Radio / Stereo mounting kits for later-model Gen1 trucks

A reply over in the Lunch Table thread got me digging. I was surprised how nice one user's radio install looked using the radio trim kit they found on eBay compared to the Metra kit Crutchfield and scAmazon recommend for '03-'06 Tundra/Sequoia. Sadly, nearly every owner I've seen using the recommended Metra trim kit complains of gaps at the top/bottom of the stereo and poor fitment in general.

Lucky for '00-'02 owners, your earlier-model Gen1 trucks had a smaller radio opening so you don't need trim kits. Those of us with later models had a wider opening, which leaves a substantial gap on the left/right side, plus a thinner gap at top and bottom. That recommended kit, Metra's 95-8202, fills the left/right gap with "ears", as shown here, but does nothing to address top/bottom gaps. It really doesn't look OEM, it also doesn't look GOOD.

​

Anyway, Scosche and Metra are what I've always used for trim kits going on nearly 4 decades of aftermarket install work. So I did some digging to find other possible 1st Gen options, and I see three alternatives to the Metra 95-8202.

I found Metra has two other "non-ears-only" kits that work with our later-model Gen1 Tundra/Sequoia, Metra kit # 99-8300 and kit # 99-8268. I believe the only difference between the to kits is .... the 8268 part comes with a single-DIN pocket?

Anyway, both kits come with what appears - to me - to be a full outer trim piece that could make an install look more "factory" by evening out the side gaps, while also totally killing the top/bottom gaps. Here's basically what the trim piece for those kits looks like so you get an idea of what I mean:

(Note: Larger pics of the 99-8300 kit can be seen HERE, since the Metra site is jacked up right now and won't link to kits directly)

​

So what does that leave us with, for other trusted brands?

Well, Scosche is one. Another solid brand, honestly. They've been around forever.

Scosche's recommended kit is part # TA2158B and it has a more-OEM looking bezel. Unlike Metra's angular, shiny trim plate, the Scosche kit is rounded at the left/right sides, maybe more of a textured eggshell finish, which doesn't look so blatantly aftermarket.

​

But there is a 3rd option which is what @cadebucket installed in his truck. It offers a perfectly flat, eggshell-textured face around the stereo, you can see Cade's install linked in the 1st sentence of this post. The general part number for that kit is "TOY-K0307DD". I say "general part number" because I found multiple brands under that part number, but one specific brand, Scorpion, is a semi-known name. Here's a picture of that bezel, I'm not sure if it's clear but it's almost like the Metra "Ears" style kit, but it's one contiguous, flat face panel.

​

So really, if you're looking for some alternatives or you just don't know which kit to get ... what's your preference?

• Flat and matte? Get the Scorpion TOY-K0307DD trim kit.
• Rounded and matte? Get the Scosche TA2158B trim kit.
• Angular and shiny? Get the Metra 99-8300 trim kit or 99-8268 if using a DIN (half height) radio.
• Just want some ears and like gaps? Get the Metra 95-8202 trim kit.

 

After reading your back-and-forth with cadebucket in the other thread, I ordered his same dash kit. It will arrive tomorrow and I can update this thread with my results as well.

I was using the crappy Metra kit for 4 years or so with an aftermarket Kenwood in my 03. I hated the fit but never looked more into other options. I too had the top/bottom gaps.

Last weekend I installed an ATOTO F7 XE head unit with backup camera, and reused the Metra kit and it fit even worse than with my old aftermarket stereo. So I am hoping this new Ebay kit works much better!

 

Got pics? Just curious. My Metra kit # 95-8202 from Crutchfield basically only has two "ears" on either side to trim out the head unit. There's no top/bottom filler, so it has gaps in the spots indicated with red, which is what most complaints have been:

​

 

Anyone able to point me in the right direction for 2001 limited dash kit and harness (I think it has JBL amp)

 

See the "Audio and audio upgrades..." section: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

Moreover, just buy at Crutchfield, they'll set you up straight. But first, you need to use that 'audio and audio upgrades' section to understand what the hell you've got. I don't think JBL was available in the earlier models, but I could be wrong.

 

If you have an Amp in the early trucks you should just have the one behind the dash that you need to remove. I don't think I've seen one with JBL myself either.

@Jack87 have you figured out what you need to buy yet? You shouldn't need a dash kit or anything special. Only the regular 87 up Toyota radio harness.

$5 Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up Power 4 Speaker

LINK
Reuse old radio mounting brackets. Feel free to post a picture of your current radio for confirmation.

 

@shifty` thank you for this info. I’m still trying to determine if I want to go with a new radio or upgrade the existing with the Bluetooth/aux adapter. I’m kind of an OEM guy, but nav in a nice sized, integrated screen sure does get me thinking. Fighting with an ill-fitted bezel is the last thing I’d want to be dealing with.

 

Ok, maybe this will help. You're aware of the GTA kits right? Allows you to add-on bluetooth for audio and phone to your OEM setup for the '03+ trucks (at least)

https://www.gtacarkits.com/product/toyota-tundra-2003-2006-iphone-aux-kit/

I've plugged this to a few different people here over the years, mostly by PM. With this setup, you can stream navigation over bluetooth audio, to the factory HU. And you get hands-free calling too, which is a win-win any day.

I can point you to a few folks on here using it if you want to ask about it.

Edit, this is specifically the kit I'd recommend, the wireless, not the wired:

 

Yep, that’s what I’ve been eyeing. The main advantage I was contemplating with the new head unit would be not having cords dangling from my windshield to have gps. But, oddly enough, I’m digging pulling out my old 80’s/90’s cassettes and reminiscing. My boy thinks I’m weird lol.

 

Back those tapes up to MP3 files on a flash drive.

 

@Acatlin96 can you update us with some pics of your install with the Scosche? I assume you've got that in at this point.

 

Unfortunately it didn’t fit for me. To be honest I didn’t try too hard to make it work, but after some preliminary test fitting it looked worse that the Metra kit so it went in the trash. Still rocking the Metra bezel at this point and living with the gaps.

 

I saw a video a while ago on a 2005 DC and he used the Metra ears kit and didn't seem to have gaps.

Nevermind, I went back and watched it again and there is an upper and lower gap and on the left side, from about halfway down the bracket there is a gap. I took a snip and brightened the image. Its shit.

 

I installed Alpine W670 over the weekend using a Crutchfield kit + I got an extra dash kit per some of the comments on here. Here’s the ‎

$28 99-8268 Metra Radio Install kits

99-8268 from Amazon vs 8202 from Crutchfield in case it’s helpful. no cutting or trimming required for the 8268 but even though their are gaps i like the matte finish and corner alignment better on the 8202.

 

Then I let the Alpine play. Bumpin new shit by NWA.

 

I'm just glad to see I'm not the only one with a 650/670 that hasn't taken the screen protector off yet.