Keep the JBL Head Unit or not, that is the Question....

Hi All,

I'll be the proud owner of a 2021 Platinum Crewmax in wind chill pearl in a few weeks when it arrives at the dealer.

Job #1 will be to put a real nice sound system in (I just recently retired and the last kid is outta' college, so why not!). I'm designing an SQ system, but I love my bass.

My proposed system:

• Full sound deadening in cab, doors and floor
• Front stage: JL C7 tweeters, mids, and woofers (delete center channel and maybe the rear door speakers completely to reinforce the image in front)
• Run front stage via an AudioControl D-6.1200 6 channel amp with DSP
• Run the subs with an AudioControl LC-1.800 mono subwoofer amp
• A sub box from James at Tech12volts running 2 JL 10W1V3's

So the question: to keep the JBL head unit or not?
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I figure if I want to replicate the JBL's functionality, I would need get (for instance) something like a Kenwood DNX997XR . And then I'm mostly just replicating the JBL's functionality (i.e. touchscreen, Apple carplay, GPS nav, bluetooth, rear camera, etc.) and getting maybe a little cleaner signal out for the amps. Seems like a lot of dough for just a little cleaner signal and the same functionality.

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Anybody got experience with a nice system installed downstream of a stock JBL head unit?

Is it worth the extra money to go with a new head unit?

-Dave

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That stereo you mentioned is a fine stereo. You probably ( just a guess ) won’t use half of them in the long run. As for retaining factory functions, it’s more than just the stereo. You will need ( my recommendation ) is the maestro interface along with correct harness and retention harnesses. If you don’t like the function or look of the factory then sure replacing is just the start of why to replace. That being said, if you are totally fine with function/features of factory and want to keep the look, then keep it. You can get the Pac audio AMP-Pro ty13 and keep your stereo. You get a full 4v clean 3 sets of preouts. If you look on their website it will say not available. It IS compatible BUT no plug n play harness. It will have to be hardwired. I have done MANY of their pieces and are great. Tech support if fantastic as well. No eta on harness because of a couple issues during beta. This would be a fine solution considering your amp has a dsp built in.
Good luck on whatever you decide.

There are plenty of reasons why I would keep the factory and I can say the same to replace. Just my opinion though.... ( installed professionally for 25.5 years and just got out )

 

Do58 - great info! As an installer you know of what you speak.

I'm leaning toward keeping the stock JBL. I like the stealth aspect of a stock head unit, as long as I can ensure it is feeding a quality flat signal to the amps.

I know Tech12volts sells and recommends the Maestro DSR-1, but the AudioControl amp already has DSP, so it seems I would be wasting money on the DSR-1 DSP capability.

The AMP-Pro seems a perfect solution. The FiveStar installer guys in FL have a great Youtube video of an install on a GMC truck using the AMP-Pro GM interface. They have a great explanation of what it is and how it works. Here too. I imagine the concept is identical to a Tundra application.

 

I think you’d be please pleasantly surprised with the performance of the DSR1 and the stock head unit. I installed a full system from James, including an Alpine Halo 9 head unit. After a couple months I swapped it back to the factory head unit and DSR1. Honestly, the DSR1 has a cleaner signal and sounds much better IMO. If you email or call James, you’ll find that he too is amazed at the sound quality of the DSR1 and that often times it sounds better than an after market head unit.

I mainly switched back, because I missed the volume knob, resolution wasn’t great, and the Maestro programming functions weren’t able to match the stock steering wheel button functions.

 

If you call Pac ( amp global ) tell them what you have, ask about a harness ( maybe have one by now since last time I checked for new Toyota ) and they will email you an install guide for the wiring for your vehicle that you will want to have. Unfortunately, if no harness then the install will be a little more difficult/time consuming but totally doable. The videos give you the idea though of what you’re getting and it’s purpose.

If you are doing the install then the PRO will be zero issue for you. Even without a harness.

 

Certainly a nice equipment list and budget is totally your call. You are headed in the right direction. Key for keeping stock head unit is a DSP that retains the CAN/bus information for vehicle functionality. I went with the solution from Tech12Volts and it was straight forward with the JBL head unit. Retained the vehicle functions and steering wheel controls. He can also typically beat pricing of majority of online retailers with whatever your brand preference as well as the harnesses you will need. He will most likely know some challenges you'll face with certain selections. Your design will take a little more modification with the 3 way component setup and most likely dash cutting (those dash corners are tight and cramped) and wire fishing. Have fun and upgrade is totally worth it.

 

On a 2021 you should be OK to keep the HU if desired. The main reason most swapped out headunits pre-2020 was because that feature set was from 2011 for the 14-19 and the bronze age for the 07-13.

 

I contacted AAMP Global, maker of the PAC audio gear that Do58 referenced above about the possibility of a harness being available for the Tundra.

