Newbie seeking head unit install advice

[Jubal]

My car came without a stereo. Here's the hole I have:-



I gather from searching that I have the ISO cable I need but can anyone give me a definitive list of the other parts I need to install a double din stereo? Any recommendation for a cheapish head unit that will alleviate the boredom of the odd long distance trip would be appreciated. Ipod ready a must.

[s12vea]

Search eBay and you can get the facia adaptor and then you will need a surround from Toyota for around £15.

Or have a look on the "how to" section on the forum and I'm sure there is a write up on fitting headunit surround etc

Then all you will need is a head unit  s:) s:)

[AckersMR2]

Personally I would rather fit a single din adaptor giving me an extra cubby hole under the stereo for phone/iPod/wallet etc and fit a single din head unit.

I do like some of the double din head units, especially the full touchscreen ones but I think they are far better/more useful fitted high up in the dash where most modern cars have their stereos nowadays, just my opinion, although I would say that because my car came with a single din set up  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[Jubal]

Thanks chaps. Ebay here I come.

[Jubal]

So, do I need both these kits?

 m http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/connects ... 11023.html m

 m http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/connects ... 10151.html m

Does the second one do the job of the toyota surround? Or can't I get away without a visit to a dealer?

[Roadwarrior]

Personally I would rather fit a single din adaptor giving me an extra cubby hole under the stereo for phone/iPod/wallet etc and fit a single din head unit.

I do like some of the double din head units, especially the full touchscreen ones but I think they are far better/more useful fitted high up in the dash where most modern cars have their stereos nowadays, just my opinion, although I would say that because my car came with a single din set up  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Agree with AckersMR2  
Stereo sits too low down for sat nav.
Plenty of quality single Din Head units to choose from.

[stargazer30]

Persoanlly I'm going to disagree with the above.  You have the wiring adaptor already.  I'd be tempted to Pm D$ck on here and get an OEM toyota metal mounting brackets and surround and fit an aftermarket double DIN.  JVC are doing some lovely double DINs with handsfree, ipod adpator etc... for less than £200.  I'm not a big fan of single DINs in cars designed to have doubles.

[AmeR]

I've got a single din adaptor that you can have for a tenner plus postage....

[AckersMR2]

I think the first thing to do is know what you want from the head unit before deciding on a single/double din set up. When I was looking for a head unit in my last car the main factors I required were iPod/iPhone integration, preferably an iPod/USB connector in the back (don't like having wires sticking out the front of the unit) and most important for me illumination that matched the car. When you factor all three of those the choice was very limited!!!! Especially when most makes assume we all own BMW's or VW's (red or blue).
I think in the end it came down to JVC or Kenwood and only certain models of those as they were the only ones with multiple colour illumination. And despite the car having a high mounted double din slot I had to get a single din unit if I wanted the above requirements (fussy I know!)

[onion86]

I've got a single din adaptor that you can have for a tenner plus postage....

s:( s:(  I thought you'd sold that I bought one at the weekend for my new HU

I would have loved a double din unit as I agree they look better but just cost a lot more. I looked at the JVCs but most of them were £170-200 and required a £50 addon to actually use Bluetooth for phone calls. With my new Sony BT3900U (which was delivered today) and least I know I can have the aerial down when I'm listening to CDs without having to install a switch and it has Bluetooth and a front USB port which will have all my music on, for only £115 (+£8 for a better BT mic). I also get the extra little cubby hole which I use a lot and the facia is a lot easier to store (needed a removable facia for piece of mind).

Do as Ackers has said and know exactly what you're wanting before deciding what to get, if money's no object there are plenty of choices. Or you could even get a cheap chinese one from eBay that does everything for £150-200

[AckersMR2]

Also if your on a tight budget rather than buying a double din head unit for £200 I would get a single din and better component speakers instead for the same money?

[AckersMR2]

With modern cars now coming from the factory with better stereos, Bluetooth, iPod connection and irremovable head units like this:



In the future this thread will be under the title "Do you remember when....."  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[Jubal]

I only want radio and iPod. But it will hardly be used as the car is for the track eventually. I guess I want to alleviate the boredom of the odd m'way jaunt. Lightweight suits me. Cheap suits me. Cubby hole irrelevant. On balance any cheap modern unit will serve a purpose. I have speakers and I live near d1ck so it's a good option to see what comes up.

[AckersMR2]

Sounds like a pair of headphones is all you really need  s:lol: :lol: s:lol: