Removing CD unit in a Prado 120 GXL

Drew,

Checkout the LCOOL site.

Site Link

This link describes and has pictures of the satnav removal so I guess the cd unit would be very similar.

Garth

Hi Drew
Sorry, can't help with the the removal. But, I have a 2000 model Grande with the all-in-one CD 6 stacker, tape deck and radio. Have had it replaced 3 times in 6 years. It just doesn't like corrugations. None of the Toyota dealers will attempt to fix it. They can remove it easily enough but then send it to the manufacturer's workshop in Sydney. Each time the result has been the same - twice under warranty and once at my expense - we will replace it! When it blew up while out of warranty I even hawked it around the independent radio repairers in Newcastle, but no-one would attempt to fix it. We have found that the only way to preserve it is to ensure there are no cd's or tapes in the unit when you go off the bitumen. We have had cd's jam in it and also tapes. BTW a refurbished one was only about $150 from my Toyota dealer - don't know if that's the usual price or if he felt sorry for me!!! The problem is probably related to the only other problem with the vehicle - the vibrating dash! I can't understand why they put such a rubbish unit in what is otherwise a fabulous 4x4.
tessa

Hi Drew

If you have a Ipod you can get a radio transmitter and tune the radio in to the Ipod no corrigation can stuff that up. and you could (depending on the ipod) never have to touch the music for most of the Trip.

you can set you playlist and off you go into the sun set

Just my tip

Trevor

Drew,

I have '03 120 GXL and just dropped it off this morning for service. Told the dealer the CD was skipping and showing an error, not recognising discs and wouldn't change if I got it to actually work. It didn't miss a beat on a top end, nth QLD trip last year but now not so good. I suspected dust is an issue for them. Dealer didn't blink when I said what was happening, and will be replacing it (under warranty).

Taking the opportunity I pressed him for a swap plus $$ for the newer models MP3s in Hilux and Prado. His advice was that for every one of the CD head units they send back, another 3xMP3 head units go back. His tale was that they can't keep up the demand on replacement MP3 units. Seems that there may be some longevity issues with these head units. My alternative was going to be a double din in-dash screen and reversing camera but hey if they want to replace it on their $, they can.

Try for the replacement if you can and see what happens. May be better than giving them the chance to say your "playing" with it caused the problems.

AJ

.. also, has anyone any suggestions for replacing the toyota CD unit with an aftermarket one? perhaps including a DVD player & pop-out screen for movies?

Just for the record books my CD player (Prado GX) stopped working after 2 years. replace under warranty (+$$$) with 6 stack Mp3 Player....but now (after ready some of these posts) I am worried.
Cheers
Greg

Drew,

If your unit out of warranty, I wouldn't bother replacing it with Toyota one.
Mine had been replaced twice because of the dust, and it might needs to
be replaced soon again...

When you going to get another one, the MP3 functionality would be good.
Alpine players are good but pricy... Ebay got heaps of choice as well.

Drew,

Bummmmmer on the warranty, oh well time to get serious. I was looking over these sites:

mobile.jvc.com
kenwoodaudio.com
pioneer.com.au
clarion.com.au
alpine.com.au
Hadn't got down to picking any one over the others. Each of them have a few to choose from, they call them mobile media stations that'll do mp3, ipod, itunes, DVD etc.

Good luck with it. I think from memory the silver sections around the sides of the dash pod, pop out with some gentle persuasion to reveal the side screws. There are photos of the job on the Lcool.org site.

AJ