The JBl system continues to disappoint

So I wish I never purchased a truck with the JBL sterio. The entune sucks, and the sound is decent at low volume, anything above mid volume its crap.. The only good thing is the reverse camera.
I will be keeping the headunit because I paid so much extra for it , and I like the clean stock look , but ive got to make some upgrades.

I dont know about others , but even at mild volume my sub and the area around it just rattles.

Today I took it all apart just to see what going on. And I have 25sq ft of fatmat to try to tighten things up.

Now first I notice the plastics on the back side of the double cab rear seat aren't very tight and rattle if you just tap them lightly. Ok no big deal, easy fix. The rest of the pastics and covers arent tight either but can be fixed.

Next the box and sub, the sub is paper and is pure junk, the box actually seem legit and is tight though its plastic.

But the final piece of the puzzle is the amp, I unscrewed it from the box and this thing is crap. With just a light tap its like a babys rattle. Im sure it contributes highly to the rattle and crappy sound I'm irritated by. I didnt have the right size torque . But Ill be taking it apart tomorrow to see what I can do with it.

My initial plan was just to install some sound deadener, but now I think im going to have to dig deeper..


Ill keep you guys updated with how I make out. Figured id vent and share .

 

heres a sneak peak at the JBL box

 

Figured I could make a nice aftermarket system with the extra 2000 I saved by not getting the entune, which is why I didn't.

 

2k for entune? glad that wasn't available when I got mine.

 

It was 2000-2500k option. Can't remember exactly but it's something like that.

 

The JBL system in my '09 was pretty good for an OEM premium sound system. That being said, if you were expecting something more high end in a Tacoma then you should have definitely opted against getting the JBL with Entune. For what it is worth the JBL system in my Tacoma blows away the JBL systems in my wife's RAV4 and my Highlander.

 

my thoughts exactly! my total system cost was over $2k, but i'm sure it will exceed the JBL by leaps and bounds. hope to have it (finally) finished tonight!

 

It was about 1300 in price different for me , I ordered the truck and got a fair amount off Msrp .
The system isn't worth the 1300 IMO though . The reverse camera is the only part I like , its awesome for backing into the garage since the truck is a tight fit .

And of course when I tested the jbl tacoma stereo they had on site it was in the show room and I didn't get to crank it ..

 

It was about 1300 in price different for me , I ordered the truck and got a fair amount off Msrp .
The system isn't worth the 1300 IMO though . Though the reverse camera is awesome for backing into the garage .

And of course when I tested the jbl tacoma stereo they had on site it was in the show room and I didn't get to crank it ..

 

I'll have about 1200-1300 in my system when its all said and done but I plan on installing it myself so that saves money. It's not going to win any competitions but I feel that it will far exceed the factory JBL. You can wire an aftermarket HU to show the backup camera or just use the one in the rearview mirror to back into the garage like I do.

 

did yours come with a backup cam in the rear view mirror? is the radio a redundant display?

 

Mines in the rear view , does the non jbl have a back up camera aswell ?

If that the case the jbl isn't worth it all . Much better off going with the normal unit and making your own upgrades !

 

Yes, any 2013 Tacoma with an SR5 package or above comes with the backup camera in the mirror. I figured it would be in the headunit on the JBL but guess I was wrong.

 

Well I learned the hard way , but ill warn others . Your better off buying a full aftermarket setup .

Just to update on my progress , I fat mat wrapped the entire box , outside and alittle on the inside , and the back of the cab . Took the amp apart and put some high temp rtv where the brackets all screw and hold it together . Rattles seem gone hope it holds up . The plastic covers will get thick double sided rubber tape to keep everything ltight .

Ill be putting a rockford 8" shallow mount in the jbl box and powering it with a rockford amp . It will be a few weeks before its done since I had to order a few more items . I'll update you guys when I'm done .

 

OP, if you don't mind my asking what is your age? It seems the previous census on this site is if you are under 30 you will not like the JBL and if you are over it is satisfactory. I am just curious where you fall in those age categories.

 

I'm 27 , My years of crazy bass are long gone . But I do crank the volume up often . The rattles from the subwoofer area are just ridiculous for what the system costs IMO.

Honestly just alittle sound deadener , two sides tape and some high temp rtv on the amp assembly brackets would make a dramatic improvement if someone wanted to go that route .

I'm taking it to the next level with a 8" sub in the jbl box and a additional amp to power it .

 

I'm over 30.. JBL system is total shit. $100 HU's put out better sound.