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Factory radio swap

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by Kotara, Dec 12, 2020.

  1. Dec 12, 2020 at 12:36 PM
    #1
    Kotara

    Kotara [OP] Organized Chaos

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    Ok I have looked around and I haven't found exactly what I'm looking to do. Is it possible to upgrade my radio to a premium H/U with out having a premium in there currently? Or is this just a wasted idea?
     
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  2. Dec 14, 2020 at 3:16 PM
    #2
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    All of the OEM radios are horrible. Why not go aftermarket?
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2020
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  3. Dec 14, 2020 at 3:43 PM
    #3
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Fuel delete mod Cup holder upgrade
    +1. In this situation, for the money spent on an OEM Premium head unit and ancillary devices I would entertain a price comparison with going full aftermarket as an alternative. The only case I see keeping a Tundra headunit is if you want to keep access to the vehicle menu options. Even in this situation you can get aftermarket data devices that restore these options when using aftermarket headunits.

    @Kotara I think you'll be disappointed with the JBL head unit's output if you haven't heard it. The main issue is the JBL headunit rolls off some of the base to preserve the other speakers. The reason it does this is because the speakers that come with the JBL upgrade aren't super high quality for a "high end" OEM system. Unless you're running a partially upgraded system, you are also likely to need a replacement of some of your speakers and the amp(s) to drive them. At that point your at a full upgrade minus the radio.
     
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  4. Dec 14, 2020 at 3:47 PM
    #4
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Yep, the Maestro retains the vehicle options. The only thing you lose is the factory microphone. There is a USB retention adapter available to keep the factory USB port. As another member mentioned, upgrading everything except for the head unit is like driving a Ferrari powered by a Honda motor.
     
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  5. Dec 14, 2020 at 3:50 PM
    #5
    YardBird

    YardBird Native San Diegan

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  6. Dec 14, 2020 at 3:58 PM
    #6
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

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    Welcome from the wet side of WA. If it were me, I'd listen to these guys. Hell, dropping in a reasonable aftermarket HU with Carplay/Android Auto with the Maestro setup will only set you back ~$500 (assuming you don't swap anything else out) and you'll get a noticeable improvement without losing any vehicle menu functions. To do a JBL "upgrade" on a non-JBL truck, you're going to have to find:
    • Head unit
    • Amp
    • Subwoofer
    • Additional speakers and the panel trim for them
    • OEM connectors for hooking up to everything

    And then you're still going to have to tear the truck apart to install it all (amp under the passenger front seat, sub behind the rear seat, pulling door panels for speakers). If you're pulling all that apart anyway...well, you'll probably find some pretty nice aftermarket parts for a fraction of what you'll buy those parts off Toyota for (unless you cash in on someone else upgrading their system and tossing all their old parts out for next to nothing).
     
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  7. Dec 14, 2020 at 3:59 PM
    #7
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Awesome. Thanks for clarifying.

    We'll see how it goes as I'm doing what you described. I'm keeping the head unit and basically replacing/upgrading everything else. Worse case scenario I replace the headunit after the fact.
     
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  8. Dec 14, 2020 at 4:03 PM
    #8
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

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    I would also add - I did a 2010 JBL swap into a 2008 JBL truck (2010 added the USB port and streaming BT audio) and just doing that was a process - several months of wiring diagram research, finding/buying the right extra parts/pieces (the USB actually routes to a "multimedia controller" that sends the signals to the HU), and then doing the install (de-pinning and re-pinning all different connectors for the back of the HU). And that didn't touch any of the output parts (amp, sub, etc.). I only did it because I managed to find the HU for about $50 on ebay, and the other parts summed out to under $100 from lots of time searching wrecked trucks, AND because at the same time I did the auto-AC climate control upgrade and got rid of the piano black in favor of the charcoal parts in my truck. And, after doing that, I would never do it again for a radio that really isn't much better than the stock "non-premium" one.
     
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  9. Dec 14, 2020 at 4:04 PM
    #9
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Great breakdown. I didn't think of the trim for the additional speakers the other system wouldn't have.
     
  10. Dec 14, 2020 at 4:07 PM
    #10
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

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    Yeah, and when a factory vent port runs $70 (discounted...MSRP is higher), god only knows what they'll want for a factory JBL tweeter and the door trim for it.
     
