What's needed to hook up amp/sub to head unit?

Hello peeps

Went in expecting to get a tacoma, but ended up with a 2018 4Runner SR5 instead! Made the right decision.

Since I have the thread, can anyone point me to a tutorial or video about hooking up an amp/sub to a 2018 or 5th gen 4runner head unit? I get the basics of it all, just not sure if the stock head unit has the rca plugs and a spot for the amp remote wire. If it does not, should I get something like

$36 Add An Amp Amplifier Adapter Interface to Factory OEM Car Stereo Radio System for Select Vehicles - Add Subwoofer Bass Amp etc.- No Factory Premium Amp- Compatible Vehicles listed below

this? Didn't find what I was looking for on youtube or in the audio/video section here.

Thanks!

 

welcome to the group

 

I used an amp with speaker level inputs. Out of the headunit into the amp, and use the amp for crossovers and levels

 

Cmtaz is on the money with getting an amp that has speaker level input connection. I used the Kac-9106. You can run the speaker connection using the front driver side dash speakers. Use the t taps on Positive Wire (+): Light Green and Negative Wire (-): Blue. Amp will fit right under driver seat. Hope it helps

 

If you’re just planning on adding a sub, the harness you listed wouldn’t be a bad idea. Otherwise, you can get the metra connectors and some 8 conductor speed wire off Amazon (or other), and build your own plug and play harness including all four channels. Essentially you’ll just run the speaker wires from the radio into the amp (speaker level inputs), then the speaker wires from amp, back to the other connector end that will run to your stock speaker wiring. Easy to reverse in case you ever go to sell and want to return back to stock.

Note that I think taco tunes sells a harness that does essentially the same; but it’s cheaper and fairly easy to do on your own if you don’t mind a little work.

 

This is your million dollar answer !!!

I had this done (the Metra 70-1761 & 71-1761 harnesses and some 9 wire) after i replaced my speakers. 5 channel pioneer GM-D9605 (any amp will do) w/ a bass knob and a 12" shallow mount pioneer sub in the enclosure. one of the benefits of doing this way (a side from being easy to reverse and to return back to stock) is your balance a fader still work.

One tip.... turn OFF the entune speed volume adjustments.

 

I added this sub do you guys think it’s to bulky?

 

I think that port is too small.

 

What’s your thoughts on sub enclosures

 

Do you have the diagram of the wiring harness you made using the speed wire?

 

Not right off hand, but if I recall correctly, everything was color coded (speed wire colors matched the metra harness connector wire colors); and the metra connectors also had a list of which color wire did what. Also FYI, there is one wire (orange I think?) that doesn't get used; it will be obvious which one when the time comes, as there won't be a mate for it on the other harness side. It was all relatively fool proof.

From a quick google search, here is a reference as well; it's the same for all 87' and up Toyota's (for the two main connectors).

https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/radio2-jpg.671492/

 

This should work on an aftermarket head unit too?

 

You most certainly could - but I would leave the speaker connections off of the side coming "from" the radio; and use the RCA jacks instead (will provide a better signal for your amp to work with). Then just use the speedwire from the amp back up to the harness end that goes out to your factory speaker wiring.

 

Yeah that’s what I meant! Lol. RCAs from the head unit and the speed wire going back.

 

Anyone have pics of amp racks they’ve used?

 

https://youtu.be/6a9bJhU2Aoo

 

Can you give directions on how to make the harness? And what’s the “blunt” end for? Where it looks like it’s just taped off?

 

I think you were referring to my DIY harness - the blunt end in the picture just hasn't been stripped back yet... those would be the speaker wire connections to the Amp speaker outputs (amp back to the factory speaker connections).

The harness is pretty easy to put together... the colors on the metra harnesses match the OEM wire colors, and comes with a list on the packaging of which color does what. There are also toyota radio wiring diagrams readily available via a google search; the two main harness connections that contain the speaker wires has been unchanged since 1987 (so look for any diagram that references 1987 and up toyota).

 

hey Myla there’s some pretty good details on the Tacoma world forums of all the wiring

 

Do any of you know if this would fit onto a 2020 head unit? Ive been looking for weeks for a wiring diagram for tapping in and adding it myself but I cant find anything

 

FNG33 what are u trying to tap into?

 

I’m trying to put a line out converter into the stock radio harness but all the diagrams I have found don’t match anything on the back of my stock head unit

 

Are you open to tapping in through the front right tweeter?

 

Hmm I haven’t thought about that. Would that work?

 

I tapped into mine but I did it through my left drive side. I have the picture of the tweeter for reference

 

Do you know which wire is which by chance?

 

Pink is positive purple is negative

 

Thanks man Ill let you know how it goes

 

Yes sir

 

Hey man, you said that you also put in a line output converter right? Where did you wire your constant 12v and the remote wire to?