2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road Audi Upgrade - Input/Suggestions

I'm looking at getting an upgrade to my '19 Toyota Tacoma TRD off-road (double cab). I'm wanting to get my door speakers replaced and a subwoofer installed while maintaining my Entune II stock radio (mostly because I haven't found a Tacoma option without CarPlay that I like). The parts list below was provided as part of a quote. I'd love some feedback, suggestions, or personal experiences! My biggest concern is lack of power from the stock head (primarily to the doors).


QTY MAKE DESC PRICE
1 JL AUDIO 16+ TACOMA 10TW3 STEALTHBOX $769.99
1 JL AUDIO CLASS D FULL RANGE 250X1@4 $329.99 (before $80 discount)
1 JL AUDIO XD CORE 4 AWG AMP KIT $109.99
1 JL AUDIO REMOTE BASS CONTROL $44.99
1 PAC 2CH LOC W/REMOTE TRIGGER $29.95
1 KENWOOD EXC 6X9 COMP W/2.75 $220.00
1 KENWOOD EXCELON 7" OVERSIZED CUSTOM FIT $130.00
Per Hour Labor: $109
Total Labor: $654

 

Good lord that stealthbox is overpriced (not from that dealer, but just in general.

the stealthbox is rated for 400w RMS and they’re quoting you for a 250w amp...

Even if you go with a bigger 400w amp, you don’t need 4awg wire for that. 8awg is good for 600w all day.

$45 for the bass knob? Holy moly. That’s absurd

don’t need an LOC with a remote trigger because if they put it behind the radio where it’s supposed to be, there’s a remote trigger in the same wiring harness they’ll be pulling the signal from.

the factory radio is going to absolutely not going to be able to drive those big Kenwood speakers. You’re going to lose a ton of volume compared to stock speakers.

They’re quoting you 6 hours of labor to do front and rear speakers and an amp/sub? That must include their hour long lunch break.


*these are all my opinions and nothing towards this specific shop*

 

Thanks. This is exactly what I was looking for. From the description, it sounds like the amp would be driving the sub only. Are there any options to drive extra power to the doors as well? Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate quality audio, but I would absolutely not want to lose volume. The stock speakers are too low as is.

Any other suggestions on items to swap out or ditch? The Stealthbox is stupid expensive, but it seems to be the only non-custom option besides the OEM Audio package.

 

Well you can get a lot better sound for a lot less money if you’re willing to remove some 10mm bolts and pull out those useless plastic bins. A custom box from MrMarv will run $150-200 and a 10” compRT will run $150. This puts you at $350. Saving over $400 compared to the stealthbox

if you want to run the doors on an amp (you do) then look into some 5 channel options, ideally with a DSP for some good tuning since you’re keeping the stock radio

the Kicker q 1000.5 is a great option. You can also go with a 5 channel without a DSP if you plan on swapping the radio down the road. This will save some cash up front.

 

Thanks! That’s helpful.

 

This is a way better option. I would also get some sound deadening material though since everything is already apart.

 

I would stick with the larger amp power wiring because we all know this isn't going to be the stereo's final form. Rather than upgrade later (rip it out and do it again with bigger wire) just run more than you need right now and it will be ready for when he adds more amplifiers. It will be cheaper overall.

This looks like a package put together by a shop whose customer came in and said something like "I just want..." and what they really wanted to say was something more like "I have a budget."

I'm in agreement with the others that you can get better value in a subwoofer by going another route, and also in agreement that you need to amplify the doors. The Stealthbox is a tradeoff, $$ for easy. If I were you I'd go with an add an amplifier interface for all channels and a custom sub box.

 

Yeah I agree with that. Run the 4awg OFC and be done with it. That will be good for 1400 watts or so. Plenty for a full system.
I would look at the KnuKonceptz Kolossus Fleks. Awesome price for the quality. The JL audio and Kicker wiring is nice and all but they have a super steep markup on it.

 

The more I look at this the more annoyed I get. I'm definitely going to call this the "He'll be back" package.

This looks like exactly what you'd need to give someone a taste and still feel the need for more. I don't know if it's just that this is what you asked for, or if they are intentionally trying to lead you down the road towards more upgrades. Here's why I think this.

They are selling you more sub than your stereo can keep up with. Your stock HU isn't going to have a chance. The JL sub is wired for 2 ohm mono and handles 400W so the amp won't be putting out 250W, it will be running up to 500W.

https://www.jlaudio.com/collections...sb-t-tacdcg3-10tw3-car-audio-stealthbox-94654
https://www.jlaudio.com/collections...roducts/rd500-1-car-audio-rd-amplifiers-98618

This is how much power I'm running on my subs and I'm at 100W/door to keep up. In fact, the door speakers I think you are talking about are 100W (300 max).

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113XP6903C/Kenwood-Excelon-KFC-XP6903C.html

Even if you do want to keep the Stealthbox I think you're looking at a system that needs a 5 channel amp, or a 4 channel added.

 

Yeah he’s going to lose so much volume with those new speakers if he leaves them powered by the factory radio’s 10 watts (or however many watts we figured it was lol)

this shop either knows exactly what they’re doing and is intentionally making a package to bring customers back, or they have no clue what they’re doing and just throw JL subs at people and upgrade the speakers while trying to convince the client it sounds better because “better speakers sound better, duh”

 

I went in to one place and the guy I was talking to said I need at LEAST 500 watts for a subwoofer. Then added about $1,000 for installing an 8 ch amp. and a JL audio sub. I already upgraded all the speakers. It was basically using a Tacoma specific adaptor for and Audison Amp/DSP that plugs in inline with my JBL system. Shop rates are over $100 now for stereo installs. There are some great installers that are definitely worth that, but I have seen some sketchy installers too.

 

I did tons of installs with 200-300w amps on single 10’s.
alpine makes a 90w sub amp that I used a few times.
Hell, I don’t run 500w for my own sub. So them saying “at least 500” is not accurate lol.

An 8ch amp? Are you running 3-way active up front AND running rears? Seems a bit excessive to sell you an 8ch amp

 

I have two ways in the dash (2 ch) three ways in the doors up front (2 ch) and 2 ways in the rear doors (2 ch) and was going to bridge ch 7 and 8 for a sub. Was looking at an Audison or JL Audio amp. Both have 8 ch and DSP. But I don’t know if that is the best way to go. Wiring would be the easiest that way just need power for the amp and then use existing wiring for speakers.

 

Yeah I guess that’s fine. You are going to have a LOT of volume, that’s for sure.
And you may find your sub being overpowered by your highs (especially running coaxials and 3-ways up front, that’s a lot of highs)
Typically people lean on the bass-heavy side but yours will be on the highs-heavy side lol

 

Thanks for the info/feedback.

 

i have one 10" JL TW3 in a $20 homemade box with approximately 200 watts rms going to it. turned up with will shake every panel and mirror in this truck. for one 10", it sound pretty impressive.

 

I upgraded the system in my 2016 Tacoma towards the end of 2018 and have been pretty happy with it.
Speakers:
Two Focal 6x9's Model IC 690Toy
Two Focal 6.5 Model RCX-165
The Focal speakers are running off deck power and sound amazing compared to stock but could use a separate amplifier to reach full potential.
The Sub is Kicker 8" L7 running off the Alpine MRV-M500 amp with Bass knob.

If i was to do another round of updating I would go with the JL Stealthbox and the Alpine R-A90S 6/5/4/3 Amplifier.

I still need to replace the dash speakers, just ordered some Subaru Kicker Tweets

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-slow-build-long-bed-overland-build.474928/