Adding jbl radio to non jbl - Toyota 4Runner Forum

firebirdguy · 01-19-2019, 08:10 PM

is the jbl synthesis radio the same size as the stanard radio for an 08 4runner? & are the connectors the same? im considering swapping the base radio with the jbl version i can get for a good price. comes with the factory amp & sub. are these things plug & play?

CookieRoe · 01-19-2019, 08:40 PM

They are not (Connectors/facia). Want JBL? That's a first here, LOL.

2016 4Runner SR5 · 01-19-2019, 08:45 PM

Stereo is different, plugs are different, you don't have the amp required. Long story short, it would cost you thousands of dollars to do and is far from worth it. Buy an aftermarket stereo.

firebirdguy · 01-19-2019, 10:38 PM

thanks, just wanted to be sure, i read recently that they might be different.

also heard the jbl system isnt that good, but its gotta be better than the standard radio. i will look into aftermarket options when i replace the stock unit.

dalandshark · 01-19-2019, 11:57 PM

Hi. I had a JBL system that I removed 4 years ago. It didn't sound that great anyway. I had to run a wire harness from the amp location to the stereo to upgrade because that's where the JBL system speaker wires run to.

However, if you want a small sub, you could hook to an aftermarket head unit and hide it behind the interior quarter panel from a JBL runner... that would be slick. I finally switched (last week) my quarter panel to a non JBL version so I would have the storage compartment.

If I remember correctly I spent about $100 in adapters for the steering wheel controls,antenna and the harness from the rear when I did my upgrade.

Hope this helps a little!

TenTwelve · 01-20-2019, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalandshark

Hi. I had a JBL system that I removed 4 years ago. It didn't sound that great anyway. I had to run a wire harness from the amp location to the stereo to upgrade because that's where the JBL system speaker wires run to.

However, if you want a small sub, you could hook to an aftermarket head unit and hide it behind the interior quarter panel from a JBL runner... that would be slick. I finally switched (last week) my quarter panel to a non JBL version so I would have the storage compartment.

If I remember correctly I spent about $100 in adapters for the steering wheel controls,antenna and the harness from the rear when I did my upgrade.

Hope this helps a little!

Hidden head units? Huh? lol

phishtaco · 01-20-2019, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebirdguy

thanks, just wanted to be sure, i read recently that they might be different.

also heard the jbl system isnt that good, but its gotta be better than the standard radio. i will look into aftermarket options when i replace the stock unit.

I’ve got a Scion(pioneer) radio that should be plug and play or a Kenwood double din if you are looking for something cheaper and easy. Pm me if you want

dalandshark · 01-20-2019, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TenTwelve

Hidden head units? Huh? lol

I was suggesting to locate a subwoofer where JBL subs are located, not the head unit... that way you could use the factory body panel.

ÆonOfHorus · 03-14-2019, 12:37 AM

Sorry to post on this thread but this is the closest thing I could find to what I need to ask.

I have a 2004 V8, and it says Sport on the back, but it came with a JBL head unit and speakers, and I just opened up the Sub compartment, and there's one in there! It doesn't work, but it's there, with a dusty amp. I don't understand what's going on, here... was this an available option for the non-Limited models as well?

firebirdguy · 03-14-2019, 12:44 PM

yes the jbl was an option for any trim level 4runner from what i have seen... base SR5's can have it as welll as the sport or limited.

ÆonOfHorus · 03-14-2019, 07:01 PM

OK... so after installing a new head unit I need to go back in there and figure out which wires were supposed to go to the amp...

I'm looking everywhere for a wiring diagram for the JBL system... does anyone have one?

Pabst13 · 03-26-2023, 12:53 AM

I found a donor dash to replaced my cracked up one in my ‘04. The new dash is from a JBL equipped 4runner. Is there a way that I can wire in the center dash speaker into the non-Jul harness to get the speaker to be operational? If not, I’ll take the speaker as non-op over my previous cracked up dash any day!

Thanks!

zguy1 · 03-26-2023, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebirdguy

thanks, just wanted to be sure, i read recently that they might be different.

also heard the jbl system isnt that good, but its gotta be better than the standard radio. i will look into aftermarket options when i replace the stock unit.

Call me crazy but my stock SR5 stereo system sounds great and all I did was replace the head unit with an aftermarket one. Best upgrade and money I spent on the truck when I bought it.

It has good volume and decent base. I know that doesn't sound possible but even Toyota put in decent components on the SR5. Most base model OEM stereos sound terrible. This is not one of them in my own opinion.

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