JBL Premium Major Re-fit, Subwoofer issues

G'day Team,

I am deep in the Tacoma rabbit hole now and keep finding new 'projects'.

Like a classic Male, this includes upgrading the stereo because of course I am.

I have an '07 dual cab pre-runner with the JBL system. The sound system was terrible when I picked up the car and I've slowly been replacing everything.

So far I have done the following:
Headunit:Kenwood Excelon Reference DDX9907XR
Front Speakers: PowerBass OE69C-TY, replaced tweeters with

$37 Powerbass S1S 1" Silk Dome Tweeters

Powerbass S1S 1-Inch Silk Dome Tweeters
Rear Speakers: Kicker 46CSC654

I've installed the Amp interface and Steering wheel controls, so I have all of those things working.

Now I've moved on to replace the Subwoofer, on removing the old one I discivered that it had 'self destructed' and was basiclly missing all of the cone and was hanging on for dear life.

So i've replaced it with a Pioneer TS-A2000LD2.

My issue is that the Sub is clearly playing sound, however, it's very muffled and occassionally will kick a bit randomly. I couldn't find a wiring diagram that matched the colours of my sub connections, so I tested them with a multimeter and ran them that way to the dual voice inputs.

Can anyone think of something I may be missing?

I've set my filters to 80hz with a -24db slope, reduced the sub to -4 db and flattened the equaliser, but still getting occassional 'kicks' and a muddy sound.

Is the amplifier on it's last legs? Is there a plug and play replacement option?

Thanks all.

(Next project is new bedsides to replaced the dinged up ones, new headlights, tail lights, Grille and a respray!)

 

So the old Sub-wiring was the same as this image.

I understand that Red is positive, yellow negative on one side, with black negative and green positive on the other side.

 

Did you replace the factory amp? Or are you just splicing your new head unit in with the existing wiring?

If I remember correctly, the JBL amp & stereo set up is designed to run with an odd resistance for the speakers, something like 4 ohms or 2 ohms.

Also, good taste with your head unit. I run a DNX997XR myself.

 

Running the factory amp

 

JBL systems in our trucks run 2.3 Ω. You’ve got your system at 1 Ω. The JBL amp isn’t happy. I’d recommend a dual 4 Ω sub in place of the one you have. Your amp is complaining loudly. This one is a popular choice when swapping subs in the JBL system,
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_575P3SD48/Rockford-Fosgate-P3SD4-8.html?tp=111

 

Hmm that’s annoying,

I specifically chose this one as crutchfield said “compatible JBL Tacoma.

is there anything else I can do?

 

Well, I hesitate to say this but there is, kinda. Problem is, you load one channel of the amp and not the other, which MAY make it unhappy as well.

Wire it : Amp+ to VC 1+ to VC 2- , then VC 2+ to VC 1-, then amp -. That brings it to 4 Ω, but runs the very high risk of killing the amp.

Remember, just because Crutchfield says it can, doesn’t make is so.

 

Any suggestion on a wiring diagram?

really appreciate your help bro.

I suspect my amps cooked. The previous sub I took out looked like this….

Is there any plug and play amps I could use?

 

Honestly, that sub just seems to have had the foam surround deteriorate, not surprising after 15+ years.

Amps. You have your choice. You already have the Kenwood HU, which means 5V pre-puts to the amp of your choice. 4-channel and monoblock, or a simple 5-channel. Figure out where you want to mount it, run some RCA and power cables, and it’ll sound 10x better than that JBL amp ever would. Just make sure it can take a 5V input. My go-to for a basic setup, the Kenwood XR901-5. 60W x 4 and 600W x 1 @ 2 Ω. The pioneer sub you need, would be wired to 4 Ω which puts out 400w. Decent little amp, fits under the seat. Mine still works after 4 years of Canadian winters.

 

Thanks Mate will do some research

 

A bit late to the show here, but this is good advice OP. You'll really be able to customize your setup this way.

Personally I run a Morel MPS 4.400 underneath my driver seat. It's hooked up to 6x9 Morel Tempo Comps in the front and Morel 5-1/4" Maximos in the back. I don't run a sub since the 6x9's do pretty well all on their own. Although I may change my mind on that sometime in the future haha.

One thing I ran into when installing a new amp in the Taco is finding space for the damn thing. Under the drivers seat seems to be a popular spot, but it can be kinda tight down there. Don't forget about ventilation as well

Last bit of unsolicited advice - sound deaden your doors and floors. Makes an amazing difference in road noise and sound quality.