General Car Audio FAQs

I am installing a aftermarket double din stereo in my 2007 Tacoma Double cab. I have also purchased the cables to run my iphone. Where is the best place in the cab to run the cables so they are accessible? Any suggestions?

 

Anyone else with a stock CD player (2006 Tacoma double cab, V6). Anytime I use the CD player when I eject the CD it is very hot. Could it be an issue with lack of ventilation on the electronics and is there a fix?

Thanks
Bill

 

Are boxless subs any good?im looking at this one And what type of speakers will work for me?
I'm not to picky about my music, but I do like to turn up the base on certain songs (country girl shake it for me, hick town, she's country, ect...) and I spend a good amount of time outside my truck with the stereo turned up.
I listen to country, if that makes a difference, i don't wanna spend a whole bunch of money (3-400) and it wouldn't be done all at once.
As far as I know my speakers are stock, and the headunit is a Sony xplod, and I may have had the JBL system (I have the little speakers in the doors)
http://m1273.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/smithbartley/DSC_0035_zps02bd784f.jpg.html?o=39

 

Those types of subs are good for small spaces because they are the sub and amp in one unit. I've never heard of that particular one. Based on Crutchfield alone, I wouldn't buy it though. I'd go with this Sound Ordnance one instead. Both subs have good reviews, but the Sound Ordnance one has 47 five-star reviews whereas the RetroSound has 6 reviews total (only 2 are five-star). The Sound Ordnance one has slightly better continuous wattage, a better warranty, and its basically the same size as the RetroSound sub. Oh, and its $40 cheaper!

You might get a few more people to chime in if you start a new thread asking about that sub, or these types of subs in general.

 

Thanks Collin, the sound ordinance sounds like a winner all around

 

Hey I installed a Kenwood DDX470 in my 2010 access cab. The install went well except that i broke ONE clip on the mount panel.. So the million dollar question is can i buy one of these clips aftermarket or would i have to go to the dealer to get one or what? Its driving me nuts because the system is damn near perfect except that one clip! So if anyone has one or knows where to get one let me know.

 

I bought a Kenwood Ddx770 7" touch screen... I didn't think to look to see if it would fit. Question is does it fit?

 

i replaced my stock head unit with a Kenwood KDC-952bt
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainment/2012_Car_Entertainment/KDC-BT952HD

I still have stock speakers which can't handle the bass or the clearity of the sounds that the head unit is capable of pushing....What would you guys recommend for an all around set up? I've tried looking at Crutchfield, but I don't have a clue what a kHz or mHz's are! I'm looking for some good bass with clarity but I don't want to have a sub. I don't mind installing an amp for the speakers but I don't even know where to begin with that as well!

 

kHz is kilohertz or 1000 cycles per second. mHz is megahertz or 1,000,000 cycles per second. I just replaced my factory stock crap with JBL GTO928/GTO628. Great clarity, pretty decent bass and a good price. Picked up all four speakers from sonicelectronix.com for about $120. Speaker adapters and wire harnesses will run you extra.

 

I thought the only wire harness I needed was for the headunit? speaker adapters are separate! Dang they should have a setup for newbs like myself!

Seems like you had to modify the speakers for the front, 6x9?? 5x7 is whats stock and not sure what stock is in the back but dang

 

You don't "have" to have harnesses for any of it - it's for convenience, although I don't recommend anyone but the most experienced technicians attempt a head unit install without a wiring harness
For the speakers, if you cut the harness off and leave enough on the plug side you can easily reconnect later if you need to reinstall your factory gear.

The factory front speakers are 6x9 not 5x7

 

The stock speakers use a proprietary connector. You can always cut the wires if you want but it's easier to just buy the wire adapters. They're about $6 each. As for the speaker adapters, *********.com sells some nice ones. Or is you decide to go the cheap route and make your own. Some folks just buy some plastic cutting boards from walmart and use the stockers as a template to cut them to shape.

The stock speakers are 6x9 in the front and 6 1/2 in the back. But the mounting points on the door are spread out further. See.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/attachments/2nd-gen-tacoma-marketplace/157978d1341026296-2012-tacoma-double-cab-speakers-004.jpg

 

But you have a 2nd gen and I have a 1st.......crutchfields telling me 5x7 with 6x8 opening. THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR ME!

 

damn....so these are too small?

$58 Polk Audio DB571 5-by-7" Coaxial Speakers (Pair, Black)

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-7-Inch-Coaxial-Speakers/dp/B000P0PF96/ref=pd_rhf_sc_p_d_1

 

Will this sub work with my HU?
Link to sub: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777B8PTD/Sound-Ordnance-B-8PTD.html#details-tab
link to HU: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Fdqtagi8cqS/p_158GT540UI/Sony-CDX-GT540UI.html

 

Yes.

 

Thanks Mr. Marv, I know just enough to help install a HU, but i've never messed with subs (or amps) before.

 

So more questions, I got this wiring kit free with my sub, so i figure i'll go ahead and use it, I'm planning on running the sub power to the battery, and grounding the sub to a seat bolt, is this fine?
Will i need to add a relay so the amp isn't always pulling power, or is this a non-issue?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142PA10/EFX-10-gauge-Amplifier-Wiring-Kit.html?tp=2919
For the RCA's (?) that run from the sub to the HU, can I just run these under the carpet next to the trans tunnel and up behind the HU?

 

Got the sub in, all i have to do is connect the RCA's and reinstall the seat and dash, but i don't know what i'm supposed to do here.