Hey guys, just in case you don't know already Crutchfield has a stereo installation kit by American International specifically FOR all of the Scions, including the 05 tC. I got it yesterday and installed it (in place of my kinda-fits scosche one) and it looks MUCH better. I can save anyone who will PM me $20 on your order with Crutchfield if you intend on ordering (coupon codes). EDIT: See lower post for info.

Admin - if this counts as spamming the forum please just let me know. I just figure that I could help some fellow tC'ers out.

If you want pics of the installation, let me know and I'll snap a few.

 

Let's get some pics up

 

Here's a photo with my crappy phone camera. I'm sure I can get better if you want. It actually lowered the stereo further down in the bay than the other setup I had (with the Scosche kit for a Corrola) so the pocket is a little um - thinner? It looks MUCH better now.



Hehe - about the temp - it was -18F where I was 20 minutes prior!

 

Looks nice. Does the door still close?

 

Yup, door still closes. It also includes a bracket for ISO-style installs. Works for xA, xB and tC.

 

got a couple questions.

so looks like that's an alpine headunit! are you using the headunit to power the speakers? are you using the factory speakers? how does it sound?
what alpine headunit is that? and is the display too bright at night/wash out during the day?

i'm thinking of getting an alpine and using the factory speakers so i'm asking what they sound like compared to the pioneer headunit powering them.. nice install.. very clean..

 

The kenwood DDX-7015 fits perfect in my tC.. with a small mod, check it out its sweat.

 

That is an Alpine CDA-7894 from a couple of years ago.

I am using the HU to power the speakers. This particular HU is higher power than your average HU, so there's lots of power to go around. I have to give props to the big man at Toyota about these speakers. They're GREAT. I don't know how people still manage to blow these out unless they're just dumb with their volume and tone settings. It's really easy to get good quality sound out of them.

The display is good too. This one you get either green or amber. There is an auto dimmer setting where if the headlights are on the display will dim. You might have a problem in the daytime if you're like me and just leave the headlights on all the time. Also if the display gets too bothersome in the dark there's a blackout mode, and a door if that isn't enough. ;) All of these features have carried on into newer models ('cept now you can have any color you want for the buttons).

I'd recommend alpine to ANYBODY. I am a bit bummed tho that they don't have a double-din sized HU this side of the planet. The Japanese ones are SWEET (but no sat radio!) It DEFINITELY sounds much better than the stock HU (Pioneer). I couldn't make any good recommendations for aftermarket Pioneer HUs because I've never used them.

I hope this helps you make your decision! And thanks for the "clean install" compliment. It turned out nicely.

 

I've gotten a lot of requests for coupon codes so I'll just put it out here.

I don't know where to input these when ordering on the website. The instructions say to call 1-800-955-3000 and give them the code pjr34-bqk4b-g2aq4 and your contact info.

I reread it and it also says that it's good for orders over $200. Sorry I didn't mention that before. Some of you said you were looking at getting other stuff from Crutchfield anyways, so you could use this!

 

so then that code works for everyone? i never knew if that was one time only.. i'll have to ask.. but then again that's refer a friend.. i've bought before, but hey $20 is still $20 off!

oh and yeah thanks for the info on the alpine + the factory speakers. Sounds like that's what I'll do. I did look up that radio, very cool indeed. the unit i am looking at is an alpine mp3 capable.. the old way of measuring the wattage it was 23 RMS.. now with the CEA compliant procedure (trying to make a balance/standard test) it's 18 watts rms.. i tihnk that will be plenty for the factory speakers.. the new headunits aren't out yet, so I'll wait a little bit.. but definitely something I will do.. and yeah get it from crutchfield (As always).. so thanks for the info..

 

I also bought this kit as well. But I havent had the time to set it up yet. Do you have any pointers as far as the install goes. Also more pics would be awesome guys please if you have this kit then take some pictures!

 

https://www.scionlife.com/gallery/sh...cat=500&page=1

There's a link to a photo of the kit in my gallery.