3rd Gen. speaker upgrade

For those that have DIY’d speaker upgrades, any tips for someone that hasn’t done something like this before?

I’m pretty handy but don’t want to screw something up.

 

MyTacoma03
I ordered the same jlaidio amp as it was on sale this weekend along with Focal ps165fx fronts and the matching ps165 coax rears.
I will probably add a jlaudio sub in the spring.

Wondering if you tried running without the lc7i , want sure how critical it is with this head unit

 

honestly, these things are pretty easy. Just make sure you have trim remover tools and it’s simple. The little cover for the mirror screws on the front doors has white clips that tend to stay on the door when you remove the cover. Take a pair of pliers and carefully pinch them to remove them and slide them back on the panel before reinstalling it. The handles are weird and aren’t really held on once the door is removed so be cautious with that. The rear doors are simple too, remove the panel that goes along the rear facing side of the window first and then the door panel is fairly similar to the front. I upgraded to focal and ripped them out to install Infiniti speakers this weekend, I’m honestly still amazed at how great it sounds. Focal didn’t make a rear speaker to match the front so it was going to mess with my OCD too much.

 

Audio shop told me the lc7i was needed, so I went with their expertise? But if you look at the Jl 900/5 manual it sais you dont need one? Either way, mine sounds awesome with factory unit. I may upgrade to an aftermarket double din later and remove lc7i if it sounds better without it?

 

Thanks for the post. Were your replacement speakers all plug and play or did you have to find adapters etc.?

 

was your system all plug and play? Are you still happy with it?

 

Do you think the infinity speakers are as good as the Focals?

 

Not even close. The Infinity Reference speakers I got sound perfect in the truck

 

TacotheTaco, thank you for your reply. I just purchased a 2020 off-road access cab with premium sound system upgrade (non JBL). Really like the truck but the road noise is particularly bad (this is my 4th toyota truck so not unfamiliar with them) and the sound quality is very unimpressive. Over 70 mph it is not worth listening to. 60 mph is marginal. I may put sound damping into the doors and elsewhere but am skeptical that it will do much. The easiest fix is to improve the sound quality with better speakers for more clarity. Don’t really have room for a sub and like the head unit for now. Does anyone on this thread have any advice on this issue? Crutchfield recommended the Kicks speakers if I am not changing the head unit. Thanks

 

You can build your own like i did. Heres the template

 

The kicker hideaway sub seems promising, but I have Kickers in my other truck and will be changing them to Infinity at some point. Kicker also makes a mini amp that’s so small, it can fit in the dash and use wiring harnesses for aftermarket radios to run. Basically take a harness as if you were going to put an aftermarket radio in, wire it to one side of the amp and then a harness as if your factory one was ruined to run back to the factory. It’s like splicing without actually hurting the factory wires. You have plenty of options and we basically have the same radio

 

So assuming you don't have the factory installed JBL system? I have the factory installed JBL system and it seems really nice in my '18.

 

For whatever reason Toyota decided not to put the JBL system in TRD Pros with MT. I would love to hear the rationale for that one. The speakers in my Pro MT are ass, so I plan to do the $250 speaker upgrade mentioned in another thread (Subaru tweeters/Kicker door speakers), and based on how that turns out, decide if I need a sub.

 

I got these 6x9s for free from a neighbor. Do you think they are any better than stock speakers?

Pioneer TS-G6943R 35W speakers

Wasn't sure if they are worth the hassle of removing my door and buying or making a bracket.

Does anyone have old stock speakers in NJ that I can see if I can make a bracket from?

 

No

 

I went with the jbl 9638 loud speakers .they are pretty dam impressive combined with the kicker Subaru tweeter .I'm running a jl audio micro 8" sub for the bass the speakers in the front are running of the stock head unit. I was going to also replace the rear door speakers .Honestly u cant even hear those unless u run amp to them . Learned my lesson on my first taco did the kicker upgrade all the way around and the back speakers sounded the same as stock . I wasn't to impressed with the kicker option for the doors Its great entry level setup and fairly cheap . Anything is better than the stock crap lol .

 

I did it on the cheap and it sounds fantastic. Best bang for your buck

Subaru Tweeters and underseat 8" powered Sub.

Found I didn't need to change out the front door speakers, and already knew replacing the rear door speakers is a total waste of money as you don't hear them.

 

I still say buy once cry once with this stuff and there’s little to be gained without power. I’d advise anyone starting with Amp and a good component system for door/ dash and soundproof while door panels are off. Get a 4 channel amp with plenty of power so that when you inevitably decide to do rear speakers and sub it’s fish cable, plug & play. My stereo sounds insane and I have less than $1000 in it.

 

Those little white clips disappear very easily behind the door panel. I’m waiting for these to show up to put some panels back on. I highly suggest buying these before the install. I needed them on two panels so I wish I’d had these prior to starting. If you don’t need them just drop them off at UPS.

Rexka Door Garnish Moulding Retainer Clip for Toyota 67771-58010 Tundra Tacoma Sequoia RAV4 Land Cruiser Highlander C-HR Yaris Scion xD (Pack of 30)

$8 Rexka 30pcs Door Garnish Moulding Retainer Clip Compatible with Toyota Lexus 67771-58010 Tundra Tacoma Sequoia RAV4 Land Cruiser Highlander C-HR Yaris Scion xD

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CJLB1BP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ROWSEb5YH52G3

 

I feel like i struck out today with my upgrades. First my dash cam needs a special-ed wiring kit cause it cannot be hooked up straight to 12v, so now i wait for the kit. So its taking up the lighter outlet which looks really tacky. Then i was hoping for a win with the

$89 JBL GX963 300W 6" X 9" 3-Way GX Series Coaxial Car Loudspeakers (Pair of 2, 600W Total),black

JBL GX963's but need the harness kit and the mounting adapter which seems to be rare. Do any of ya know if the

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

Metra 82-8146 adapter is the right one?