Aftermarket 80 stereo head unit suggestions

IdahoDoug · 02-14-04, 02:50 PM

On the way to church, the CD refused to play the usual medley of kid's songs, so I may be replacing the 80s stereo and am looking for suggestions. Time may be of the essence if it does not recover as we're planning a Utah ski trip at months end.

So. We're not audiophiles and will be happy basically duplicating the stock stereo's CD/Cassette/AM/FM capabilities. I'll definitely upgrade the factory speakers in the near future (or now if it's required), but the priority is on finding out what head unit others have used successfully that looks nice, fits well and is ergonomic to use. Frankly, most of the aftermarket stuff drives me nuts with myriad tiny buttons and teeny knobs that are easy to use in the stereo shop but not at the wheel. I love the simple Toyota unit with its big volume knob and buttons that can be used with gloves on.

But, I'm all ears as to what you guys have found and yes I'll be doing a search. Hopefully there will be some recent finds as this thread hasn't been up in a while, though I see the thread wanting to keep the stock speakers/amps.

landtank · 02-14-04, 03:08 PM

I'm not all that conserned with being on top of the stereo thing as some, but when I bought my replacement it had to have MP3 capabilities. You can put hundreds of songs on a MP3 cd. Just rip them off your originals and then burn as a data cd. Cheaper than a multi disk unit and since they are the copies you don't take the chance of getting ripped off and out your $$$. I got a Rockford/Fosgate because it was the cheapest I could find with MP3.

80and100cruisers · 02-14-04, 03:16 PM

Sony sucks, always breaks (my brothers and my friends sony broke). Panasonic has been good to me, close to 4 years of trouble free operation so far. Alpine is also really good for sound quality..but generally has lots of small buttons I think. As for price, you generally get more when you pay more. More power and features. If you plan on upgrading your speakers you may want to see what audio adjustments the head units have (bass, mid, high, seperate sub, etc.) Most single din units will fit, and that gives you an extra storage space under the head unit. Crutchfield will tell you what fits, or any local Best Buy, etc.

-Matt

IdahoDoug · 02-14-04, 04:02 PM

Rick,

Which R/F unit did you get? I'm guessing you also had to replace the speakers since some(?) of the stock 80s speakers have integrated amps don't they? Also, just had a quick chat with the boss after perusing Crutchfield and finding that keeping a Cassette function instantly limits the choices and doubles the price. So, we'll give up the cassette and go for a CD/tuner model. Which also means an empty pocket below. Anyone heard of a pop out cupholder that will fit in such a space?

DougM

PS - like the MP3 as well. Last year, I left the doors open on a trip and someone made off with my classic CD collection. Whoo, that pissed me off more than I thought it could.

landtank · 02-14-04, 05:13 PM

Doug,
I'd have to go out and look. Believe it or not I've owned it for more than 1 1/2 years and it is still on the shelf. I bought the stereo, 2 sets of Kenwood Eclipse speekers and a bridgeable 100 watt amp and sub woofer. Had one hellava honey do project which gets over next week. So once it warms up it goes in with the single din cb radio that I've had since last Christmas

.

What screwed me up was I originally wanted to just put in speekers. These were a closeout at 95.00 a pair. Once I got them home and opened them up they are a component set with a crossover. I expected a simple plug and play and now I've got a weekend of work just to get the speekers in. Then I figured with those speekers a good head unit would be nice and found this R/F unit for 125.00. Then Radio shack was closing out their car stereo components and I got the amp for 75.00. So a simple speeker swap has turned into a gut and replace on the whole system.

IdahoDoug · 02-17-04, 03:26 PM

So, has anyone successfully replaced their factory stereo and like it?

DougM

80and100cruisers · 02-17-04, 03:38 PM

In my 100, I love my Panasonic headunit.

-Matt

otis22 · 02-17-04, 03:55 PM

You may want to try Factory Car Stereo Repair, www.carstereohelp.com

I sent them my factory head unit and he refurbished it so the CD player would play. About $200 bucks includes 1 year warranty.

