Write-Up: USA Spec PA12 Toy Install (Ipod To Stock Radio)

[K2]

WELCOME TO XR-U! :rofl:

You a-hole. :biggrin: Welcome to the ban list. :laugh:

 

[Shanes56]

haha, Klint and Steven Fight like a married couple!!

Great Writeup, where did you buy yours this is something that I am very interested in doing, also if you dont mind me asking how much?

 

[TitanRattler813]

You should cover up the shifter area with a large soft towel to prevent scratching of the plastic console. You don't need to but keep in mind the plastic scratches up very easily.

Next you will need to remove the A/C controls. This is where you need the thin flat putty knife (or similar thin and wide is best). I masked off the area underneath to prevent any scratching, again you don't need to but don't say I didn't warn you.

:motz: I should've read this before I took my console and dash apart... my stock radio is all gouged up from resting it on the shifter (and my obvious neglect of common sense)

Just wanted to put emphasis on these two warnings :rolleyez:

 

[HiTek21]

haha, Klint and Steven Fight like a married couple!!

Great Writeup, where did you buy yours this is something that I am very interested in doing, also if you dont mind me asking how much?

I bought mine off of Ebay from some seller oeintegration or something. It was 149 + tax with free shipping, I think you can get it cheaper now. I had to pay tax because the guy selling was in California.

You can also order it off crutchfield if you don't want to deal with ebay but its $169 and you have to pay shipping.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=usa+spec+pa12+toy&i=581PA12TOY

 

[gager]

Picking up my new Taco Dbl Cab next week, have USA-Spec in hand ready to do the install the weekend after I pick it up.

Have one question for HiTek21, or anyone else that has followed his killer instructions posted on this thread:

When you route the cable to the center console cargo bin (the one with the carpet bottom, where you eventually plug in and store your iPod) - is it necessary to Drill Holes to feed the cable (or cables if you choose to also run the RCA cables as well) into the storage bin?

You don't mention having to drill any holes, and there appear to be some holes or something in the bottom of the bin that the carpet piece covers.

Just trying to get as prepared as possible - a little nervous thinking about tearing apart the new truck I'm about to buy!

Thanks.

Rob

 

[Stevenredx]

Picking up my new Taco Dbl Cab next week, have USA-Spec in hand ready to do the install the weekend after I pick it up.

Have one question for HiTek21, or anyone else that has followed his killer instructions posted on this thread:

When you route the cable to the center console cargo bin (the one with the carpet bottom, where you eventually plug in and store your iPod) - is it necessary to Drill Holes to feed the cable (or cables if you choose to also run the RCA cables as well) into the storage bin?

You don't mention having to drill any holes, and there appear to be some holes or something in the bottom of the bin that the carpet piece covers.

Just trying to get as prepared as possible - a little nervous thinking about tearing apart the new truck I'm about to buy!

Thanks.

Rob

There is some holes and openings under the carpet... if all your wanting to do is run the cables then your set, no drilling. :top:

Oh BTW, WELCOME TO XRU :rock:

 

[gager]

Yep, That's all I want tod od - run the cables.

After I posted this question, I looked at the instructions a little closer and
noticed that HiTek21 DID mention that he ran the cable through one of the small holes already there.

Thanks for the reply and the "welcome" to the forum.

Rob

 

[gager]

Just wanted to post a big THANK YOU to HiTek21 and anyone else on here that shot answers to any of my install questions.

I picked up my truck (Double Cab Taco TRD Offrroad 4x4, Indigo Ink) last week, was out of town all weekend, so worked up the nerve to do the USA Spec install this morning.

Was really nervous to tear apart a brand new vehicle, but your detailed intstructions gave me the confidence I needed to Just Do It!

What a piece of cake!! no problem whatsoever - Everything is basically plug-n-play (even the "non" electrical stuff, very few screws or bolts, mostly pop in latches or clips.

2 Hardest parts for me, and they weren't very hard at all:

1) - feediing the cable through the console box (and you mentioned this is a little trciky - I just tried to be patient and kept at it. Only took a minute or so).

2) Getting the carpet pad out of the storage compartment - used a screwdriver and bent a piece of coat hanger to snag it. Man, that thing is in there tight!! I just didn;t want to booger the edge of the thing up!!!

This thing is AWESOME! Anyone that owns a Taco & and iPod and doesn't have this interface, or some sort of interface should just take the plunge!!

Oh yeah, just thought I'd mention - I bought my USA-Spec off of Amazon.com for $119 shipped, and got $30 off INSTANTLY for applying for and using an Amazon.com Visa.

Used it to buy the USA-Spec and payed it off and closed the account immediately, So basically got the thing for $90!! Not much more than the best, crappy-sounding FM Transmitter!!

I haven'r looked for this answer in the directions, so I'llthrow it out here - is there any way to get the display to "scroll" left to right fro long song or artist titles????

Thanks again to all!!

If anyone's dragging their feet to do this install because they think it's too involved & they'll screw something up, forget it!!! If I can do this, anyone can!!!!

