Audio build. 2018 runner

Welp, time, for me, has come to ditch the OEM shit, and put some small audio in. Im a HUGE lover of music. Heaven for me, is driving, and listening to music. I have , as of now, ordered a source (head unit), one nice 4 chan amp, and a wicked nice set of components. A 3 way set, from B2 audio consisting of a 6.5", a 3" and a really nice 1" dome tweet. The amp, is a VERY high quality 4 chan, using nichicon caps, and other top tier components. Deck/source, is a OK/decent Kenwood. Ill be adding one 15" Fi audio Q , in a sealed enclosure, that will be made to be easily/quickly removed for space/camping. A audison bit one dsp will more than likely be used also. Plans for a second battery under the hood, are already in the works, and possibly a high output alternator from Mike Singer. He has been the go to for use in our extreme builds, for about a decade now. Alts you can just beat the shit out of, and last, that put out great amperage, even at idle. He also has already done some work on lexus stuff, that will bring the OEM charge voltage up a volt or so. OEM rigs these days, keep charging to a min, for gas sipper rules and regs. He has a way, to get the oem stuff charging 14v plus. I sent him a pic of my oem plug, to see what can happen there.
Thoughts were to glass a tablet into the dash, which we have done in other builds, and use a high grade single din sony unit that is out. Great, purpose built sound quality, but, im going to just use the aftermarket double din in this build. Ill be deadening the doors, with SECOND SKIN sheets. Blows any other dampener out of the water.
I wil put the 6.5 mid bass in the door location, and more than likely be glassing the 3" and tweet, in the A pillar, together.
Gear is going to arrive anytime, and work will begin. Super stoked. I LOVE music, and the runner is due

Let the fun begin

 

Music. Man, music. It's one thing in the world, that can just set me at ease. Growing up, we didnt have tv a lot of the time, but my mom, had a old radio, that played 24hrs a day. It never got shut off. Ever. Music, and driving, I hope is my heaven when I go. Eternal driving, down a lone road, with music on the entire time. Just makes my heart feel good.
Gear is coming in. Got home to some boxes.

Kenwood 994s, B2 audio REF 6.3, B2 audio REF 4chan amp, new bezel/install kit. Maestro kit, for vehicle info ported to the receiver, steering wheel controls, back up and front camera integration, OEM harness.
The 3way components are beautiful. Laser etched logos, heavy, and built like a tank. Passive xover network (for cutting bands to each driver) that has all the goods.
The amplifier is pure sex. Nichicon capacitors, along with top teir internals. Custom tooled, not stamped heat sink and case. Just flat rad. I chose the 994s, as the 995s was several hundy more, for no real gain.



I have 30 sqft of second skin damplifier coming, to deaden the hell out of the doors, RCAs , wiring, and fuse blocks/distro blocks are on the way.
Super stoked. ..

 

Nice! I, too, have no clue about some of what you posted, but this will be a cool build to watch and definitely learn from. Huge music lover as well...have installed gigantic PA systems in arenas and clubs, but car stereos literally scare me haha.

First thing I did when I bought my runner was blast a song as I drove it off the lot. Felt fuckin awesome.

 

Post all your install pics my Man
Music is something we all need driving or chilling

 

Nice, that'll sound killer. I'm just starting my planning stage for my system. It's been so long since I've had a system in a vehicle of mine, the subs, amp etc are all way outdated and in need of upgrade I'm a JL fan, just not sure which route to go yet. Can't wait to see pics, I think I'm planning more of a stealth box on the side so I don't have to worry about moving it out of the way..

 

Here u go my friend
JL 10” is fiberglass in behind the panel and u hv all your cargo area. I can’t wait for door speakers/4ch amp to be installed, just dash 3.5” upgrade up front made a big difference already

 

Sounds and looks like a pretty serious setup.! Wish I could hear the end result... please keep us posted.

 

let me know how you like that Kenwood head unit, I've been looking at the same one..

 

Nice, that fits in there pretty good. Which model 10" sub? I'm looking at W6 or W7 which are pretty deep..

 

JL Audio 10" W1 and it hits as long as the box is built per specs my friend....Anything bigger than that, magnet is too deep.....I thought of it before getting put in and I love it......

 

Spanks all. Neat to see a few others, are like myself, and get the "feels" when music is on, or around. It may sound full retard to many, or most, but, music to me, is pure art. Pure feelings, emotion, what have you. Just one of those things in life, that really makes you feel. Dig it.

