Playing CD's in New 4Runners

Hi ALL. I have a 2021 TRD/ORP. And of course, it does not have a CD player.
So, this old 71 year old guy needs a bit of help. I ordered and received one of those little boxes that you apparently plug into the USB port. But no instructions came with mine. I'm sure there is something about this in the Media handbook from Toyota. But I can't really find what I'm looking for.
I viewed some of the videos on line, but the guys talk fast and around the edges with an assumption you already know half of what they're saying. So, do any of you late model 4R's owners know where I can read/view a step-by-step procedure beginning from when you sit in the driver's seat ? LOL Thanks for any help. I know this is much easier than I'm making it out to be. But help appreciated. Thanks.

Rick

 

Are you plugging it into the USB directly under the LED screen?

 

Hi
I haven't plugged anything in yet. Not even tried.

Rick

 

It should automatically play if you use that USB port on the dash

 

These little things work on the 4Runner USB port. Copy your local music to these using a computer.

 

This is a 2019 so hopefully you have the same or similar display. Not in the picture, but just below and to the right of the AC knob, is a USB input. When you plug your device into it the "USB" tab on your audio screen will light up (it's dim in the picture cause I don't have anything plugged into the USB port). When it lights up press it and follow the menu instructions.

 

I don't know what you bought, but I hope you didn't pay $500 or so for whatever the dealer was offering. If so, you got played. It might work, but it's a stupid amount for a CD player.

You didn't provide enough details about what you bought, but assuming it's a CD drive that plugs into the USB port below the radio for your media/Android Auto/etc., it's probably really simple. Plug CD player in USB port. Insert CD. You may need to wait a minute or two at this point. Then choose USB from the audio source. The system will think you have a USB drive inserted with a bunch of MP3 files and play them in that manner.

The reason I say to wait a minute or two at a particular point is that the the type of CD drive that I'm talking about copies the CD and emulates a USB drive filled with MP3 files. As far as the system in your 4Runner is concerned, it's not playing a CD. Instead, it's playing a USB drive with some MP3 files on it. It's a fake-out system that might work, but it's kind of crude and inconvenient.

I avoided this sort of CD drive because of its price, its inconvenience, and because it seems like there are a gazillion different models of them out there that only work with particular cars. Also, if you want to make it a permanent fixture, you've got to give up space somewhere. Probably the storage under the center arm rest. Then you've got to run the USB cord out of the center arm rest every time. Totally lame for the price.

I instead got myself a cheap Discman ripoff and an FM transmitter. For the price of one of those fancy USB-based CD drives, I could get a half dozen Discmans. Is it the most convenient thing in the world? No. But it also doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Here's a pic of what I got, but keep in mind that you're probably not going to want to put the FM transmitter right on the Discman like I did in this pic.



These are the things that I bought.

$40 CD Player Portable Gueray Rechargeable Portable CD Player Car 1400mAh CD Anti-Skip Shockproof Personal CD Player with Headphones Jack USB AUX CD Music Disc with LCD Display (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MV8Q3N7?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018QN4INM?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

These two things contain everything you need except for two USB ports for power, though they have rechargeable batteries so you can prep them at home before taking them on the road. The Discman also comes with an additional cable (not pictured) that allows you to move the FM transmitter farther away from the Discman.

You could use the two USB ports in the back seat area if you wish to have the Discman and the FM transmitter powered by cable all the time, or you can get one of these for the cigarette lighter style power outlet inside the center arm rest. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RHPXT5K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8 You can then run all cables into the center console through the little divot for cables while parking the Discman in the french fry holder like I did in the pic.

Tune the FM Transmitter to an unused frequency in your area, tune your 4Runner to the same frequency, and enjoy your CDs.

I doubt the media instruction manual has anything regarding whatever USB CD player thing you bought or my Discman and transmitter setup. Our 2020+ 4Runners just don't play CDs. You have to do workarounds. It just so happens that you have to utilize different modes that your 4Runner does support in creative ways with some additional hardware.

I plan on writing up a full post with tips and tricks later this week for 2020+ owners who want to have a CD player in their 4Runners. I'm going to test it some more this week. Last month, I went through one area that had terrible static with my initial setup, and it still wasn't perfect around town even with that initial setup. I worked on eliminating static by separating the FM transmitter, and now I think I'm ready to challenge that area again when I go that way on Tuesday. Keep an eye out for my post!

 

So why is it that a 2021 Toyota no longer features a CD drive? Is the technology already going the way of the doe-doe bird via blue-tooth and USB? Guess my 2019 just missed the boat from being axed out..

