DIY 3.5" JL Audio dash speaker upgrade - Wow!

Just the addition of 3.5" dash speakers makes a huge difference. I purchased some RAAMmat (not installed yet), but I've heard that putting sound deadening material in the doors makes the factory speakers sound much better.

You might start with those two mods, and then decide if you want to upgrade the door speakers too.

 

Yea I saw another post about using the sound deadening mat. Any advice on the thickness of the mat?

 

This is the stuff that I have (you can buy individual sheets too):
http://www.raamaudio.com/raammat-bx...riod-please-click-to-see-product-description/

"Perfect amount for a basic but very effective install in most vehicles, you can double the results by adding 3 yards of PS Ensolite!

37.5 sq ft per box flat pack box, 20 sheets, 11x23", more coverage than our competitors "comparable" products.

Butyl based formula specifically engineered to compete with the top notch expensive brands.

Peal and stick for easy application, conforms well, stays put.

60 mils thick (.060" and .52lbs per sq ft, check the weight/thickness/cost of the other products on the market. It is the correct balance to get the job done as needed.

4 mil soft aluminum finish (softer aluminum to help prevent cuts while installing, hard aluminum like others use has been known to cause serious lacerations.)

250 degree temp rating (any higher rating is a moot point, the vehicle would already be on fire so we shoot for realistic numbers and spend our resources on making the performance better instead."

 

If you're going to deaden, do it right. If you just use little pieces here and there you're really just wasting your money. Been doing this for 20 years, take my word for it. It's a lot of work and takes a lot of time to do correctly but it is absolutely worth it. You want to do inner door skin and outer door skin. Basically seal the inner door skin that has a bunch of holes in it. I will post pictures of my doors later on today.

 

And more to come.

 

I was originally thinking of just doing the outer door skins. Sealing both the inner and outer makes sense as long as you already have the door panels off. I would be interested in how much deadening material you use total. I was thinking of using the Raammat like Eric is using. Any thoughts on the different materials? Also what speakers are you using in your rear hatch?

 

I don't personally have experience with that product so I can't say. I've used about 150 square feet so far. Rear hatch speakers are high end Hertz speakers. HCX 165 is the model number. If you go with these, you absolutely need an amp. The stock stereo is not even close to enough power to drive them.

 

Thanks

 

Chris, did you use the existing bracket on the right side and the fabricated one on the left with the JBLs or fabricated ones on both sides?

 

Fabricated a tab on each side. Just used back strap, the stuff every car audio shop has. Just basically flat metal with a bunch of holes in it which has many uses. One tab on the speaker lines right up, the other needed the bracket. Was able to reuse both original bolts and speed clips as well.

 

Speaker installation complete. I made the brackets like Eric did and I used the Taco Tunes adapter harnesses as well. I wanted to keep the original speakers in case I needed to reinstall them. I used the JBL GTO 329 speakers, like Chris, and shaved 1/4" the lip off using a dremel tool and shaved off all of the lip on the plastic speaker grill. All in all it took patience and finesse to get the job done. Thanks for all the pictures and instructions.

Next project is deadening using the Raammat like Eric.

 

Did the gto 329 come with bass blockers?
My jbl club 3020 included 270 mhz capacitors but I didn't notice them taped tucked under the styrofoam packaging and I just solder on 14 uf capacitors which was recommended for 3.5" to 4" speakers.

 

Every weekend, i see this thread. Every weekend i put all the items in to carts and never purchase. Call me a cheap skate, but is it that big of a difference? When i first picked up my TuRD, the sound realy bothered me (way to much base). But after adjusting the settings and over time its not that bad. Granted im old and have been blown...up a few times, so my hearing is not as it once was.

 

It's a significant difference and yes the GTO series comes with a 150UF cap

 

As Chris said the GTOs come with 150uF caps they will be taped to the side of the styrofoam packaging. The speakers are much clearer or transparent for the vocals and instruments.

 

Pulled the trigger. If this leads me to changing every speaker and getting one of those techno wizbang headunits with millions of useless features... I'm blaming you guys!

 

Dash speaker upgrade makes a bigger difference than any other speaker upgrade in these trucks. The stock speakers aren't bad, there is just a HUGE gap in response between the doors and dash. The 3.5 coax solves that problem.

 

So finally got the speakers in this afternoon. Took me longer to dig out the tools needed, than to do the install. About 30 minutes of bench work soldering the new connections and maybe 20 to pull the old, fab the mounting brackets using the stock ones. Thing is... I did not have to mod my speaker covers. They snapped right in place like the tupaware that they are. Sounds much better, still need to play with the equalizer options a bit.

 

Would be wise to remove the cone on the bottom of the grills. If that plastic cone is touching the speaker cone, they won't last long.

 

I guess I'll cut them on the morrow. The more I do on this station wagon the more dissatisfied i get. So much plastic, like a snap together model. For the price, I think I could have done much better.

 

Ever work on a Ferrari, Mercedes, any other high end car? I have, lots of plastic. You won't find anything new on the market today even close to this price range that isn't all plastic. Only cars I've ever worked on with real wood panels were old Mercedes and Rolls Royce. Of course old cars from the early 90s and back had some metal panels. You want to talk about fun to work on and figure out the puzzle lol.

 

I put the Dermal to it.

 

Well, I gave up my 96 Bronco for the TRuD. I'm thinking I should have stuck to build not buy method. To think what 30 grand (LOW ball for a TRD off road premium, plus finance) would do for a 6 grand rust free Cali truck. Oh well, check the box to another life choice i get to second guess for a decade or two.

 

If it wasn't for fords our tools would rust. You made the right choice. Although if you hate the 4R that much, sell it and buy another bronco.

 

Big edit:

Apparently (and this is on me too) the JBL system in the Limited is totally different. Different speaker and a completely different connector.

So at this point I’ll be sticking with the stock speakers since I didn’t want to tear apart the stock connector and the JBL speaker in the car didn’t seem too bad.

Kudos to Crutchfield for being so easy to work with.

 

BTW, if anyone wants the Taco Tunes adapters, I’ll ship em super cheap. They’ve been cut down to about 6 inches.

 

For those of you that have been wasting money on the Kicker / Subaru tweeters for no reason other than they are plug and play, here you go! Now spend half the $ on a worth while set of 3.5" speakers, buy these plugs, slap your capacitor on the positive side, and be much happier!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2016-1...ss-Adapter-Pair/273897971038?fits=Make:Toyota

 

Ebay ad indicates tacoma, does this fit 4runner 2019?

 

Yep all the same. Just bought a 2019 Highlander and it's the same on that also. I have to say though, the OEM dash speakers in the Highlander are far superior to the 4Runner and Tacoma. It's a full range woofer, not just a tweeter.

 

What speaker would you recommend that will work with this plug?