So I took the 4Runner on a 8 day camping trip over the memorial day weekend. And it performed flawlessly. I was overly impressed.... but that's a whole 'nother thread & story.

 

One of the flaws that did turn into a peeve of mine, was the configuration of my CB radio & antenna install.

 

My installation consisted of the following:

• $40 Walmart CB Radio (hey! its a Cobra brand!)
  
• $15 Walmart Magenetic Mount CB Antenna
  

 

I didn't have the time when I bought the stuff to do a final install, so the CB radio was just bouncing around the cab the entire time. I wheel alone, so most of the time, it would sit in the passenger seat. But it would have to remain upside down so the speaker was facing towards me. If not, I would not hear a thing my buddies would say.

 

 

So after getting home, I setforth a more perminant configuration. I actually did something similar like this to my old Pickup, but i ran into problems last time and this time I knew what to avoid.

 

First thing first was to mount my CB. I was able to move my Stereo down a spot in the console, which worked out great, since the mounts for my CB radio matched the stock Toyota Stereo location.

 

 

Where the stereo is now, there used to be a storage cubby. And the CB radio is sitting where the Stereo used to be mounted. Still plenty of space for other goodies.

 

 

So a trip to Radio Shack & Ace Hardware, I came home with a couple bags of goodies. I want to make a metal sheet that will cover the stereo & cb, and will also support switches & gauges. Like I said, i did something similar before, but a different aproach this time.

 

First step was to remove the existing console face, that held the cigarette lighter & window switch. Then I traced a cardboard template to fit over it.

 

 

I fixed it to the console with a couple screws, and bent it to shape. Then start to plot out where things would go:

 

 

I found some nice switches at radioshack to add to my window switch. These switches are small and compact on the backside, which makes it easy to stack them close together.

 

There we see where everything should go. Now to trim alittle, and see if it fits the truck without any complications.

 

 

From the drivers view, fits perfect!

 

 

Now its time to trace the cardboard template onto a metal sheet I have, and make the final piece.

 

Oh, and you might be wondering how I will hear my friends over the CB, with the speaker facing my stereo??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aux speaker, mounted to the right of the drivers head

 

I also had to do something about that piece of crap Walmart antenna. I was suprised to see Radioshack still carried old fassion mirror mount antenna & accessories. So i got a "whip" with mount & cable, and spent extra for a spring to put between the two. I had a problem with branches, or hard jolts dislodging my old magnetic mounted antenna....

 

...well this baby aint going anywhere!!

 

Downfall is, i will have to bend it forward while the cap is on, which will mess with its reception. But i dont think im going to be putting to top back on until the end of August, maybe September.

 

I'll update this, and add more as I get things done.

Sweet setup my man...

 

And I like the placing of the external speaker

 

Hope the antenna doesn't get messed up by the top :-\

 

Twitch

I have to fold the antenna down or else it hits the top of the garage door when i pull the truck in. I just fold it forward and stuff the tip under the roof of the cab. With the spring installed where it is, it works nicely and nothing takes damage.

haha nice yoda i saw the first pic and was thinking hmm how the hell did he do that to his subaru then i noticed it was a toyota hahaha wow i need some sleep carry on

Yeah its my 4Runner.

 

Outside pic for y'all

 

I destroyed my cd player so I found a cheap replacement off ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=110401866369

 

The new one doesnt look like it has a CD player. Which is good, less moving parts the better. And the cooler. Also USB & SD Cards do not skip

nice. I like that. might have to get one like that for my yota....this OEM Prius CD deck skips constantly

Im eager to see what it looks like. The eBay ad has absolutly no information as far as a make or model.

 

Got the metal I need for the console. Just gotta borrow the propper tool from my buddy and then get it done.

That's a sharp lookin Runner, I want a Land Cruiser BADLY but the idea keeps getting shot down by the wife every time I bring it up

 

We had an 87 4Runner get traded in shortly after I started working at the dealership I work at, had 240k on it and needed CV boots and brakes and they ended up freakin wholesaling it before I could tell the used car guy I wanted it

 

But I thought I'd let you know that since I work at a Toyota/Subaru dealership, I get cost + 10% on parts, so if you ever need anything, or if you just need advice on something, or something scanned out of a factory manual, let me know!

Dude andrew! Then you are just the man I need to speak to!

 

Too bad, it looks like you logged off of Yahoo. Im going to hit you up next time I see you log in.

Have you installed that head unit yet, Brian?

 

Looks like the perfect wheeler unit. I'm tempted, but i want to hear 1st hand what's up with it.

YEah as soon as I installed it, i heard some fizzling and then saw smoke comming from inside the unit.

 

It was an extremely cheap piece. There were no RCA pre-amp outputs. No RMS rating and entire stereo felt cheap and ready to break.

 

I sent it back for a full refund, and now my truck is without a stereo

bummer....looked like the perfect solution

You know the saying, you get what you pay for.

 

I will continue to search and report back here.

smoke! that's nuts.

 

I'd bid on this Alpine, which essentially has the same functions.

YEah as soon as I installed it, i heard some fizzling and then saw smoke comming from inside the unit.

 

It was an extremely cheap piece. There were no RCA pre-amp outputs. No RMS rating and entire stereo felt cheap and ready to break.

 

I sent it back for a full refund, and now my truck is without a stereo

 

Okay, so this is pretty much where I have left off.

 

After that poor excuse for a car stereo self terminated, I sent it back for a full refund. I was able to sell some extra toyota parts too, and ended up with enough in my paypal account to pick up this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370235089190

 

I made an offer of $60, and he replied with nothing lower than $66. So after tax & shipping, $82.

 

We will see if this one can outlast the other. If there are RCA outputs on this, then I am going to be golden!

 

More to come later in the week.

 

 

*EDIT* I found this review about the deck: http://www.actapricot.org/jonathan/car_audio/index.php?advanced=&catid=64574&q=

Edited July 29, 200916 yr by TheSubaruJunkie