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Connecting sub / splicing speaker wires

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by 82nate, Jun 2, 2020.

  1. Jun 2, 2020 at 8:28 AM
    #1
    82nate

    82nate [OP] Member

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    Hi. I'm trying to install a Kicker hs10 powered sub and need help figuring out what speaker wires to tap and where. I've read many different colors and locations on other threads, but, can't figure out which ones are correct. So, I'm trying to get the correct answer here.

    I do know typically you want to tap the bigger speakers (which I think are the front), but, everyone seems to tap the back. Does it not matter? I have the regular system, NOT JBL.

    Do I need wire connectors or should I just manually splice and silicone tape it?

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2020
  2. Jun 2, 2020 at 8:31 AM
    #2
    SearArtist

    SearArtist Hybird

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  3. Jun 2, 2020 at 8:37 AM
    #3
    SubCultureNM

    SubCultureNM Well-Known Member

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    Look up 5 Star Car Stereo on YouTube. Dean and Fernando have numerous videos about doing this exact thing, and some complete install videos in 3rd gen Tacomas.
     
    82nate[OP] likes this.
  4. Jun 2, 2020 at 8:52 AM
    #4
    82nate

    82nate [OP] Member

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    Could you point me to a link? Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to find what you were talking about. I found their channel but, can only find them installing side door speakers or something that's not my car.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2020 at 9:01 AM
    #5
    RX1cobra

    RX1cobra Well-Known Member

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    SubCultureNM, Skydvrr and 82nate[OP] like this.
  6. Jun 2, 2020 at 9:12 AM
    #6
    SubCultureNM

    SubCultureNM Well-Known Member

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    The link above is a better, vehicle-specific source for you. If you're into car audio, 5 Star's videos are certainly worth watching.
     
  7. Jun 2, 2020 at 9:43 AM
    #7
    destin_meeks

    destin_meeks I used to fix people's crappy stereos

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    I’ll jot down some stuff in a bit during a break
     
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  8. Jun 2, 2020 at 10:06 AM
    #8
    82nate

    82nate [OP] Member

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    Thanks! Basically, I'm just looking for the easiest way to get to the speaker wires and splice the correct ones
     
  9. Jun 2, 2020 at 10:12 AM
    #9
    destin_meeks

    destin_meeks I used to fix people's crappy stereos

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    Long story short

    This
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087Z1794K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tau_GDO1EbJKKK1F1

    These
    https://www.crutchfield.com/p_136XDCLR2S/JL-Audio-XD-CLRAIC2-SW.html

    And a short spool of 18ish gauge speaker wire.

    Wire the adapter in behind the radio (plug and play)
    Mount the sub behind the seat
    Splice on a few more feet of speaker wire to the sub’s input wires, then splice on those RCA tips
    Run wires up door sills then across to radio
    Plug RCA’s into adapter
    Run sub’s power and ground and remote knob
     
  10. Jun 2, 2020 at 10:18 AM
    #10
    82nate

    82nate [OP] Member

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    Aww, I was hoping to avoid getting behind the head unit.
     
  11. Jun 2, 2020 at 4:57 PM
    #11
    jjs2608

    jjs2608 Member

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    I used this adapter so that I didn’t have to cut into any factory harness, fits non-jbl Tacoma’s. I have a 2019 and it fits just fine even though the listing claims it doesn’t. It’s cheaper than the last one listed, BUT, it does not include the LOC. If your amp supports speaker level in then it’s fine, but if it doesn’t you’ll have to get one.
    IMHO, the one supplied in that other adapter is likely to sound like crap, but it may be fine if you aren’t discerning or just get lucky.

    Wire Harness for 1987-2018 Toyota and 2016+ Subaru (Used for Amplifier or Subwoofer Installation) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y2DJFXC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nBU1EbHWDPCNF
     
  12. Jun 21, 2020 at 8:06 AM
    #12
    TNToyo79

    TNToyo79 Just a Dude...

