Add an Amp?

Hi gang!

I've done some cursory research, and can only seem to find the more expensive audio upgrades for the Tacoma. Does anyone know if there's a simple amplifier upgrade that can be installed (plug and play) behind the factory radio without any additional wiring? I'm looking for something that will simply plug into the existing audio harness without disrupting functionality/controls.

 

Yes, its easily done, provided you make the harness yourself.

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

Here are the step by step instructions on how to do it, model years 16-19.

Also, bear in mind that your factory speakers will need to be replaced first. That is the weakest link in the audio chain.

 

Thanks...Is the speaker upgrade a requirement based on the design of the harness, or can they be replaced after the amplifier is added?

 

The harness will use the factory speaker wires. I'd replace the speakers first because they are made of thin paper and can't handle even a modest 50 watt signal.

Speakers are the biggest single improvement you could make to the truck. Speakers plus lining the doors with sound mat are the second greatest. Amping the doors is the third.

 

Thanks a bunch!! For those that don't want to make the harness, is there one available aftermarket that's pre-made?

 

Nothing to do with the harness. The new amp will likely overpower the factory speakers.


Edit, What @Rock Lobster said!

 

For a 2017, yes and no. There's one company (or one person, really) that makes it, but that company is so disliked on here that even trying to type out the name gets auto censored. Also, it's horribly expensive to order it premade.

 

Too funny....Certainly don't want to engage with the enemy!!

Apologies, one last question...I see that the amp used in the original project is discontinued...Is there a currently available amp that works with this particular harness as originally designed?

 

No worries. So the Key 180.4 actually got upgraded to the 200.4. I'm running the newer version and the instructions were the exact same. You also don't have to use the kicker brand - just mate any amp's inputs to the appropriate left, right, front, rear channels. (Many people love the Alpine KTP, and its another solid choice as a mini-amp) The Metra parts you buy to craft the harness will be the same.

Many people who posted in that thread made modifications to their setup: many ran additional subwoofer inputs, or an external power wire (instead of powering off the radio), or ran a longer harness to relocate the amp somewhere else... etc.

I myself deviated from the instructions with an external power wire and line taps for a sub. But the Key 200 is a great little unit, if you can find one. It tucks in directly behind the climate controls.

 

Call crutchfield. They actually know every in and out of our trucks. Called them before thanksgiving and received the goods four days later. I now actually have equal sound from the back speakers and the fade function works like it’s supposed to. The sound is quite improved with new speakers front and rear with some juice now driving them equally. Did the Subaru tweeter swap as well.

 

Thanks again! I definitely like the idea of tucking the amp directly behind the head unit for a simple install. I'm just looking for a modest improvement, as I drive the truck very little.

 

I installed an Alpine Power Pack

$349 KTP-445U Universal Power Pack

KTP-445U using Metra radio plugs to make it a plug and play. The Kicker Key amp is also a good option as @Rock Lobster mentioned.

 

Looks like both of the Kicker Key amps are discontinued. You can still find the 200.4, but asking prices are quite high. Did you have to make a customized version of the original harness, or did the original design work with the Alpine amp? Electrical stuff is my Achilles heel...

 

I used

$8 Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness Fits Select 1987-UP Toyota Vehicles Power + 4 Speaker (Packaging May Vary)

Metra 70-1761 and

$12 71-1761 87-94 Toyota Vehicle Harness

71-1761. Everything is colour coded, and easy connect. The radio output goes into the amp input, and the amp output connects to the vehicle harness. Not a single factory wire need be cut.

 

I have a few tips to make it real easy, you can harness and wire everything. After you gather your metra plugs and your amp harness, grab a roll of medical tape (or any tape thats easily writeable and can be removed) and start matching colors to the instructions. Label each wire (FL speaker+, RR speaker-, power, ground, etc.) Also use a second strip of tape to mark where the plug is going: Radio output, amp input, amp output, speaker input. Now instead of trying to color match you are matching wire for wire: Front left speaker positive, connect radio-out to amp-in, repeat eight times. Then repeat eight more times for connecting amp-out to speaker-in. It makes it a lot easier for the brain to grasp whats going on.

Also, Look into a self soldering kit and a heat gun. Solid electrical connections so easy a caveman can do it. I use those on all of my car wire jobs now.

 

I installed the Alpine power pack amp.
I used this harnesses to do the speaker connections
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3737226464...sEOa3feQbC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I don't remember how I harnessed the amp turn on wire. I did run a power line front the battery which was not required for the power pack amp the radio circuit can power it. I was also running power foe a compact powered sub so it was no problem to run two power cables for me.

 

So for PSA or general trivia, that harness only works on 2020 models and beyond. 2016-2019 tap into two plugs behind the radio, 2020+ taps into one. Amp installs got easier after Carplay.

 

That's a good point. I do have a 2020 too.
That's the only plug I remember buying for my 2020.
The harness I used you cut in half. One half is spliced to the input side of the amp the other to the output.

I used those heat shrink tubes with a bit of solder in them to make my connections. They works super well with a heat gun. Highly recommend those.

 

The amp is Auto-on... it senses radio output and turns on, but on the 2017 Radio, there are 2 unused outputs, one is 12V and one is 5 volt. The 12v, I believe is a remnant of the power antenna days, because I believe it is the blue with white striped antenna wire on the output harness. It isn't needed though, it worked both ways for me.

 

You guys are scaring me now with all this wire talk... Is there a DIY like the original thread with instructions on how to build the harness for the Alpine amplifier mentioned above?