How to - Installing new Speakers in your 3rd Gen

Just did this on Monday. Thanks so much for the great write up. The difference in sound clarity is night and day.

To anyone nervous about undertaking the sound deading, I'd recommend doing it. It makes a noticeable difference when driving, and I by no means did a perfect job covering the inside of the doors.

 

I did this today and it sounds worlds better. However, I still am not getting the volume that I anticipated. I am connecting via Bluetooth from my iPhone and maybe that’s the issue. Any thoughts on why I am not getting great volume?

For example, I was listening today and the iPhone volume and truck volume were both at max. It sounded great but I expected more. I’m not looking to rattle windows, but...

 

You need an amp

 

Recommendations?

 

Subbed.

 

Kicker key with harness for plug and play.

 

Kicker key is definitely the way to go if you're looking a more volume at a pretty good price. you'll need to get the metra harnesses (Part numbers:

$5 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up Power 4 Speaker

70-1761 and

$11 71-1761 87 - 94 Toyota Vehicle Harness

71-1761) to make a T harness so you won't have to splice into any of the factory wiring. After completing the setup, it sounded amazing but still had the itch for some more bass, so I ended up getting the

$280 rockford fosgate P300-8p punch 8" 300-watt amplified subwoofer in ported enclosure - slim design for tight spaces - black

rockford fosgate P300-8p that fits perfectly behind in the rear passenger side seat.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kickercs-upgrade-with-kicker-key-amp-install-assistance.568985/

The thread I linked had all the info I needed to build the harness and wire the system. Here's my setup:

 

So, if I understand correctly, I can order these plugs, make my own harnesses and not have to run a power cable, grounding cable or speaker wires?

 

That's right, you'll not have to run any additional wires for power and ground. All of that will be taken care of by the T-harness

This is what it should look like (ignore the 4-wires red,red/blk,wht,wht/blk that are loose). I needed to splice those wires for my subwoofer.


and this was my completed setup after wrapping it with some cloth tape:


The thread I linked earlier has all the info on where each wire should land.

Hope that helps!

 

Hey gang, thought I would add; Best Buy had these speakers cheaper- so a quick chat with Crutchfield, and they matched the price no questions asked. All in for $160 bucks to my door with adaptors and wie harness'

Should note; mounting the rear speakers in the Metra adaptors... there is a bunch of tabs on the inside ring of the adaptor that need to be removed. I just put a small cut off wheel on my dremel and cut them off. If you dont remove them, it prevents the speaker from sitting flush. Not sure if it was mentioned yet.

 

Installed yesterday. All went as planned. What was noted someplace also happened with me; the spade terminal connectors supplied by Crutchfield were too tight for the terminals on the back of the speakers. I chose to stick one of my small picks down each side to open them up a hair and then give them a squeeze with needle nose pliers once on. Another option is to clip the connectors and solder them, but that’s too much work.

My impression of the sound is; hugely different from stock. They sound great, I’d say this is what you should expect from a stock set of speakers from any vehicle that costs this much. Great upgrade for little time and cheap money!

 

After doing the Subaru Tweeter upgrade last week, today I installed upgraded Kicker speakers for the doors. Incredible difference. Toyota should be ashamed for the OEM speakers they put in. Great write up @SomethingNew71

 

It looks like there is a new part number and new version of these speakers.

 

Has anyone done this install with the newer part number speakers?

 

Yes

 

This new truck and this website is going to cost me so much (in addition to the actual payment...).

 

Darn you all...all parts ordered!

 

Great write-up, ill be doing this after Black Friday for sho!

 

What’s your take on the

$280 Rockford Fosgate P300-8P Punch 8" 300-Watt Amplified Subwoofer in Ported Enclosure - Slim Design for Tight Spaces - Black

Rockford Fosgate P300-8P? im debating between that and the JL Audio ACP108LG-W3v3 in my 2nd gen as they both look like they can fit in the storage bins of a double cab. Any thoughts on one over the other? The Rockford price is looking clean clean

 

I hope someone is online tonight. I just pulled the driver’s door panel off and this rubber piece fell out. I can’t figure out where it goes. Any quick help tonight?