Gager

 

[Stevenredx]

I haven'r looked for this answer in the directions, so I'llthrow it out here - is there any way to get the display to "scroll" left to right fro long song or artist titles????

Gager

Nice work bro... I'm pretty sure i remember reading somewhere that it wont scroll the display... But, if it was able to you can probably hold down the text button to see if it will, i know thats how you do it with CD's. :top:

 

[richie_rich]

hey, thats not fair. The one that the dealership gave me with my truck is the exact same box and plugs and all, just labelled with a Toyota label and has all the features and problems that this one does. Only difference is that mine doesn't have the text. =(

Looks like I'm gonna buy one online and replace it with this one. Then maybe I'll sell my factory one, all I really have to do is swap boxes by the looks of it.

 

[gager]

Toyota Dealers in the US, at least in PA, don't even offer ipod interfaces as as add on option.

I saw someone else on one of the Tacoma boards mention that they got one from a dealer, the person posting was also from Canada - so I call the parts guy at my local dealer, figuring I might be able to get them to throw it in with the deal. He said they don't offer them, said it must be a regional thing only offered in Canada. Said they would even install one if I bought it and brought it to them to do - it would void the warranty on the stereo.

Pretty strange. Oh well, took car of it myself!!! Not worried about the stereo warranty - I want my iPod on the road!!!!

Text Display is pretty sweet - main reason I went with USA-Spec over Peripheral's iPod2car.
Well, text and the easy step-by-step USA-Spec instructions posted here!!

 

[gager]

Nice work bro... I'm pretty sure i remember reading somewhere that it wont scroll the display... But, if it was able to you can probably hold down the text button to see if it will, i know thats how you do it with CD's. :top:

I tried hitting different buttons, but most of them skipped to next track.

Never held down the text button, I'll give that a shot.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[HiTek21]

the head unit will only display so many characters. I think it was 12 or 15 so if the title of your song is longer it will cut it off. First part of the text will display and if you hold the text button down for a couple of seconds you'll hear a beep then it will switch over to the other characters. Hold it again and it'll switch back to the first half of your text.

It would be nice if the text would scroll across the display

 

[gager]

the head unit will only display so many characters. I think it was 12 or 15 so if the title of your song is longer it will cut it off. First part of the text will display and if you hold the text button down for a couple of seconds you'll hear a beep then it will switch over to the other characters. Hold it again and it'll switch back to the first half of your text.

It would be nice if the text would scroll across the display

Thanks!

Steveneredx suggested holding the text button, I knew someone on these boards would know the answer. Thanks for verifying his suggestion.

Yeah, scrolling would be nice, but I'm not complaining. At least the USA-Spec's display "something", as opposed to the Peripheral Ipod2car that don't display anything.

Saving a digital and hard copy of your instructions and the Toyota .pdf you sent me the link to for (detailed instructions for removing all interior parts - all configurations - this was very helpful) for future reference.

Both were lifesavers for this install, not to mention the $ it saved me from paying the local caraudio place I would have had to pay to do this otherwise - not sure what kind of coin they charge for a job like this.

 

[Zeus]

I went to Crutchfield to order the USA-Spec but they said that it wasn't applicable for the 05's and gave me some other Peripheral's to look at, whats up with that? Where did you all order yours from?

 

[HiTek21]

I got mine from Ebay, it was cheaper than Crutchfield. I'm pretty sure the PA12 will work on an 05 since they should be the same radio design but don't hold me to that. The dealers on Ebay say it works on 98 - 2008 Tacomas.

Only down fall to ordering off Ebay is if it doesn't work or you don't like it you can't return it like you could at crutchfield and USA Spec says they will only honor your warranty if you purchased from an authorized dealer like crutchfield. I'm not sure if those ebay sellers are authorized dealers.

 

[gager]

I went to Crutchfield to order the USA-Spec but they said that it wasn't applicable for the 05's and gave me some other Peripheral's to look at, whats up with that? Where did you all order yours from?

Here's one on Ebay, 14 day return policy. $134 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/USA-...002QQitemZ120232858863QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

I got mine on Amazon, really good deal.

Just search for USA Spec PA12TOY

Only 2 on there right now, one for $169 new, the other $114 used.

Just keep an eye on Amazon, sellers and inventory change daily - more will show up soon guaranteed. And if you apply for an Amazon Visa, you can use it instantly and it will credit your card $30 for the 1st purchase.

Everywhere I've looked says this will work on 1998-2008 Taco's (has to be equipped with a CD player).

 

[THE MACF]

I ordered the Pa15 off amazon for 130 shipped and it showed up in two days. Good thing about this model is it will play my iphone through the speakers and still text and receive calls. I wired mine to come up behind the cupholders. Just pull out the length of cord you want and then push them down.

 

[Edgeman]

Thanks! Saw this on the Sparks Toyota website, and I definitely plan the upgrade (as long as it will work on my stock radio. I was also looking for instructions, which you just provided.

Thanks again!!!!!

 

[XBrutal]

I can't get the AUX source to come up. If my iphone isn't connected then it just says "CD OPEN". How do I get it to AUX so I can use the RCA's??