KickerCS Upgrade with Kicker Key amp Install Assistance

Will do! I agree, the radio may be fine

 

I wouldn't put it back there. it gets REALLY HOT in the glove box already. I know people recommend that, but try running it for 2 hours on a road trip and see how hot it is. you won't want that in your dash cooking everything.

 

I've put a few to the test and so far we're still up and running! But of course, everyone use your best judgement. My word doesn't mean anything if your amp screws up! But fortunately the Key will go into protect mode if it gets too hot, so at least no damage will occur and you can pick a new location if it comes to that!

 

Well it turned out to be a blown 20 amp fuse in the fuse panel under the hood. I asked the service consultant which one it was because the only ones marked "Radio" are two 30 amp fuses in there. He said it was a 20 amp fuse that the radio has but isn't marked. I said "Well that's just dumb". Lol. Does anyone know which fuse it actually is?
At least now I'll know to check every 20 amp in the panel if it happens again. Lol

 

I'll take that into consideration. I would think the glove box has less air circulation than behind the dash. The dash could get air coming from below. The glove box seems to be smaller and more enclosed. Like destin said, if it does pose a problem I can relocate it, perhaps under the driver or passenger seat.

 

Never mind. I just found it! It is marked radio! Just away from the other 30 amp radio fuses. I missed that one completely. God I feel like such an idiot!

 

The Metra blue wires will deadhead in the harness connector. I saw on my HU harness that there are no pinned wires to feed the Metra blues because they are power for Amp and antenna which the non JBL doesn't have. If so, the key blue remote can remain unconnected? Sound right to you?

 

They might not be pinned in the factory wiring but the radio still outputs power to those pin locations.

 

OK, I'll connect them,
Thanks!

 

Well I completed the harness and installed the amp. Took me a couple hours to complete the harness but I was being very thorough with the soldering. I would solder and check the continuity after each splice before shrink tubing. I wired it exactly like mblume7 did and everything works great! Got the Happy music first go around then installed behind or I should say to the side and down from the radio. No need to tie wrap or anything as that thing is not going anywhere. It's a snug fit but nothing forced in.
Now all I can say is WOW! I can't believe the difference this thing makes! It blows away the JBL system in my wife's 4Runner. I don't think I will add a sub-woofer as it sounds great to me as is. One thing I do notice is the rear speakers with a heavy bass song doesn't sound that great. They are the

$80 kicker 43DSC6704 KICKER DSC670 6.75" (165mm) coaxial speakers, 4-ohm (pair)

kicker 43DSC6704 (6.75"). Not sure if it's because I didn't install sound deadening in the rear doors or it's because the speakers are the lower grade or both. I do have the Subaru kicker tweeters in the dash and Kicker 44KSC6904 6x9s in the front doors. The KS speakers really handle the bass surprisingly well! I also put sound deadening in the front doors. For some reason the KS 6.75" will not fit or work for the rear as per Crutchfield or I would've put them in. The rears really don't bring much to the party anyway so I just set the fader to 3/4 of the way to the front and the system really kicks hard! I must say I'm very pleased with the Kicker speaker and Kicker Key upgrade.

 

The 6.75” KS will work in the rear. That’s what I’ve got back there.

Not sure why they said the DS 6.75” would fit but the KS 6.75” wouldn’t... they’re literally the same size

 

Do you think its worth getting those? I just bought the DS but I could put the KS in instead. Maybe also install sound deadening while I'm at it if it'll really make a difference.

 

I mean, I would. Crutchfield’s return policy is great, especially since they told you wrong. You’ll get better sound in the rear for sure. And if you have the door panel off, might as well sound deaden at least a bit.

 

Cool. Ok, I will replace them then. Naturally I threw away all the packaging haha. Maybe I'll just sell them on TW for like $20 plus shipping. I'll run to best buy and get the KS speakers and sound deadening. Same price as Crutchfield and I'd rather support my local brick and mortar shops.

 

I’d see if your local store has the 6.75” in stock. I only stock the 6.5” so you may need to have them ordered if your store is the same.

 

Just checked. My local store will have to have them shipped to the store. No worries, I can wait.

 

If you have the metra brackets, the little tabs on the inside of the mounting hole need to be broken off. Easy to bend back and snap off with pliers

 

I ordered the KSC6504 rather than the 6704 as CF told me the 6.75 would not fit. I'm ordering the 6704 asap and returning the 6504's. This thread has been such a help! Thanks to everyone that has contributed.

 

I had to break them off to put the DS 6.75" speakers in anyway. Should just be a quick swap. Dang Crutchfield. Lol.

 

Putting my harness together following this thread. The blue loop wire is the final connection for me. Did you pull the single wire loop pin then snip it off of the other end where it attaches with the other blue wire?