Need to mount two DIN radios in my 2004 Toyota Tacoma

[W2IRT]

Hi all,
I would like to remove the factory stereo from my 2004 Tacoma pickup and install a standard DIN sized stereo and my Bearcat BCD996xt scanner. I was all set to get this done when the shop I planned to hire said the dash kit is not quite 2 DIN units high (he said it was about 1.75 or 1.8 units). Since they normally do just car stereos, and not 2-ways or scanners, he didn't know what to advise me to do and frankly I'm stumped myself.

Has anybody successfully mounted a 996 or any similarly-sized scanner plus a stereo in a 2000-2004 series Tacoma? I've seen a lot of 2005+ installs, but haven't found one yet for my year.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[PACNWDude]

I had a 2000 Toyota Corolla with an almost double DIN opening as well. It had a factory stereo on top and a small storage bin underneath.

I bought a Nissan Sentra double DIN install kit and put a new stereo on top. I then modified the bottom portion to fit a DIN sized RS scanner. This combination fit the opening in the dash, but the trim piece needed to be cut back about 1/8th inch around the outside edge of the scanner to fit back on. I then just put some black door trim piece around the outside edge to make it look finished.

This vehicle has been gone for a while. If I find any pictures of it, I will post them.
It is a lot easier on newer vehicles with true double DIN openings.

 

[PACNWDude]

In my "Radio Shack" pictures on my profile I show how I stacked two Vertex VX-3200 radios in the storage bin in my Pontiac. Did it almost the same way as a double DIN. I just bought a spare storage bin and cut it up to fit radios.

 

[hill2jb]

Good luck

Yeah, I did it in my 2008 and it took a while to get it right. You might have to first see if there is a faceplate that will fit your truck, then see if it is 2 DIN wide/tall. After that, it's easier to find a way to modify existing mounting brackets to fit the gear you want to install. It took me two sets of mounting brackets and faceplates to get a combination that worked.

 

[W2IRT]

From what I understand it's not QUITE 2 DIN units high, and that's the problem. The aftermarket dash kit is 1.8 DIN high, so there will be some customization required for sure. I'm content to let a pro do the work, but I just want to know if it's even doable.

 

[Kirk]

Yep. I have a 2002 Sequoia and had to enlarge the opening a bit (I have an aftermarket DIN stereo and a 996T). I used a sander. A Dremel with sanding wheels would have been better.

 

[W2IRT]

Could you post a couple of pics? I'd like to have something to give to the install shop.

 

[Thayne]

I did it too, but had to trim the bezel a bit and bought some stock brackets from Toyota parts; you can also get a new bezel if you ever want to put it back to original---

 

[W2IRT]

Sorry, having trouble visualizing what you mean by the bezel. Any pics of a 2000-2004 install would be greatly appreciated here.

 

[Thayne]

Sorry, having trouble visualizing what you mean by the bezel. Any pics of a 2000-2004 install would be greatly appreciated here.

Sorry, by the Bezel I meant the whole piece of plastic that includes the 2 vents with louvers and goes around the radio & storage box (if so equipped)

Sorry no pix

 

[Kirk]

 

[hill2jb]

The other thing you could think of doing is maybe getting a remote head for the scanner, and mounting that on the dash, with the scanner body under the seat. I know it's expensive, but it might run you less than trying to fabricate something. Check out my thread on 2008 Tacoma Scanner install. That was with a full 2 DIN compartment, and it BARELY fits in there. I wouldn't do it any other way, but just be aware that it did take a lot of frustration. While you're at it, I would highly recommend wiring it straight to the battery.

 

[Thayne]

That pix above shows exactly why you have to hog out the bezel--the scanners are a little bigger on the face than the stock din radios.

 

[uman18]

I have a 2004 Tacoma and have a remote head for my bcd996t


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[W2IRT]

I got mine in, finally, at a pro installer along with a modest AM/FM. Nice and solid, no rattles or other troubles. I had them wire it always-on and had the orange wire connected to the headlight switch, but my vision kinda needs the full brightness at night so that got clipped a week later.

 

[nyair1]

Hi all,
I would like to remove the factory stereo from my 2004 Tacoma pickup and install a standard DIN sized stereo and my Bearcat BCD996xt scanner. I was all set to get this done when the shop I planned to hire said the dash kit is not quite 2 DIN units high (he said it was about 1.75 or 1.8 units). Since they normally do just car stereos, and not 2-ways or scanners, he didn't know what to advise me to do and frankly I'm stumped myself.

Has anybody successfully mounted a 996 or any similarly-sized scanner plus a stereo in a 2000-2004 series Tacoma? I've seen a lot of 2005+ installs, but haven't found one yet for my year.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

Did you look online at crutchfield.com to see if they offer a double din mounting plate for your truck? They sell alot of different car stereo stuff. There is a page you can go to and put in the year and make and they tell you what will fit in the dash. Pretty good site for install info.

 

[W2IRT]

Chris, see the pic above; that was the final installation by the local shop. They only needed to grind down the bezel about 1/4" to fit the 996 and the stereo. Very very happy with the final result!

 

[devil_505]

What shop did you take that to? I have a 2011 silverado and wanted to do the same thing with a pro 197

 

[W2IRT]

SAMM Sound on Bloomfield Avenue in West Caldwell. If you have a straight double-DIN opening -- my truck didn't -- it will be a simple installation for them; probably an hour or thereabouts. They had to do a custom job on my truck since the opening is about 1.8 DIN high. With the new car stereo and installing the antenna, the labour was 5 hours.