96Cruiser · 02-17-04, 04:06 PM

Yes,i have all stock speakers at the moment,but have installed an Alpine cd player in the dash(single din)with a plastic 'pocket" below.
used a set of adapters from Circuit City to plug into the factory wiring behind the dash.
the factory unit uses one plug while there are two(2) other plugs used when adding a aftermarket unit,these bypass the factory amp but leave the rest of the speakers intact(except maybe the woofer,i havnt bothered to climb in the back while its on to check)Eventually i will replace the door speakers,but its not a top priority at the moment.
i have posted on this before,even sent junk a link to the latest,about running a separate power wire from the battery or similar....most modern head units have anywhere from 30/50 watts/or the amp you wire in needs a clean,higher amperage power source.
the power wire on the aftermarket wiring harness taps a "keyed" 12volt wire that is maybe 22 gauge and WILL NOT carry enough current to run even a headunit sans amp(ask me how i know this)
i used a simple 10 gauge wire from battery to a relay bundled with the wiring harness i soldered up from the Alpine harness and the adapters from CC.i used the "keyed" 22 gauge wire to "activate" the relay so i have a 10 gauge power wire "keyed" on.
i believe theres enough room behind the dash to make a power panel with a couple of those relays,giving a constant/keyed power for a spotlite/cell charger etc,plus a junction to run some to the rear as well.havent done any of this....gotta order a camry pocket with a door for the lower dash(the plastic pocket from the stereo shop is just too cheesy for me)and when i have that and a couple more relays and a warmer afternoon it will all come together......

doug

PHAEDRUS · 02-17-04, 05:07 PM

personally I like my pioneer head unit.
has the big round knob for volume and works well with a 45wx4 channel set up, here is a photo of that and my botched cb mount in the dash of my 92. its not my prettiest work but it is effective.
Dave

IdahoDoug · 02-18-04, 11:28 PM

Doug,

So, you're thinking that a Camry pocket will fill the lower DIN area? With a door, too - cool. What year Camry, or perhaps you have a P/N? Is it a direct fit, or do you expect to do some rigging to fit it.

I like the heavy wire via relay idea.

Doug

landtank · 02-19-04, 03:33 AM

Doug, I had a 96 Camry with the pocket w/door. Should be no problem bolting that in.

96Cruiser · 02-19-04, 06:22 AM

C-Dan supplied me with the p/n:The Camry pocket w/door is a 55521-33010
i have read that it is a bolt in but have not ordered it yet......

pm him for ordering/pricing info

doug

Landpimp · 02-19-04, 08:23 AM

Doug I can't comment on what works in a 80, but for a nice SIMPLE to use and well made head unit look at the Eclipse CD players, very few buttons, easy to use and have a DIAL for the volume, they don't look overely BLING BLING, very subdued. And easy to use!! good sound as well. I have one in my fj60, paid $220 for it. And when I looked into replacing the head unit in my 100 I looked at another Eclipse. Also have 4 Alpines in other Cruisers.......they are a good unit but not as easy to use as the Eclipse and look a bit more Bling. Eclipse is made by the same folks that have made Land Cruiser stock head units............sense the begining of time(I have a 1967 TEN speaker in my fj45)

ginericLC · 02-19-04, 08:46 AM

IdahoDoug,

If you are happy with your factory unit, would you want to replace it with a factory unit? I'm pulling the stereo out of our 94 this weekend to install a CD head unit with an MP3 changer. Everything works on it fine. The rig has been a mostly highway rig and has been kept extremely clean. The previous owner had not even taken it on a gravel road. If interested PM me.

I've had mixed results with Sony headunits currently I'm on 4 years with my current one. Alpine head units are great unless you travel on dusty roads. Their dust seals suck. For awhile I was replacing an Alpine unit every 60-80 days. The older Panasonics were awesome units. The newer ones have gotten pretty fancy and with that they lost some of the ruggedness of the former models. Their recent dampening systems are not as good as they used to be. Kenwood has some pretty decent units for a reasonable price, don't buy their very bottom line unit. Pioneer also has some decent units, but I would shy away from their base units and the ones that they sell at places like Wal Mart. Eclipse makes some great stuff. Never had any complaints about any of their stuff other than price, but they are more competitive now. I would stay away from the no name brands or the really fancy stuff. Nakamichi is awesome stuff but it is very precise and just a little glitch can set it off. Just some things I've seen over the years. I did car stereo professionally through 94. I'm sort of out of the loop but I've been researching a new head unit for my 91 too.

wob · 02-19-04, 09:25 AM

[quote author=ginericfj80 link=board=2;threadid=11518;start=msg107264#msg107 264 date=1077205578]
Nakamichi is awesome stuff but it is very precise and just a little glitch can set it off.
[/quote]

my Nakamichi 400 is in transit. I wish I would have known about this yesterday!

