Has anyone replaced the factory radio in a 1st Gen RX 300?

[Motife43]

My mom just bought a 99 RX300, it's in solid condition for a vehicle with 200K miles. Drove it around earlier today and decided to throw that UGK Ridin Dirty in the 6 disc changer. shyt aint work

So I told her I'd cop a unit for her. Namely a touchscreen in dash unit with bluetooth/CD/nav(maybe)

I'm browsing a lot of different forums and most people are saying pass on it. As you can see the climate controls are right where the unit would go...

Any of yall ever replaced one?

 

[unit321]

I always check out www.crutchfield.com for any auto stereo stuff. From what I saw, there is nothing for the 1999 Lexus RX300 to upgrade with aftermarket stuff other than speakers.

Replacing the 6-disc changer probably is possible if you had an exact replacement. But if you want a non-OEM replacement CD-changer, you would have to do a complete custom one-off job to replace the built in radio, modify/replace the face plate for the new stereo and put in cutouts for the existing AC/heat controls, replace the LCD screen, replace the CD-changer. It is doable if you have fiberglass skills to fabricate a new center console faceplate and the wiring skills from previous experience. Because behind the dashboard, it's all 12 volt-based audio equipment. And my guess is that if you take the faceplate off, the audio unit is plopped into a 1 DIN stereo slot just like any other car.

 

[Motife43]

I always check out www.crutchfield.com for any auto stereo stuff. From what I saw, there is nothing for the 1999 Lexus RX300 to upgrade with aftermarket stuff other than speakers.

Replacing the 6-disc changer probably is possible if you had an exact replacement. But if you want a non-OEM replacement CD-changer, you would have to do a complete custom one-off job to replace the built in radio, modify/replace the face plate for the new stereo and put in cutouts for the existing AC/heat controls, replace the LCD screen, replace the CD-changer. It is doable if you have fiberglass skills to fabricate a new center console faceplate and the wiring skills from previous experience. Because behind the dashboard, it's all 12 volt-based audio equipment. And my guess is that if you take the faceplate off, the audio unit is plopped into a 1 DIN stereo slot just like any other car.

I was checking on Crutchfield too. It may just be worth it to replace the 6 disc changer and save the hassle

 

[koolkeef]

Too much work to put in an aftermarket stereo just to lose functionality on the screen. Just cop a used/refurb oem headunit off ebay.

 

[You Win Perfect]

Too much work to put in an aftermarket stereo just to lose functionality on the screen. Just cop a used/refurb oem headunit off ebay.

thats the best bet right there

 

[Big Daddy]

You let your mother by a vehicle with 200k miles on it??

 

[You Win Perfect]

You let your mother by a vehicle with 200k miles on it??

that lex got a good 100K left in it

 

[Motife43]

You let your mother by a vehicle with 200k miles on it??

I audit most of my mom's purchases, but a family friend sold it to her and our family mechanic OK'd it, so it's cool with me. Hell, the next whip I buy will most likely have north of 150k miles.

That truck was babied, exterior/interior is CLEANNNNNN

that lex got a good 100K left in it

This.