Man how things change so fast. I got a huge bag of integration cables/wires/connections. Wasnt like this when I started lol 2 plus decades ago lol. Then again, i was the first person in my small town to get a car CD player LOL. I was 16 lol.....

And, for the low end responce, I'm going with a Fi Q subwoofer. 15" in a sealed enclosure. I'm going to have it, where I can undo a few wires, and slide it out when I go camping or need the space.
I've ran Fi audio subs for years, in and out of the competition lanes. I love them. Hand built separately in Las Vegas. Scott the owner, has done me REAL well for a long time. Best drivers on the planet imho.
I have a buddy that wants to sale me his minty B2 audio ZERO .1 amplifer for the sub stage. So, I'll probably go that direction.
Also, just spoke with my alternator builder, just like Scott at Fi,.. Mike Singer, at SINGER alternators has taken care of me for years. We run 4 of his high out put alts in our comp WORLD BEATER rig. 1 for the 12v side, for vehicle electronics/ecu, and 2 -door/mids/tweets - 12v amplifers, and then 3 18v (the blue boxes are transpo regulator boxes, to regulate the 3 high volt side alts) that feed 24 XS (yes, lol, 24 batteries,.. takes power to make power!) power D1600 batteries (16v cells) to feed the 6 - 4000 watt CROSSFIRE sub amps. 6 amps, for 6 18" Fi Audio drivers.


Speaking with him, the DENSO unit, in our rigs, is a fine stout unit. Though, i dont know if any of you noticed, they charge on the lower side, around 13.XX volt. Which is ok, and fine, and im SURE its a gas sipper type of deal to save gas and shit. He, already has a cable, that plugs in between the vehicle harnes, and alt plug, that "tricks" the alt into charging at 14.xx , in Lexus rigs, that, should work in the Toyota 4runner. Hey, it takes power to make power, and if a simple plug nets me over a volt more of charge, imma take it. I may, install one of his alts later, but, i will see how im doing "amperage pull" wise, and how well i hold voltage, when i let it rip. I will be installing a dual battery set up, under the hood, which will help. Ill see after its all up and running if i need more amperage.

Also, my door dampening came in!! YAY!!.
Second Skin damplifer PRO, B stock, that ive used in the last 4 builds. B stock, is just that. Miss cuts, or boot prints on em, or whatever. Nothing i give a fuck about, that saves me a ton of money, plus they had a 30% off sale thing on monday. So, i nabbed 30sqft to line the hell outta the doors, and possibly the roof, to HUSH it down, kill vibrations and such. They have some sort of SPEAKER TWEAKER thing they came out with. Round, thick piece to put right behind the driver (6.5" mid) in the door, to really help reduce vibration, send the "wave" in a direction, or whatever. They tossed 2 of those in, and a shirt for free. So, thats whatever...


Installation im hoping, starts wicked soon. On shift all this weekend, and with holidays looming, finding time blows, but,..... it will happen, and soon. A ton to do, a dick load going on, and a lot of it, im WAY unfamilure with, but, hey,... that is part of the fun ... No ????

 

Yes sir. I dont know much about Double Din untis mate. Never had one. But, this had everything plus i was needing/lookin for. The upper unit, the 995s, was a good chunk more monies, for very little gain, if anything. My understanding, it has a slightly faster processor, and a bit better screen is all. But, for the wad of cash over the 994s, .... i passed on it, and got 994s. Time will tell mate, and ill no bullshit, tell anyone and all what i truly think.... for sure.

 

I absolutely would love a great sound system in my stock TRD Off Road. Man, I have absolutely NO idea as to what you have and what you are installing.... BUT..... I would really really love to see a video of the entire thing! Please make one if you can!! Thanks~!

 

Awesome. I've had Pioneer and Sony double din units and I still have the Sony I bought about 12 years ago. I'm putting that in my '58 panel for now. I want something a little newer in the 4RNR lol. I put a newer Pioneer deck in a work rig about 3 years ago and it's performed flawlesly so far. I just like the look of those Kenwoods even when they're off. Just hoping the interface works well.

 

Well... shit...



I'm gonna get the unit in, play with it with the silver bezel for now. Good hell. Things have changed.

 

In. Just to get the hang of it. See the fit of the new bezel/dash. Left the vents and some buttons out/undone for now. Gimme time. Fits pretty damn good. Paint and more, much more to come.



Moving along got to update/RE flash the maestro unit and keep on keeping on. The 9945 is a nice unit, so far playing with it for 7 minutes.

