3rd Gen non JBL sound system Upgrade Info

I was actually going to try a direct run over the seats to test that as well on Thursday, good call. I used a dedicated turn on, that GTO stuff has screwed me and some other guys over before. Also going to try a JL signal processor my friend has at the shop. Thanks for the help.

 

Sorry to interrupt the current discussion but I wanted to update that we have these long versions of the factory speaker adapter available for the non-JBL trucks. It's essentially the 10-pin connector (with 8 wires) that is an extension for adding an inline amp between the OEM system and your speakers.

https://www.autoharnesshouse.com/store/AHH-2477LONG

It's 26 feet long so that leaves you 13 feet of length in each direction.

 

Almost completely done. Waiting on my 3rd sub to show up so I can wire it in and screw it down. The stock wiring upfront worked with the AHH harness wired together.

I went with the fox acoustics box and Hertz Millie Pro MS250 s4 subs. 3 of them wired down to 1.33ohm with a sundown SIA 2500D amp. 3 of these subs ported is almost perfect in this 2.4 cubic foot box. If I add a 4th it will only work sealed.

Took out the rear trim compartments and the rear storage tub to get this two piece box installed. Really good craftsmanship on the box and I used weather stripping between the two pieces for an air tight seal when bolted together.
It's sounding really good right now but the 3rd sub should wake it up after I adjust the gain again.

It's been a hell of a project over the past month only working through it on the weekends and needing it buttoned up before Monday so the kids can ride in their car seats.

I have some deadening left to complete on the rear passenger door only. I will order a mic and start in on some RTA soon.

 

Finally got around to adding tweeters to the a-pillars a few months ago. Became motivated so i decided to upgrade further by moving to D.6.1200 amp, Mille Pro drivers (front-stage), Knuconcepts wiring, and additional Soundskins. Purchased a Mic and used REW to EQ. I managed to get everything tuned very close to my desired house curves. Red = Midrange and Tweeters. Yellow = Midbass. Blue = Subwoofer. And Green is my desired House Curve for each. Pretty spot on; the sub needs to be boosted more but overall things are pretty close. b/t/w Still have the Kenwoods in the rear stage, tuned them too and they fill rear stage well. Did all the installation work myself this time around and learned a lot (and still learning), both about my truck and custom audio in general. Thanks everyone for this thread and all the info.

 

Looks good! I’ll be swapping out my tan JBL A-pillars for black this weekend so just lmk if you decide you want to go for something more discrete for those tweeters

 

Thank you, and thanks for the offer! Appreciated. May reach out. thx again

 

Has anyone used the Focal Inside plug & play kit to replace all their speakers and add the focal amp? I have a 24 Limited non JBL unit; contemplating having my local shop install this for me:
https://www.focal.com/focal-inside/brands/toyota/toyota-tundra-iii#FITOYOACT8017T2

I'm being quoted $2,000 for 8 speakers and the amp. Plus another $800 for the subwoofer. The shop owner doesn't like the Focal boxed subwoofer - they'll install something else. He said the speakers are Focal's 3rd tier...

It's impressive a lot of you guys do your own audio work! I'm not an audiophile - I just want loud, clear classic rock tunes!!

I'm hoping someone can chime-in on the quality and sound of the plug & play from Focal.

Thanks!

 

I like this kit! I don't have experience with Focal but I eyeing the Powered 8.2 setup... if you install it, let us know. I might be right behind you.

 

Focal performance 3 ways: 660
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-IB9koxNtLVD/p_091165AS3/Focal-Performance-165AS3.html
Focal performance 6.5 coax (rear doors):330
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091165AC/Focal-Performance-165AC.html
JL Audio 75x4: 380
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698621/JL-Audio-RD400-4.html
JL Audio fix86: 530
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698103/JL-Audio-FiX-86-Digital-Signal-Processor.html

5-600 for install and tune w/ amp kit. Comes out to slightly higher but will sound way better

 

I'm not super experienced with audio systems outside of running RCAs from a head unit. How does the audio processor work? Looks like you have to run all of the speaker cables from the doors to the unit? Does that include the tweeters or just the 4 doors?

 

The fix 86 gives you a DSP (digital signal processor) and serves as a LOC (line output converter). There are higher end amps that do all of this as a single unit, audiocontrol is one of them if you don’t like JL for whatever reason and many others. The fix 86 can be calibrated to clean up that signal from the speakers and feed that to the amp, which in turn feeds your speakers much cleaner and higher quality signal.

the short answer to what needs to be done is you grab signal from the back of the head unit (remote) and use a loop back harness that feeds your speaker inputs into the fix86. Think of it as speaker inputs from the radio>fix86>amplifier>speakers. All while using factory wiring (which you don’t need to upgrade).

Can you get by with something like an Lc5i, sure but you will have exponential flexibility and increase in sound quality with a DSP.

The amp will power your front 3-ways and the rear coax ok, more power would be better but it’s a compromise to meet the 2k budget. There is zero need or gain for tweeters in the rear. Think of when you’re at a concert, everything comes from the front and the rear is just filler for mids/highs. Talk to your installer though. Find what works for you and your budget. There are two things IMO you should not skimp out on and that’s front staging and tuning capabilities.

see here:
https://youtu.be/_wn0U8DiNDI?si=0MXS2KG22Y6h3oLU

 

Hey Goobax - The audio shop I'm working with won't install equipment I supply - they want me to buy all the stuff from them. Is that typical in this industry?

If what you suggested is better - I may have to find another shop to install the equipment I buy... Thanks for your input and help!

 

yeah, pretty normal. But, there shouldn’t be too much markup when purchasing through them or at least they take some off the install when purchasing a bundle. Would just find a shop that will work with you and your budget. Just find someone who will listen to what you’re expecting out of the upgrade and that goes over the options based on your budget/expectations

 

Do you think a subwoofer is necessary with the setup you described above? I'm not an audio person, I just want loud, clear music. If the speakers have enough bass I might be inclined not to do the sub.

I'll probably buy the equipment and find a shop to do the install.

Thanks again for all the advice!!

 

honestly, it will be incomplete but you can always add on later if you find it’s not working for you or budget increases. You can tune this 6.5 drivers in front to give you great mids but bass…. Ehhhh, not so much.

I’m an all in or none kinda guy so I’m the worst to ask lol. To me, all this and no sub is like buying a suit and skipping the pants and shoes.

 

Gotcha! Same here. I'm already going to spend a lot, I'm going to do it right the first time. Thanks again!

 

Hey Goobax, Question about the Focal 3 ways you posted.. how would you install those in the front? I am assuming replace the factory woofer in the door, the 3" mids in the dash corner and then mount the tweeters in the A-pillar?

 

Would you install the sub under the seat or behind it?

 

Yes. I swapped in the JBL A-pillars so it would look more factory as a tweeter install location

 

either is fine really. I’m happy with under the seat as I don’t need the storage.

 

Thanks man. I like the setup you provided. I'm building a list for when I'm ready to dive into the project and I think I'll use those. Kinda like the idea of these under the front seat subs from Focal but the power seems low and kinda weak. I do use the under bench storage so I might look into those a bit..
https://www.focal.com/products/isub-twin