BEST RADIO INSTALL KIT?

[JAYDEE23]

NEW HERE,SECOND POST,

I HAVE A 2000 SOLARA AND AM READY TO START MODIFYING AND UPGRADING.

I WANT TO INSTALL THE SYSTEM AND TINT FIRST. I CANT SEEM TO FIND MUCH ON INSTALL KITS ANYWHERE.

IT SEEMS ALL YOU NEED IS THE BOTTOM OR TOP SHELF TO TAKE UP THE REMAINING SPACE OF AN AFTER MARKET HEAD UNIT?

IF THIS IS THE CASE HOW DOES THE INSTALL LOOK? ANY INSIGHT INTO THIS IS MUCH APPRECIATED

AND YES I SEARCHED

[SC V6]

no cap locks

[Turbosolara]

any universal pocket would works

[JAYDEE23]

so there is no need for an actual kit? just a pocket to fill the space?

and the radio's trim ring covers the "nasty install" look?

i dont want to tear apart my dash and have to wait for a kit in the mail after it is apart

[Jon11582]

The pocket IS the kit.

the car comes with brackets to screw in the headunit and the pocket.

Trim ring will not fit, so just put it aside.

If you wanna see how it looks, go to cardomain and look at rides. I think I might have some pics of my radio installed.

All you need to install is

1) headunit
2) pocket kit
3) wiring harness
4) Crimp kit (Crimper and 12+ endcaps should do). Soldering Iron + Solder would work too, but its alot more work, messier, and I dont think its any better.

The brackets/bolt, etc, are on the factory headunit.

If you want to make sure you get the right stuff, go to www.crutchfield.com and select your car in the car selector.

Crutchfield also has car specific instructions available. They're free with a headunit, or 5 bucks otherwise. Get that for sure, and you can easily do your own install.

[JAYDEE23]

No trim ring? That would look like crap no?

thanks for the info guys

[Jon11582]

Trim ring is only for single din applications as far as I know. And we have double-din.

It will look fine - Did you check out my www or other cardomains yet?

[JAYDEE23]

we have double din but if you install an after market radio it turns to single. unless you use a double din hu of course.

and without a trim ring a radio generally looks like crap

trim ring is designed to cover parts to give it a nice clean "finished" look

here are some kits i found cheap if anyone else needs one

http://www.ebizenterprise.com/browsepro ... -8000.HTML

http://www.eenid.us/88-00-8000.html

[JAYDEE23]

anyone know if this will fit. i know it says 2002 and up camry but it looks right

[Jon11582]

we have double din but if you install an after market radio it turns to single. unless you use a double din hu of course.

and without a trim ring a radio generally looks like crap

trim ring is designed to cover parts to give it a nice clean "finished" look

here are some kits i found cheap if anyone else needs one

http://www.ebizenterprise.com/browsepro ... -8000.HTML

http://www.eenid.us/88-00-8000.html

Just look at other peoples installs on CD

That may not fit.
99-03 solara is based off the 97-01 Camry. 04+ is based off the 02+ Camry.

Pockets may be universal across all double din toyotas though.

[ZXLNT]

Here is my Clarion HU installed in my 99. It sticks out a little bit in the front. One of these days I might get around to making it fit flush. Or I might not...

[Jon11582]

Thats pretty much what mine used to looks like. I just got to taking out my radio and remounting the small amp that came with it. (I think thats what it is, its a metal box, but it is wired circularly to the headunit, and only comes with the 60wx4 version of my HU). While I was in there, I tried mounting it with the Headunit flush, and just for kicks, with the pocket on top. Did it all without drilling to my surprise.

Not sure if I actually like it better, but I'm too lazy to go back in there.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_im ... 1_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_im ... 4_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_im ... 7_full.jpg

Thats how it used to look before I remounted it. Havent taken pics since.

[JAYDEE23]

thanks guys that helps. i cant believe that we have to have a nonflush fit w/ single din unit. kinda sucks. i will get a flush fit if i dont have to mod or cut much.

will post pics and method when i finish.

ive got a moderate amount of experience in custom installs so shouldnt be to hard?

the space behind the radio for a flush mount is available right?

[ZXLNT]

Well I think if you slot the screw holes in the brackets it will slide back and fit flush, shouldn't be much of problem

[cam2Xrunner]

Yes you can slot the bracket or just measure how far back you want the headunit to be mounted back, then drill new holes in the bracket for the screws. Make sure it won't interfere with the opening of the faceplate.

You will also have to file off the pegs that the brackets have that go into the side of the headunit.

You can get a really nice pocket with a door from the dealer. The parts guy should know which one. Here's a pic of it on my old camry. Don't mind the XM controller.



If I remember it was a part number from a 98-02 Corolla, not sure though. I think it was like 20 bucks.

If you have the factory JBL system, you have an external amp, I would bypass that and use the headunit's power(If you aren't upgrading to a stronger external amp)

http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=15629