[rigtec]

G'day forum team,

I posted this 'Tweak' that I've implemented into my own stock (entune) audio system with another Toyota t/s 'message board' and felt that I should post it here as well; hope it will be useful! Even if you're not utilizing a 1.5KW subwoofer system in your truck, it's still one of the best free audio system mods I've ever done! Over the last couple years, I've heard more than a few people say something to the this effect... "My 4runner's stereo system sounds way better with the 'party mode' button on, but I wish that the backdoor passenger area speakers could be left on when I'm using it". Now, I had been feeling the very same way when listening to music in the truck for quite some time, so I decided to look into Toyota's audio system design to better understand exactly what this system does, and how it works. There's one other thing I think I should mention. If you're using an "independent" subwoofer system in your truck, then I know you may be experiencing some of these very same issues e.g., Trouble balancing the rear channel w/ the front speakers because the rear channel just isn't loud enough. Or, problems integrating the low-mids and upper-bass freq with the subs. If those are some of the issues that your stock 4Runner stereo system suffers from and you really don't want to replace the o.e.m system w/aftermarket equipment, then here's a way you can take more control of it.

Before I get started I'd just like to say that when I began making these changes to my vehical, I never had any intentions to..."write it up" as such; really just hoping to get it over with. For this reason I didn't take any photos during the early stages of this task; for that I offer my most sincere apologies. First, I looked at how the party mode circuit actually works. The function of this circuit is two fold. It's first appointment is for the party mode "switch" to control two rear channel "speaker selection" relays, located on the passenger side behind the glovebox. These two relays manipulate the left and right, rear audio channel's speaker wiring in such a way, that when party mode is NOT activated, all four L/R side 4ohm speakers are operating together in a series wiring configuration [pos]---O---O---[neg] totaling 8ohms.

When the pm circuit is activated, the switch completes a ground (gnd) circuit to the speaker relay coils. When these relay coils are provided a ground circuit, the speakers' series wiring is reconfigured to disconnect the two backdoor speakers all together, and then employs the (4ohm) rear tailgate speakers instead. By employing only the 4ohm tailgate speakers (as opposed to the 8ohm series wiring when party mode off), the amplifiers will now be capable of generating their full rated output into the left & right channel's 4ohm speakers. So now the acoustic output from the system will be increased by a factor of ^X2 (double). The party mode circuit's second appointment is for the pm switch to control an "EQ filter circuit", which is built-in to the head unit.

When this EQ filter circuit is OFF, the stereo system can sound 'bland', with muted highs and mids that lack definition. Also, a "far away" sounding, low/mid frequency reverberation is introduced as a result of "off-axis", poor tailgate speaker positioning/distance; w/regard to the driver seat location. When the EQ filter circuit is ON, however, the audio system takes on a whole different character. The 'mids' become much more articulate, and the highs are brilliantly striking, w/presence and very high resolution. This is the only reason that I ever used party mode. But I decided to change things around so I could benefit from the high quality audio sound w/o losing the two backdoor passenger area speakers.

The way that I've configured my 4Runner's rear channel speakers (front speakers are unchanged) is, I've disabled the two relays that the party mode button controls by not allowing them a ground source which is provided by the pm switch. Note: *These relays are energized by the 7.5A fused acc (accessory) circuit when the key/start button is initiated. **this work is completely reversible. PS: The 'Mitchell' wiring diagrams that I'm using here are the "printable version" however, they cannot be shared (transferred electronically), which is why I chose to photograph them.


The diagram above shows a 5'th gen 4Runner radio circuit w/built-in amplifier and navigation; JBL is not included here. To keep it simple, the party mode switch is shown in the upper left hand corner, and the head unit is just below it. The pink traces represent the ground circuit wires that run in between the components, yellow traces show the power circuit scheme.


This is a full radio wiring diagram as mentioned above. If you look to the extreme upper right at the other end of the pink traces, you will see the L & R "speaker selection" relays. But for this party mode reconfig, we won't be needing to do anything w/ those relays directly. Everything that needs to be done, can be done right from behind the hu and pm switch. For this mod to be done, you only need to move one wire and by doing that you will disable the relays "that disable your 'second row' backdoor speakers", and maintain the 'higher quality' EQ audio filter circuit at the same time, see below:


The easiest way to do this is just to remove the head unit and the party mode button trim panel from the dash. The idea is to allow the party mode button to continue to activate the 'EQ audio filter circuit' (built-in to the head unit) as it always has, but without permitting it to disable the backdoor speakers. There are four wires in the pm button harness connector; 2 for the party mode circuit, and 2 for the instrument panel illumination circuit. They are: white, white w/black stripe, gray, and green. In the diagram above, see the plain white wire (not the one w/black stripe), at the woofer speaker switch (party mode switch), terminal#6 w/pink trace leading to the yellow dotted line. That's the one that turns on party mode. Now follow that yellow (dotted) trace to the other white wire at the hu, terminal #1. This is the EQ audio filter circuit term; this is the only terminal that we want the pm switch to activate. Here (below) is an actual photo of the harness conn on the back of the head unit:

"CONTINUED BELOW!"

