Hey so firstly I hope I’m using this right I never use forums but this was recommended to me so hopefully I can get some answers to some questions I had. Sorry if I don’t use correct terminology.
So I have a tC and I was looking to change the display color of my radio (to a dark purple) and I did do some digging and found out that apparently the 6 disc was able to change colors on its own. I was wondering if that’s true and if so where could I find one? Would it fit on my 08, I’ve seen some things say it’s only meant for the 06 so I’m super confused.

 

Post a pic of your current radio HU. Do you have any other audio upgrades such as an aftermarket sub amp?

 

No to my knowledge everything is stock

 

Ok. So your unit pictured below(top pic) has an additional connection in the bottom left. The top connectors match up to my original 2005 Pioneer 6 disc radio(bottom pic) but it doesn't have that bottom left connection. I'm not sure what that additional connection is for exactly. But your 2008 model has steering wheel volume controls. 2005 models did not have that. So most likely that additional connection is for the steering wheel controls. So a 2005 radio may work but you most likely won't have steering wheel volume control anymore or any other controls associated from the steering wheel for the radio. I suggest upgrading the stereo to an aftermarket unit. My whole audio set up is upgraded. And I have an aftermarket Pioneer unit that can also color change but also is a full led screen with touch control. And some aftermarket radios can sometimes have an additional harness purchased to still retain the steering wheel controls for the new radio.

I've also attached some night pics of my aftermarket Pioneer HU with some of the different colors for the physical buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen. It has more colors which it can be set to randomly cycle through or set to a desired color. Also if I remember right the original Pioneer when it was on purple I don't recall it being that deep of a purple, which I like to, my rims are royal purple. But on the original and aftermarket Pioneer unit the purple is not that deep. It's lighter bordering to slight pink.

 

So essentially I can just switch it out and the only thing I’d possibly have to worry about is losing the communication to the steering wheel buttons? If I did replace it would my iPod connection still work? Do you know any sites or stores where I can buy one?
(Sorry If I misunderstood anything and for all the questions)

 

It might work but I can't guarantee that. The ipod connection most likely won't work either. The 2005 radio was a good radio but basic. 2005 tCs don't have steering controls, nor USB inputs and no AUX inputs. Really the only extra nice thing about the radio was the 6 CD built in changer. Most HU only accommodate one CD. That's why I upgraded my HU because I wanted USB and AUX inputs and RCA jacks for my two aftermarket Amps. I added/fabricated a USB input and an AUX input on my tC near the top of the shifter area. So I can use my Android phone with it now. And it also works with iPhone Carplay.

If you want to try the 2005 radio. I suggest looking for a used unit on sites like eBay. It'll be cheap usually and not to much of an investment if it ends up not working. Our own classifieds on this site may have someone selling a used one. Youre not going to find any new units. Unless you go to Toyota but it's going to be expensive for new. And in my opinion not worth it just for the extra feature of the color change. For that kind of money better to get a better upgraded aftermarket HU.

 

Ohh okay I think I understand! Do you think it would be possible to get a professional to change the wiring/ecu to keep the functions? I really like your aftermarket setup but I’m not a fan of the touchscreens so my goal for the car is to keep it mostly the same just some little tweaks here and there.

 

I don't think it would be possible to keep the 2008 functions with the 2005 radio. Remember the radio itself has to have those inputs and the 2005 doesn't. Only an aftermarket radio would have those inputs and the possibility of keeping those functions. You can't retrofit those functions on the 2005 radio. And not all aftermarket radios are touchscreen. Some still have ***** and more physical buttons but with USB/AUX inputs.

Honestly you're going to lose functionality with the 2005 radio. I would just keep the radio you have to keep the 2008s functionality if you don't want to upgrade. It doesn't hurt to do some research on HU upgrades on a site like Crutchfield. Just plug in your car model and year there and the HU units that fit in your car will come up. Then look for the ones that have color change and also check if it will retain your cars functionality. Mainly the steering wheel controls which will usually require a separate harness. And most of the radios will have USB/AUX inputs which a professional installer can either fabricate new locations for or hopefully integrate with the existing USB input on the car.