CD Changer and center console removal how to

[TXSunDevil]

This is for removal of the Factory CD Changer in the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser. I utilized the search function and I was unable to find any photos showing how this comes out. I hope it is not already submitted and I couldn’t find it. There may be an easier way, but this worked for me and can be completed in 30 minutes with a decent set of hand tools. I did not remove the negative terminal from the battery because I needed to move the seat forward and back to access the screws and remove the console. Once the CD Changer is removed there is a hole that leads down into a cavity. Anything that dropped in there could potentially be difficult to recover. The space is big enough for a few P-Mags or a pint of scotch.

First thing I did was remove the center console bezel.

I would highly recommend a cheap set of panel tools. Take your time and do not put too much force on the bezel. I get in a hurry and end up breaking stuff many times. You will need to remove the 4H-L knob and briefly place the transmission in N to remove the bezel. There are 3 plugs that will need to be undone. Once the bezel is off and out of the way open the rear cupholder all the way. Depress the beverage holders and put your head down as low as you can and you will see 2 phillips screws. Remove these screws. Once these screws are removed the entire back piece of the console comes off. Set this aside. Here is a photo of the back removed and you can see the holes you are looking for

You will see the bottom of a 12v power outlet. Follow that line and remove the clip holding the wire to the metal. Undo the connector.

Now open the top of the console and remove the felt piece off of the bottom. There are 2-10mm bolts that will need to be removed.

Once these bolts are removed there are 4 phillips head screws per side. Move both of the seats to the maximum forward position. Once the seats are out of the way there are two screws per side that can be removed from the back seat.

 

[TXSunDevil]

The next set of screws are midway down the console.

You will need to find the right position for the seat to be in to access these screws. They can be removed with a long Philips screwdriver. Once these are removed set the seats to the maximum rear position. There is one more set of screws that are pretty tough to access.

I used a cheap angle screwdriver. $2.99 at Harbor Freight. Don't expect any quality from it.

It was tight but I got them out. Once I removed them I saw they have a hex head. They are an 8mm. Now the console is completely free. Gently pull up and out. You will need to find the best position for the seat and parking brake to remove the console.

Take your time and don’t jerk and pull too hard. It will come easy once the seats are in the correct position. You now have just the CD Changer exposed.

 

[TXSunDevil]

There are 4 10mm bolts to be removed. There is also a 10mm bolt holding down the connector. I removed this and separated the connector. I replaced the bolts back into the holes and reinstalled the console. Now reverse the steps and reassemble. Be sure to adjust the seats as needed to make sure everything fits. Don’t forget the 12v power plug and 3 clips under the shift bezel. Here are the part numbers for the CD Changer and the console.

Once reassembled here is the view from an open console.

View attachment 1489839

View attachment 1489840

 

[YardPig]

Thank you, great writeup and great pictures.
Why did you remove it? If it's working I am interested in purchasing.

 

[TXSunDevil]

I removed it along with the factory amp, navigation and stock speakers. I do not know if it is working because it has been missing the disc magazine since I bought it a few months ago. I am converting from a navigation to a 3 knob system with a double DIN head unit so this had to go.

 

[Spike555]

Why is it that all used cars are sold with the CD changer magazine missing? Lol
Mine is missing too, and I'd like to have a working CD changer.

 

[ChewBaca]

Great Job! I currently don't use my CD player and could use that space. I wonder if you could fit a gun safe in there? Costco sells a slim gun vault that may do the trick. Is the opening the same size of the CD unit? I would assume so but you never know.

Thx.

 

[TXSunDevil]

The dimensions of the opening are roughly 2 3/8" x 7 3/8" with a depth of 7 1/2". Once you get through the opening it is larger down below.

 

[dasgeek]

Does anyone know if there are parts from a LC or LX without the changer that could be purchased to use in the center console?

 

[nnnnnate]

I remove my arm rests to help get the console out which I thought was required. They come out easy enough I'll likely continue to remove them but still nice to know its not needed.

I put the guts of my mobile ham radio in that space and love having it there.

 

[TXSunDevil]

Does anyone know if there are parts from a LC or LX without the changer that could be purchased to use in the center console?

I have looked and not seen anything that will work yet. I found that the other style console is discontinued according to another post I found on here. I was thinking maybe a local high school sheet metal shop could make one. They can bend up a box with a flange on top so it is just a drop in and you can just paint it black. I am sure a regular sheet metal shop would want over $50 to knock one out. I am hoping that I will spot something else that will drop right in. I can also cut a slightly bigger hole to accommodate a bigger box if I found one. They do sell small plastic squares at home depot so I could rig something up if nothing else comes along.

 

[coveboy]

Would it be possible to do this and wire in at the socket for the CD changer an AUX port of sorts? Like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Yatour-Digital-changer-IPHONE-Toyota/dp/B00IYG0H82?tag=ihco-20
Is the plug here at the CD player the same as behind the head unit? If so, I would love to pull the disc changer and add a unit like that one in it's place and have an aux/usb port in my center console. That would also free up space for my cb. And if anyone has a better suggestion for an AUX unit, I'm open to anything! Tired of my horribly sounding tape-deck unit

 

[JaromT]

Just bought a 2002 after owning a 1998 for 11 years. I hate the ancient navigation unit and there is no aux hook up for my iPod and no blue tooth for my phone. I want to put a double din Pioneer deck in but I am worried it won't interface with climate controls that are integral to the navigation system. What did you do with that when you changed it out?

 

[TXSunDevil]

Howdy Jarom. Follow these steps to be liberated
Pre-03 nav delete how-to

 

[JPS]

Would love the out a small safe in its place.

 

[Madbodhi]

Sweet. One of the many things on my to do list is yanking the cd changer and fabbing a lock box to fit in there.

 

[TXSunDevil]

I found a possible use for this spot. It already has the 12v and I can run the antenna wire from the magnet mount under the console. I want a removable setup so I won't run the coax permanently but it can be done. You will need an external speaker. This is a Uniden Pro510

 

[2002 cruiser]

@TXSunDevil I don't suppose you remember how many pins the connector for the cd changer had or if you could look for me. I am looking to replace mine with an aux cord adapter but I don't know how many pins for the connector I need. Do you know a good place to get an adapter?

Also has anyone added a backup camera to replace the video in from the cd changer? Just curious if it could be done for low cost.

 

[sdnative]

Center console cubby retrofit - changer removal

 

[TXSunDevil]

@TXSunDevil I don't suppose you remember how many pins the connector for the cd changer had or if you could look for me. I am looking to replace mine with an aux cord adapter but I don't know how many pins for the connector I need. Do you know a good place to get an adapter?

Also has anyone added a backup camera to replace the video in from the cd changer? Just curious if it could be done for low cost.

Schematic shows plug D26. Toyota part 90980-11971