2nd gen Kicker Key Install: have a quick question

Trying to stuff this amp in the dash to keep the harness tidy. Where has everyone stuffed theirs or an Alpine Power Pack?

looking like I may have some room above the radio but I don’t know what’s up there to firmly attach to (looks like maybe AC ducts, plastic and hollow) and doesn’t look like there’s room underneath (tried, wire harness bunches up down there).

Anyone care to offer some input while I get started soldering the harness?

 

I have a 2014 and used Velcro to attach my Key Amp (don’t know the size difference) to the duct. Out of the way and lots of room to work with.

 

Honestly, the best option for the 2nd gen is to extend all the wires for the key another 2ft or so and mount it behind the glove box it’s more work, but it fits

 

The duct behind the radio? I looked at that, wonder if I can get a big zip tie around it for extra insurance.

If this doesn’t work I’ll go that route. I can always cut the heat shrink off and desolder the wires to do that if push comes to shove.

Probably being hard headed but it LOOKS like it’ll fit attached to the AC duct. I stuck it there with a piece of double sided tape and the radio fit just fine. Was looking to see what everyone else did.

 

@destin_meeks BTW, been reading through audio threads for weeks seeing all the help you’ve offered others, much appreciated. I’ve done several installs, the last one quite extensive, but I’m new to Tacoma’s looking to learn from everyone else. I was close to another “rip it all out, hand over wallet” system before I read up on the Kicker Key. Impressed 4 channel amps have gotten so small with the class D’s, last 4 channel I bought was a JL as big as a phone book.

 

If the radio fits back in with the amp there then by all means, mount it there. Double sided tape will fail very quickly in there though. I always used 2 course-thread screws (you probably have a few laying in a box in the garage.) It will actually hold the amp in the heat, and the screw itself prevents air from coming through the hole you just created.

 

Yeah, I wouldn’t trust tape, it was just a temp solution to hold it up for a test fit. I’m sure I have something among all my bits and boxes.

 

Got my power pack mounted in console next to shifter . Another option .

 

My 14’ is a Regular Cab and I could not find a spot behind the glove box. I used the heavy duty Velcro and covered the entire back of the key. I have removed and reinstalled it a few times now with it attached to the plastic duct above the bar.

 

Thanks to @destin_meeks and @tpp4 for the advice they’ve sprinkled throughout the forum. I got happy tones, time to button this up.

 

In case anyone hits this in a search, these instructions for the T harness worked perfectly. Credit to @tpp4

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tpp4s-no-nonsense-guide-to-kicker-key-t-harness-16-19.642415/

 

Where did y’all end up putting the Key? I was thinking about extending everything and installing it under the passenger seat, but I’d like some other ideas too.

 

I was able to tuck mine behind the radio, but it is a very tight squeeze. Best I can explain, behind the radio you’ll see a plastic tube running left to right for the HVAC system. I held my amp up against that, finessed the harnesses above or below the amp, and slid the radio back into place. There’s so little room the amp was pinned in place and nothing jiggles.

I have heard it can also be mounted either next to or above the glovebox, which were my second option if this didn’t work.

 

Have you had any temp issues with its location? My A/C is on 90% of the year in North Texas, so maybe that’d help keep it cool?

 

Can’t say yet. I’m not the first to put this amp here, but I’m in SE Louisiana so I understand about heat. I’ve had the amp in and out a couple times, haven’t seen evidence of anything overheating yet.

 

I have read the instructions for the t-harness above and makes sense. To confirm, the connections on the stock non-jbl radio are the same for a 2nd gen as the are for a 2016 to 2019? I have a 2010.... I am assuming the connectors for the 2016 to 2019 will fit a 2010. Thanks.

 

Yes. Luckily toyota used the same harness for like 2 decades. Frustrating that they even felt the need to change it in 2020, but oh well

 

Yep, I confirmed the 16-19 instructions work fine for the 2015, which means they should work back to a 2012 at least.

 

I placed my hand under and behind the glove box w not much room for mounting unless I'm looking in the wrong place you're describing ? Eyeballing it from the top and behind seemed not promising either.