ginericLC · 02-19-04, 10:04 AM

[quote author=wob link=board=2;threadid=11518;start=msg107278#msg107 278 date=1077207938]

my Nakamichi 400 is in transit. I wish I would have known about this yesterday!
[/quote]

Is it going in your Cruiser? I installed a Nakamichi 400 in a Lexus LS400 not too long ago. He had the factory Pioneer system not the factory Nakamichi. It wasn't until the 3rd unit that we got one that worked well. The local stereo store said it was because it was being mounted at an angle. What I couldn't figure out was is the factory Lexus Nakamichis don't seem to have a problem with the angle. I installed a Nakamichi system in a Ferrari a few years back. It was the best sounding sytem I think I ever did. Or maybe that was the 12 cylinders ringing in my ears. I really hope you have good results. They are fine piece of audio equipment.

TomH · 02-19-04, 10:17 AM

[quote author=IdahoDoug link=board=2;threadid=11518;start=msg104973#msg104 973 date=1076795402]
Frankly, most of the aftermarket stuff drives me nuts with myriad tiny buttons and teeny knobs that are easy to use in the stereo shop but not at the wheel. I love the simple Toyota unit with its big volume knob and buttons that can be used with gloves on.
[/quote]

Doug

One thing to keep in mind regarding the controls is the availabilty of a remote control. I bought an Alpine for my Tacoma a few years back and it came with a remote control. I couldn't image using a remote control for the car stereo so I just threw it in a drawer and forgot about it. Well, after changing lanes a few times trying to set the radio, I decided to try the remote. Works great! Just like sitting at home watching TV, you memorize where the buttons are and never have to take your eyes off the road.

Tom

96Cruiser · 02-19-04, 05:03 PM

Quote:

maybe that was the 12 cylinders ringing in my ears

oh yea,that be the best music of all!!!!!!!

doug(closet ferrari fanatic)

- S.A. - · 02-19-04, 05:08 PM

Pioneer MP3/CD Deck..with COBRA CB.

BEFORE i put the COBRA CB in..has the pocket below.

later
joe

semlin · 02-19-04, 06:55 PM

WOB what price did you get for the 400? Nakamichi makes the nicest looking head units out there. no bling at all. I may try to pick up a discontinued 45 series.

IdahoDoug · 02-19-04, 10:55 PM

Looked at a bunch of head units at stereo shops today. I'm really wanting to get a large rotary volume knob as it's easiest to grab for quick adjustments. However, something is really bugging me about them. Like the Pioneer I put in the Subaru last year, the volume knob isn't "linear". If you spin it quickly, you don't move the volume much. What brands do not have this annoying "feature/glitch"?

DougM

Big_Moose · 02-19-04, 11:39 PM

Doug

I couldn't find one with a knob that quickly reduced the volume - so my other criteria besides MP3 was either an attenuation or mute button. My Alpine has a mute function on the deck & the remote.

Joe

IdahoDoug · 02-20-04, 12:00 AM

According to the 'FM sensititivity' measurement, the Pioneer models with the SuperTuner still pull in stations better just like they did back in the 70s when I was a teenager. I live in an area well known to be on the edges of broadcast range (nothing much East of here until you hit Missoula), so does this bear out in practice? My 1yo Pioneer SuperTuner seems to be weak on AM and I'm a talk show fan, and the FM doesn't seem to be notably better. With a sample of 1 I'm reluctant to pass judgement on it one way or the other. Anybody know if that measurement is indeed accurate and that less sensitive receivers are indeed problematic, or is it marketing hype?

The mute feature is one I hadn't thought to watch for - thanks, Joe.

Doug

firetruck41 · 02-20-04, 06:57 AM

I have been very happy with Eclipse (bought two in the last 6 years), awesome sound and useful features, not alot of extra crap, don't know if they have a tape and CD player. The PO had a JVC double-DIN installed about a month before I bought the LC, it is AM/FM/CD w/MP3 input (mini-jack on the front) I have just been plugging in my 40Gig Ipod and use the CD player occasionaly. Don't own a any tapes, so have never used the tape player. I've been pretty happy with the sound it puts out. If you don't need the tape player I would go with a single din which gives you the option of using the other slot for something else. If you will get a MP3 player in the future, look for one with the mini jack on the face, you can use a FM transmitter, but I'm not sure what the quality is.
Also liked the idea of the Nakamichi amplified (I think), single DIN AM/FM 6CD in-dash changer. Haven't actually heard one though.

wob · 02-20-04, 07:39 AM

[quote author=semlin link=board=2;threadid=11518;start=msg107567#msg107 567 date=1077242103]
WOB what price did you get for the 400? Nakamichi makes the nicest looking head units out there. no bling at all. I may try to pick up a discontinued 45 series.
[/quote]

Here's the link...
http://www.acaraudio.com/default.php...a&filter_id=24

They still sell the 45z. I paid $350 for the 400. Please don't reply with "You could have bought it for $200 at xyz."

