Hey guys... need your expertise here...

I own a 2001 4Runner SR5... I recently bought an iPod and am thinking about upgrading my car stereo system at the same time. Obviously I would want my new deck to have an line in jack for mp3 players and the like preferably in the front of the deck, but I've been looking at some nice ones with the jack in the back of the deck whereby I can just run a cord out of the paneling to plug my iPod in. (I'm assuming my factory installed deck does not have any hook ups for mp3 like lines in the back.. am I wrong?)

And as you can tell, I know literally nothing about car stereos and car stereo systems. First off, does anybody know where I can find the specs for my factory installed system?

For new decks I was looking at circuit city yesterday. For mp3 line in on the FRONT of the deck I was looking at the JVC KDSX990 ($179 with free install), and for better quality and with the mp3 line on the BACK of the deck (where I would run a cord to poke out the panelling) I was looking at the Panasonic CQDF903U ($299 with free install) .

I guess I'm just looking for advice here. Am I looking in the right direction with my deck upgrade? Also I know nothing about the speakers / amp / sub in my car. Would any of it significantly sound better with just a new deck? Or would it just be the same with a cooler looking deck with an mp3 line.

Don't have much to spend... I'm thinking $400 max, MAYBE $500. So which deck should i lean towards, and if I made any other upgrades what should they be? (speaker, amp, sub, etc.)

Thank you SOOO much, I really appreciate your help.

Look forward to responses...

-Mark

if your deck has a cassette player, think about the cassette adapters.

after all, but definition MP3s are recorded in not so CD quality. so using the adapter might not be so bad.

now unless you record at around 192 kbps or higher, then it might make a diff...

I just bought an iPod and have many of the same questions as HollandX. I have the cassette adapter and it is horribly hissy. So, before running out and buying a new system I'd like to know:

1. Does the factory installed deck (model J17019) have an input port on the back that could be wired to my iPod?
2. Does anybody know where I can find the specs for my factory installed system?
3. Is it possible to run the wire / cable to the middle console between the two front seats?

Any feedback is appreciated.

Ok, so about the sound quality through the deck, basically you get what you pay for. I wasn't expecting any change in the sound quality of my runna when I put my JVC KD-SHX700 in, but MAN it sounds better. ( I do have a focal component set and infinity perfect subs with 2 jbl amps though ) SO, make sure your seck has good sound adjustments. Mine has a 7band EQ, but when you get higher in the line, thats more normal (not with sony though, they sell their products for guys with pretty civics that like pretty displays). After you do the deck, I would either go with a good comp. set for the front n rear, or some subs. And yes you can run the line to the center console inbetween the seats. Hope this helps

Here is a simple solution. They sell these things at Radio Shack. They are called "I Rock" adapters. You plug this adapter into your ipod headphone jack, then tune your radio to the right station that the "I Rock" adapter is set at. So you can listen to your ipod through the radio.

Nah man, if you're worried about sound quality at all, dont even bother with a cassette adapter or fm adapter. They both have horrible interference, although the cassette is a little better than the fm thing. Stereo equip. is DAMN expensive, so if you're going to build a full system, or even part of one for that matter, Id recommend getting em off of ebay. BUT if you do, make sure the seller is legit and the product is new. Usually its not worth messin with used stuff, especially speakers. The only reason I'd buy at a store is for the warantee, which is why I got my deck at best buy, which was on sale for 450.

Nah man, if you're worried about sound quality at all, dont even bother with a cassette adapter or fm adapter. They both have horrible interference, although the cassette is a little better than the fm thing. Stereo equip. is DAMN expensive, so if you're going to build a full system, or even part of one for that matter, Id recommend getting em off of ebay. BUT if you do, make sure the seller is legit and the product is new. Usually its not worth messin with used stuff, especially speakers. The only reason I'd buy at a store is for the warantee, which is why I got my deck at best buy, which was on sale for 450.

Apple sells the ITrip for the Ipod which runs from the Ipod battery and tunes into all the frequencies, but I do agree with MrBikerman. Even with the ability to choose all frequencies, you still get static. I get static with my digital belkin fm transmitter hooked up to my Creative Labs Xtra 30gb mp3 player and even setting the fm transmitter right next to my Kenwood radio, there's still interference! My deck does have 2 RCA preamp outputs, but I just don't want the hassle of ripping open my dashboard yet again just to hook up a 1/8" phone jack to L/R rca cable. Usually though the factory radio doesn't have rca output/inputs. It'd be recommended to change that radio considering most aftermarket radios have much more 4 speaker output power.

I have a dell dj and a aftermarket stereo. The stereo has a audio input rca jack in the back and i did run the wire thru the center console up to the tray by the e-brake. The system works great for me and the sound quality is pretty good.

if you are planning on buying a new cd player( i do recomend that) you should get an alpine cd player. they are top of the line and allow for a ton of room to grow especially if you get one of the higher end ones. some also have a built in amp for your speakers(60 watts i think). yes you can run a wire between your seats and no one will ever know. i have a remote amp adjuster run to the same spot. well i hope this helps.