bnekic
New member
Do you leave the ignition in the acc or on position? Thanks for the info!
what an unbelievable difference! - kappa 3.5 dash speakers
- Thread starter mag10
- Start date
Do you leave the ignition in the acc or on position? Thanks for the info!
Crossover Tips / Preserving OEM wires
I've read this forum, ordered my speakers, and completed the install last night. I thought I'd like to share my results with a crossover as wel as my method of completing this install without damaging the factory wire harness.
1st - DO NOT USE A CROSSOVER!
The Infinity Kappas already come with a built in crossover (that's why there is a big black box hanging from the speaker). The Kappa's crossover filters out only the frequencies that the speaker's can't handle. If you install a 600HZ crossover, then you'll be filtering out some mid range sounds that the speakers handle wonderfully.
2nd -THERE IS NO REASON TO CHOP THE FACTORY WIRES.
Here's a step by step guide on re-using the connector attached to the OEM speaker.
2.1
Remove the plastic speaker grill on the dash. Use a hard piece of plastic or a small flat head screw driver to pry up the front end of the panel.
TIP - if you're using a screw driver, put a piece of electrical tape over the flathead to prevent scratching.
2.2
Remove the factory speaker using a 10mm socket wrench or a short philip's head screwdriver.
2.3
Disconnect the speaker from the factory speaker connector.
2.4
Pry off the speakers wire harness and clip the black and white wires as close as possible to the speaker. This will leave just enough wire to connect to the Kappas.
See that blue thing in the photo? That's what we need to pry off.
2.5
Check it out - the speaker harness has a built-in crossoever (the little black thingy). If you don't believe me about using a crossover, you can leave this on and skip to step 2.8.
2.6
That crossover sucked didn't it? Ok, let's remove it. The crossover is the little black thing.
Using pliers, pull it away from it's connections slowly. If you do it right, you'll be left with the pins intact.
2.7.
Solder the connectors together. I twisted mine together, cut, then used a $4 soldering gun (available at Walmart) to drop a bead onto the twisted connectors. (I also soldered the tips of the stripped wires to give the Kappa's screws a little something extra to grip ).
2.8
Strip the ends of the wires and connect to your Kappas.
TIP - Black wire on harness = Negative. White = Positive.
TIP - Use some electrical tape to secure the harness to the Kappa's crossovers and cover the soldered connections. This will ensure nothing wiggles loose and protect the soldered wires.
2.9
DONE! Just plug the Kappas into the preserved T4R speaker plug and mount. Everything works great, and the only thing destroyed was those cheap OEM speakers.
TIP - Be sure to insulate the speakers from the metal dash (as other's have posted) to prevent the magnet from touching the body otherwise you'll hear popping in the speakers.
TIP - Be sure to fabricate mounting brackets or purchase mending plates to mount securely.
TIP - Be careful removing the black plastic plate on top of the Kappa's. You can tear the rubber surround loose. A better idea is to shave it down using a sander (only for passenger side - driver side fits without mods).
3rd - Verdict
AWESOME SOUND. Much better that the TSH, TSh, TSh the OEM speakers produced. These have full range sound (minus the low end bass) that add an incredible dimension to the flat sound of the stock T4R system.
By the way, I also added 2 DVC 8" 200W RMS bazooka tubes in the back that fit beatifully. I powered the subs with an amp located under the passenger seat. The amp taps into the rear speaker leads of the OEM stereo. This things have big boom for very little $$.
My write up on the AMP + SUB install will be coming shortly. Overall, I've spent $360 bucks, preserved the OEM appearance, and now my wife has amazing sound that blows away the JBL systems at a fraction of the cost.
I've read this forum, ordered my speakers, and completed the install last night. I thought I'd like to share my results with a crossover as wel as my method of completing this install without damaging the factory wire harness.
1st - DO NOT USE A CROSSOVER!
The Infinity Kappas already come with a built in crossover (that's why there is a big black box hanging from the speaker). The Kappa's crossover filters out only the frequencies that the speaker's can't handle. If you install a 600HZ crossover, then you'll be filtering out some mid range sounds that the speakers handle wonderfully.
2nd -THERE IS NO REASON TO CHOP THE FACTORY WIRES.
Here's a step by step guide on re-using the connector attached to the OEM speaker.
2.1
Remove the plastic speaker grill on the dash. Use a hard piece of plastic or a small flat head screw driver to pry up the front end of the panel.
TIP - if you're using a screw driver, put a piece of electrical tape over the flathead to prevent scratching.
2.2
Remove the factory speaker using a 10mm socket wrench or a short philip's head screwdriver.
2.3
Disconnect the speaker from the factory speaker connector.
2.4
Pry off the speakers wire harness and clip the black and white wires as close as possible to the speaker. This will leave just enough wire to connect to the Kappas.
See that blue thing in the photo? That's what we need to pry off.
2.5
Check it out - the speaker harness has a built-in crossoever (the little black thingy). If you don't believe me about using a crossover, you can leave this on and skip to step 2.8.
