1999 Sienna stereo setup question

[ansi]

Hi all. I just bought a 99 Sienna and it has an after market stereo (Alpine) which replaced the original. I was wondering if there's a way to get either a new Toyota stereo or an after market stereo that can utilize the steering wheel controls?
Thanks.

[wiswind]

There are OEM TOYOTA Stereos available on ebay.
The Steering wheel controls go to the remote CD changer plug on the OEM stereo.
This port is used ONLY for the steering wheel controls on our Sienna as they did not offer a remote CD changer on the Sienna.
The CD changer for the Sienna is inside the radio unit (when present).
You load the CD's one at a time in the CD slot.
Most (mine included) have the single CD player......and the CD Changer version has a "load" button next to the CD slot.

This picture shows the back of the OEM stereo in my 2003 Sienna.
The plug at the top of the picture (left side when looking at the front of the stereo) is the plug with the wires from the steering wheel controls.

[ansi]

Thanks very much for the reply. That sounds straight forward so now to try and make it work.

[Black Sunshine]

I'll sell you my factory radio. You won't be happy with the sound compared to the Alpine though. They make adapters for the steering wheel controls but none for the kind of controls in the Sienna.

I searched high and low for adapters that would work with my new Pioneer and the steering controls. They just don't exist. If you take the controls off of the wheel there will be a big hole. I was thinking about finding a wheel without the controls but I've learned to just ignore them. My wife drives the van more than I do and she never used the buttons anyway.

[ansi]

Thanks Black Sunshine but, after seeing what's available, I guess I'll have to keep the Alpine. Or...buy a newer stereo and have the remote handy.
Thanks.

[Black Sunshine]

I have a remote for the Pioneer that's in our van but I haven't figured out a good place to keep the remote. I would glue it to the steering wheel but I don't think it's safe to put things on the airbag pad.

Recently the DVD player in my flip down stopped working and it's the third flip down with a built in DVD that we've had. Now I bought a single din indash DVD player that will play on the screen. I've been looking for a place for the DVD player to mount. I've thought about the ceiling but I've also tossed around the idea of putting a custom console in. If I build a console I will put the remote on it.

The little pockets on the sides of the front seats are worthless. Although the arm rests are comfortable it seems that everything else is so far away.