Cheap Amp Advice and Wiring Questions

Hey All!

After much searching, lurking, reading, and researching, I thought I'd finally ask for a bit of advice regarding audio setup. I have a 2019 SR Access Cab Utility, no rear jump seats, just open cargo space. Factory head unit is the smaller display basic unit with knobs on the top. From what I've read, I "THINK" this is the Entune 2.0, but I'm not sure. Hopefully can get some clarification here.

I've already upgraded the dash tweeters to the Subaru Kickers, and the front door speakers with the Kicker CS 6x9's. I love the upgrade but would like to take it a bit further. I'd also like to send props and thanks to everyone that has posted their info and videos regarding these speakers and setups.

There are a couple of things I would like to do next. I'm planning on keeping the existing factory head unit but would like to add one of these smaller compact amps. I'm looking at either the Kicker 47Key200.4, Alpine KTP-450, or

$350 KTP-445U Universal Power Pack

KTP-445U. Here's what I'm not sure about:

1. When wiring amp to speakers, do I use front channel to power dash tweeters and door speakers together? If I'm not mistaken the head unit speaker outputs send signal first to dash which filters the signal that is then sent to the doors. My "thinking" says I should connect front outs from head to amp1 inputs. Then amp1 outputs on to factory wiring for dash tweeters. At the same time, run NEW amp1 outputs directly to door speakers and bypassing factory wiring from tweeters to doors.

2. This should leave amp2 open to power either 6.5 rear door speakers or a small sub. Again, I'm seeing discussions that go both ways so that's the next choice I'll make at a later date.

Thanks to all and I look forward to any and all help/advice I can get!

 

I did exactly what this guy did....same amp too....turned out great

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD8QAdUbTyI

 

I’m going to ask you some questions, to see where you are.

1. Are you married to the idea of rear door speakers? Does your truck HAVE rear door speakers already? If no, do you feel it worth it to pull panels, pull wire, cut panels, find a secure mount for those speakers?
2. How married are you to your amp choice? Neither of the amps can be bridged for a sub output, Kicker not at all Alpine only for HP signal.
3. How comfortable are you with wiring? I’d recommend the KENWOOD XR401.4 amp. Another option is what @Beavis5220 recimmended in that video. Wiring is a little more complex, but the end result will be better. The amp I recommended will power fronts and a sub, the other will power 5 speakers.

To answer your first question, simply connect to the speakers wire going to the tweeters, the loop back on the tweeter will handle the signal to the doo speakers, no need for new wire.

 

Hi Beavis,

Thank you for the reply. I had not seen that video so it was more good information. It's probably a little more than I'm looking to do but still all around very useful info.

Thank you!

Hi Zman,

Appreciate the reply! I'm thinking I'll do either the rear doors or sub, but not both. I want to wait until I hear what I get from just the fronts first. Reason being, the only real place I have to hide a sub is under the drivers seat because the access cab utility, has no rear seats of any kind to hide anything behind or under. This is why I'm looking at the compact amps that I can actually stash behind the head unit.

I do not have rear door speakers but everything is there to mount them. The factory speaker wire is actually terminated to an empty connector behind the small rear side panels. I would just tap in there and fish about a foot or so of wire through the boot to make the speaker connections. No big deal to remove door panels, etc. The only issue here is the rear speaker grills are actually part of the door panel and blocked off with a plastic blank that would have to be either cut out or removed to create an opening. Again, other posts and videos have shown a couple ways to do this that would be ok if I decide to do rear door speakers so I'm not too concerned. I really won't know for sure until I actually hear what the fronts sound like with good power.

Thank you! This clears it up for me! Keep in mind, I'm not looking to be a rolling earthquake. I just need a little more "oomph" so I don't need to turn the volume to max to get good full sound.

 

That KENWOOD amp that I referred to is smaller than a sheet of paper, and about 1.5” tall. I had one to run my front stage for a while, fit it under the seat no issues. I do recall, I think in the “show your subwoofers” sticky, of someone with an access cab using a downfiring sub box behind the seat, in front of the floor stirage bins. I’ll see if I can find the pic.

*edit*. Found the pics. AmberTRD post #688 in the sticky.

 

That is a nice setup for sure. I did look at the amp you noted and that sub but I believe it's just a more elaborate setup than I need and my budget will allow and believe me, as a ham radio guy, I love Kenwood. But here are the threads I've found that I think detail exactly what I want to go for. I believe it's more my speed and something I can build in stages. After reading through these about 3 or 4 times, I think I'm going to go ahead and bite the bullet on the Kicker Key 200.4 due to the size plus it has automatic tuning. I can do all the wiring mods for the rear speakers and build the harness to accommodate a hideaway sub. That way I can put the rear speakers and the sub on my "wish list" for this year and let my better half and kids gift them to me! They're always wanting to know what they can get dad for birthday, anniversary, Christmas, etc.! Also with the exception of the speakers and rear door panels, I could always easily revert back to stock if I ever needed to.

