KickerCS Upgrade with Kicker Key amp Install Assistance

Ditto. Imo the amp does improve the sound quality.

 

As an installer at Best Buy, I can confirm, you spoke to an idiot.

 

Thanks meeks...i almost returned the key amp..i think i will just re schedule and have him put it in....as i didnt want to get to deep into this $$$ wise...if you had to pick the amp or the sub..which would you prefer??..wife purchased some package that the installs are free...i dont want to argue with that guy..

 

Me personally, I like a sub first. Many will disagree, but it is 100% personal preference. I like my bass more than my overall volume, and honestly even more than my overall quality/clarity. To my ears, bass completely changes the music I listen to. Rock has more kick. Rap has more boom. You can actually feel the Bass guitar in a RedHotChiliPeppers song.
If these are things you don’t care about, then go for the amp. If these sound good to you, go for the sub. There is no wrong answer

 

That is the answer i was looking for...i should have asked you first...your now on my speed dial...lol

 

The sub does make a huge difference. I put the kicker speakers in the doors and Key Amp in first and it sounded amazing and even had a good amount of bass. I could have lived with it without the added Sub, but like Destin, I do love my bass. I listen to the hair metal rock so booming bass is not required. I went with the Sound Ordnance 8" powered sub and it is great. I am considering adding another 10" to the mix though.

 

Where do you get your T harness? Do u have a link? Compatible for 3rd gen

 

I think everyone here made their own harness using the Metra links below.

 

Too bad someone doesnt already make this harness w everything ready to go.. im sure plenty of people would pay the extra for it..

 

@destin_meeks what would ya charge for a ready to go wire assembly?

 

Not to take away from @destin_meeks but here's a step by step guide.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ker-key-t-harness-16-19.642415/#post-22214527

I currently building my harness using those instructions.

 

Yeah i looked over that and im sure im capable of doing that since i have some basic electrical and mechanical skills i quite frankly dont have the time or patience soldering and connecting wires in place at the moment. Have a newborn and a 2 year old to look after... lol

 

I have actually transitioned to a new line of work and don’t have the shop and easy access to equipment and tools like I did previously. I too have a 1 year old and am currently working from home while things are crazy so unfortunately I won’t be able to help you out

Once you grasp the concept of the t-harness and understand what exactly is happening in the wiring, one could be assembled in under 30 minutes

 

Thanks man i appreciate it. Maybe once my kiddeo is able to go back to daycare i can knock this out. Anyone here run the kicker hideaway sub?

 

About a thousand people lol. Search “hideaway” in the top right and you’ll have plenty of reading to do

 

Can you give an honest opinion on best bang for your buck between the two? Like which would enhance the system better? I already have kicker speakers throughout the entire truck, including the tweeters

 

That is absolutely a personal preference for sure. Many have done the key and said they don’t need the hideaway. Many have done the hideaway and typically end up adding the Key as well (once you get a taste of better audio, it’s a deep hole to go down)

I personally would do the key first, because no amount of bass can make up for a lack of power and clarity in your mids and highs. Granted, the hideaway isn’t loud so it’s not like it will overpower the door speakers, but it just sounds like you added a sub to a stock system.

I will also say that I don’t like the hideaway that much, although I completely understand why other people aim towards it so much. Cheap, easy install, gets you some bass. If you set your expectations right, it can be the perfect solution. My audio preferences have been spoiled by installing and owning much nicer sound systems. And I’m sure many high-end system installers would get in my truck and turn their nose up at it because it’s all Kicker product and no DSP. So I understand my thoughts on self-powered subs are a result of my previous profession. (I can’t stand home theater Sound Bars either, because I’m used to full surround systems with dedicated receivers. And I can’t even understand why some people still use the built-in tv speakers, so like I said, all personal preference)

 

And i can just tap into the rear speakers to power the hideaway too right?

 

Do the fronts. Rear speaker channels are severely limited in these trucks

 

Even with aftermarket speakers.