Replace JBL stereo..keep factory amp or bypass???

Greetings fellow tundroians,
I have a 06 dc sr5. JBL head unit and blown front speakers. I want to put in a dvd receiver so I can add a rear view camera. Is it better to bypass the factory amp and replace all the speakers and if so will I be able to retain the steering wheel controls? Also is it necessary to replace the tweeters due to the ohm difference in the Jbl oem tweeters? This is the wifes daily driver so it doesn’t need to be a monster thumper stereo. Shes more interested in having a backup camera.

 

If you are replacing the head unit, ditch all of it.
Cheap/easy:
New head unit, 2 sets of coax speakers powered by the head unit.
more expensive/better:
New head unit, 2 sets of component speakers and a 4ch amp.

I'm not sure what the original stereo sounded like, so the cheap/easy might be a downgrade over what the factory stereo (pre-blown) sounded like, but i bet it'll be an upgrade. You could also run components powered by the head unit, but they will sound better using an amp.

It really depends on what she listens to. If she just wants a little background music while driving....go cheap/easy.....if she really likes to hear her music....go with the better option.

 

Thx much for the reply. That what I was thinking as well. Do you happen to know if the steering wheel controls can still be operable with an aftermarket adapter?
Thx,
Dan

 

You've kind of got two options.

1. Replace head unit and front speakers, but keep factory amp. Crutchfield sells a kit that will integrate with the factory amp and keep steering wheel controls, but because the JBL stereo fade and balance are digital, you will lose the ability to adjust fade and balance.

2. Bypass the factory amp and replace everything, you'll have to replace the rear speakers also. Crutchfield sells the wiring harness for this and the adapter to keep your steering wheel controls.

I've got all of the parts for option 2, but still researching the wiring and mentally prepping myself to wire it all up. Since the amp is in the back of the cab, I'm going to have to at least remove the drivers seats and probably half of the back seat just to run wires.

I'm not sure about the ohm difference on the tweeters, but I'd either replace them, or since your wife doesn't care so much, just get coaxial speakers and remove the tweeter.

 

Thx for the reply ,
I think just replacing all the speakers and head unit is the way to go for this application. Sodo you have to run wires to the factory amp if your bypassing it? I have installed radios before but not too familiar with amp bypass stuff,
Thx,
Dan

 

no idea about the steering controls. Look into the idata maestro
https://maestro.idatalink.com/
That seems to be what people use on their third gen's.

 

Yeah, the harness connects to the JBL amp that's behind the rear seat and then you have to run the wires somehow up to the dash. I don't think it's any harder than a stereo install, just longer since you have to run the wires.

The steering wheel control kit I got is Axxes

$63 ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Interface

ASWC-1

 

Check out Crutchfield and build your system there. They have all the adapters and harnesses you will need.

 

I did the bypass on my last tundra. Easy but yes longer wire run. Bundle of wires from the amp is small enough to just take up the trim pieces in the doorways to get along the floor and behind wheel to back of stereo.

 

If sound quality is something you're looking to improve, remove the factory amp and replace the speakers. If you're simply after a backup camera, use the bypass. I removed both factory amps from my Sequoia, pulled new wire and replaced all speakers except the tweeters, which I ran through a crossover and paralleled off the new door driver. It took 2 days but the reward in sound is incredible. A cheap Pioneer DVD player and new speakers sounds better than my 2016 Tundra with JBL and sub

 

Thanks! Sounds much easier now than what I was contemplating.

 

So I have decided that since sound quality is not the main issue Im going to keep the JBL system and repair the front door speakers. Im going to add a rear view mirror back up camera so the wife feels more comfortable backing up. Me too for that matter. Has anyone done the foam repair on the jbl speakers and or have any experience with the rear view mirror cameras.
Thx,
Dan

 

I haven't done the refoaming just watched the youtube videos, but I decided for the cost I'd rather just get new speakers. Isn't the refoam kit like $30?

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_1131666S/Kenwood-KFC-1666S.html?tp=105

 

I just bought the refoam kit off ebay. It was 25 bucks. From what I understand regular replacement speakers wont work correctly due to the difference in ohms. New JBL speakers are pretty pricey. Im gonna give it a go and see what happens
Cheers,
Dan

 

Fair enough. If the foam kit doesn't work, the thing with the ohms is it will burn out an amplifier (if it's not 2ohm stable) if you are trying to run the JBL speakers off it, but you can run 4 ohm speakers off the JBL amp no problem, the volume will be a little lower on the 4ohm speakers than the 2 ohm.

 

Let me get this straight. If I replace my head unit and speakers and bypass the JBL amp...

Do I have to run 8 new speaker wires from head unit all the way to the speakers, or can I tap into the stock wires that go from the factory amp to the speakers?

Also Crutchfield says I will lose my steering wheel controls if I bypass factory amp?

I have a 2004 DC w/JBL

 

No the amp bypass harness plugs into the amp output plug going to the existing door speaker wires

 

Ok great thanks

 

Does anyone know if it's possible to keep steering wheel controls with aftermarket head unit and bypassed factory amp?

 

I looked into keeping the steering wheel controls on my 06 DC but with all the features on the new touch screen headunits about the only thing you could use on the steering wheel controls was volume up and down. It wasn't worth it for me to pay for the steering wheel control module and hassle to install it.

 

I kept mine.

But yeah, it's volume up and down, change the radio station and change the source.