Replacing Radio for dummies

[Lauralou29]

Hi all, my brother has just recently purchased a 2002 Rav4 (were UK based if any of that helps) it's just a standard model as far as I'm aware. He want's to be able to listen to mp3's so I was wondering how easy it was to remove the factory radio if I was to buy him a new radio, and would I only need to get a new facia (is that what it's called?) to obviously plug a gap left or would different wires etc be needed? I have changed radio's in other cars but that was just a straight swap one for one that fit, but obviously this is different!

Thanks in advance!

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello Lauralou - welcome to Toyota Owners Club.

You do have three other options:

1. The stereo may be able to play mp3's if they are copied onto a CDRW.

2. You could consider installing a USB adaptor - see

3. You could consider something like Xcarlink  - http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/home.php?cat=11

 or Connects2  -  http://www.connects2.co.uk/

 

[IanML]

I suggest what I have recently done, which is to plug a Yatour USB/SD Card unit into the CD changer socket.  You get the ability to access 6 folders, each with 99 tracks, from the radio controls, and it's easy enough to change the USB stick or SD Card for a fresh selection.

I bought mine from Amazon, having had a bad experience with a Chinese seller on EBay: this unit.  I also needed this adapter, to accommodate the plug already in the CD Changer socket.

It worked straight out of the box, and the sound quality is astonishing.  I can still use the Radio's CD drive, but there's no point.

[Lauralou29]

From what I can see from looking at what has been suggested the changer socket is on the back of the radio, would I need to take out the radio to plug it in? where do you put it when it's plugged in and working? sorry if these seem like silly questions!

[FROSTYBALLS]

Yes, one would have to remove the stereo to access the CD changer socket.

Could have a look at the following, the first of which is a U.S. site and the dash may not be the same -

http://fitaudio.com/?View=entry&EntryID=117

 

[IanML]

YouTube video - excellent set of instructions.

I put my USB/SD Card Player in the cupholder tray.  Another option is in the glove box, or you could attach it to the lower edge of the dash with velcro.  With 6 times 99 tracks you don't need to access it very often