Help out a noob with some audio questions?

So I have the original JBL system (57904) in my Limited and to be honest, it's not too terrible. Way too much bass - I have it turned way down, but sound is decent. Problem is the unit just cuts out and needs to be reset by pressing power button for a few seconds. This is starting to happen more often. Any chance there's a fix? (doubt it, but worth asking)

If not, I guess I'm in the market for a new head unit. Any suggestions for a head unit with wireless CarPlay? Not sure I need a Tesla screen but bigger would be better. I haven't messed with Audio since I was a teenager so I'm clueless but I see new brands out there (Boss, Joying) and some old names I recognize, but I don't know if the quality is there. Also, I know I "can" swap the head unit and leave the amp/speakers/sub but "should" I? I don't want to spend a ton and like I said, the old head unit was decent. Looking to buy a kit from Crutchfield and there are several that will work with the JBL stuff.

Looking to learn from the brain trust here rather than figure stuff out on my dime.

Pics for clicks, taco on Gilgo beach on Labor Day

 

As you guessed, the headunit is on the way out, that or the amp. Either way, Crutchfield will be your friend.

 

If you need to go aftermarket check the guys out.
https://trailgridpro.com/shop/tacoma-accessories/

 

Sorry, had to run earlier. Anyways, yeah, sounds like the H/U or amp is going out on you. Replacement is easy with the Amppro box and your JBL amp. Using that, you can keep the amp and speakers, and get new features like CarPlay wireless!

Swapping speakers would be more difficult, with or without the factory amp. The factory stuff is 2ohm, and most aftermarket stuff is 4ohm. Not a great combination. You’ll have a much quieter system, even at full tilt. Running speakers off the deck, or aftermarket amp, means running new speaker wire to the doors. There is a harness, I think www.autoharnesshouse.com sells it, that taps into the JBL wiring at the amp and uses factory wiring in the doors for new speakers.

Hope that helps a little.

 

Helps a lot - thank you! Seems you're well versed so I hope you don't mind some questions. How do I confirm where the fault lies? I assumed the head unit but you said it could be the amp. I'd hate to but a head unit, adapters and fit kit to find out it's the amp. And if it was the amp, could that be swapped for a non JBL unit that does 2 ohms or am I beholden to JBL parts? And can I even get that amp if it turns out to be the problem? I'd hate to replace one JBL part after another until the whole system has been gutted. Seems like having JBL is more of a curse than anything, especially if replacing parts results in an all-or-nothing situation. TIA for your advice.

 

I don’t think there really is a way to tell for sure, except trial and error. The H/U and amp split duties in the JBL stereo. The H/U does all the processing and “thinking”, and the amp does the heavy lifting. There is no audio output from the H/U, save for the data stream sent to the amp. It’s kind of a “Russian roulette” thing, with a semi-auto, Either way, it’s gonna hurt.

Swapping the H/U is the way, from your listening habits described above, I’d suggest you go. The aftermarket unit has an amp in it, not a rattle the tires off amp, but one for moderate volumes. You could then upgrade the speakers as money permits followed by an amp that should round things out. You barely use the JBL sub, and IMO, that things not great. More bass is probably not what you want. Some decent 6x9 components should do nicely for you.

 

I have a 22 limited and the JBL system is working fine for me. +1 to what the above are suggesting, getting a new head unit.