I am planning to upgrade the stereo at some point and have a few questions about potential options. The list below is what I am kind of thinking I'll do, along with some options that I hope you guys can help me sort out or provide other suggestions.

Stereo
Something with Apple Carplay

Dash Kit Options
Beat Sonic
Ebay BS Knockoff

Wiring Harness Options
Beat Sonic SLA-Kit
Metra
PAC
Access

Front Door
Focal ISS 690 (5-80w)
6x9 Component

Mid Range
Do I need to replace the factory mids, or can I eliminate these?

Rear Door
Focal ISC 165 (5-70w)
6 3/4 2-Way

Subwoofer
I guess I will have to trim the factory box to accept a 6 1/2" sub. It looks like most of the options list 150W RMS.
I really wish we had the 8" 4runner option! I have searched until the end of the internet for a simple swap to make 8" happen in the factory location, but have not had any luck.

Amplifier (4ohm) Options
I feel like my options are really limited here as well by utilizing the small factory subwoofer location.
RE Audio (63wx4)(180x1)
RF Punch (75x4)(200x1)

Amp Wiring
Is the factory wiring acceptable or should I go ahead and at least run a new, larger 12V?

Anyway, what are your thoughts? Any pointers you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Cole

I looked into some options and found that the dash kit alone would run about $400 for my 2004 GX470.

That is not accurate. It's $380 for the Dash Kit and adapter to use the OEM amp. You could bypass the OEM amp and just put in a regular stereo with out an amp. Or use a different adapter to use the OEM amp like the OP suggested.

Yackowski,
Any updates? I'm looking to do a similar upgrade. What did you settle on? I want to rip out the old (cassette AM/FM CD) radio and put in a touch screen with Apple Car Play. Any issues keeping functionality of the steering wheel volume, etc. controls?

Sorry, no updates. I've been swamped with other things needing my attention and pushed this project to the back burner.

Cole

-Finally moving forward on this little project. Sooo tired of not having anything hands free! I have an Amazon gift card to burn of all things

I think for now I will just keep rocking the factory amp/speakers until they fail. I did have one question for you guys though. Can I go ahead and connect new RCA cables on the back of my new stereo that would be needed to install a new amplifier and just leave them zip tied behind the dash for now, or will this disrupt the factory wired signal currently going to the JBL amp? Basically I have no desire to take the dash back apart to upgrade the amp/speakers to a 4ohm setup later on down the road.

I think I have decided on the following, unless someone says this doesn't work??

JVC KW-M730BT
Metra 70-8114
Metra TYTO-01
Metra ASWC-1
DKMUS Double Din Panel (having this painted)

Thanks,
Cole

I wish I would have done more research on the GX nav (non-existent) upgrade options. I'm jealous of the non-nav folks who can upgrade their stereo much easier...

Connecting those RCA's will not turn off your high-level outputs to the factory amp. So your plan should be fine.

Will 6' cables be enough or should I do 9' just to be safe?

I'm not sure what turned out worse- the paint color or the overall fitment lol

I am going to have to have another crack at this at some point. I dig the new stereo though.

Anybody know where to find a bolt cover for the driver side grab handle? When I popped the front one off to route my microphone cable, it flew into the dash behind the radio and was never found again lol.

Thanks,
Cole

This is for a 2006 (hint: put your model year in your signature)

http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...rimLevel=19100

Chip H.

Thank you, sir! How did you get your fuelly badge to appear?

It's actually a picture, not a live link to Fuelly (the 180 fill-ups was a few months ago).

I have this in the signature block:
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

and then the signature picture is the URL to my Fuelly badge.

Chip H.

I am installing a JVC KW-M730BT in my 2005 GX. Did the Metra TYTO-01 give you fade with the factory amp? Where did you get VSS and reverse?

Thanks.
Paul