2014 CM Non JBL need new sound !

New sound ? !!!
Where to get components? Trail Grid Pro, Taco Tunes , elsewhere?
What has everyone done to theirs ? Are you happy ? What would you do differently? I’ve got a new project truck 2014 CM , non JBL , but has small factory amp under the seat. Sound system in this truck is underwhelming. Any help would be great.

 

1. What is your budget?
With a $1000 budget i would go with one set up
$2000 a different setup
$3000 a different setup

Anything over $4000 you get to diminishing returns real quick in car audio


2. Are you planning on doing the install yourself?

 

I could do any of those budgets, and yes I agree I wouldn’t go over the latter, it’s a 2014 , and yes I could install, may need to have someone tune correctly( or if I could find a how to video to tune correctly I would do that too) . Thanks for any help you can give!

 

I've heard only good things on here about Trail Grid Pro.

Mine's a '19 but had the amplified non-JBL also.

Just changing out the craptastic OEM head unit was a significant improvement in sound quality as well as functionality. I'm super happy with the big 10" Kenwood I had installed.

Yes, I'd like to just drop thousands more and do amps, subs, and separates, but I have too many other priorities to spend that money on and this is good enough to keep me happy for now.

 

Welcome to the forum.

The good thing is that your non-JBL is easier to upgrade than a JBL system.
Please note that your dash speakers and rear door tweeters are powered by the HU, while the door speakers are powered by the OEM underseat amp.

This adapter makes replacing the OEM amp easier:

$18 2010-2019 Toyota Tundra (w/o JBL Audio) AutoHarnessHouse.com Factory Amp Upgrade Harness AHH-4438

Amazon.com: 2010-2019 Toyota Tundra (w/o JBL Audio) AutoHarnessHouse.com Factory Amp Upgrade Harness AHH-4438 : Electronics

You can find your wiring diagrams here.
Ultimate TUNDRA Wiring Diagrams Collection | Toyota Tundra Forum

I would avoid Taco Tunes with one exception.
They have many satisfied customers, but in the past, some members here had bad customer service experiences.
That is the reason one cannot post a link to their website on this forum.
The exception is that they make very nice speaker adapters.
Cut to order and usually shipped promptly.

 

I made the mistake of going with Trail Grid Pro Kicker bundle first, and then added the Sony 9500 head unit. OEM sounded better ... sad but true.

The Sony is nice but it doesn't put out enough power to drive the Kickers, so they sound weak/anemic. Do not do this upgrade without also adding an amp (which I suggested they do if they continue to sell this 'upgrade').

In retrospect I shoulda done the head unit first and then done the speakers. I'm an idiot for tossing the OEM speakers in the garbage before trying them with the new Sony.

 

Slightly different for OP since in 2014 Toyota started adding a small amp under the passenger seat, even in the non-jbl trucks.

@SC SR5 your factory amp does ~35w @ 2-ohms, and about half that at 4-ohms.

You’ll have a speaker in each dash corner that is wired to one voice coil of the center speaker (2 channels total here) and then you’ll have a tweeter in each rear door (for another 2 channels). Add those together and you’ve got 4 channels that are all wired to and powered by the head unit at 20w and 4-ohms.

In the rear doors you’ve also got a 6.5” speaker, and in the front doors you’ve got a ~6x9” speaker. Those 4 speakers are all 35w and 2-ohms.

Budget/goals really determine what suggestions I’d make. Things like do you want a new head unit or do you prefer the factory look? What kind of music do you listen to? Do you want a little or a lot of bass, and does bass take priority in the budget over sound quality?

Plenty of great head units, speaker, and sub options at different price points. Certain install pieces like the factory integration harness and speaker adapters @1lowlife linked are nearly essentials in my book. Sounds Good Stereo also makes great adapters and amp racks.

You can fit 8” drivers in your front doors. Common thing to do is buy the sail panels for a JBL equipped truck to easily add a tweeter mounting location. A 2 or 3 way passive front stage will satisfy most people. A single sub will also satisfy most people. If you’re a sound/music/speaker enthusiast moving to an active setup, a 2nd sub, a front sub etc. are all great avenues to go down. Really depends how much time/money you want to invest but like I said before, in my experience a decent 2 or 3 way passive front stage on a good amp will wow most people, add a sub and you’ve got the best car most people have ever heard.

 

Here is one option to look at

Ultra budget but great sound
Replace the head unit pick any basic head unit that has the features you want 4v rca output is enough.
Jcv750bt. Ebay. New. $332. I have this in my son's camaro it has worked well.

Or the kwnwood dmx809s It has wireless apple or android auto. Crutchfield $399

I like wireless

Dash kit metra99-8252
Crux swrty-61n wiring interface
$99 if you buy the head unit at Crutchfield

There are several lower cost dsp options out there
Down 4 sound dsp ezy68+ $279
Marts btx8 ebay $125
Dayton dsp408. $179.

Audiofrog umi-1. $199. If you want to learn to tune yourself

Tweeters. Massive audio ct2 28mm silk dome tweeters. $79 for thr pair. They even have pods included
I would mount in pods on the dash on axis as much as possible

6 inch woofer in the front doors
Sb acoustics sb17nrx2c35-4. $142 for the pair on madisound speakers store

Or ultra budget silver flute wr17rc38-04. $36.80 each. Don't let the price fool you. They sound fantastic

Subwoofer. Single 8 inch daytonHO 8
Build the box around .75-.80 sf. Tuned to around 34 hz
Sub $139. Parts express

Amp. Pick any basic 5 channel amp
Many to choose from around $200
Ct sounds ct-1500.5d $269.99

 

so , I wouldn’t mind keeping the factory head unit and upgrading speakers, a bigger amp and a single bass first .

 

I can go a bit more than that with my budget