cu2cool

So I am thinking about buying a replacement OEM radio for my 97 ES300. My LCD is blackened, and almost all of the lights for the buttons are out. I figured it'd be cheaper to just buy the whole radio than replacing the LCD and bulbs. I'm only seeing a lot for the newer radio models (86120-33320) on ebay with the wood grain faceplates. I currently have the black plastic faceplate, and would like to keep it looking that way because it would look funny with just the wood on the radio. I'm thinking it should just be a simple job to unscrew the circuit board from the wood faceplate and screw it back on to the black plastic one. Has anyone tried this or know where I can find a tutorial on how to do it? I know there are wood dash trim kits selling out there, so there must be a way to do it.

VS

Infin1ty

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the wood grain faceplate just mounted on top of the normal black plastic faceplate?

Regardless, if you do decide to go with the standard unit and not an aftermarket unit, make sure the person you buy it from includes the security code for the unit. Would not be cool if you got your new unit and couldn't use it because your locked out.

cu2cool

Would that make sense that the wood faceplate fits over the black plastic? Wouldn't the buttons be more recessed and less aesthetically appealing? From the picture it hard to tell if the wood is sitting on top of the black plastic.

cu2cool

I found out that thw wood faceplate does not clip onto the black plastic faceplate in the second picture. Also, the 00-01 model radio, which is usually seen at the wood faceplate one, does not work in the 97 model ES300.