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  11. Dec 14, 2020 at 4:07 PM
    #11
    JcGc

    JcGc New Member

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    I just finished upgrading my non JBL stereo system in my 2020 Tundra. I kept the stock head unit and I'm glad I did. The stereo system now is night and day compared to how the truck came from the factory. I don't know why people say to get rid of the stock head unit. It works perfectly fine with my setup and all my functions still work.
     
  12. Dec 14, 2020 at 4:11 PM
    #12
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    So I bought a better non jbl factory radio for mine and it was a pretty solid upgrade honestly and about $150 if I remember correctly too.
    You cant get anything aftermarket in there near that price I bet and I listen to music at home and it was a great upgrade for me.

    I admit I was surprised by how much better it all sounded with the better factory radio.

    And I sell Audio for a living.
     
  13. Dec 14, 2020 at 4:13 PM
    #13
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

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    What upgrade(s) did you do specifically?
     
  14. Dec 14, 2020 at 4:13 PM
    #14
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    ^ I'd have to agree with this statement..
     
  15. Dec 14, 2020 at 4:23 PM
    #15
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    I don't see anything wrong with this. This is basically what I'm doing with my JBL head unit. I'm keeping the head and gutting the body.

    However, I would note that the OPs situation is different. He has a nonJBL unit and wants to replace it with a JBL unit. Its not a simple swap of the head unit as he would also be missing some of the speakers that come with the premium audio.
     
  16. Dec 14, 2020 at 4:25 PM
    #16
    JcGc

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    The stereo sounds friggen amazing.
     
  17. Dec 30, 2020 at 3:34 PM
    #17
    crewmaxlmt

    crewmaxlmt How dare you!

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    What Kicker amp did you use?
     
  18. Dec 30, 2020 at 4:49 PM
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    JcGc

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  19. Jan 5, 2021 at 4:42 PM
    #19
    Yotaholic

    Yotaholic Amateur Professional

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    I just found a wrecked 2012 Tundra with JBL stereo. I'm a little confused....is this a plug & play install into my non-JBL TRD package 2011 Tundra?
     
  20. Feb 24, 2021 at 8:08 AM
    #20
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

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    It is not. The JBL stereo also has the subwoofer, the amp, and the additional speakers that are part of the package (and all of the wiring to them) that would also need to be installed.
     
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  21. Feb 25, 2021 at 9:17 PM
    #21
    Yotaholic

    Yotaholic Amateur Professional

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    Thanks for the reply, I was meaning to ask if I could install all the speakers and just plug them in to any existing wiring in my truck. It seems that isn’t possible and the junkyard wanted WAY too much money for the system anyway. I said forget it
     
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  22. Feb 25, 2021 at 9:22 PM
    #22
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

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    My 2008 SR5 came with the JBL audio, which meant it actually had all the wiring for a Limited and just didn’t have all the parts installed. In 2010, they stopped doing that - in part because the lower trim trucks actually got some of the features like Bluetooth and steering wheel controls that were not available in the 2007-2009 without the JBL head unit. So, yeah, adding the wiring for the extra speakers and buying the additional parts, you’d be money ahead with a decent aftermarket head unit and upgrading the factory speakers.
     
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  23. Mar 3, 2021 at 9:16 AM
    #23
    Dowdib

    Dowdib New Member

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    2012 crewmax platinum. I want to replace my OEM head unit jbl with an aftermarket pioneer unit. What harness/interface is required to keep steering wheel controls, camera etc?
     
  24. Mar 3, 2021 at 9:18 AM
    #24
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Check with Crutchfield. I cant remember if there is a Maestro unit for the 2nd gens.
     
  25. Mar 11, 2023 at 5:51 PM
    #25
    rmeyer7

    rmeyer7 New Member

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    Guess I'll resurrect this old thread rather than start a new one...

    Just bought a 2008 base model, so the head unit in this pic is the one that's in it.

    My question is, what's the least laborious option anyone has gone with to upgrade one of these to something with Bluetooth and the ability to connect a backup camera to it? I don't care much about Android Auto and Car Play, though I'm sure any decent unit will have them.

    Anyone have experience with Stinger units? I like the look of theirs (below). Curious if anyone has installed one in a Gen 2 and how it fits, looks and most importantly works.signal-2023-03-11-194915_002.jpg
     

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