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Need Advice, Direction Kenwood DMX1057XR install 2018 Tundra SR5 CM

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Revan, Mar 11, 2021.

  1. Mar 11, 2021 at 10:35 PM
    #1
    Revan

    Revan [OP] New Member

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    Need advice and guidance. I was at one time a very experienced audio installer long longlong ago in a galaxy far far away.

    I have a 2018 Tundra CM SR5 with factory amp.

    I am going to install and I own at this time:

    Kenwood Excelon Project gear

    Kenwood Excelon DMX1057XR

    Metra Dash Kit 99-8252

    idat-alink Maestro Rr2

    idat-alink Maestro sTO2 Toyota Satellite Adapter

    idat-alink Maestro rTO2 HRN-RR-TO2

    Siruis XM SXV300 Connect Vehicle Tuner


    My dilemma; can someone educate me how or what is the best advice for installing all I listed and retain factory amplifier and speakers? Did I go horribly wrong and miss a big piece?

    I have YouTubed a lot and know what I want to do but I want external visions into my project if you please.

    I can't figure out why my pictures wont upload. I have included a link to OneDrive for factory amp picture and gear.

    Kenwood Excelon Project gear

    This picture is the factory amplifier right?

    factory amp picture tundra 2018.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2021
  2. Mar 11, 2021 at 11:00 PM
    #2
    preacher35

    preacher35 RIGHTEOUS MEMBER

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    Why on Earth would you want to retain the factory amp and speakers? Those are the weakest part of the OEM system. You chose a great H/U and the Maestro and it's harness are top notch accessories. I would, at the very least, replace the amp. The speakers can come later, but the OEM amp is ridiculously poor.
     
    Saltyhero13 likes this.
  3. Mar 11, 2021 at 11:02 PM
    #3
    Revan

    Revan [OP] New Member

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    Agreed on the amplifier. I think it sounds fine "in sound quality" but suspected I'd be directed to replace it.
     
  4. Mar 16, 2021 at 5:51 AM
    #4
    Onyexo

    Onyexo New Member

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    There is absolutely nothing wrong with the car stereo in my own opinion. I installed mine and retained my jbl speakers and amp. Unless you are super into music and sound, the factory system is perfect. Now, I installed mine myself and I don’t even know the location of the amp. I did all the wiring on my dining table including setting up the head unit. I followed five star YouTube video for the setup.

    Follow the rr maestro guide for the harness/wire connections. Take your time and call idatalink anytime you are stuck or confused. They really know their stuff and very helpful.
    Relevant pages are 206-211

    https://images.idatalink.com/corporate/Content/Manuals/RR-TOY/ADS-RR(SR)-TOY02-DS-IG-EN_20200702.pdf

    Carefully follow the color codes in the RR manual.
     
  5. Mar 16, 2021 at 8:35 AM
    #5
    Mallcrl

    Mallcrl New Member

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    So you could, theoretically, just run the speaker outs from the headunit to the factory harness behind the dash, this would then make the OEM amp think the factory head unit is plugged in (assuming it isn't JBL, which I think that's the non-JBL amp).

    If you haven't read up on it yet, there are a number of threads about integration scattered across the forums (between 3rd gen and audio forums); the 3 dash speakers (Left, Center, right) are all deck powered, the amp only powers the doors.

    My solution (essentially same headunit) was to install a Kicker KEY200.4 in place of the factory amp, run a 4ch set of RCAs to the under-seat region (very very easy), and use the harness from AutoHarnessHouse (also available on Amazon) to connect it all up. Obviously the RCAs are super simple, and the harness from AHH gives you everything and more that you need for a ~200w amp (their harness description shows all the inputs and outputs from the amp, as well as 12v+, turn on, and ground). Couple minutes with a soldering iron and whamo, ready to rock.

    To be totally open, I disconnected the 3 dash speakers, and replaced the door speakers with aftermarket ones as well (eXcelon 7" components in the front doors, as their tweeters pop right into the JBL sail panels so you don't have to drill your original ones for those of us non-JBL people), Hertz Dieci coax's in the rear doors); and also have a 10" Kicker hideaway under the driver's seat
     

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