Kicker Key 47200.4 (In dash behind head / on the way)
Kicker CS 6x9 (Already installed in front doors)
Kicker Subaru Tweeters (Already installed in dash)
Kicker CS 6.75 (For Rear Doors / on the way)
Kicker Hideaway Sub (Optional under drivers seat)

Thread from tpp4 regarding key and wiring:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tpp4s-no-nonsense-guide-to-kicker-key-t-harness-16-19.642415/

Thread from TBonius regarding rear door panel mods:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2019-access-cab-door-speaker-grilles.772028/

I also saw a post in another thread where someone just cut a round hole in the "blank" that is installed over the existing speaker grill and then covered it with the round aftermarket speaker grills. Even tho I do like Toyota, I think it was kinda crappy of them to permanently cover built in rear speaker grills on the door panels if the truck didn't come with rear speakers installed. I mean they left 99% the wiring there, the holes are actually in the doors for them, why not just make a knock out and grill for the panels. Oh well, it is what it is so I guess we just have to do what we have to do! LOL Since I'm going to hold off on the rears for awhile, I'm still lookiing for ways to do this door panel mod. These look like the best ones I've found but if anyone has any other ideas, I'd love to see them.

Thanks again for your help and advice Zman! It's given me quite a bit to think about and I would probably go that route if I were a bit younger and still working!

Thanks!
Heep

 

A fellow retiree! Congrats! The KEY is indeed a fine little amp, and if you’re not looking for too much, it will fill the void from the factory headunit well. You’ll get many years out of your setup.

 

Thanks much and grats to you too! It's funny, as I've been posting and reading here it has brought back some great memories. This Tacoma is actually the 3rd Toyota pickup I've had over the years. The first was a little white plain jane early 80's model, 2wd, standard cab (I don't think they had started making extended or double cabs). I drove it for a couple years and traded it for a new Toyota 4x4, late 80's model. Now, the funny part here, I put KICKER speakers in it way back then! Had the "tape deck" mounted under the dash, a small generic 2 channel 100w amp under the drivers seat, and a pair of Kicker box speakers behind the seats. I don't remember the model of the speakers, but the boxes were molded plastic, tapered to fit behind truck seats in standard cab pickups, (again, no extended cabs or double cabs back then). They had I believe either a 6" or 8" driver and same size passive radiator along with an upward pointed tweeter on the top of each box. These guys were HEAVY! I put extra speaker wire on them so where ever I went, I could just pull 'em out and set them either on top of the truck or in the bed for an instant party! I guess the old saying "What goes around, comes around" is still alive! Here I am about 35-40 years later, with ANOTHER Toyota pickup with Kicker speakers!

I've got a snapshot or two of the truck from back in the day when me and a good friend who sadly past on last year were up in the mountains on some old mine trails. I'm going to see if I can dig it up and post it. Man, this brings back some good memories of some great times!

 

While the Tacoma is my first truck, I’ve been jamming speakers into cars since I was 14. My dad used to say “I have the loudest AM radio on the block.” Home built box and a pair of 6x9s with amp. Good times. At one point I had a ‘76 Skylark with 2 12” subs in a box that took up the trunk. It rode low in the back, but man that thump!

Enjoy your system. If there’s one rhing I believe, “ you can get advice from anyone, but the final decision is yours.”

 

LOL! Yep, I started when I was 16 and my first car in the mid 70's was a Chevy Vega. I hung a 2nd or 3rd, heck maybe 4th hand Craig Powerplay 8-track under the dash and spliced the speaker wires into the factory stuff. I remember the speakers were mounted in the plastic side panels on each side of the back seat. I was jammin' back then! LOL!

 

I just did something very similar in my access cab. There’s a few options that fit behind the seat pretty well.

 

Hi Cosmic,

Nice looking sub! Do you have rear door speakers? If so, did the the truck come with them or did you add them later? I'm adding them hopefully this week, but since I do not have OEMs already installed, I'll have to modify my rear door panels to uncover the speaker grills. I'm looking for ideas. I referred to a thread above that has a couple of decent ways to do it but hopefully there's some other options out there that I've not found yet.

Thanks!
Heep in NC

 

I do have rear door speakers, my truck is TRd Off-road, I just swapped out the back panel to the utility panel when I removed the seats and installed the Goose Gear platform. That being said, they’re unnecessary in my opinion, and I only run them off the head unit while my amp powers the fronts. If I were you, I’d put no effort into installing rears. Put the money towards a better front component set and amp.

 

Hey Cosmic!

Well, too late, I just finished the install. I've ended up with what I posted above, Kicker (subaru) dash tweeters, Kicker CS 6x9's in the front doors, Kicker CS 6.75's in the rear doors, and the Kicker Key 200.4 amp. I did forego the sub for the time being but I went ahead and did most of the wiring in case I want to add one later. All I'll need to do is run the power and ground. The rest is in place. But honestly, after getting the Key going, it really woke up everything! I'm pretty pleased with the way it all came out and is loud-a-plenty for my old ears now. I didn't really bother posting pics and such because I just followed what has already been posted in the previous threads I listed above. Big shout outs and thanks to all of those participants and all the comments in here also!

Cheers all!
Heep

 

nice! Sounds like a great setup. Good call doing all the wiring, I try too as well, nice to only do it once. It’s pretty great what a little amp will do to wake up some speakers. Doesn’t take much, I have an 50 x 4 and it’s plenty loud for me. Enjoy it!