I’m really confused abt the stereo system.

It is not the original radio it is a double den digital pioneer radio. I planned on replacing the stereo and bought everything off of crutchfield verifying my 4runner for fitment and harness etc, and I took out the radio and there is a I believe 20 prong plug(not 2 which is how many was in my 1996 4runner) and there were rca cables plugged into the back of the head unit labeled rear and front. I have changed out the head unit on every car I’ve owned and I’ve never seen anything like this before.

 

Hey. Maybe had amps hooked up? There should be a stock plug in there somewhere?

 

There is a plug with all the wires you would need for the radio. But I’ve never seen one in a third gen with only 1 plug and not 2. It also looked like they didn’t even use any of the speaker wires to splice the connection off the head unit

 

What radio did you choose?

 

Jvc kd x280bt. I used the same one in my old 4runner

 

crutchfields info is based on the assumption that you're replacing the OEM system. whatever the prior owner may have rigged blows the equation off the paper. been there....best of luck