Hello so I figured I would do a little write up about my experience with replacing most of the audio system in my '17 SR5 4runner. I'll try to include as much helpful photos and info as possible but this isn't really intended to be a guide so I may leave out stuff.

Another note, I didn't want to change the head unit so this is all on the stock entune with phone nav and satellite.

First off, I purchased the Focal IS 690TOY drop in speaker replacements from Crutchfield for $300. This gets you front 6x9 speakers and dash tweeter replacements.

Magnet comparison:


The sound quality was improved but it was hard to tell because the stock head unit doesn't put enough power out to them. I noticed my usual listening volume had to be increased by ~5-7 clicks to get back to normal.

So I started shopping for a full system because most importantly I wanted to get some bass into the car. I checked out OEM+ and TacoTunes and in the end decided to get the TT system 1 setup because the sub was a lot bigger and OEM+ doesn't even give you the sub unless you buy the 1800$ setup which was about 50% over my budget. I also didn't like how the custom enclosure looked. Also the sub is small. TT setup for system 1 was 1100-1200 I cant remember

Needless to say, I was not going for an SQ setup. I just wanted to put some slam into the car so I can enjoy the rap and metal I usually listen to even more. The reason I went with the preset setups like OEM+/TT is because I wanted plug and play. I don't want to tap, cut, splice or do anything with the factory wires.

Tacotunes has a reputation as you all are probably aware. There is absolutely room for their business to improve in terms of how they portray information but on the other hand, they are a warehouse operation and there are some things that are out of their control.

One of the chief complaints I've seen online is around shipping time. The thing is, the packages you get from ordering a full sytem are huge, the sub box itself is pretty large. So if you select the FREE option for shipping, you are at the mercy of the warehouse freight shipping schedule. If you were expecting fast shipping, you should have paid the 200$ it costs to parcel mail it.

I chatted with one of the reps on their site and after listening to my thoughts, he made a note on my order to replace the front speaker setup that normally comes with the System 1 complete kit with another set of rear speakers. This way I could keep my Focals which were already installed and now I have a full set of speaker replacements for the hatch door and my passenger doors.

Comparing the TT 6.5s to the stock:


After I ordered mine, I forgot about it for a couple weeks and it showed up ~12 days after I had ordered. You don't get tracking numbers or an invoice even through email when you purchase though. If you can't deal with that then it's probably best you don't do business with TT.

The install was mostly straightforward. I followed the videos in this yt playlist:
YouTube

The only thing missing from the vids was this diagram which was helpful to know which plugs go where:



I installed my amp under the drivers seat and this is the grounding location I used for it:



It is under the carpet near the back left leg of the seat. I had to file the top down to get the paint off and I believe it took an M5 bolt, I can't remember exactly. I just bought M4-6 and tried them all.

Most of the install time was routing wires throughout the cabin:


If you've done the raptor lights mod you are probably familliar with the hole this amp wire runs down from. It's in the top right corner of the engine bay on the firewall.


Disassembled the head unit area to get better access to feed the wires through:


Installed the sub:


Downsides: Cannot recline the passenger seat anymore, also cannot use the cargo net for the trunk because the hook is one of the mounting points. rago modular storage panels as well if you like those (i think they are overpriced)

Running the sub wires required a lot of patience and a clothes wire hanger to fish the wires through from the tire jack area (panel removed and stored, as well as the tool roll and jack)into the wheel well fender bump (i pulled off the plastic top storage tray to get access. I don't know how to do it correctly and I broke most of the tabs. But who cares! Subs not going anywhere!)


I did some recording with my Audio Technica AT2020 microphone. Fair warning, after tuning the TT setup your max volume is now 50. You can dial it higher but you will probably blow out a speaker or two over time. That's fine though because it's plenty loud at 20. If I want my next door neighbors to hear it, I'll play it at 35. If I want to be deaf you can do 50 lol.