 

Wish you the best of luck with your install hope everything goes well. I have started mine. It is a little different than yours, I am not replacing the head unit at this time. I am hoping I can make it sound good without having to. I have installed Morel components in the front door and dash and Morel coax in the rear doors. Built my own sub box the way I wanted for a 10" sub and will be using an Audison 5-channel amp. Hoping to get it finished over this weekend if weather permits. Later, if this is not satisfactory I will probably go with a Kenwood double din because I have had good luck with them, guess we will have to wait and see.

 

Those are good choices in equipment. I too am keeping the stock Entune Deck for now but have thought about adding the One Bit processor to have control of my sounds......

$450 Audison Bit Ten D Signal Interface Processor

https://www.amazon.com/Audison-Bit-...=1544129538&sr=1-1&keywords=audison+processor

 

Yes , I thought about adding a processor also, but think I will see what I can do with the adjustments available first. It will be easy enough to add a processor or change decks at a later time. Just got to get some better tunes in my ride.

 

I agree and I have a 4 channel amp to add to the upgraded speakers I finished last week when I get back from a trip. Using the Audio Source LC6 now as the interface with the stock deck

 

We run a audison bit in the burban. Loved it. Loved it so much I bought a other one. And then sold it :/ ..dumb ass.

 

Well I finally got my install completed, no thanks to the weather. All in all sounds pretty darn good. I still have some tweeking to do here and there and that will come in time. I think I am going to leave it like this for now and if it continues to impress I will leave it alone. If not I may try a DSP or just go ahead and get a new head unit. So far I can say the Morels sound great and the Audison lives up to its reputation.

 

Good shit man. We have absolutely been thrilled with our Audison DSP. Loved the hell out of it. Morel makes good swag also. Super stoked your happy mate. Good stuff.

 

Got a chance to add the 4 channel Amp to the LC6 and a Video in split cable for Phone mirror or front Cam.....Sound is night and day....Since this rig is not my daily driver, I will wait and see if I want a DSP or not but so far very happy with the upgraded speakers and sound.

 

What is your audio source going to be, and what format will most of your music be in?

 

Banzai....Plz clarify your question....
If you are asking what type of music I like then it is all music with clarity. Hip Hop, Top Pop, Country, Old School, etc....
I used to be a DJ so I like all genres......

 

Question was to the OP, but you can answer it too if you'd like.

Music source: phone, dedicated music player, some high end unit?
Format: Presumably not cassettes.... so CD, MP3, some lossless format?

 

Music source will mostly be streaming with Bluetooth thru Apple Music or Amazon...so convenient and between the two sources, they have everything and all genres.....
Cassettes would be cool but that is taking it way back......
I do have lots of CD's & MP3's though

 

I chose/installed a Kenwood 994s double din for the source. Ive had it in for a bit now, and getting use to it. Its not bad at all. (ive never ever liked double din units, and i LOVE knobs,.. god im old).
Android Auto, is pretty dope.

It will be used with my phone and tablet, that i have files/music stored and will plug in when i feel the need. Also, i have several jump drives, I am able plug into the provided usb's. Load and go type shiz. Those have my custom shiz on it. ROAD TRIP file, CHILL file, what have you.

I also run/use Amazon music, why not, i get it free with my prime shiz, as well as a Itunes account, that i have had for YEARS, with a BUTT load of music stored. And i store the best quailty i can save/find. Ive been told, the human ear cant even hear the difference in most cases of format vs format, but, whatevs. I have the space, so eff it. I use bluethooth, and now, APPLE CAR PLAY and ANDROID AUTO. Of which, if you havent checked that out, i highly recommend ya do. Its pretty rad, and gets updated often to be even more versatile,easy, neat.
That said,this will be wide open. I even run youtube , .. yep, for music, and for "whatever" else . And, like most on this forum, over the age of 30, i to have a billion folder sleeves, chuck ass full of those round shiny things lol. That, i do whip out on occasion(s).

I for sure want this to work great, and sound as good as I can get it, do not get me wrong, BUT,..., im not THAT picky when it comes to jamming. Its not like ill jump out of a moving rig, because some file is playing at 35kbs lol.. or anything that silly. Not being able to really hear helps here,... in my age, with my life style, hobbies, work, Im losing hearing. My left ear has all but peaced out, and my right, is right behind. Life i suppose.



But,... I just HAVE to have something....







I just have to.........