Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

I think we can thank Toyota for that....they have effectively lowered my expectations of what $39K buys when it comes to p/u trucks (and their OEM equipment)... ;-)

 

Props go to Kicker for a killer product. I am just glad it worked out. I just did not want to fork out a grand plus for oem audio. I know when I bought and installed them I was real worried. They sounded great but the Subi Kicker tweeters put the icing on the whole package. Thank our lucky stars that Toyota did give us a good head unit to build on.

 

Indeed. These speakers would have disappointed if that head unit didn't pump some juice, but it HAD to to get the power it did out of those stock speakers - worked out well and now that more folks are getting their shipments I'm sure more happy campers ahead.

 

I got half of my speakers put in last night!

It sounds a million times better! Very happy with the speakers. I do however, foresee some sound deadening in my future... the 6x9 put out some serious bass. I am only experiencing some minor rattles at bigh volumes near the window controls on the drivers side. In all honesty though, I had the same rattle with the stock speakers. Anyone else having this??

A++ upgrade for under $200!

 

That is what I was recalling, but it had been a while since I did the swap. I have tons of high end, so I can't see how it's cutting out my 3-ways in the front doors.

 

Did anyone have issue fitting the front Kicker speakers (DS model) using the Metra brackets (

$19 82-8146 6" x 9" Front Speaker Adapter for Select Lexus and Toyota Vehicles, Black, Apple

82-8146) provided by Crutchfield? It seems only 2 of the 4 holes lined up? Also, am I supposed to mounted the speaker with or without the black plastic cover plate?

 

I just went over the top. There is a crash bar just behind that main inner steel door panel, so you would have a very tough time getting anything on the outer metal door panel. It may have not been the greatest, but it did help reduce some of the road noise. I was able to get a couple pieces above and below that bar, but I could not get my hands in much further.

 

Without the plate. Drill the holes you need - I used a small bit (eyeballed it, not sure what size I used) to drill those that didn't line up. Pretty easy

 

That was my next step, but thought I check first. Thanks.

 

For the 6x9, are you using nut/washer/bolt to mount to the bracket or a larger then supplied self tapping?

 

Where did you see this? I don't see it online. I do see a tundra tho.

 

They used a 10" universal fit. They did have to chop up the dash a bit but they trimmed it out nice and looks factory. Audiolab in lake forest CA has it on thier Facebook and instagram

 

Because of this thread I thought “oh I could use some new speakers for my 2nd gen so I’ll buy some kickers for a good price.” so I go ahead and buy these from Crutchfield.


Well today they came in so I go to install them and this is what I find (I bought my truck used almost two years ago and haven’t removed the door panels). I always thought my truck sounded pretty good for a stock system

 

Dude that is funny. Do the new ones seem any better made and worth trying or can you just ship them back for a refund.

 

I think the ones in there are better lol. They’re components with tweeter upgrades and everything. 150 a pair. The ones I got are just coaxials for like 65 a pair

 

Yeah 3 of the 4 lined up for the 6x9s. I just drilled directly into the bracket for the 4th.

 

Did you put any behind the speaker opening? Some of the guys in the "2016 BPP Audio Build" thread recommend putting a 8" x 8" piece of mat in there.

 

Holy fuck does this sound nice! So much more crisp than the paper shit Toyota installs from the factory.

 

That's too funny! Guess you'll have to spend your $$ on another mod.

 

Anyone on the fence about doing this upgrade.... DO IT! It is more than likely the best bang for your buck mod you can do! The sounds is so much more crisp! The bass is still there but isn't near as sloppy as the factory speakers. I was able to fix my rattling by adding some weather stripping to the bottom side of the window controls on each of the doors. I am very impressed with how much power the factory head unit puts out. I'd be curious to know how many watts it puts out. The crutch field rep told me the factory head unit was probably only putting out 10-12 Watts, but after hearing these new speakers I find that extremely hard to believe. Very happy with the upgrade! Thank you OP!