Stereo Install for 6 Speaker System, Partial Write Up W/Pics Options

[Fastbird]

This is NOT meant to supersede any write-ups on this website. I'm doing this as an addendum to those write-ups as to where they left off (six speaker install dealing w/amp/plugs).

Ok:

To start with, I managed to REMOVE my factory amp without taking anything out other than the stock stereo and shifter boot/plate. Yes, it can be done. The following two pics illustrate the bolts I had to remove to get it out, as they're all circled in red in the pics.


Now, The first pic is the drivers side. I could only remove the front bolt, but if you notice the bracket (which I reattached for a visual) there's an arm up at the top rear. That was held on via a 10mm nut onto a stud, which after the removal of that left me that ability to wiggle the amp around in the brackets after the removal of the front bolt on the passenger side. It takes some jockeying around, but with some patience, a 1/4" drive ratchet and short 8mm socket, it will come out with no further trim removal. I found it easier once I could wiggle the amp around to completely remove the bracket on the driver side, and get it out of the way.

BEFORE you take the amp out, you need to disconnect the two wiring harness' from it which are semi-difficult to remove. If you look above at my first posted pic, you can see the tab on the top center of each harness. Simply slide a screwdriver down from the top on to that tab, push down, and pry out, and the harness' pop right out. The amp should come out now. You don't need to put the driver side bracket back in, but the passenger side will remain in the car as it's tack welded in a couple of places. This bracket is illustrated in the following picture:


So, by this point you should have already removed the stock stereo. The wiring harness that plugs into the back of it also plugs into the factory amp as illustrated below. This is NOT used with aftermarket installations that bypass the amp.


The plugs. Ah, the little blue plugs. This is what I see questioned more than anything but answers always seem to be vague at best. Hopefully I can help clear some of this up.


The above picture shows the amp from the bottom, which gives a good idea of the positioning of the blue plugs. The top of the picture is the back of the car, left is the driver side. THE EASIEST WAY TO ACCESS THESE BLUE PLUGS WAS BY REMOVING THE BRACKET AS MENTIONED ABOVE. BOTH of my plugs had the release tab located on the inside, facing each other. This would have been nearly impossible to remove while still attached in the car.

So, after removing the amp from the car, you get left with what's shown below:

These two plugs mate up with the 87+ Toyota harness available anywhere with no problems. The wiring coloring has me a little concerned right now (there are a red and yellow wire going into the smaller of the two plugs, which I don't get because if they represent power and retained power they should go to the big plug), but I'll be following up this post tomorrow once I get the new head unit installed. Essentially, installing an aftermarket head unit and bypassing the factory amp, you are deleting EVERYTHING from the factory head unit down to these two plugs.

QUESTION. My antenna has two wires as shown below.

Is there an adapter for this to make it a single plug??? It isn't going to match with the new head unit very well.

Oh, speaking of, this is what's going in:


Thoughts so far?? If I missed anything, PLEASE let me know so I can edit this and get the best information available.

[Fastbird]

Oh, here's another tidbit. I bought the 87+ harness from Best Buy yesterday (Metra Part Number BB-WHTY2) for $18.95 (I know, I know).

Was in Wal-Mart last night picking up a couple of things and thought I'd swing by the automotive section. Lo and behold, they had a Scosche 87+ adapter.......for $7.50. Same thing, different company, MUCH cheaper price. That should come in handy for some people.

*Edit* I'm about to go plug everything in, wish me luck.

This post has been edited by Fastbird: Apr 9, 2006 - 11:12 AM