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    I'm not trying to steer your decision but here's my 2 cents on making it worth your time. BTW I have went the "wire tap sub" route years ago and it's absolutely lack luster in case you are just looking to hear more "bass" in voices when you are listening to NPR.

    If you are going to try and tap a powered sub into a factory wire....and that's it, period. It's probably not worth the money you are spending on the sub. What are you trying to achieve sound wise?

    What's the plan for pulling power to the sub? It needs a source correct?

    So if this is true, you will want to do things right and have a clean install which all equates to you pulling some wire. If you are pulling wire you will take time to pull it clean and correct, I'm assuming.

    The driver's seat is exactly 4 bolts and 2 electrical disconnects, pull it out. Pull your head unit, also 4 10mm screws, it's scary to dive into that ball of wires, but a little TW diving and prior research will get you to the right place. You can do it!

    Pull your power from the battery, ground to the frame via self tapping screw in an inconspicuous area. You probably need a remote wire so the sub turns on and off with the ignition...See where I'm going here?

    It's a small job but you want to do it right. It's a job that; if you are going to take the time to do it right, you want to get the most out of your time and effort.

    Lastly...have you considered putting together an amp, sub and enclosure? To me that is the fun of adding something like that and quality audio equipment is so cheap these days, you are better off ditching those big names. You can save money and get equal or better quality.
     
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  13. Jun 24, 2022 at 10:58 AM
    #13
    AMartin

    AMartin Well-Known Member

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    Did you ever figure this out? Looking to do the same on my 2022 trd sport. Thanks
     
  14. Jun 24, 2022 at 11:38 AM
    #14
    cybrnook

    cybrnook Well-Known Member

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    Looks simple enough, looking at that unit it looks like it takes high level inputs so you would want to tap in behind your headunit typically into the rear left and rear right speakers. But in our trucks we have 6x9 up front and 6 1/2 in the back so I would opt to tap them into the front left and right speaker leads since it should be a full range signal.

    If you don't have the JBL system, this should be a breeze. Pay no mind to the other harnesses here, the black harness would match to your speaker harness on the back of the radio and the whites and greys would be your wires to tap into:

    upload_2022-6-24_14-38-43.jpg
     
  15. Jun 24, 2022 at 1:06 PM
    #15
    kauaihunter

    kauaihunter Well-Known Member

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    Get a plug and play and go for the back of the head unit. Lots of videos on it and it’s simple, not to mention a whole lot cleaner.
     
  16. Jun 24, 2022 at 1:38 PM
    #16
    Deacon Blues

    Deacon Blues Well-Known Member

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  17. Jun 26, 2022 at 5:46 PM
    #17
    AMartin

    AMartin Well-Known Member

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    Thanks you for the reply, I have a compact sony subwoofer/amp that I want to put under the driver seat so I would like to tape in the front driver speaker and just run a wire under the kicker plate trim, if I could just know the color of the 2 speaker wires I need to tape into it's all I need. I'm not looking to do anything complicated. Thanks for any input!
     
  18. Jun 27, 2022 at 6:43 AM
    #18
    cybrnook

    cybrnook Well-Known Member

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    Sure, it looks like if you're catching it behind the radio, it's Purple/Green + and Purple/Red -, then it changes color towards the door to Blue + and Green -. So if you're only trying to catch in the driver's side kick panel, that's what I would look for. You can verify with a multimeter and checking for OHM's, should be 4 - 8 OHM's. Now, with that in mind, if you only tap on one speaker, it will be an unbalanced signal and you will lose fade left to right (on top of the front to rear that would would have lost anyways). You can still adjust the fade at the radio, but your bass signal will fade away .... see what I did there :wink:
     
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  19. Jun 27, 2022 at 7:24 AM
    #19
    lacab100

    lacab100 Well-Known Member

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    Its not really much harder to just run some wires from the back of the radio with the above mention harness.
    if you really must cut factory wiring, grab the signal from the fronts. the headunit has most of the bass pulled from the rear to protect the cheap drivers
     
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