hideous

I am looking to buy a 1998-2000 ls400 and searching around the internet it seems, though I may be wrong, that it is quite difficult to replace the stock head unit on these cars. Is this true? Are there any online guides that I may be able to use to replace the stereo? Or if I were to take it in to an audio specialist would they be able to do it easily enough? Could I or an audio specialist add a connection for an ipod? any help on this subject is greatly appreciated.

LScowboyLS

you can replace the stock head unit quite easily, but if you want to keep use of the factory sub and amp and speakers, you will have to get a $300 Beatsonic demultiplexer box in order to retain the factory sub. or any sub utilizing the factory stock amp.

some people add a separate sub amp to get around this, rather than using the Beatsonic, the separate sub amp actually gives you more for your money, but is also a more involved installation, whereas the labor on just doing the new head unit and Beatsonic box are both quite easy if you have ever hooked up a car stereo.

hideous

So if I replace the head unit I have to replace all of the speakers? If I find a car that already has the headphone jack already set up should i be worried or will it work just fine?

door331

What? No, you don't need to replace any speakers. Why do you want to replace the headunit?

The only things you need are either A) the beatsonic kit or B) new amp/subwoofer. Thats it.

Alternatively you can get an Aux input added to the OEM stereo (which is what I assume you are referring to by the headphone jack)

xyzzy_dude

It's very easy to replace the base head unit on an LS400 of that vintage. I did it last month and documented it here:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...unit-swap.html

Don't be deterred by all the websites like Crutchfield that claim standard units aren't compatible with this car. They are, if you use the Beatsonic adapter that others have mentioned and that I use in my post referenced above.

Now the ones with Navigation, or the Nakamichi stereo are another matter and are more challenging. If you're planning on doing an HU swap, look for one with the base system ("Lexus Premium Sound System" printed on the upper right hand corner of the unit) and no Nav.