2.6
That crossover sucked didn't it? Ok, let's remove it. The crossover is the little black thing.
Using pliers, pull it away from it's connections slowly. If you do it right, you'll be left with the pins intact.
2.7.
Solder the connectors together. I twisted mine together, cut, then used a $4 soldering gun (available at Walmart) to drop a bead onto the twisted connectors. (I also soldered the tips of the stripped wires to give the Kappa's screws a little something extra to grip ).
2.8
Strip the ends of the wires and connect to your Kappas.
TIP - Black wire on harness = Negative. White = Positive.
TIP - Use some electrical tape to secure the harness to the Kappa's crossovers and cover the soldered connections. This will ensure nothing wiggles loose and protect the soldered wires.
2.9
DONE! Just plug the Kappas into the preserved T4R speaker plug and mount. Everything works great, and the only thing destroyed was those cheap OEM speakers.
TIP - Be sure to insulate the speakers from the metal dash (as other's have posted) to prevent the magnet from touching the body otherwise you'll hear popping in the speakers.
TIP - Be sure to fabricate mounting brackets or purchase mending plates to mount securely.
TIP - Be careful removing the black plastic plate on top of the Kappa's. You can tear the rubber surround loose. A better idea is to shave it down using a sander (only for passenger side - driver side fits without mods).
3rd - Verdict
AWESOME SOUND. Much better that the TSH, TSh, TSh the OEM speakers produced. These have full range sound (minus the low end bass) that add an incredible dimension to the flat sound of the stock T4R system.
By the way, I also added 2 DVC 8" 200W RMS bazooka tubes in the back that fit beatifully. I powered the subs with an amp located under the passenger seat. The amp taps into the rear speaker leads of the OEM stereo. This things have big boom for very little $$.
My write up on the AMP + SUB install will be coming shortly. Overall, I've spent $360 bucks, preserved the OEM appearance, and now my wife has amazing sound that blows away the JBL systems at a fraction of the cost.
Last edited:
Johnny Utah
New member
off topic here. BUT, i keep my 4runner's party mode always on. Am i the only one who does that? I feel like with it off, the 4runner just isn't loud enough
Ryan_S
New member
+1. I modified the radio harness to have permanent party mode. Now the button just turns off the rear door speakers.
Bring on the disco ball.
I was working in bright light and used the wrong photo - that was a photo before I removed the crossover.
Good catch - I'll correct.
Turn_down
New member
Isn't that what party mode does anyway? Turns off the rear doors as opposed to sharing power between the rear doors and hatch? Am I missing something?
Ryan_S
New member
Does 2 (two) things.
1. Turns off rear door speakers
2. adjusts radio's EQ to make it sound like a club
M56
New member
Darkdane..."did the swap out of the oem speakers for the infinity speakers using your suggested wiring. It was a simple job, soldering is necessary to make the wires solid if you cut out the crossover, IMO. I have a 2011 SR5 and did not have to cut or trim anything. Used a 2" bracing bar, without modifing it. Thanks for the great post. BTW: sound is so much improved
Ryan_S
New member
bluebullet
New member
Darkdane,
Thanks for your post. I followed it and everything worked perfectly. I used a 2" putty knife to coax the speaker covers off. I melted the connections off the original speakers with a solder gun and had enough solder left on the black and white wires so I only had to solder together the 2 small wires left from removing the small crossover barrel.
Thanks for your post. I followed it and everything worked perfectly. I used a 2" putty knife to coax the speaker covers off. I melted the connections off the original speakers with a solder gun and had enough solder left on the black and white wires so I only had to solder together the 2 small wires left from removing the small crossover barrel.
Turn_down
New member
My speakers arrived today. I'll be doing it in the next day or so. Wish me luck! lol
I was thinking, everyone uses a screw driver with a cloth or tape to pry up the covers without scratching anything.
I wonder if a plastic tire iron for bicycles would work better? I'll test it out. It may still be hard enough to scratch something, though.
I was thinking, everyone uses a screw driver with a cloth or tape to pry up the covers without scratching anything.
I wonder if a plastic tire iron for bicycles would work better? I'll test it out. It may still be hard enough to scratch something, though.
Last edited:
4RunnerTrail
New member
Turn_down
New member
X2
I was going to go to Lowes tonight; but, like 4RunnerTrail asked, where did you get it? Can you post a pic of it so I can get the same one. Trimming stuff isn't my specialty. I'm way too impatient to do a good job. lol
Turn_down
New member
I wound up just screwing in one side with the mending brace. I guess, now that I think about it, I could have probably attached it with one screw without the brace.
Whatever, 1.5 hours was way to long to be messing with this crap. LOL It's in, it works, and thank God it sound better than it did. I'd be pissed if it didn't. lol
Whatever, 1.5 hours was way to long to be messing with this crap. LOL It's in, it works, and thank God it sound better than it did. I'd be pissed if it didn't. lol
