Alpine Power Pack KTP-445U

For those who have added it to their Factory Systems (2012 non-entune), did it make a difference? Thoughts? Would you recommend? Install tips?

 

Night and day difference. I would definitely reccomend it provided you are also upgrading the factory speakers. The instructions are so-so but, if you read them thoroughly before begining, and label the output wires, it's a breeze.

I intalled mine inside the center console next to the shift lever. Pay careful attention to getting a good ground location that is void of paint if you ground it in this location.

I complimented the amp with JL Audio's in the doors, and a powered sub behind the rear seat.

There is no real need for a line level converter, but pay heed to the instructions when they tell you to set the gain to the 9 o'clock position. If not, and you get too happy with the volume knob, you will experience clipping.

I chose to retain the stock look of the factory HU and all it's controls and the Alpine was a great way to upgrade sound quality and quantity. The only drawback that I have experienced so far is that you still only have the 2 frequency controls (bass and treble). It would be nice to be able to add an EQ for finer tuning, but hey, it is still a great upgrade.

 

What powered sub did you add? How did you wire it to the Factory System? Thanks for the original write up, nice information for me and others.

 

I used this one from Kicker http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/7737306/vpcsid/11568912/SFV/30046

The sub connects to the speaker harness (2 channels) at the rear of the HU, along with power and ground. I connected it in front of the Alpine inputs so there would not be "dual amplification".

Albeit, its only an 8" sub, but for the price and the fact that it fits behind the rear seat and works with the factory HU, it fills in what was missing. BTW, it wont rattle your neighbor's windows, but from inside the cab, you WILL know (feel) that it's there.

All in all, I'm satisfied with the system outcome.

 

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear you are satisfied with this upgrade. This is good information for those of us who do not want to spend a $$$ and bother the neighbors.

 

Hello, i am also interested in the alpine power pack. I have a 2012 tacoma, non-jbl stereo and would like to get some more power to the speakers (will upgrade of course). I have a couple of questions

1. Is there a harness you can buy to plug into the factory harness to wire the alpine power pack into? I don't want to cut into the factory harness due to warranty issues.

2. I was planning on upgrading the 6x9 speakers to alpine type R's, which are rated at 100rms, i plan on bridging the speaker wire on the power pack to give me 90rms. Do you think this would be a good sounding set up or to much using the stock head unit.


Thanks