3rd Gen with JBL - Full system upgrade questions

Hey all, I recently got myself a 2022 TRD Offroad (double cab) that came with the JBL Premium stereo. I'm planning on going all out and doing a full upgrade with new speakers, new subs, powered by new amps. I've been looking into integrating with the stock head unit and have a few questions to fully understand my options.

What I've read on here is that the JBL stock head unit and amp are well intertwined (the amp may even be powering the head unit?), so it is difficult to replace one or the other while maintaining the factory head unit features. The PAC AmpPro and DSR1 seem to be the solution to this problem, but I want to make sure I fully understand the implications before I decide if I also want to replace the head unit or not. I've also read here that the factory outputs from the head unit are filtered and trash, which require summing to get a full signal. Maybe it's better to just get a new head unit, rather than depend on one of these harnesses to get a full, clean signal? I will have an AudioControl DSP amp for the door speakers anyway to tune the signal.

Note: I plan to run new speaker wire for all of the door speakers, so I believe don't need to hook into factory wiring


Here are the options as I understand them today:

Option 1: PAC AmpPro AP4-TY13

This harness hooks into the factory head unit, adding line outputs from the existing factory signal, but requires the factory amp to remain installed. Keeps all factory stereo features. I don't like this option because of space requirements; I want to completely remove the JBL amp+sub so I can fit all of my other equipment.


Option 2: Rockford Fosgate DSR1

Apparently this would allow me to completely remove the JBL amp, and hook into that factory wiring to get my pre-amp outs. I don't really understand how this would work if the factory amp is powering the factory head unit. Crutchfield says it's incompatible and points me back to the AmpPro. Can anyone clear up how the DSR1 would (or wouldn't) interact with the stock head unit?


Option 3: Replace head unit

This is seeming like the most realistic option if I want to get the JBL amp/sub out of my truck completely. And if I plan on running new speaker cable anyway, I'm not gaining all that much from using a harness with the factory wiring. Plus if I get a Maestro RR I can keep most factory features (minus navigation which I don't care about). I was kind of being hopeful that I could keep the head unit and that would be one less thing to install, but after reading many threads here it seems like the head unit is just garbage for audio and should be replaced.


tl;dr: Can someone explain how the DSR1 would work with the factory JBL head unit and without the factory JBL amp? Or, should I just forget about all this and replace the damn head unit


Here's the full build I'm planning for those curious:

Front speakers:

$250 Kicker 47KSS6904 KS Series 6x9 Component System with 1" Tweeters, 4ohm

Kicker 47KSS6904
Rear speakers: Kicker 47KSS6504
Speaker amp:

$699 AudioControl D-4.800 4/3/2 Channel High Power Amplifier W/DSP & Matrixing

AudioControl D-4.800

Subwoofers: 2 x JL Audio 10TW3-D4
Sub amp: JL Audio HD750/1

The subs are going behind the backseats, and the amps are going under the backseats, leaving me little room to keep that factory amp around.

If I do get a new head unit I'm looking at a Pioneer DMH-2660NEX

Thanks in advance!

 

So the JBL amp has an internal computer that decides a signal it gets from the head unit.

the AmpPro is a replacement for that computer, and decodes the signal to give you flat pre-outs

the dsr1 is the same thing, but also adds in a DSP.

since you’re getting the AudioControl D series with the DSP, you want the AmpPro.

I’m not sure the amps you selected will fit under the back seat, so make sure to double check all your measurements, and leave a few extra inches on the sides your wiring goes in.

 

Thank you for the info. Can you confirm one thing though? The AmpPro instructions state that the JBL stock amp needs to stay in the car and connected for everything to work, however I'm trying to remove that amp completely. Looking at the AmpPro T-harnesses it looks like that's supposed to go in between where the amp cables plug into the stereo. If I only have one side of the T-harness connected (to the head unit), and the other side (to the amp) disconnected, will I still get a full signal and have a functional head unit?

And for fitting the amps under the backseat, I plan to take out the plastic cubbies and make an amp rack, taking notes from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlCJxVk-v3s
Will definitely spend some time measuring twice to make sure it'll all fit

 

It looks like there is still plenty of room to put the factory amp. Just extend all the wires and call it a day.

 

Fair point, I'm sure I can find a spot for it. I was hopeful to remove that amp completely, but maybe it is just the best way to keep the factory head unit and features intact

 

It’s my understanding that the DSR1 can take the place of the factory amp so it can be removed, but I haven’t researched to verify this. You still have to use the dsr1 software to set everything completely
flat, but then you can use your AudioControl DSP to do the real work

 

Get a new head unit
You’ll be glad you did
In the end I went that way and no regrets at all

 

They’re nice if you have the coin to spend on a good one and need the features. Don’t do it for sound quality

 

Do you still have warning indicator sounds like if you leave the lights on or door open?

 

yes, that's just a GM hackjob thing.

only thing you lose changing the head unit is the oem programming menu and interfacing with the gauge display from the radio controls--like map directions. backup camera is dependent on which head unit you select.

i added a 5v power adapter, and then changed the center mirror for one with a display in it-- installed a prs-80 that doesn't have a screen, but didn't want a big screen in my dash anyways. i outgrew that fad 10 years ago.

 

Removed all jbl in my 21 pro

 

So I just went down this road. The dsr1 isn’t compatible to I believe 20 and above jbl systems. I purchased it and called them and they haven’t developed the program to make it compatible. After selling it I went with the pac amp pro and installed the toslink to run to my processor. So far I have no regrets for going this route. Hope this helps.

 

Do you still have all the functionality of the cameras and all the other wizbang stuff? I want better sound and I have this JBL setup in my 21 pro. I dont want to loose the tech stuff but I am open to installing amps and speakers...

 

You can keep all that stuff as long as you buy a radio with multiple inputs

 

do you by chance still have the stock amp?

 

cedric781, did you have the jbl sub? i'm asking because i have the sub so i cannot install the stealthbox. did you buy a non-jbl plastic panel or did you cut the jbl plastic panel? here's what my plastic panel looks like.

 

Inhabe the 23. I talked to a few people that say the pac amp pro works but the can bus wires need to be repined from the harness. That is the option ill be going. Waiting till CES is going and they should have an updated harness.