Aftermarket Stereo Installation - 3rd Gen 4Runner
By SLC Punk - 11/29/2002


Travis (SLC PUNK on the forums) shows you how he removed the factory stereo and put in an after market one.

The following procedure contains instructions on how to remove and reinstall a stereo in a 1996-1997 Toyota 4Runner. I installed a Sony CD deck, the wire colors are universal for any company but the stereo harness and location of the wires will vary.

Tools needed:
1-Phillips head screwdriver
1-Flat head screwdriver
Pair of wire cutters
Electrical tape

REMOVAL OF OLD STEREO:

Step 1:
Remove the shift knob on the 4X4 lever.



Remove the black center console shift panel.



Step 2:
Remove the climate control knobs on the dashboard center panel.



Now remove the air conditioner (A/C) button



With a flat head screwdriver, carefully remove the climate control panel.




Behind this panel there will be two Phillips head screws. Remove screws and set aside.




Step 3:
Release the clips from the bottom of the center dashboard panel by gently pulling it out and up.



Step 4:
Once the panel is unclipped, locate the clock, rear defroster, and the hazard wiring harnesses and disconnect. The panel is now unhooked; set this aside.



Step 5:
Locate the four (4) screws for the radio bracket, and remove.



Step 6:
Pull the stereo far enough out so you can view the stereo wires. Disconnect all the wiring in back of the stereo. The stereo can now be removed.



Step 7:
Take out the six screws (three on each side) of the old stereo and set aside. Remove the stereo from the brackets.

Step 8:
The problem with the wiring in the car is that wire colors vary between vehicle manufacturers. Identifying what wires to hook up to your stereo can be very difficult. The easiest and best way to hook up your stereo is to buy a wiring harness kit that connects the Toyota wiring harness to your new stereo.

All after market stereos have a uniform wiring color schematic, the wiring harness kit also uses these uniform wire colors. The wiring harness kit connects directly into the Toyota wiring harness. The other end has wires that connect to the new stereo. This way you can just match the wire colors and connect them.



This is an illustration of the Sony's wiring diagram.




REINSTALLATION:

Step 9:
With the new stereo locate the screw holes that will be used.



Position the new stereos holes to align with the bracket.



Reinstall the screws and be careful to not over tighten.



Position the bracket into the dashboard and reinstall the four screws that hold the stereo in place.



Step 10:
Reinstall the clock, rear defroster, and the hazard wiring harnesses.

"NO PICTURE"

Step 11:
Reinstall the center dash board panel by lining up the clips and pressing in place starting from the top and working to the bottom.



Step 12:
Reinstall two screws for the climate control panel.




Line up the clips for the climate control panel and push gently. Reinstall the A/C switch



Press on the climate control knobs



Line up clips for the shift panel and press gently to install.



There you have it, the finished product!