Masikr

Any information from someone who has delved into this would be much appreciated. I plan on upgrading all speakers head (front dash, rear deck, and tweeters), and the head unit, on my ES250.

My main questions are will this electrical harness (Metra 70-1761) work with an aftermarket head unit, or what harness anyone has possibly used with this car. Also if there is a separate amplifier not in the stock head unit. And just generally any information anyone can give me who has done stereo work on a 1st gen ES.... Thanks

LeX2K

You don't say if you have the Pioneer or not (which has the external amplifier) but I don't think it matters the two connectors are the same that go into either the amp or the stereo directly. You are likely going to have to modify both the front enclosures and the rear deck, for the fronts 3.5" speakers can be made to fit 6.5" in the rear. The tweeters I don't know the exact size of those.

Most any double DIN unit will bolt right in but try and get one with the volume **** (if it has one) at the top left of the unit otherwise it will be hard to reach the stereo in your car sits pretty low.

tldr; The Metra 70-1761 should work.

Masikr

Yes I do have the Pioneer stock system. So I have to connect the harness to the stock amp right? Do you have any idea where it is located?

LeX2K

The amp is under the stereo not a very large unit. The standard Toyota harness (used from 1987-2001-ish) is plugged into the amplifier those connectors are what you plug your Metra harness into. In case you didn't know the piece outlined in blue is what you remove be gentle the top clips especially like to pull out of the wood.

Attachment 492674

Masikr

Damn! Thanks again. I had originally though the top piece of the center console came out first, and then the larger bottom one. When removing that bottom piece do you start prying from the top or bottom, or can you do either?

LeX2K

I think I start at the bottom but don't remember for sure. Here's what the back of the piece looks like so you can see the clips.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231205339729