Audio Upgrade

As we know, 4Runner audio lacks. Im in a brand new truck, and have no interest in doing anything or having anything done behind the dash to the head unit.

Wondering if there are any popular solutions to enhance the audio while using my ORP stock stereo. A patch in amp with a set of better speakers?

Thanks for any input. I know that there is a lot of experience here.

 

Swap out all speakers to Infinity Ref. They will run through the OEM headunit. Get harness and adaptors and it's plug and play. And while you have the door panels off, add some sound deadening.

 

OEM Audio + makes a full plug n play system or just the drivers for the Runner. You can add some Infinity 3.5” dash speakers with a bracket or mod the OEM ones or Trailgrid (not cartrim) sells Kicker replacement drivers. It all depends on how much you want to spend.

 

This ^^^^^^

 

I swapped the dashes for a set of Infinity reference tweeters, and put some Rockford Fosgate 6"s in the lift gait along with about 5 lbs of dynamat. that by itself made a huge difference

 

I was about to go this route before my TRD ORP was in a crash and no more have it. Else I would have done it. $400 labor is very reasonable imo for a full kit (speakers, amplifiers, subwoofer, etc..) and I love the fact OEM Audio customer service coordinate with their recommended installer. (So if anything goes wrong I'm not the one picked the installer).
Below is a screen capture of the email and I hide my information and OEM Audio person info for privacy.

 

Without replacing your head unit you will only get mediocre results (audio is only as good as its weakest component). Just a speaker upgrade wont do much but it is the cheapest way to "upgrade".

That said there are some aftermarket kit "upgrades" people like. Anything is better than stock, but it will cost you ether way. I went all out, Kenwood head unit, 6 channel amp, separate components... Sounds amazing.

 

I could be wrong since I didn't do it personally, but I have a feeling that our stock made in Japan Panasonic headunit should not be that bad for a full Amp + matching speaker and subwoofer upgrade.

 

The key is the line out/low level so it can be amplified properly with little noise/distortion. An aftermarket head unit with low level outputs like Panasonic is fine.

 

Twice their customer service has been really good for me. The first time their amp was dead so they had me head over since I’m local and installed the sub voltage knob where I wanted it and fixed the amp. Then the second time I had ordered the second sub but they had changed the wiring. I went to their new location and the owner himself put together a custom harness for it to work with my “older” system.

I did the installation myself. It wasn’t too bad except bending your arm unnaturally behind the dash. There’s more room for my fat arm in there than I thought.

 

Kicker makes a plug n play 8 speaker kit.

https://trailgridpro.com/products/k...3oGw1TDeTJ_X2ucLozPwtLWUyW7APjDUaAtL8EALw_wcB

 

I've been pretty happy with the OEM+ audio speaker only upgrade and sound deadening on the doors, rear hatch and trunk floor. There are numerous installation videos out there if you are handy with your hands and have the time for it.

 

How do these sound with the OEM JBL system? Reasonable improvement or not?

 

I do not have experience with sound quality on this particular system. Just another plug and play option.

 

I purchased the Kicker 8 speaker plug and play. The instructional videos and plug and play adapters that are included in the kit make for a very easy install. I upgraded from just the factory paper cone speakers and not the JBL system, so mine was a very noticeable sound improvement over the factory speakers. I also upgraded the head unit. I agree with previous posts on sound quality with upgrading the factory components. The sound from the speakers will better improve with an upgraded head unit. If you really want an improved system, you’ll want to do an amplified system. Good luck with your upgrades!

 

I waited a year and a half to upgrade the sound system in my truck. I went with the Sony floating head unit and 1 500 watt amp for rear channel and 1 700 watt amp for the front of the vehicle. I threw away the stock speakers and replaced with Hertz component speakers and threw in a JL Audio sub. I can make the mirrors rattle. Amazing clean sound! It was not cheap but well worth it!

 

I am surprised so many people think audio system sucks. I find it perfectly adequate. I swear its better than my 2015 honda pilot. I mostly listen to podcasts or audiobooks so I guess I don't really care for nicer sound system because it won't make a huge difference to me.
In fact that is how I'd describe 5G: perfectly adequate

 

I need some advice on fitment brackets to buy from Crutchfield. I’ve experienced the OEM Audio Plus, the fitment is indeed bolt on and no issues, sound is slightly better so I want to do it differently this time. I could go for the Kicker bolt on set, but their YouTube videos always reveal that the rear door speaker screws are too long, and they end up drilling holes to the doors (NEVER do that! Rust from inside out waiting to happen). Why not just cut the screws shorter????!? Now, it’s seems that the screws Crutchfield provided are also longer… now the question is, can I cut the screws? Also I read about I have to buy the Metra brackets and not the default bracket… having to modify the bracket is not an issue with me as long as I don’t have to drill into sheet metal. So I guess I need some coherent and holistic advice. Thanks!

 

The front doors take 6x9. The bracket is

$18 Metra 82-8146 6" x 9" Front Speaker Adapter for Select Lexus and Toyota Vehicles, Black, Apple

Metra 82-8146.

The rear doors and the hatch take 6.5 inch. The brackets are Metra 82-8148.

The brackets are direct fit, use the same bolts. For speakers to the brackets, just cut the longer screws to fit.

 

Oh shit, I'm sorry I found this. Now I HAVE to buy this add-on/mod.

 

This is the set that come with a long screw that you have to cut.

 

Thanks.

Never in my life did I think I'd want a shorter screw!

 

Instead of buying a set like the Kicker or OEM
Plus, I decided to do it a La cart. I bought the Subraru kicker tweeters just now, then I may research some co-axial door speakers from Crutchfield. The key is bracket and right screw, which I think I got the answer now thanks @Lc200

 

Cut the hardware that's provided in the kit or do you cut the factory screws?

 

Forget the Subaru tweeter. It's still a tweeter and really not an improvement. Get Infinity Ref or JBL 3.5 inch for the dash. With a little diy, it fits. Add the capacitor and that would change the whole audio quality up front.
For the front doors look at 6x9. Infinity JBl, kicker JL etc. Keep an eye on sensitivity if you running them off the OEM head unit. Anything below 90db and the HU will be too under powered.
Swap the rears for any 6.5. Of course same brand speakers to maintain cohesiveness.
They are all plug and play with the right speaker harness.
While swapping the speakers, add sound deadening to the doors.

 

Thanks! I noticed your truck is a pre-face lift, the 2023 non-JBL HU is quite powerful to me, there a lot of loudness with stock.

 

The non-JBL head unit is heavily tuned to the flimsy stock speakers and the car; this becomes an issue once you start adding amps and subs.

This is solid advice, I'd strongly suggest a low pass filter for the door speaker though. Has anyone tried using a coax with clipped tweeter wires?

 

Yeah, the only thing that really bothers me about the stock ORP is how boomy it is in the lower mid-range. I wish I could save some EQ presets or something.

 

The three-band tone controls in the stock HU have a really weird range and curve. Practically useless for making it sound better in my opinion.

But otherwise, I'd love to be able to have a few good EQ curves at hand to switch between.

Jason

 

That's how it seemed to me as well. I tried a few adjustments and didn't feel like they helped much. I wish I could get at the firmware.