Oh, yeah. I like the Nakamichis b/c they light up green, and most importantly, they still have a real life knob on them. WTF is up with the Pioneers that show swimming dolphins on the face plate?

Landpimp · 02-20-04, 08:21 AM

both the Eclispe and the Alpines I have have volume knobs that work like you would like, ie linear. The Alpines have a mute, not sure if the Eclispe does.....I'll have to look.

On a side note, I got my new OEM CD replaced in the 100, it does sound pretty darn good! While it didn't cost me anything I think the dealer paid $175 for the re-maned unit from Fitsu(sp) Ten.......who make Eclispe

[quote author=IdahoDoug link=board=2;threadid=11518;start=msg107719#msg107 719 date=1077256504]
Looked at a bunch of head units at stereo shops today. I'm really wanting to get a large rotary volume knob as it's easiest to grab for quick adjustments. However, something is really bugging me about them. Like the Pioneer I put in the Subaru last year, the volume knob isn't "linear". If you spin it quickly, you don't move the volume much. What brands do not have this annoying "feature/glitch"?

DougM
[/quote]

ginericLC · 02-20-04, 08:30 AM

I would not pay any attention to most of the ratings you see on Car Stereo boxes. They are all tested at different facilities and they can make their numbers appear as good as they want to. The LC antenna is really going to be your weak link in the reception department. It isn't a very efficient unit. (Hmmm! why did I just order another one?) The specified wattages are what always cracks me up. If you look the higher the wattage on head unit the more distortion they have at that rating.

I would not recommend any of the multiple CD in dash players. Not from any brand. They are definitely cool. But lots of little moving parts that wear out and break. Lots of heat generated in the process too and that kills electronics.

You can always buy gear cheaper somewhere after you've purchased it. I don't always shop for the lowest price. It is good to have a place that if there is a defective unit that they will help you out. Cheap is not good if it gets you no support when there is a problem.

I've not figured out the Pioneer swimming dolphins. The Japanese are into gadgets and they demand that life be interesting. The Japanese spec stereo gear is a lot more gadget oriented than most of the stuff we get over here. I have to admit, that I have considered the new Sony headunit that uses Magic Gate Memory Sticks. I could shoot my own video on a Memory Stick and download my own images to use on my stereo. My thoughts have been to put a video of my kid or a video of my Cruiser. I really doubt I will pony up for one of these units though. They are pretty gadget oriented. More gadgets=More things to break.

One other option that might be worth having is a flip down face. I prefer the mechanical type over the motorized as they have less moving parts. But this really seems to help seal out the dust and makes the CD mechanism last longer. Probably more important in a 40 or a 60, but that is where I've come from and my 80 gets covered in dust inside and out. I just haven't learned to wheel with the windows up yet. Really if you wheel your 80 hard you are putting the electronics into a harsh environment. Lots of bumps, vibration, dust, etc... Also the heating vents run fairly close to the radio which isn't the best for a radio. To make a CD player last longer it is best to listen to the radio when 4 wheeling and save the CDs for the highway. The dampening really gets a work out if you listen to a CD while wheeling. That said, I'm super hard on my CD players. I always listen to Metallica the Black album when I'm doing a difficult obstacle. That way I don't hear the bad things happening to my Land Cruiser and I can stay happy.

Landpimp · 02-20-04, 08:42 AM

the wattage issue

the Alpines I have are 40x4(or 35x4)
the Elcipse is 13x4.......and is a loud or louder than the Alpine

I agree I don't like the disco effects that alot of the head units have, I don't need my CD player to look like Toyko at night :

IdahoDoug · 02-20-04, 08:29 PM

Pimp,

So your volume controls are such that you CANNOT quickly twirl the volume and get just a bit of change in volume? I wasn't sure what you meant by linear as all the ones I tested were linear in the sense that the same revolutions to go up brought it back down. But if you twirl them quickly, something can't keep up. Thanks.

Doug