 

CDs are out of fashion now. Vinyl even outsold CDs a year or two ago. Yeah, people use bluetooth and or put MP3 files on a USB drive. Bluetooth is probably more in fashion than MP3 files on a USB drive. Heck, there are people who don't even use MP3 files. They just use streaming services. If they want to pay for cell data and services, be my guest. I'll pay way less money for cell data just to have Google Maps with Android Auto (which is on the 2020+ and does work well to its credit) and have CDs of what I like that I don't have to rent in perpetuity.

 

Out of fashion......lol

Out of fashion is a funny way of putting it but have seen it happen a lot over the years - starting with under dash 45 vinyl players - 2 track - 4track - 8 track - cassette - MP3 and now CD's.

Who else installed a reverb in their car?

Remember 78's?

"Out of fashion" that's funny.

 

I did, and i do remember.

 

Lol, I couldn't remember the last time I used a CD in the car, or even at home. I think that burning the music to a USB stick would be ideal.

Cheers,

Sean

 

I used a CD in my 4Runner a couple weeks ago, and I'm going to do it again Tuesday. And if you use a USB stick, you can't use Android Auto. You may be able to get away with it with a hub, but some people have tried and didn't have any success even though the manual says something about it.

 

You're dating yourself Moon Landing but as goes the CD, goes me - Hello Alexa....

 

First off, this is NOT a dumb question or project. A lot of people have invested a lot of money into their CD collections, and the sound quality is typically better from the CD than it is once converted to MP3s or when streaming from an online source. Also, some titles are actually not that easy to find online on services such as Apple Music (they don't really have everything). Also, a lot of people don't have the equipment to convert their CDs to MP3s, even if they wanted to. And not everyone can use streaming services, either due to cost or connectivity or other issues. Or they don't want to for other reasons. Some people don't like "renting" their music instead of "owning" it.

To be clear, my many thousands of music tracks are all on my iPhone, or on vinyl, or are part of a subscription service like Apple Music. But I totally get why someone would not want to do the same.

As others have said above, in theory it should "just work" if you plug that CD player into the USB port beneath the infotainment screen and insert a CD into the player. The stereo is designed to notice when something is plugged into that USB port, and to then process the information being sent. Shouldn't matter whether it's an iPod with MP3s, a phone with MP3s, or a little USB flash drive with MP3s.

 

I have most of m my cds on my iPhone and plan to just plug it in.

I agree I don’t want to rent music either snd I’m in my 40s.

Everybody wants a monthly fee for everything now. I am old school I like to own stuff if possible. It’s becoming more and more difficult however.

 

I have started using Alexa, when i say play music it connects to Amazon music, and it sounds pretty darn good.

 

It's very versatile, Sometimes I get a little melancholy and just ask Alexa play me tunes from the 50s or 60s or a sound track from a favorite movie like Hunt for Red October, or when I really need pumping up - Rocky! Anyway Alexa has many features which take a little time to learn. She can give you instant weather, check your calendar for where you should be at the moment, and all the news you never want to hear. It was a little awkward at first but now its just another tool in the toolbox..

 

Well you're both light years ahead of me. I'm still looking for a good crank radio.....

 

I think upgrading to a transistor radio might work for you.

 

I use my CD player sometimes, but it sounds the same as bluetooth and USB so it wont ever resurge like vinyl did. I use the cassette player still because CDs are quite fragile unlike cassettes. I find it funny how Toyota isn't waiting till the redesign to remove the CD player, I'm not going to believe any excuse they might have for not including a CD player in a car that was designed ~2008. Including a CD player in the current 4runner is the least they could do as we pay orp for a car as dated as the current 4runner.

 

Your better off putting all your music on a USB. Yes cds are going away if not gone already. Plus when you hit a bump cd will get scratched. I had a lot of cd’s too and it wasn’t easy getting rid of them. My friend and I share a music subscription service. That pretty much solved the music issue.

 

That's how I roll. Different genres per flash drive, a mix drive....

 

Napster FTW! I still have music I got off that platform, lol, but I have to add tags to them.

 

I haven’t heard the name Napster in ages!!

 

By the sound of it I don't think Moon Landing is quite ready for newer technology - he's still working on that crank radio of his..
Just messing with ya ML...

 

I pretty much only say "Hey Google" in my 4Runner when setting a place to navigate to. I never use it at home or for any other reason.

 

In the runner is the only place I have it, Entune installed the app in a update.

 

Guilty.........

 

$17 Blingco External CD DVD Drive, USB 2.0 Slim Protable External CD-RW Drive DVD-RW Burner Writer Player for Laptop Notebook PC Desktop Computer, Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BR5VWK?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

WOW!! Thank you ALL for your responses. Most helpful. Here is what I ordered. Very cheap. LOL I think I know what the problem is now. But you tech wizzes can confirm. I was trying to connect this device directly to the USB Port on the dash. Apparently the device I bought requires connection to my laptop first (?) Then upload it to a flash drive ?

Rick