Tpp4's No Nonsense Guide to Kicker Key T-Harness (16-19)

+1 for anyone willing to make a harness for a 22 non jbl premium

 

Anyone do this for 2020+? Just got my kicker key and am fighting the urge to take it to cartoys...

 

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. I whipped up a THarness for my 19 access cab and while waiting for my Key 200.4 to come in ended up ordering a Key 500.1 and a downfiring 10” kicker sub to go with it. Mounted both amps under drivers seat and sub fits perfectly on floor behind passenger seat. Sounds incredible. I had previously upgraded the dash and doors and was happy. I’m a lot happier now lol.

 

You figure this out?

 

Yes, not the route I wanted to go, but I'll build the harness myself using this -

$14 RED WOLF Car Radio Add Amplifier Subwoofer T-Harness Adapter Connector Compatible with Toyota 2018-2023 Camry, 2019-2023 Tacoma RAV4 Corolla Non JBL System Plug and Play

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DTY8PMD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

As long as I have a harness I could use, I'm ok with splicing a few wires.

 

From what I've read since writing you, you can simply cut this in half and run speed wire from it to the harness that came with the amp, which wouldn't require splicing OEM wiring.

 

yup!!

 

thanks for the write up! helped out tremendously!

 

I have a few questions in step 6:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ker-key-t-harness-16-19.642415/#post-22214527

Since I'm using an amp install kit from Crutchfield (separate power and ground), I assume we just connect the yellows together and the blacks together as opposed to tapping back into the separate power and ground wires?

Also, I'm adding the RCA's back in for the key 500.1, so the remote wire for the 500.1 will just tap into the other 3 blue remote wires in the harness?

 

Correct. If running 2 amps in same location there is no need for rcas you can just run speed wire down to them and pull speaker inputs off the speed wire for the 500.1 before it goes into the 200. Saves you from running anything extra. Just remember to pull of the front channel

 

Anybody encounter the gain LEDs not working? The volume increases and decreases with the gain adjustments, but for whatever reason don't light up.

 

I have the exact same problem. That and my amp seems like it's severely underpowered. I think my amp is garbage. Did you buy your amp from Crutchfield? That's where I got mine.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mgmdeserttacos-audio-build.766274/page-6#post-27415106

 

That's where I bought it from as well. Mine doesn't seem underpowered as my comfortable listening volume is now considerably lower than stock.

 

Which speakers are you using? Did you run separate power and ground or tap in behind the head unit for power and ground? I thought maybe it was the CDT's up front needing more power or maybe the crossover settings were off, but my focal rcx-165's in the rear sound like garbage with the key too. Also, the amp was blistering hot (too hot to touch) with the gains all the way down. I don't understand what or where my issue is in the system.

Edit: I had to crank my system twice as loud just to get factory sound levels back. Something is definitely screwed up.

 

@destin_meeks Do you have any suggestions to the above posts about the gain lights not working or the amp seeming very underpowered and running extremely hot? I've thoroughly checked my connections and don't know what else to do short of swapping amps for another key 200.4.

 

I'm using Kicker KS fronts and rears. Like you I ran the a separate power and ground and installed the amp under the passenger seat as I was concerned with heat having it behind the headunit.

I'd be a little concerned if the amp was getting too hot to touch. Mine only feels warm.

 

If we’re getting too hot, I’d want to check how the speakers are wired first. I may have asked you this before, but do you have a multi-meter?

 

I've got one yes.

 

@MGMDesertTaco

I figured out the issue with my gains....volume wasn't turned up high enough. Once I had it at 45 my gains lit up.

 

I'll try that later. I noticed a slight improvement yesterday turning the gains up to 3-5, but all of my speakers still seemed grossly underpowered. I had my volume up to 35 just to get the same factory volume levels of around 18-21 and the amp wasn't pushing the speakers very much at all. The whole system seemed like it was struggling.

Also, my garage was 102, but the amp got blistering hot rather quick. I know the CDT's are a bit much for the key, but the rear focal RCX-165's shouldn't be struggling too. It's got to be something simple.

Compression left on? Did you ground to the passenger seat bolt? I need to find a new 12awg 3/8" ring or spade terminal for my ground wire.