Aftermarket radio recommendations

I’d like an aftermarket radio for my 2007 Tacoma that is either on par with or better than the OEM radio sound wise, has an aux input, can be installed by someone whose only electrical experience has so far been wiring up lights with heat shrinks, and doesn’t look obnoxious with all the blue lights and rainbow colors you see in most aftermarket radios. Is this even possible on a budget or is it a pipe dream?

 

Depends on your budget I guess. Have you poked around in the Audio sub-forum for ideas? Someone has likely done it before and posted there.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/audio-video.12/

 

Do you want a CD player or just a receiver?

Nav/GPS/backup camera screen?

I have a Pioneer single DIN size that does everything I need. Simple to wire it up, I bet you would be fine if you've done lights etc before. Mine does technically have a rainbow changing display but you can change it to a solid colour if you wish. Has an aux and USB on the front too..think I paid about $150.

 

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130DS6220B/Pioneer-DEH-S6220BS.html?tp=72286

This is very similar to mine (which is about 2 years old). Does what I need. I never ran it off the stock speakers though as my stereo has amplifiers and 6 speakers I installed shortly after getting it. I just want something to play discs, use BT or my flash drive and get the rare phone call whilst driving. Checks all my boxes.

 

You're not going to find much out there right now (chip shortage). Get on Crutchfield and noodle around, and see how many models say "out of stock."

 

X2 for crutchfield. See what'll work then check around for the lowest price. At least that's what I did. Worked out pretty good for me.

 

If you are willing to deal with a few odd things and like mild tinkering the Android headunits are cool. I have a Dasaita in mine, but Joying is also popular. No wiring required, it comes with factory plugs.

One thing you need is a USB adaptor for the OEM usb socket.

 

I've considered one of those for my 15 Tacoma since the look great and have some awesome functions. Got a few questions though...
- Does it operate well in extreme cold, like 0F or -10F? I've had headunits in the past that weren't very responsive and sometimes the internal amp is quiet until things warm up.
- How does the Android OS integrate with iPhones?
- Finally, have you had any bugs or glitches that were difficult to work through? I'm not the most computer literate. lol

 

Just bought this and it's tracking to deliver tomorrow for a weekend install. Combined with installing Noico, 6 door speakers, a sub and insulating the headliner.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_530VRCA7D/Soundstream-Reserve-VRCPAA-7D.html

 

-no idea on the cold, I did not get a chance to try that
-There is an app on the device that runs both android auto and CarPlay. I have an iPhone and it works fine (mostly)
-some small glitches and bugs, it's definitely not "polished" like a kenwood or Pioneer double din unit. Very much for someone who does not mind tinkering from time to time.

 

I can speak for the cold on the Dasaita.

I haven’t had any issues with it that I could tell on our very cold mornings we have had in Ohio. The only serious quirk I’ll say about these Dasaitas that I encounter that didn’t necessarily bother me was the wireless carplay was meh. I eventually switched to plugged in carplay due to it being 100% reliable.

Definitely requires some tinkering from time to time. I would never sell the truck with this radio in it but it’s definitely a good option.

 

Joying is what I got, all good so far and worlds better than the factory one.

 

I bought and installed an Atoto A6 as a budget option. It's working well for me.

$190 ATOTO A6PF Android Double-DIN Car Stereo, Wireless CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto, Mirrorlink, 7" Touchscreen in-Dash Navigation, GPS Tracker, WiFi/BT/USB Tethering, HD LRV, 2G+32G, A6G2A7PF

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B3T59TX?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

Got mine for 190 bucks off of AliExpress, good display, very touch responsive, wireless android auto/carplay, and enough power to drive the kicker CS 6x9 I installed this last weekend. Typically around 20/30 volume if I'm driving by myself on the highway w windows cracked and it's plenty loud. Great EQ settings too. No complaints other than the housing being a bit loose and popping out a bit every once in awhile. Picked it just bc they listed the actual hardware in the unit(dac,cpu,display specs, etc) and was a great plug and play option. No instructions but I just plugged whatever plugs looked the same together and works great

 

Thats great to hear!! I'm also looking at upgrading the 15yr old single DIN Alpine in my 91 MR2 so I can have navigation and fill the lower DIN pocket in it. I personally don't like single DIN HU's in double DIN locations, just looks cheap and incomplete IMO.

 

Don't buy the Alpine LX-650.
Awesome unit, but after a year the volume in the left channel started randomly turning down.
Then after I turn the volume up, it would come back blasting.

 

I'm running an ATOTO S6 and it's been pretty great so far.

 

Sounds like the factory radio in my 2010. Lol

 

Speakers need to be upgraded for better audio, not just the head unit.

You've gotta drive good speakers with good powerful audio to improve things.
More power to crap speakers won't do you well.

Crap power to good speakers will result in under powered, crisp, punchy, bassy, crap.

You can plug and play most radios, they have harnesses that will come soldered from the vendor.

 

Those aftermarket units look great in the dash. What I do miss after trading in my SUV is being able to play music from a USB drive. I assume most new systems have that option, or better yet an SD card that won't stick out. The SUV's USB jack was in the covered console, so it couldn't normally be seen.

For now - using the FM transmitter that can play from a micro-SD card that I had in my '99 Honda. We know how good those are - but for
some reason it sounds better in the Tacoma. At least with the Gen 2 Tacoma it appears you don't need to do anything with the climate controls which is good. Some vehicles have them integrated along with the sound system.

If I do ever replace the stock sound system hopefully Crutchfield or maybe Best Buy has the stock audio connector which could connect to the new unit so the existing connector and wiring can be left in stock. Last time I checked, a unit that only played from a memory device actually cost less than a typical stereo with a CD player, due to less parts. I assume a 2007 Tacoma's stereo won't play MP3 CDs, didn't see the term in the owner's manual.