The Stereo Slow-Build Begins

I'll be honest, there will be more questions in this than a build log, but hopefully will help someone out in the future.

I've been going back and forth between a speaker upgrade kit and piecing all of it together. After talking with ********* and reading about tech12volts and oem+, the AIO kits just aren't for me. I bet they sound great, and for someone looking for a one-stop-shop its an easy choice.

I'm a 30 year-old shuffle-junky when it comes to music, so i listen to just about everything except for county. I'm shooting for a stereo that has a good clean sound across the board, and can really thump when a great bass song comes on, all while maintaining the oem look without butchering any of the stock wiring.

I came across a killer deal on JL C2650 component speakers for $150/pair (seems like $225-250 is the going rate), so i ordered 2 pairs. This will the the first time i have matching front and rear speakers. I ordered a set of Limited sail panels that have the speaker grills from Roman to house the tweeters, and Scorche STA69 speaker adapters, and Metra 72-8104 speaker wire adapters.

$16 Scosche SAT69 6X9" to 6.5-6.75” Speaker Adapters Compatible with Select 2003-22 Lexus and Toyota Vehicles - 6 1/2" to 6 3/4" Adapter for Car Door Speakers - Sold in Pairs - See Image for Vehicle List

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NWG3S8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$18 (2) Pair of Metra 72-8104 Speaker Wire Adapters for Select Toyota Vehicles - 4 Total Adapters

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GEIP7RW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For the subs, i've been eyeballing the JL stealth box. Its a little bit of a hard pill to swallow at $1k, but i've always been really happy with JL products, so that is going to be my go-to brand for this build. In the past i've had a wide range of subs and enclosures. I've found that loaded enclosures (purpose built enclosure for specific subs) sound the best. The only complaint i've heard about the stealthbox is its ability to produce the really deep bass. I'm not too worried about that, but anyone with them feel free to chime in.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13694616/JL-Audio-Stealthbox.html

I've been going back and forth on the amp(s). Part of me wants to go with a 5-channel (maybe the RD900/5) to make it clean and easy, but most of them only put down 500w to the subs, it just seems wrong to short change your subs with power. A big plus on this one, is to hopefully mount it to the box and not have to deal with putting it under the passenger seat.
On the other hand, i could get separate 4-ch and mono amp, possibly the JX1000/1 and the JX400/4D. Its the budget side of JL, but has the ability to give the subs/speakers as much power as they want. I'm not sure if they will fit behind the seat with the amp's though. Might have to go under the front seats
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698642/JL-Audio-RD900-5.html?search=jl_audio_rd900/5&skipvs=T
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_136JX10001/JL-Audio-JX1000-1.html?search=jl_audio_jx1000/1&skipvs=T
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13699401/JL-Audio-JX400-4D.html?search=jl_audio_jx400/4d&skipvs=T

I want to keep the stock HU, so i need some sort of a sound processor that will eliminate the bass roll-off and give me some rca's for the amp(s). This is one where i might diverge from JL . I've been looking at the AudioControl products, either the LC6i or LCQ-1. If i went with the LCQ-1 i would have to have someone tune the setup. Or i could go with JL and get the FiX86 and use the calibration software. Lets be real, i'll end up with the FiX86
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698103/JL-Audio-FiX-86.html?tp=70736
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_161LC6IB/AudioControl-LC6i-Black.html?tp=70736
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_161LCQ1B/AudioControl-LCQ-1-Black.html?tp=70736

I'll need a wiring adapter for using the stock wiring at the factory POS amp. On TundraTex's build log, he used Apps2Car Y-TYT02 adapter, i remember reading about the wire colors not quite lining up, so i'll have to look into that, i could be wrong.
https://www.amazon.com/APPS2Car-Har...e=UTF8&qid=1507834379&sr=8-1&keywords=Y-TYT02

Other than a wiring kit for the amps, that should be about it.

Thoughts? I know i'm going to be paying extra for the JL name, but i'm going to be piecing this together as i go, so i will be deal shopping. The next things i'll probably shop for is the sound processor and either a 5-channel or a 4 channel amp. I'll at least be able to get the new speakers in the doors that way.
Has anyone had decent luck with changing the speakers and leaving the POS stock amp in there? I'm not sure if it will be worth it to do, or if i should wait to get the amp and processors?

Thanks,
Dan

 

They're 10's not 8's
Not worried about loosing the space behind the seats.

 

Those looks like some nice subs.
What box did you put them in?

 

Got the speakers today

 

Got the metra speaker harnesses. Anyone know confirm these are the correct ones?

 

Always been a fan of RF subs and amps.

Did you modify your back wall?

 

Ok you win Gino!

OP Sorry I can't help you with the speaker harnesses! Defintely going to enjoy this thread though.

 

They are the correct ones.

 

So no removal of the factory sub?

 

Ahhhhh. Got it.

 

No factory sub here either, the factory amp however was easily removed and bypassed.

 

Graveyard = bones = skeleton == maybe a skeleton in a closet I don't need to hear about = heading over now.

 

excuse my ignorance but if your installing componets whats the purpose of the plug? don't you have to cut it to connect the componets?

 

Plug taps off of factory wiring ---> crossover in ---> cross over out for tweeter and crossover out for mid.

 

I'd rather not have to cut the connectors off from the stock harness. these hook into the stock connectors and leave bare leads. Then they will go into the crossover.

 

Fosgate will be going into my truck as well...

 

I'll be doing a full Kenwood/Hertz/Fosgate system in the tundy soon....that stock stereo is a pile......

 

I just got my setup. I went with the JBL amp for best for money. Rest went Hertz audio with custom box

 

Well, after talking with @CJ21 i pulled the trigger on the JL Stealthbox. I was able to get a "scratch and dent" for $900 from crutchfield.
This was supposed to be a "slow" build dammit.
All thats left is the FiX86 (and remote knob), an amp and im golden.

I'm shopping around to see if i can find a JL hd900/5 for a decent price. If not, i'll go with the separate amps route.

 

AudiocityUSA.com ask to speak to Carlos. They also have special financing through progressive leasing .. or snap finance .. that will allow you to finance no credit check 90 days same as cash

 

That sounds dangerous!

edit:
Uhh, all i see is wheels on that site?

 

Call they have amps and subs they are on Cali time ..

 

I have been ordering wheels and tires from them since 2011.. Good Guy! Carlos!

 

Maybe i should just stop shopping for parts, i keep finding deals on them and cant help myself.

I just scored a great deal on the FiX86 and DRC-200 control knob through James at tech12volts (amazed with his instant email responses).

Looks like i just need an amp. If i can figure out a way to mount the RD900/5 (7"x15") under the front seat or next to the sub box, i'll go that route. If not, i might look at a used hd900/5 that will fit under the front seat.

 

James is the best

 

My mb quart dsc480 is 14.17” long it fits under the seat fine however I would have liked to angle it a bit to get it under more but the vent tube for the ac is kinda in the way and I mounted my power distribution block on that side as well. It hasn’t been an issue and my 12 year old son is in the back a lot.