to install without having to remove the radio. There is just enough space to reach behind the radio to install the USA SPEC PA11-TOY plug (depending on the size of your hands) if one drops the glove box just as if you were going to replace the cabin air filter which is behind the glove box.

[Boba_dude]

How to remove the dash
http://www.neocarz.com/blog/2007/07/...lla-radio.html


Where I bought my Kenwood from.
When you by the stereo, they send you a dash kit and a wire harness
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...EH-2200UB.html

[diablopath]

Thanks for the replies everybody! I did some research, and I think I found out what I want.

USB control over an iPod is very appealing to me. If I'm going to do that, then I'd prefer to put the iPod somewhere and forget about this. This motivates me to get a rear USB connection and stash the iPod in the dash.

My price range was originally about $150, but I really couldn't find anything I liked in that range.

I found this Alpine iDa-X303 for $200, and it seems to be just about awesome. I also like the free installation accessories, which is $40 worth of stuff, so that's pretty cool and makes it much more appealing.

However...I'm a car idiot. I do recall hearing that Alpine is pretty much top of the line. I do not plan on replacing any speakers or adding a subwoofer...so, is there any danger of this stereo blowing out my factory speakers? I feel like an idiot for asking that, but I'm not too sure exactly how to go about this, so I'm just playing it safe.

That Pioneer at $100 less might be worth the cosmetic unprettyness, though.

Well, any advice would be appreciated. Thanks for the pictures, as well. That sort of alleviates my worry of it looking stupid.

[diablopath]

Finished.

[NMGeorge]

Nice, will the USB also take songs off of a memory stick?

I like the fit of the adapter.

[diablopath]

Originally Posted by NMGeorge

Nice, will the USB also take songs off of a memory stick?

I like the fit of the adapter.

Yes. As long as it's formatted correctly, it'll take just about anything. One guy on a review for the product (on Newegg, I think) said that he took one of those USB-powered external hard drives and connected it to be met with success.

And yeah, I'm really impressed with the fit of the dash kit. It matches the color perfectly and doesn't look out of place at all. It's amazing.

[harry78gourley]

how much did it cost you to change things around? and does it drain the itouch battery faster (that is what I had heard on some other forums)

[diablopath]

Originally Posted by harry78gourley

how much did it cost you to change things around? and does it drain the itouch battery faster (that is what I had heard on some other forums)

The radio itself was $180. Free shipping, free dash install kit, free wiring harness.
Installation depends on whether you do it yourself or pay somebody else to do it.

As far as draining the battery...it actually charges it. If you mean it drains the max life of the battery, then I don't have any evidence to support that. I don't use the iPod for much else other than walking around on campus, and I never have it on long enough to drain the battery all the way down to have an idea of battery life.

If you're afraid of that, you can use AUX as well.

EDIT: Btw, I don't have an iPod Touch. I have a classic 160gb.

[alex224]

I don't have pictures of my head unit till I get home. But I have a Pioneer DEH-P6200BT Deck.

Kicker speakers in the doors and in the back.

12" Polk Audio Subwoofer in the trunk

400w Kicker amp for the sub
and a 200W 4 channel amp for the speakers

If you want direct ipod control ie: you want to change songs/playlists from the deck You will need a deck that has a USB port on it. The Aux ports are just direct playback. For the install just get a Dash kit / Wiring harness. You can get them at Best Buy/Crutchfield. This way its just plug and play and simplifies things.