How to add oem jbl headunit to non jbl system

I would like to add a oem jbl headunit to a non jbl system. Any idea what I will need?

I’ve upgraded my speakers to kickers all around.

 

The non jbl system is a traditional headunit where the tuner and amp are in one. All you need is a line-out converter and you're done.

The jbl system is different in that the head unit is only a signal source. That signal goes to the jbl amp/signal processor. The volume/fade/balance are handled by the amp/signal processor. If you want a jbl head unit you need the jbl amp and the wiring in between. You won't be able to directly use the signal that comes from a jbl headunit. Last I checked there were various people working on various adapters

There's a non-jbl headunit that looks just like the jbl headunit that should be easy to integrate into usual aftermarket stuff.

 

Thank you for the tutorial. That actually cleared up a lot of questions I had. Do you by any chance know what brand the head unit is that looks like the jbl?

 

I believe he is referring to the OEM head unit. The entune premium and entune premium with JBL look identical except for the JBL logo. Since you have an SR5 you probably have the entune audio plus which has physical buttons on the sides and the scout gps link vs. touch buttons and integrated navigation.

 

Audio plus:


Entune premium:


Entune premium with JBL:

 

I have a jbl system in my trd and I hate it. I wish I had the stock entune due not being able to upgrade the system. Jbl uses its own amp and sub system and I do not believe you will be able to pair it to aftermarket systems.

My recommendation is to stay away from jbl and upgrade using stock entune.

 

You need an oem integration processor or you can drop to line level after the jbl amp.

I have the factory JBL and went with a JL Audio Fix86 and I'm pretty happy with it. It removes factory equalization, does the line level conversion, has a 4 channel 13 band EQ and built in crossovers and high/low pass filters. It runs my aftermarket amp/speakers and I think it sounds significantly better than stock JBL.

 

How much did it run you for that setup?

 

I have the audio plus and after the feedback from you all I will be staying away from the JBL system. What is a good head unit that retains most of my factory components (reverse camera, steering controls, etc)? and has navigation?

 

I bought the Fix86 from Crutchfield (easy returns and great service). I think it about a $350 or so.

The other stuff I had from a previous car. 4 channel Alpine amp and A/D/S 336is separates for the front. The amp was about $300 a decade ago. The speakers are probably 20 years old and I recall them being about $600 and they sound great to my ears. I kept the factory rear door speakers for rear-fill. I didn't have an 8inch sub so I bought a Rockford Fosgate one for about $100 but it ended up sounding like crap in the factory enclosure so I put the JBL one back, but I connected the two voice coils so it would present a 4ohm load to my amp. Nice part about Crutchfield was when I was explaining to the guy on the phone what I was doing they threw in speaker mounting adapters for my front speakers. I did all the work myself so only cost time.

 

How did you hook up the Fix86 for power?

 

I got constant 12V from the power wire I ran for my amp which is mounted under the driver's seat. I have the 12V switched from the lighter plug.

 

After reading this thread.( I bought the used jbl unit first). I need to do exactly this switch to the jbl system. Ugh! Or have a jbl radio sit on a shelf.