Stock radio wiring

I ordered my truck with just the plain old single-disc CD radio in plans to replace it with an aftermarket head unit, and speakers all around. My question is, on this radio is the audio going through any type of amp or is the amp only used in the JBL version? Also is an external crossover used to seperate the audio frequencies in the front woofers and tweeters, or is the audio crossover built into the stock radio? I ask because I want to purchase a set of component speakers for the front that come with a crossover and am thinking it may be better to run all new speaker lines instead of just using a wiring harness with the new head unit.

 

I did something similar to what your considering (there is no amp in mine/your setup from factory) I purchased the truck with the single disk cd player ,i replaced that with a pioneer and i just ran the stock harness into the new after market radio. Then i replaced the stock speakers with infinity's and OMG what a huge difference in sound quality just do it you will not be disappointed http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

the tweeters have crossovers built into them. the wiring going to the door is split up between the woofer and tweeter so you would not have to run new lines to each speaker. i just installed the crossover for my alpine in the door getting fed from the factory wiring.

i would also recommend that you install an amp with your new compnents. most aftermarket radios will power components but they will really come alive when you got an amp to them.

 

You will be fine with using the existing wiring with a wiring harness. There is no seperate crossovers. The crossovers are built in to the tweeters. There is no amp with the non JBL systems either. What I do recommend however which you did not mention, is add an amp to those components. If you read the specs on any components, you will notice that they are usually around 60 watts and up rms. The MB Quarts that I have are 130 watts rms. If you purchase components and hook them up straight to the head unit, you will probably not be to happy because your head unit will underpower them. And you will spend more money for components than coax speakers. My advice, get components with an amplifier or just get coax speakers if you don't want an amp. Usually any head unit will only give you around 20-25 watts rms per channel if you are lucky. Don't go with the "max" output that is given. That number is over rated.

 

Thanks for all the information, good stuff. This may be easier to wire than I thought. I have thought about the amp though. I'm really looking to do an install that is meant to be heard rather than seen. The days of "hey look at my glowing blue amps" are past me. I've considering installing the amp under the seat or something, but have always been concerned about air flow with installing an amp upside down.

 

I wouldn't recommend installing the amp updide down either. Most amps will overheat this way. Not all of them, but most of them. I personally like having lights to give it that clean look. I can't stand to see an install where all the wires are exposed. Looks like they didnt know what they were doing. But thats just a personal opinion.

 

you could always remove the led light thats making the cool "blue glow"

 

if i am wiring an amp to my stock radio and already bought an output adapter then wht wires do i connect to to the back of my radio?