Here is his response:

Good morning Dave,

You could rewire the harness but it's a fairly intricate process I would recommend waiting for the new harness to come out. I don't have the exact release date for it yet but we have samples and it has been tested so it's coming down the line.


Jourdan Cherrier
Technical Support Specialist
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I'm probably going to let my install shop tackle this task, although I think that this Pac Amp pro interface is a perfect solution for those looking for a non-DSP solution to allow use of the JBL head unit with aftermarket amps and speakers.

-Dave

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Dave, about how many square feet of sound deadening material did you need to do floor, doors, and rear of cab?

I am having the kit from Tech12Volts installed this weekend and am keeping the JBL head unit.

 

Heh, none yet. I plan to do the install after the holiday cazine$$ is over with. My guess is that James at Tech12Volts having done hundreds of Tundra installs will know exactly what you will need to do your truck.

Here are some good how-to vids I have seen that cover how to apply the sound deadening in a Tundra.

Post up some pics of your install process if you have time.

-Dave

 

Decided to have a local guy here install. I am too impatient and don’t have enough time to do it myself any time soon. I think that I will only deaden doors and rear wall for now with Sound Shield. I keep going back and forth on whether to do the floor.

 

On my 18 Platinum I did amp / speakers / sub with stock head unit. Was a big improvement, but the bar was extremely low with how laughable the stock JBL premium system was.

Then replaced head unit with Pioneer WT8600NEX so I could have tablet style and wireless CarPlay.

Both the audio shop (who installed previous downstream components) and myself were blown away at how much better it sounds.

Not sure if it’s the case on your 2021, but at least on my 18 it made a huge difference.

Not sure if it has any relevance or not, but the new stock system on my 2020 Pro 4Runner sounds fantastic and have no desire to change anything on it (besides the inconvenience of wired CarPlay). Lol, would sound even better if the 4R was super loud with all its road noise.

 

Is this compatible with the back up camera?

 

Interesting! I wonder if there actually is a difference between the '18 and '21 Head unit.

 

I have the non-JBL stereo in my 2020 and it sucks. Replacing it with a Pioneer.

 

I have a 2018 Platinum. Your head unit and my head unit probably sound the same. BUT, your head unit has a larger screen. That being said, I gutted my entire system. New Kenwood Excelon H/U, all new 7" Kenwood Excelon component speakers, 2 Kenwood 10" subs in a Tech12Volts box, 2 Infinity amps, iDatalink Maestro RR and iDatalink wiring harness. Completely soundproofed my cab (save the roof), and used 100% oxygen free copper wire throughout. And to think that I waited over a year to replace the shit system that it came with. My system is now a beast. I love Toyota, but it's laughable that the OEM H/U retails for over $4000.00! I can't even sell it for $200.00!

 

Preacher, sounds like a nice system! Curious, did the 7" mids fit OK in the doors? Also, did you use the stock sail panel location for the tweets?
Would you recommend the Kenwood Excelon head unit? I would love to hear that system - it's very similar to what I'm planning in my rig.

 

Yes it does. Just be ready to see how potato the stock camera is when it’s now on a 10” hd display, haha.

 

Yes, the 7" woofers (of the component set) fit, after I fabricated (from MDF wood) some adapter plates which is ridiculously easy to do with a jigsaw. I apologize that I do not have a pic of said adapters. James at Tech12Volts also makes them, if you prefer. And YES, the sails worked fine for the tweets:



When I was first researching replacing the hideous OEM system, I was extremely skeptical of the kind of bass that can be achieved via the shallow depth allotted behind the back seat. But I met a guy, whom had a Tech12Volts ported box with a couple of "shallow" 10's installed in his Tundra and let me hear it. I had very low expectations, but was miraculously surprised by the punch that it had. It really got me excited to get my system purchased and installed. That being said, James (Tech12Volts) was able to make a box that allowed 10" non-shallow subs (4.6" top mount depth) and it really hits hard. If I remember correctly the 2021's do not have the thick rubber wall insulation pad behind the back seat, so you do not need to worry about that. When all is said and done, I wish... I mean, I REALLY WISH I had done it the damned thing earlier.

Regarding the Kenwood Excelon H/U: I went with a Kenwood DNX996XR which has DVD, navigation, Apple Carplay blah blah blah...... I was going to go Pioneer, but friend of mine, whom has his own car audio installation business, suggested I go with Kenwood as the output signal from the RCA pre-amp outs is more robust than the Pioneer. Anyway, the Kenwood has a smaller screen than what your OEM h/u has, so you might want to think about the Kenwood DMX1057XR as it has a 10" touch screen, albiet no DVD capability (but most people do not care about that anyway).

Anyway, sorry about the novel. But, if you need any help, or have any other questions, please ask!

 

Preacher, great info! Great feedback about James's sub box also. And I may have to seriously reconsider the decision about the stock head unit.

For anyone interested, the 5 Star guys have a great video about the features and install of the Kenwood DMX1057XR mentioned above. That is a nice piece of kit.