Want to replace stereo head unit but..

senectus · 03-07-2005, 05:02 PM

I'm considering changing out the head unit of the stereo in my 05 Prius.. Two major issue's I see here are that :
1) the new unit needs to be controllable from the MFD and from the steering wheel just like the current one does.
2) I don't want to lose the unbroken lines of the current dashboard..

Is there something out there that will intergrate with the Prius?
How hard is it to pop off the face plate on the Prius dash to see what is underneath ??

naterprius · 03-07-2005, 05:18 PM

You can deactivate the existing head unit and leave it in place.
You can install a single DIN head unit in the pocket below the existing head unit. You can get an adapter like this

http://www.audiooutfitter.com/store/SWI-X.html

to keep steering wheel controls.

(I haven't tried any of this, but it seems like a workable plan).

You'll lose the touch screen integration, but I don't think you will lose anything vital to the system.

Nate

XravenX · 03-07-2005, 06:29 PM

Why do you want to replace the head unit?

senectus · 03-07-2005, 06:35 PM

I want a better unit.. one that plays mp3 and more importantly Vorbis Ogg.
MAYBE even a DVD player.. :mrgreen:

petteri · 03-07-2005, 07:28 PM

Consider grabbing an Empeg (Riocar) unit off of Ebay. It fits into the cubby below the radio. Can hold up 180GB of music and you can get OGG and FLAC support (with an alpha version of the player software). I'm holding off installing mine until Coastal Dave's input kit is finished. See empegbbs.com for an active comminuty that supports this way still ahead of its time player!

skew · 03-10-2005, 07:40 AM

Metra has an install kit for our Prius now

And I also figured out how to unhook the factory radio and not freak out the car. Im planing on doing a really tricked out system whenever Kenwood ships thier new screens next month.

My question why would you keep the factory system

ukeright: . lol

bobc · 03-10-2005, 11:25 AM

Skew,

I did a search looking for the Metra stuff for Prius but couldn't find it. Do you have a link?

Does it allow you to keep the OEM face plate or does it replcase this?

Does it have the same clean lines as the OEM faceplate? It think this is Senectus' (and my) concern. We don't want to replace the OEM head and lose the nice, clean, curved lines of the dash.

Cheers,
-bob

skew · 03-10-2005, 01:41 PM

The part number is 99-8213. I don't have any links it was introduced at CES and is in their new book. And its "contoured to match the factory dash" I have one ordered so Ill know when I receive it.

senectus · 03-10-2005, 05:42 PM

I haven't been able to find a metra home page but I did find this:
http://www.audioonlineoutlet.com/toyota2.html
(I think it's old info though)

skew · 03-10-2005, 08:49 PM

its metra autosound but their web page has not been updated in a few years :cussing:

03-07-2005, 05:02 PM	#1
senectus Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 111 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Want to replace stereo head unit but.. I'm considering changing out the head unit of the stereo in my 05 Prius.. Two major issue's I see here are that : 1) the new unit needs to be controllable from the MFD and from the steering wheel just like the current one does. 2) I don't want to lose the unbroken lines of the current dashboard.. Is there something out there that will intergrate with the Prius? How hard is it to pop off the face plate on the Prius dash to see what is underneath ??

03-07-2005, 05:18 PM	#2
naterprius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,831 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Want to replace stereo head unit but.. You can deactivate the existing head unit and leave it in place. You can install a single DIN head unit in the pocket below the existing head unit. You can get an adapter like this http://www.audiooutfitter.com/store/SWI-X.html to keep steering wheel controls. (I haven't tried any of this, but it seems like a workable plan). You'll lose the touch screen integration, but I don't think you will lose anything vital to the system. Nate

03-07-2005, 06:35 PM	#4
senectus Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 111 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Want to replace stereo head unit but.. I want a better unit.. one that plays mp3 and more importantly Vorbis Ogg. MAYBE even a DVD player.. :mrgreen:

03-10-2005, 07:40 AM	#6
skew Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 70 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Want to replace stereo head unit but.. Metra has an install kit for our Prius now And I also figured out how to unhook the factory radio and not freak out the car. Im planing on doing a really tricked out system whenever Kenwood ships thier new screens next month. My question why would you keep the factory system ukeright: . lol

03-10-2005, 11:25 AM	#7
bobc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Durham, NH Posts: 360 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Want to replace stereo head unit but.. Skew, I did a search looking for the Metra stuff for Prius but couldn't find it. Do you have a link? Does it allow you to keep the OEM face plate or does it replcase this? Does it have the same clean lines as the OEM faceplate? It think this is Senectus' (and my) concern. We don't want to replace the OEM head and lose the nice, clean, curved lines of the dash. Cheers, -bob

03-07-2005, 06:29 PM	#3
XravenX Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 73 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Why do you want to replace the head unit?

03-07-2005, 07:28 PM	#5
petteri Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Plantation, FL USA Posts: 203 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Consider grabbing an Empeg (Riocar) unit off of Ebay. It fits into the cubby below the radio. Can hold up 180GB of music and you can get OGG and FLAC support (with an alpha version of the player software). I'm holding off installing mine until Coastal Dave's input kit is finished. See empegbbs.com for an active comminuty that supports this way still ahead of its time player!

03-10-2005, 01:41 PM	#8
skew Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 70 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Want to replace stereo head unit but.. The part number is 99-8213. I don't have any links it was introduced at CES and is in their new book. And its "contoured to match the factory dash" I have one ordered so Ill know when I receive it.

03-10-2005, 05:42 PM	#9
senectus Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 111 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Want to replace stereo head unit but.. I haven't been able to find a metra home page but I did find this: http://www.audioonlineoutlet.com/toyota2.html (I think it's old info though)

03-10-2005, 08:49 PM	#10
skew Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 70 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Want to replace stereo head unit but.. its metra autosound but their web page has not been updated in a few years :cussing:

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