This is my first time attemping something like this. I have the harness and a friend to help. But can anyone tell me how to access the wires with the factory amp? What panels do I have to remove and what do I do about the wires with the factory amp? Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially a how-to step-by-step article.
Thanks
Steve

Anyone...?

I'm going to post a "how-to" on this soon but here's a quick rundown:

You will have to remove a) The armrest console b) the trim underneath the steering wheel c) the glovebox d) the the big piece of trim that surrounds the front console with the stereo/AC, vents, etc. e) the trim at both kick panels by the front lower corner of each door f) the plastic scuff plates.

It sounds like you have to remove a lot, and you do, but it's not that difficult and once you know what you're doing, it's pretty easy.

As for the amp wires, you can do what I did and remove the factory amp entirely or just leave it there and tuck the wires(that went to the factory receiver) underneath and out of the way.

I know I glossed over a lot of things but without going into step-by-step detail, that's the best I could do.

One tip; when removing the glove box, there is a little sensor of sort that has what looks like vacuum tubing attached to it that needs to be removed in order to take off the glove box completely. Push that little sensor thing down towards the inside of the glove box and twist it until you can pull it out sideways.

I hope that helps but if you have any specific questions I will be happy to answer them.

check this thread and do a search it has been covered a few times.

If you are just adding a headunit to the car using the stock wires all you gotta pull is the panel around the radio, cig. lighter and shifter. The biggest challange is getting the plug off the back of the stock amp.

I just got my car, any suggestions on how to remove these panals? And, what is the wiring harness look like. Once I get it, can I use the harness I bought from Best Buy for an 87 and up toyota? When will you have the detailed "how-to". If you can please write back to me, or if possible to make it easier, can you IM me, my SN is "TheOnlyCoolSmurf"
Thanks A lot in Advance
Steve

Yes, you will use the harness that you have for Toyotas '87 and up. There should be 2 plugs on it with 1 almost twice the size of the other.

I have been stricken with the annoying common cold the last few days but if I feel better I should have the "how-to" done this weekend. I don't know how long before it's posted on the site.

Again, I'm not feeling well so I don't have the time to give you the details on how to remove everything. Hang in there and once I get past this cold I'll get to work on the "how-to".

I have a 98 GT with the premium factory system and all I had to do to access the factory plug is pull of the trim around the radio and shifter. if you take out the stock radio completely you can access the plug pretty easily.

I ended up not using the factory harness because I couldnt find one so I just ran 12 guage wire from the 4 channel aftermarket amp to all the speakers. sounds way better than the 18 guage wimpy toyota wire.

-runriot95+Sep 9, 2003 - 12:08 PM

Good news guys, my HU is installed. Bad news I had to pay to do it. Luckily my Dad paid for the installation because he didnt want me messing around with the electric systems in the car...Im still interested on the how to though

how much did it cost to put in the new head unit?

Damn, i wish i would have seen this thread sooner.... >>

I've done this to my car already, utilizing just the wiring harness i reccomended in my past thread with no extra amps or wiring involved. Thanks for linking my thread AudioFreak, when i gave a rundown on how i did it...it was really easy for me to do it, once i got all the parts and used some connon sense....and i wish i could have helped out better here and saved you some money in the process.

If theres any way the thread that AudioFreak linked could be made a sticky thread, that would be great....im afraid more people will do this and spend way more money than they have to putting in a new headunit with their stock amps, and not dig deep enough for answers first.

oh, and for future reference....
USE THE SEARCH FEATURE!!!
(in this case, it would have probably saved you or your dad couple hundred bucks in the process... >> )

Well thanks for helping anyways. It was only 60 bucks so its not bad. I see your from Jersey, im from Long Island. We should organize some sort of meet. IM me on aim (TheOnlyCoolSmurf) or PM me.