Audio Upgrade

Hi Peeps,

I have a 2019 TRD Sport that came with the dreaded JBL audio system I would like to upgrade on a budget.

I have some components from my old car sitting in my garage I would like to use, which are 2x Kenwood excelon KFC-XW120 4 ohm 12'' subs and a Kenwood x501-1 1000w amp. I am planning to have the subs sitting on the rear passenger side drop down seats for easy removal if the space is needed.

Now for the main part, I would like to remove the current JBL system completely, including the head unit so I can use Android auto integration, without losing any factory parameters. I am looking to keep the build <$800 for 6 speakers, head unit (probably wired android auto due to cost), wiring etc.

Has anyone done anything similar, looking for guides and suggestions on components and install?

 

which factory parameters?

 

Holy shit 2x 12” subs in this tiny cab… is going to be quite a thump.

imo that budget is too low… quality parts cost a bit more. Also the 12” subs won’t fit behind there unless you start cutting the seats etc or get some really shallow mount option

 

For android auto, you can always replace your amp and head unit to 2020 or newer,
Check out this post here for speaker upgrades,

 

Vehicle settings that you currently control through the head unit.

 

I'm Literally going to have them laying down strapped on the folded flat back seats, already sized. Yeah, with Black Friday coming up, hoping to get some savings. Will probably gather parts to change out the head unit and door speakers first, and then add the sub and aftermarket amp to connect it all around Christmas.

 

First off... good luck getting 2 12" subs back there... I only squeezed a shallow mount 10" back there because there wasn't enough air space for anything bigger.

As for losing factory integration with the radio... anything that is adjustable... you will lose easy access to those adjustments but they are still available through Techstream.

I have installed a Kenwood DMX1057XR head unit, Kicker speakers in the 6 factory locations and a Cerwin Vega shallow mount 10" in self made fibreglass box. My system was not a JBL though. Just the Entune 2 system... so I only had to wire up the sub and amp. I used the factory speaker harness.
With the JBL, you may have to run speaker wires because your system should have an amplifier behind the back seat. So the wiring goes there then to the speakers.

 

Not true... There are headunits out there that still maintain full integration with the factory settings. I have the Alpine ilx-507 with the Maestro from Trail Grid Pro. It maintains all steering wheel controls and has all the settings that were controlled from within the factory unit, like Door locks, headlights, etc. Plus has a million gauges that display that the factory unit didn't have like Air fuel ratio, Exhaust temp, intake temp, etc. I love this unit and Trail grid pro makes it completely plug and play.

https://trailgridpro.com/products/alpine-ilx-507-plug-play-bundle-16-23-tacoma

 

there are a few units that support it, but imo, it severely limits your options.

imo, it's better to consider either 'setting-and-forgetting' those add-on settings pages, or consider something like techstream or carista bluetooth dongles to do external changes to those settings as needed. but you really shouldn't need to be tinkering with most of those settings that often anyways.

 

If you keep the JBL. I think this would be the most cost effective way.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/jbl-premium-upgrade-replacing-speakers-and-subwoofer.716167/

I ended up with the Sony 8100 from Trail Grid Pro. Everything was plug and play. Steering controls work. I did lose some of the truck settings, but use Techstream.
You could also get around it by using the Carista app.