1996-2000 1st Gen Tweeter Pod Install

sachou · Feb 7, 2015

It's widely accepted that components sound better than composite speakers, and us 1996-2000 owners didn't get the luxury of factory components like the 2001+ Tacomas.

I purchased a set of Alpine SPS-610C 80W RMS speakers with 1" tweeters, and a set of used OEM 4Runner Mirror Sail Panel Tweeter Pods on eBay for $35 shipped.

Part #: 67492-35010-CO Description: Garnish, FR Door LWR
Part #: 67491-35010-CO Description: Garnish, FR Door LWR

I completed this modification to my 1999 Tacoma using the guide located here:
http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old/index.php?article=25

But I thought I'd add to it, since my install varied a little bit.

Here's the setup that I bought the truck with - These were something like 1 3/4" MTX tweeters that were simply screwed on to the sail panel, had no clearance with the dashboard, and just looked ugly.

I wanted to see if I could install the new 1" tweeters flush with the OEM sail panel.

As you can see, in theory it will barely fit with no room to spare.

Realistically, the head of the top bolt for the mirror makes the tweeter protrude too much.

Here is it installed with the mirror bolt removed. Still protrudes a few mm, but if you used a more flush screw, this might be doable. I decided to go the 4runner mirror sail panel tweeter pod route.

Here's a size comparison between the two. The 4runner pods are larger, but will still fit in just fine and you can't tell the difference once installed.

For my Tacoma, I didn't have to trim any plastic from the bottom. I did have to drill a new hole for the nub, and move the plastic clip into the new hole.

Using the included mount from the SPS-610C, trim off all the plastic so you just have the round mount.

Then, trim off the plastic tabs inside the tweeter pods.

For a 1" Tweeter, the mounting plate fits up perfectly with the opening. Don't mess around with double sided tape - super glue attaches it perfectly, and it definitely won't go anywhere.

Here is how I mounted the crossover.

It looks like I forgot to take a picture of it installed, but it looks totally OEM (because it kind of is). I hope this helps someone.

Also - the truck got totalled about 2 months after I installed this, so I pulled this all out, and the speakers and tweeter pods are for sale. $70 shipped. SOLD.