Hi guys,
Since a lot of people seem to be considering swapping out their Toyota stereo for the matching Scion unit (whether single or 6cd is the same), I thought I'd offer a quick update with some install pointers.
I apologize that I don't have pictures, but I had to sell my digital camera about a year ago (to pay for my divorce) and haven't really found one I like enough to replace it.
My first impression of the Scion upgrade? Do it. Immediately. The sound difference is amazing and being able to put 109 songs (4 hours) on 1 cd is well worth the $70.01 I paid for the Scion T1804 deck off of e-Bay. I didn't get the 6 cd changer, because those are far more rare, and far more expensive (usually $230+).
If I have ONE regret, and it's the only one so far, it's that I didn't hold out for the 2006 model head unit.. Why? Because I miss the rotary volume knob very badly. My steering wheel controls work though, so who's complaining? Next comes the iPod interface.
Notes on installation
---------------
Despite my serious earlier concerns over the installation of this deck, I have to honestly report that I feel like an idiot for bribing the guys at Best Buy to help me out. The one thing that stopped me from doing it myself is that the 2005 RAV4 differs from older models because it doesn't have the little nuts on the dash that you simply unscrew and take off the face plate. Therefore, I was unsure of, and afraid of breaking things.. Silly me.
There are essentially 3 steps, the first is the most hazardous.
1) On the left and right of the stereo are two trim panels, presumably colored the same as the car (mine were silver). Instead of bolting on as the older ones do, you simply pry these side panels off (you can do so with your fingers) but be careful not to just go ape on it or you'll snap one (hence the "most hazardous" quote above).
2) Once you have off the side trim pieces, you take out 4 Phillips screws which mount the dash plate (which includes the air vents). Then you carefully wedge out the plate -- which can get tricky around the bottom of the head unit as it's the thinnest spot -- and set it aside.
3) Next comes the removal of the 4 10mm bolts which are holding the head unit in. Once those bolts are removed, the stereo slides out and you can unhook the four wires from the back and the stereo is free.
4) Remove the side brackets from the Toyota unit, mount them on the Scion unit.
5) Plug the four wires into the corresponding slots on the Scion Radio
6) Reverse the process, starting at step 3.... 2.... 1.... done. LITERALLY less than a 15 minute operation, but then again, I did pay for the professional help. In the end, I'm glad I did, because I have a bad history with car electronics, but watching him do it in literally 11 minutes made me feel silly in the end.
When I can find a reasonably priced 6cd changer unit, I'll do THAT myself.
Wayne
Since a lot of people seem to be considering swapping out their Toyota stereo for the matching Scion unit (whether single or 6cd is the same), I thought I'd offer a quick update with some install pointers.
I apologize that I don't have pictures, but I had to sell my digital camera about a year ago (to pay for my divorce) and haven't really found one I like enough to replace it.
My first impression of the Scion upgrade? Do it. Immediately. The sound difference is amazing and being able to put 109 songs (4 hours) on 1 cd is well worth the $70.01 I paid for the Scion T1804 deck off of e-Bay. I didn't get the 6 cd changer, because those are far more rare, and far more expensive (usually $230+).
If I have ONE regret, and it's the only one so far, it's that I didn't hold out for the 2006 model head unit.. Why? Because I miss the rotary volume knob very badly. My steering wheel controls work though, so who's complaining? Next comes the iPod interface.
Notes on installation
---------------
Despite my serious earlier concerns over the installation of this deck, I have to honestly report that I feel like an idiot for bribing the guys at Best Buy to help me out. The one thing that stopped me from doing it myself is that the 2005 RAV4 differs from older models because it doesn't have the little nuts on the dash that you simply unscrew and take off the face plate. Therefore, I was unsure of, and afraid of breaking things.. Silly me.
There are essentially 3 steps, the first is the most hazardous.
1) On the left and right of the stereo are two trim panels, presumably colored the same as the car (mine were silver). Instead of bolting on as the older ones do, you simply pry these side panels off (you can do so with your fingers) but be careful not to just go ape on it or you'll snap one (hence the "most hazardous" quote above).
2) Once you have off the side trim pieces, you take out 4 Phillips screws which mount the dash plate (which includes the air vents). Then you carefully wedge out the plate -- which can get tricky around the bottom of the head unit as it's the thinnest spot -- and set it aside.
3) Next comes the removal of the 4 10mm bolts which are holding the head unit in. Once those bolts are removed, the stereo slides out and you can unhook the four wires from the back and the stereo is free.
4) Remove the side brackets from the Toyota unit, mount them on the Scion unit.
5) Plug the four wires into the corresponding slots on the Scion Radio
6) Reverse the process, starting at step 3.... 2.... 1.... done. LITERALLY less than a 15 minute operation, but then again, I did pay for the professional help. In the end, I'm glad I did, because I have a bad history with car electronics, but watching him do it in literally 11 minutes made me feel silly in the end.
When I can find a reasonably priced 6cd changer unit, I'll do THAT myself.
Wayne
