I have money for everything, but a head unit... Use... factory?

[Gatorade]

Basically, I ran out of money, and don't have an aftermarket h.u. yet. I only have enough for the following things - amp (taramps md5000) , h.o. 300 amp alt, and big 3, all of which I'm ready to purchase. I already have my subs (2 12 XFL's). I've always lived by the rule that you absolutely have to have an aftermarket h.u. But here I'm without one, so why can't I just use the factory CD player in my 2010 Highlander? Will it sound terrible, is there problems with ohm loads? Is there any reason that I can't have a decent system with the factory dash? If it's a really bad idea I don't want to do it.

Click to read more...

 

[Gatorade]

This didn't post at first. Now I have two somewhat identical post. Sorry, I'm a little drunk and I can't find the delete option.

 

[huberoy123 10+ year member]

When I started with the aftermarket stereo equipment, I purchased speakers and an amplifier. My system sounded great with the addition of those items. There was a Ford harness by PAC that allowed me to plug the amplifier into my factory wiring. I later replaced the HU, because I wanted the Sirius XM, Bluetooth, and USB port and the other features of a modern HU. As time and money allowed, I added 2 - 12" subs and another amplifier. I don't see any issues with using your factory HU.

 

[Clifff150 10+ year member]

If you have to, use your factory unit until funds allow for an aftermarket one. In my mustang it was impossible to use an aftermarket stereo because of all the integration so I used a fix 82 and TwK d8 and it sounded great. Factory signal is inferior to aftermarket options (Pioneer, kenwood, alpine, etc). In my 4Runner, I ripped out the factory head unit for a double din touch screen with wireless CarPlay and it was worth every penny.