Complete audio upgrade with stock stereo on a budget

I can’t leave well enough alone so after much research on this forum and good old google, I have completely changed my sound system but kept the stock radio. Here are the upgrades. Soundproofing for all speakers and areas surrounding them. Kicker key 200.4, front kicker ks 3.75 tweeters, front ks 6x9, rear and tailgate ks 6.5. The kicker key was the best mod out of all of them. MASSIVE difference after the install. I’m no genius and the install was not bad at all. The harness for the key was the worst part. The best part was that I saved over 400$ just taking my time and buying things off marketplace and bidding on eBay. My intention was to add a subwoofer at some point but after doing the automatic sound processor for the key it doesn’t feel necessary. I added the speakers first which was a nice subtle upgrade. The key woke up the entire system. Very impressed. If you want keep the stock radio then this is a great option.

 

Way to be dude. Nice job. Also, welcome to the forum.

 

Thank you!

 

Welcome. 2nd the nice job.

 

Did you have the JBL system or the standard non amplified?

 

Standard no jbl.

 

Is there a plug and play harness for the Key amp?

 

I believe there is one but it was over 200$. I got my harness for 45$ and made it. Not hard at all. I used this. PAC LPHTY02 LocPro Advanced T-Harness 2018-up Toyotas

 

Thanks. I've made harnesses plenty before, but I'm feeling lazy lately.

 

One other question: what did the amp do for the rear speakers?

 

Substantial differences all around. You have to mess with the gain on the amp1/2 to get the sweet spot. At first they was almost no sound coming from them. All it took was some adjusting of that gain.

 

Thanks. Looks like I'm getting rid of what I got and getting this.

 

Where did you mount the amp? Under the dash?

 

There is a small space just behind and below the radio where it fits perfectly.

 

Any photos? I've been wanting to add the kicker amp but there isn't a lot of info out there specifically for 4runners.

 

I’ll get some this weekend if I get to it. You want to see where the key went?

 

Yea, where it went and your wiring setup. Did you run a new power cable from the battery?

 

I used an amp wiring kit I had left over from one of my Jeeps for the power source. I’ll get some pics this weekend if I get back from mountain biking at a descent time.

 

Looks like that amp has time alignment, which is one of the most impactful things a car stereo system can have.

 

The entire dsp setup is pretty cool.

 

Did you have to replace the factory wires going to the speakers for the increased wattage?

 

No. It’s only 50 watts per channel.

 

Were you able to get any pics?

 

No. We went mountain biking all weekend.

 

Nice. Did you take the 4Runner? If so, what is your bike setup like on it?

 

Oh yeah.

 

Alpine makes a plug and play amp/subwoofer that goes under the front passenger seat that utilizes the stock head unit. After I replaced all my speakers, it was amazing the difference that thing made, have had it installed since Spring 2021 with no issues. Where level 50 was before is probably like 30 now? Another thing to try on your end if you have SiriusXM is listen via the head unit, and then listen via Bluetooth on the Sirius app. The app brings in even much better sound quality in my opinion.

 

I’ll check the app out. I had that alpine sub in my jeep if it’s the same 8” one. Great sub.

 

Any insight about what the install/wiring was like for that sub?

 

Hi Lou,

I can share my experience with the install. First off the main wiring harness was completely plug and play as it was designed to plug straight into the back of the 4Runner head unit (I have a 2018 SR5 Premium for reference). Basically you unplug the main harness from the radio, plug in the one from Alpine unit, then plug back in the main wiring harness into the back of the Alpine harness, the Alpine harness was male on one side and female on the other.

The part that took the longest was running the power cable from the unit to the battery. Fish it under the carpet to the door, remove the door sill and the panel that leads to the firewall. You'll find a rubber plug you can cut a tiny hole in to fish the power cable through. Then just run up and along the back of the engine bay, and over to the battery.

This does require removing the entire front seat and the center console paneling from the actual console to the radio, along with all radio dash paneling...etc. Plenty of videos on YouTube will show you how, it's not that intimidating and everything snaps off and snaps back on. Just make sure you have a cheap plastic panel removal tool set.

The only other thing I did was drill a tiny hole in the console and place the bass control knob there for easy access. Honestly though, I turn it all the way up and down and can't really hear any difference. I have to turn up and down the bass setting on the head unit now and again depending on the the songs or style of music. I definitely have it tuned for rock, and if I play some Tool or Systems of a Down it pair great with the Infinity Reference speakers I swapped out in all the doors. Also sounds great with some Yacht Rock, Zach Top, or classic rock like Boston.



I can't remember off the top of my head the 3.5" tweeter swaps I did, but my write up is here.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/diy-3-5-jl-audio-dash-speaker-upgrade-wow.7466/ - Very valuable thread, I think my contributions are on page 7, as I had to do a custom mod to get the Infinity 6.5" speakers to fit in the back doors and rear hatch.