Head Unit Install Questions

[Agent WD-40]

Ok, I got myself a new head unit (Alpine 7897). I'm getting ready to install it but I had a few questions first...

I know I need a head unit install kit which mostly consists of a pocket under the new head unit. Is one brand better than another brand or are they all the same? I know some people in the past complained about the head unit not mounting flush or something like that. I wanted to avoid that if I could.

Second, I have the 6 disk upgraded sound system in my truck that comes with the external amp from the factory. I would like to just buy a wire that will allow me to plug directly from Alpine to the Toyota wiring (I don't really want to splice anything). Is something like that available for me or does the fact that I have the 6 disk with external amp change things?

Also, where would this plug (or plugs) that allow me to plug from Alpine to Toyota connect to the factory wires, before or after the external amp (to the 6 and 10 pin connectory or the 20 pin)? I know there are 2 wire bundles going into the external factory amp (with a 10 and 6 pin connector) and another wire bundle going from the factory amp to the head unit (with a 20 pin connetor). I just want to make sure I know what is gonig on so I don't have to make an extra trip to the store in the middle of the project while the car is apart. Thanks for the help.

[Stuff]

Congrats on the new radio!

The 6 disk and the 1 disk headunits both had the amp I think. So, if you get one of these (NHParrot sent me this link a while back)

http://www.scosche.com/scosche/conne...lug-n-play.asp

Although, it looks like there isn't one from toyota to alpine. I'm sure somewhere out there one is being made by some other company. Where are you getting your wiring? I'm sure they'll have something along those lines.

You might (this is what I did) is get one of these

http://www.scosche.com/scosche/connectors/TA02.asp

And some of those things (I forget what they're called) and connect the wires manually (where you slide in the wire and then crimp down on 'em).

As for the pockets, I don't even know what kind I got. It was some no-name brand. The one I got though came with an assortment of faces, so I could pick the one that would be flush with the dash.

-- Dale

[JnEsPappa]

Stuff is right on track. Visit the **SCOSCHE** link for the pocket, and the TA02 IS the one you need, hey it's even hyperlinked on the same page.

I did the same as stuff said with the male/female crimp connectors, but you might want to solder and shrink wrap. Just sit in the air-conditioned comfort of your home and connect the wires from the Alpine harness to the TA02 harness then go out to the truck for a plug-and-play install.

There are two metal brackets holding the OEM HU in place. Don't loose the little screws which secure the bracket to the radio as you can use them to attach the brackets to your new Alpine Hu. If the OEM screws don't fit, then look on the case of the Alpine for a note which will say something like 8x10x3/16 max. That will be a no. 8 x 10 tpi x 3/16" machine screw which you can find at Home Depot. Oh, and the pocket attaches to the same brackets as the HU.