Speaker upgrade nightmare

Did the tweeters and they were easy peazy. Then ordered MTX door speakers from Crutchfield. Pulled the front drivers door skin off and went to mount the speaker to it's bracket. Holes didn't line up. Tech support told me to use a Dremel tool and elongate the holes. Did so but they were too far off, finally gave up in disgust. In addition to that, the mounting clips were MIA and the instructions were useless. Crutchfield is sending me a set of Pioneer speakers to replace the MTX's.

I went ahead and installed the back speakers and the brackets didn't quite line up with the holes in the truck. But they were close enough that elongating the holes did the trick.

PS: When I removed the factory speakers i went WTF? You can't even buy speakers this cheap and yet Toyota uses them in their vehicles. They should be ashamed.

I have a feeling the next step will be adding an amp or replacing the head unit. The new speakers are not as loud as the OEM. Which way should I go? New HU or amp?

 

I'm assuming your new speakers are 6.5's? and you're referring to the cheap plastic adapter that crutchfield includes? I would recommend making an adapter out of MDF or Birch plywood. I think I still have the plastic ones laying around somewhere cuz I used Birch one's that @Mr Marv made me. Here's my install: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/complete-sound-system-in-my-2nd-gen.597101/

 

Thanks. I don't have the means to make my own brackets but I have a friend who's into woodworking big time. If I run into any more problems I'll hit him up for a favor.

 

If I hadn't purchased a truck with the jbl system I would have bought a 4 channel amp and speakers while keeping the head unit factory.

 

Your new speakers aren't as loud because they're less efficient. The factory jobbers are very efficient and meant to be used with low power.

I'd agree with a post above - make your own adapters. I use cutting boards for mine - they're impervious to water. Just don't use MDF - poor material for areas that are susceptible to water ingress.

Takes a little time with a jigsaw, but cutting boards are a perfect material for this application

 

Cutting boards are a good idea. And good point about the MDF and water, but MDF is fine as long as you coat them to prevent them from getting water-logged. Forgot to mention that in my post. I have birch adapters for my 6.5's and MDF for the tweeters and coated both with multiple coats of polyurethane. I have had luck doing it this way in the past.

 

x2 on not using MDF... I just pulled my door cards to replace a blown tweeter and saw where my MDF adapter got wet and then expanded like a MF! Thinking about tracing them onto some cutting boards also.

 

It really depends on the speakers you have weather you should get a new HU or an AMP. If the speakers RMS is less than 50w then i would say you are fine with a new HU, if they more than 50w RMS then you will probably want an amp to power them.

 

Thanks for this. Speakers are 45 watts. Already have the rears installed. fronts will be here tomorrow. Will decide where to go next after I get them installed. Hopefully I'll be satisfied with the sound so i can spend my money on other goodies. I'm not picky when it comes to sound quality but the OEM speakers are pure shit, even the deaf can tell.

 

Yeah you should be good then. Most aftermarket HU push about 45w RMS to each channel.

 

I'd say that's the exception. Most are giving about 17 or so tops. Most claim 50 or so, but don't actually make anywhere near that.

 

I think he has the stock head unit. He needs an amp. It'll cost about 100 for an adequate amp and another 100-150 to install and wire it.

 

Not to mention the better sound and signal a new HU will produce.... And yeah you are right, there are a lot of HU out there that lie!!!!!

 

I suspect you are correct. I'll know for sure when I get the fronts installed. Been raining last couple of days. Have to wait for it to clear before I can proceed.

 

Ya it has been demonstrated on this site somewhere that the frequency response of the factory head units is a function of volume and is not linear.

 

Does anyone know why the OEM Bluetooth mic can't be interfaced with an aftermarket HU ? I know there's a thread here about it but it turned out to be dead end and no explanation given as to what the problem is.

 

I just installed a after marker HU in my truck after about 2.5 years of running the stock HU on a DSP... sound is WAY different! Some songs do not have the same amount of bass, some have more! I need to re tune everything now.

 

That is one of the biggest reasons i never went with an aftermarket HU, but then i came across a really good deal and decided to jump on it, really miss being able to talk without holding my phone... but i also have air pods and they work great... when i have them with me.

 

I gotta have hands free phone. I'll go to jail without it.

 

Overall think you should just stick with the factory head unit. An amp and new speakers will be a huge improvement.