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Upgrade head unit and speakers or just the speakers?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by thebotti, Feb 14, 2022.

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  1. Feb 14, 2022 at 10:19 AM
    #1
    thebotti

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    thebotti [OP] Member

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    just minor so far, blackout , LEDs
    I have the non JBL stereo, is it recommended to update the head unit and all speakers, or just the speakers.
    Newbie here, so any suggestions would be helpful!

    taco.jpg
     
    thebotti, Feb 14, 2022
    #1
  2. Feb 14, 2022 at 10:42 AM
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    1D6SR521

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    1D6SR521 Well-Known Member

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    I did the Subaru tweeters only and I’m happy. Maybe I’ll do the locker door speakers at some point but the tweeters did the truck for me. I guess it all depends on how serious you wanna go and how picky you are with your music.
     
    1D6SR521, Feb 14, 2022
    #2
  3. Feb 14, 2022 at 11:53 AM
    #3
    SoCali_Guy

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    SoCali_Guy Well-Known Member

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    I have the non JBL stereo in my 2018 4x4 OR.. I did the Subaru tweeter upgrade, changed all the speakers to Kickers, and added the Kicker Key Amp which hides inside the passenger side dash..
    the OEM head unit pushes the upgraded speakers just fine.. couldn't be happier.. perfect balance inside the cab.. I was gonna add a subwoofer in the back but hadn't felt the need to do so yet...
     
    SoCali_Guy, Feb 14, 2022
    #3
  4. Feb 14, 2022 at 12:08 PM
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    bimmerlev

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    bimmerlev Well-Known Member

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    Got a none JBL Taco here too, definitely needs an upgrade.. The Subaru upgrade seems to be hella popular.
     
    bimmerlev, Feb 14, 2022
    #4
  5. Feb 14, 2022 at 12:10 PM
    #5
    SoCali_Guy

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    SoCali_Guy Well-Known Member

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    Do what I did bro.. its very cost effective.. and you'll be happy
     
    SoCali_Guy, Feb 14, 2022
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    bimmerlev[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Feb 14, 2022 at 12:23 PM
    #6
    thebotti

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    thebotti [OP] Member

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    just minor so far, blackout , LEDs
    Ok, one question, what are the Sabaru tweeter upgrade? and which Kickers?
     
    thebotti, Feb 14, 2022
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  7. Feb 14, 2022 at 12:31 PM
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    Taco1004

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    Taco1004 Boats Hoes and Fishy Tacos!!

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    Taco1004, Feb 14, 2022
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    Jab969, SFcoma, Jesse H and 1 other person like this.
  8. Feb 14, 2022 at 12:32 PM
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    island taco

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    island taco Well-Known Member

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    island taco, Feb 14, 2022
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    Anslet, Canada17, thebotti[OP] and 1 other person like this.
  9. Feb 14, 2022 at 12:33 PM
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    1D6SR521

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    1D6SR521 Well-Known Member

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    1D6SR521, Feb 14, 2022
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  10. Feb 14, 2022 at 12:38 PM
    #10
    Taco1004

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    Taco1004 Boats Hoes and Fishy Tacos!!

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    I started with the Kicker tweeters. Currently I am in the process of installing my sub. I went with the JL Audio Stealth series. It’s made as a direct fit for the Taco and is muck louder than the JBL and Alpine subs. Going to keep the stock door speakers for now and possibly upgrade them in the near future.

    https://www.jlaudio.com/products/sb-t-tacdcg3-10tw3-car-audio-stealthbox-94654
     
    Taco1004, Feb 14, 2022
    #10
  11. Feb 14, 2022 at 1:16 PM
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    dljohndrow

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    dljohndrow Well-Known Member

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    I have an SR and of course non JBL. I added the Kicker speakers in all the doors and it was decent (the back doors were weak). Add the Kicker tweeters and it was better. Upgraded the head unit and it is far superior.
     
    dljohndrow, Feb 14, 2022
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    JoeyDel likes this.
  12. Feb 14, 2022 at 1:24 PM
    #12
    Taco1004

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    Taco1004 Boats Hoes and Fishy Tacos!!

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    Did you add an amp to your upgraded Kicker speakers before HU upgrade? Or just running them off the factory HU wattage?
     
    Taco1004, Feb 14, 2022
    #12
  13. Feb 14, 2022 at 1:27 PM
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    dljohndrow

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    dljohndrow Well-Known Member

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    No amp and the sound was decent
     
    dljohndrow, Feb 14, 2022
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  14. Feb 14, 2022 at 1:41 PM
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    thebotti

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    thebotti [OP] Member

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    just minor so far, blackout , LEDs
    This is great Information..I am gonna upgrade soon for sure.
    I upgraded my Interior to LEDS, but the vanity mirror is too bright, is there a dimmer type LED you have found?
    I used Bright white from Amazon
     
    thebotti, Feb 14, 2022
    #14
  15. Feb 14, 2022 at 2:11 PM
    #15
    Taco1004

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    Taco1004 Boats Hoes and Fishy Tacos!!

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    Sound would have been much better with a small amp. If you read most speaker specs, they will give you a range that the speakers perform in, say for instance of conversation 25-250 watts with a peak wattage of 350. This means they will produce sound as low as 25 watts and continually handle up to 250 watts, peaking around 350 before they blow. They were probably getting no where near their optimal power range from the factory headunit.

    @thebotti
    If you are going to go the route of replacing the factory door speakers, I would highly recommend you pushing them off a small amp before replacing the entire headunit. A headunit will cost you upwards of $1300 for a high quality name brand unit. A good amp will cost a fraction of that… most amps cost about $1 per watt, and you’ll probably only need a 100-250 watt amp.
     
    Taco1004, Feb 14, 2022
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    thebotti[OP] likes this.
  16. Feb 14, 2022 at 3:37 PM
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    SoCali_Guy

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    SoCali_Guy Well-Known Member

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    SoCali_Guy, Feb 14, 2022
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    Taco1004 likes this.
  17. Feb 14, 2022 at 5:08 PM
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    Volt

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    Volt Well-Known Member

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    I have an SR and I did the Subaru tweeter upgrade. This is what you should probably try doing first. It is a big improvement.
     
    Volt, Feb 14, 2022
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    thebotti[OP] likes this.
  18. Feb 14, 2022 at 5:37 PM
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    dljohndrow

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    dljohndrow Well-Known Member

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    dljohndrow, Feb 14, 2022
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  19. Feb 15, 2022 at 7:22 AM
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    thebotti

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    thebotti [OP] Member

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    just minor so far, blackout , LEDs
    im gonna try the kicker upgrade and add a amp later if needed.
    Got the Subaru tweets and the kicker 6x9s and 6.75 for rear
     
    thebotti, Feb 15, 2022
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  20. Feb 15, 2022 at 7:28 AM
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    SoCali_Guy

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    SoCali_Guy Well-Known Member

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    SoCali_Guy, Feb 15, 2022
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