Factory Speaker Replacement - Install (no pics)

I finally got fed up with the quality of the sound system in my truck and purchased a new head unit and speakers. I purchased a JVC Arsenal KW-V820BT with Apple Car Play and JBL GT7-96 (6x9) for the front and JBL GT7-6 (6 3/4) for the rear. After watching some youtube clips of installs and reading through the threads here, I tackled the speakers this weekend. Both sources of info were extremely helpful and took all the guesswork out of the install which went pretty smoothly. I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.

A few things to pass along for anyone else researching the same upgrade.....

I didn't want to break the bank and didn't need a show winning stereo, just better quality sound and functionality compatible with today's technology. The factory speakers are absolute garbage. I couldn't believe how poor the quality of the speakers were when I took them out. They look like they came from a Playschool kids truck. Shame on you Toyota!

The speaker replacement alone has increased sound quality 100x. The JBL's have decent power handling so if I want to add an amp later they can handle it (135 watts (6 3/4") and 210 watts (6x9). $150 total for the speakers and kits from Crutchfield. The kits were

$17 Metra 82-8148 6" to 6-3/4" Speaker Adapter for Select Toyota/Lexus/Scion 1998-Up Vehicles, Black

Metra 82-8148 for the rear and

$18 82-8146 6" x 9" Front Speaker Adapter for Select Lexus and Toyota Vehicles, Black, Apple

82-8146 for the fronts. The holes for mounting the front speakers to the kits didn't exactly line up and I needed to drill an extra hole for a 4th mounting screw. Not a big deal, but the location for the hole didn't have a lot of bite and it wouldn't surprise me if it gets loose with time. The front kit holes did line up with the holes in the door. The rear kits required cutting off the various tabs for mounting different size speakers. Because I went with a larger diameter speaker, the mounting screws were too long and stuck out the back and wouldn't allow the speaker to fit flush in the door hole. Cutting the extra screw length off with a Dremel tool allowed it to fit flush.

Door panel removal and replacement was a simple. No broken tabs, or plastic bits. Everything came off and went back on as it should and was one of the easier panel removals I've done over the years.

Waiting for the head unit to ship to complete the install. I purchased the unit from Sonic Electronix and it's available for $439 and was easily the lowest price I could find. They provided the mounting kit although the steering wheel controls were extra.