Kreutzer - Instaudio


I accidentally jostled the wire towards the end of the recording and it got distorted so sorry about that. But the beginning is all recorded live at volume 30 in the car. I tried to record more other types of music but the mic wasn't behaving and garbled the recordings. If people want it maybe I'll try again later.

I am happy with it, there is room for improvement in pretty much all the components and I'm sure someone who is better at this stuff could build a better system for cheaper. But I got quoted for 900 dollars by the most reputable audio shop in Atlanta for JUST the fiberglass enclosure for the sub. So I feel like this was a good budget option for drastically improving the audio in the car. And it was EASY with all the plug and play harnesses.

Happy truck!



Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Nice write up on the audio install. I went a diffrent route but also kept the factory head unit( w nav non jbl) in my 2017 ORP

I used Focal IS690 components for the dash/front door as you did and then the Focal 6.5” two ways in rear doors and hatch locations. I used taco tunes harnesses to go from head unit tp processor/EQ located under passenger seat. The processor is an audisson bit ten. It connects to the amp(JL Audio XD700 a 5 channels 700 watts) which is located under the drivers seat. Then another taco tunes harness from the amp to the factory speaker plud/harness behind the head unit. Their harnesses plus the toyota connectors on all of the focal speakers made for a frustration free install. I cut zero wires, but did have to solder and heat shrink connections from the tacotunes harness to the audisson “in” plug. I took my time and used quality materials throughout...and even applied sound matt and deadening to all 4 doors. Im very pleased with the sound quality...especially after getting an opportunity to hear the OEM Audio system. I ended up with so much tight midbass that I have never added a subwoofer. I do have a sub channel on the amp and I am currently planning that part of the project.

My experience with taco tunes went smooth. All emails promotly answered etc. i had added their amp mounting plate but there wasnt enough room to use it with my amp. They refunded upon return no problem. I would definitely do business with them again.

Well that’s disappointing the amp didn’t fit with the TacoTunes plate. I just received the plate (included tracking info fwiw) and thought I’d use it for a compact under seat subwoofer. Was your amp too tall to use with the plate? Looks like that JL amp is only 2” high.

Maybe I can get by with a small amp instead and not use that kind of subwoofer but am concerned what will fit under the seat.

The plate plus amp were too tall. I ended up cutting some half inch plywood cut about the same size as the amp footprint and placing that under the carpet. Then screwed through amp mounts and carpet into plywood. Everything stays put just fine. Did the same with the dsp. I have a distribution block under there also where I ran #2 wire from battery to amp but also splits off to power the fridge in back. All screwed the same way into plywood.

Its the cleanest looking way to do it anyway.

yeah even with their amps, the mount plate isn't super well fit. took some wiggling to get it to sit right with the chair feet.

i bet your setup sounds way better than mine, i sacrificed quality for ease lol

OP,

So you mention you are happier with taco tunes than OEM based off audio comparison of both systems and saved 900.00 in the process. BUT you lost rear seat recline and some cargo functionality and it also looks like plug and play wasnt quite as cut and dry as OEMs plug and play system. Is that correct?

In your opinion is the setup significantly better than OEMs or is this kind of subjective because your running a 12" vs an 8" which gives the desired bass output you prefer?

Oh I don't know anything about OEM+'s setup. My main point versus OEM+ was that the lower cost FULL setup doesn't even include a sub (I see now that they do offer one but it's still 100$ more than TT. I could have sworn at the time of this post that they did not offer a sub at the lower price point.)

TT was pretty cut and dry, the issue was that I had to go back and forth to get a lot of the information out of them. I had no issues with the plug and play wires though.

It would have been a lot of work routing everything with either system, but this was my first time taking these body plastics apart.

I would wager that the OEM+ yields a superior SQ experience. The TT is purely for slam and volume. It still sounds way better than stock but you could probably build a better system for the total cost if you were willing to cut wires and do all the work yourself (not me, easy is good)

The rear taco tunes speakers are they just PowerBass OE652-TY rebranded by TT?