Kicker hideaway (2020-2023) install

Hey guys, I finally made an account to ask a question. Trying to install a kicker hideaway to a 2023 Tacoma, I don’t want to cut into the factory harness so I bought an adapter for RCA cables; however, the hideaway does not work with a loc, so I used that harness to try to tap into the speaker wire and see if that would work, it didn’t, I’m unsure if it’s the speaker or if something is wrong with the wiring, but I feel defeated. It already has a power cable with a fuse and a ground cable with sanded-down paint, as well as a remote with an added fuse. This is my first time messing with wires, being that I only set up the raptor lights on the grill and changed the OEM speakers to the kicker set, front and rear. Any advice is much appreciated; thanks!

 

The Kicker Hideaway is expecting to see speaker level inputs. That means it should be seeing the full output from the head unit.

When I wired in an aftermarket amp, I used a harness kit that plugged into the back of the HU and then another that plugged into the factory wiring. That way I didn't cut into any factory wiring.

Another thing to note... this is on a non JBL system... the JBL system might not work the same, as it has an external amplifier already.

I would suggest finding a harness adapter that you can modify, then run the front speaker outputs to your sub. Don't use the rear outputs. You will be disappointed.

 

What wires did you cut into?

 

You will need the front speakers and a switched power wire. You will also need to run a larger power wire from the battery.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...onnector-identification.788566/#post-28226587

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kicker-key-in-a-2020-with-8-entune.641008/#post-22145143

Someone attached the pinouts to the 2020+ head unit here. In the larger thread they describe the metra connectors if you want to tap it without cutting.

Have fun.

 

You can connect a hideaway to line level inputs, I have done it. Kicker even makes an adapter to do it.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-2TVdg...MI3cXRsefbggMVfgKtBh3gAQWpEAQYAiABEgL4pfD_BwE

 

I installed my Hideaway using this adapter to create a t-harness:

$14 RED WOLF Add AMP Amplifier Subwoofer Speaker Wiring T-Harness Radio Stereo Plug Connector Compatible with Toyota 2018-2022 Camry RAV4 Tacoma Corolla Non-JBL System

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DTY8PMD?ie=UTF8

The leads from the Hideaway harness are spliced into the front speaker wires of the adapter harness. One end of the adapter harness plugs into the back of the head unit and the other end into the truck's wiring harness. The Hideway's harness leads may need to be lengthened, depending on where it is placed. I put mine in the cubby behind the rear seat (double-cab) and had to add about 6-7 feet. Didn't bother with the remote turn-on wire, just opted to use the DC Offset turn-on.

Something of note - ensure that the Auto Turn On and Input Level switches are set correctly based on how the Hideaway is wired.

 

Sorry I have no useful information but I am going to be doing this same install on a '23 this week as well. I'll let you know what works for me.

Out of curiosity - where are you mounting the sub? I want it under seat (driver or passenger) but am not sure if it will fit in either of those 2 locations.

 

Did you install the Hideaway and an amp to drive the 4 other speakers at the same time. Can you tap the harness to provide signal to the amp and the sub/amp at the same time?

 

I only installed the Hideaway, however, the harness would work for adding the amp as well. Lots of good info in these threads; the first is most pertinent for 2020+ models:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2020-key-amp-and-hideaway-installation-complete.658383/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-premium-upgrade-kicker-key-180-4-amp.541375/

 

@spin180 I am looking to do the same setup with the 8" hideaway with my '23 OR. I picked up the hideaway today and I ordered the t-harness you linked above. I am a total novice at this, although I did swap to the plug and play kickers myself. What I am looking for is how to connect the hideaway through the t-harness to the factory head unit. I have searched other threads and I cant locate a tutorial or diagram. Since you have the set up I'm going for, any insight you have would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

So I think you need to either cut this harness or jump tap into the front speaker wires of this harness.

This harness plugs in between the back of the radio and the factory speaker harness. It allows you to tap into the speaker wires without damaging the factory speaker harness.

Tough to explain without a diagram, but you’ll need to figure out the color for the front speakers and tap into those.

 

@captainh00k I think I figured out the wiring situation from the hideaway to the harness. Except I am not sure about the remote turn on (blue) wire, there isn't any blue wire on the harness. I'd prefer not to cut into any factory wiring, so would I just leave it as is?

 

That would in the other harness for the radio.

Ultimately you need to utilize the blue turn on wire. That is what will "turn on" the amp/sub because there is constant power to it.

The easiest might be to tap into something that turns on with the ignition using t-tap or something similar.

 

@Bkjohnson9999

Apologies for the late reply. The blue remote turn-on wire is optional with the Hideaway. It can be used, but isn't necessary. The Hideaway has a switch that allows it to turn on using the blue wire and a 12V source, or set to use the signal from the speakers (DC Offset). I'm using DC Offset, and have the blue wire bundled up and just sort of hanging off to the side.

As you've probably determined, there are four wires in the adapter harness that you'll cut - front right +/- and front left +/-. I can't remember which colors those are off the top of my head; I think it should be marked on the individual wires of that harness. Once the wires on the adapter harness are identified, you just splice in the corresponding wires from the Hideaway's harness. The power wire for the Hideaway should be connected direct to the battery. There is an in-line fuse on power wire. I cut it off temporarily so I could route the wire through the large grommet on the driver-side firewall.

Following this method, there's no cutting/splicing into any of the factory wires.

 

@captainh00k , could you show me how you did it? I've been putting this mod off for a while; I have the red wire connected to the battery, ground wire (brown) bolted under the seat, and blue wire to dome on add a fuse. I also bought these two adapters, but I need to figure out where to cut and combine or which one to use.

Add an Amp Amplifier Adapter Interface to Factory Radio System for Toyota 2020 Tacoma Tundra Sequoia 4Runner,18-20 Camry Sienna,19-20 RAV4 Corolla,17-20 Prius

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XWPX7P2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details and

$14 RED WOLF Add AMP Amplifier Subwoofer Speaker Wiring T-Harness Radio Stereo Plug Connector Compatible with Toyota 2018-2022 Camry RAV4 Tacoma Corolla Non-JBL System

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DTY8PMD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details thanks

 

what are the colors for the front speakers I need to tap into?

 

Using the first harness you would use the rca input.

using the second harness you would need to tap into the front speaker wires. I’m not sure off hand which two colors you need.

if your remote is off the dome you might want to switch to something that is on the whole time your ignition is on, such as the power outlet.

also, you might not need to use the as spin180 mentioned.

 

Hey guys, I finished my hideaway install today using the red wolf harness. The speaker wires coming from the sub are white, white/black, grey and grey/black and I spliced those with the same colors on the harness. I didn't hook up the remote line (blue wire) since I have the factory unit. I saw the kicker instructions said not to hook up as well. This was my first sub install so I learned some lessons and I had to buy a crimping tool and replacement ring terminals and butt connectors, but I got it installed. Appreciate all the helpful feedback on this thread!!!

 

There is a very detailed thread going over all the wiring and harness part #s.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-premium-upgrade-kicker-key-180-4-amp.541375/

That’s what I used when I did mine.

 

Drew this up today for my upcoming hideaway install. From my searching this is what I came up with for use with the Amazon harness.

R51 plug for 2020+ using the red wolf harness. T-ing off 1, 2, 6, and 7.