[rigtec]

"CONTINUED FROM ABOVE"


It's a little difficult to see because of the flash inside of a dark vehical. Now for this part, you'll need an ohm-meter or self-powered test light. With the key/start button in the OFF position, remove this plug to double check this wire (see arrow in photo) for continuity back to the party switch. To do this, place one of your meter probes in the third pin terminal (far row) of this connector where this white wire is terminated. Now place the other meter probe on a good ground; you can use the radio chasis itself for a ground.

Now press the party mode button on and off a few times; your meter should show an "infinite" reading and then a zero (or low numeric reading). Do this a few times to know for certain that your meter is reading correctly. If you're satisfied that you've located the wire that's going directly to the party mode switch, you're gonna need to peel back the mesh conduit and cut the white wire about 2 to 3 inches away from the connector. This insures that if you decide to put things back as they were for any reason, you'll have plenty of wire there to make a splice!

After you cut the white wire at the radio harness connector, you'll need to do the same with the white wire at the party mode switch (term #6). You will need to join just these two white wires: "as illustrated by the yellow dotted line in the diagram above." Note: I won't get into telling you how to make your splices or connections. I feel if you've done jobs like this before, you won't want me telling you how to do it, and if you don't already know how to do auto electrical wiring, you probably should have someone who is qualified helping you with this anyway.

After joining these two white wires with each other, be sure to "cap-off" the un-used portion of the wires as they are still an active circuit! Now, before putting the radio and "start button panel" back into the dash, turn the system on to be certain that the changes made are working correctly. The way you'll know is, with the party mode off, the sound of the audio will be as described before... muted highs and mids that lack definition...etc. Now when you press the pm button in (and after a 'BRIEF'... 2 to 3 sec delay), you should hear a much more defined and articulated broadcast w/ a much clearer sound; the difference will be like night and day!

If everything's okay you can button it up. Congratulations! Now you can listen to a High fidelity, 8 speaker stereo system.. You are almost done, there's just one more thing. You'll be glad to know that there are two options regarding your final speaker configuration choice:

(1) The first is to use all four rear speakers: 2 backdoor, 2 tailgate. Configured this way, the rear amplifier channel will see an 8ohm load (two 4ohm speakers in series), and will be capable of only about 50% of it's full rated output so the acoustic volume will suffer to a degree. Note: This is the original factory design scheme w/party mode off; "but now... with the EQ audio filter activated"!

(2) The second option (my choice), utilizes only the two backdoor speakers w/tailgate off. The benefit of this configuration is two fold. This puts the rear channel close to the driver/passenger seats, which helps to blend the sound with that of the front speakers. Another benefit is the higher output. Because the backdoor speakers are only 4ohms, It allows the amplifier to release it's full rated output into the backdoors, giving the system a boost' in acoustic volume. PS: This is what made the 'tailgate' speakers appear to be louder when in PM; now we're applying that very same principle w/the backdoor passenger area speakers instead!

There's one other thing that this configuration offers me. Because I'm using a very high output subwoofer system that's independent of the factory system, I realized that I was wasting as much as 50% of the total factory system power, and 100% of the rear speaker channel; w/ the backdoor speakers originally shutdown and the tailgate speaker's sound being "phase cancelled", by the much superior 'four ten' sub. So doing this reconfiguration has allowed me to make much more efficient use of the factory equipment.

To select option (1), you need do nothing, "you're done!" To select option (2), which I think is the better of the two, you'll need to "add-a-jumper" across the left and right tailgate speakers. W/O the jumpers, the rear channel amplifiers are driving two 4ohm speakers (back dr & tailgate) in a "chain configuration", which totals 8ohms; so the amps will not be able to develop their 'full rated output'. But, w/ jumpers across the L & R tailgate speakers, you're removing them from the circuit, so the amp will only see a 4ohm load, enabling it to release it's full rated output. Here's a picture of mine below:


The good thing is, you can do this by removing the courtesy lamps in the tailgate. Once the lamp is removed, just pull the plug off of the speaker terminal plate, add the jumper to the plug and push the lamp back in it's bay... that's it! And to me... it sounds sooo much better with the backdoor speakers on; you couldn't hear the tailgate speakers from the driver seat anyway. Well, to those of you who will do the "party mode tweak" I hope you enjoy your results, and it's benefits!

rigtec, cheers

[RaginTxn84]

Great post - love the detail - would this work on a '10? It's not the etunes system, just the standard audio "orange screen".

[Auntie Soshul]

Very similar to this post which was reposted last week HOW-TO: Always on Party Mode EQ. I like the "jumpering" option for the tailgate speakers and the added detail, though. Thanks, @rigtec .

[rigtec]

Originally Posted by RaginTxn84

Great post - love the detail - would this work on a '10? It's not the etunes system, just the standard audio "orange screen".

Hi RaginTxn'

Yes! It absolutely will work with all 'non JBL' party mode equipped 4runners. And even if you should decide to replace the stock hu (head unit), you still can decide on which party mode option to select; stock or 'tweaked'.

PS: Just to clarify... Toyota's "party mode system", for the most part, has nothing to do with the hu itself, but rather, is an independent, "speaker configuring system". The only thing that the pm switch does with the hu is: It provides a ground circuit to an EQ (frequency equalizer) filter, 'built-in' to a particular batch of head units (I think they may be made by Nippon-Denso). I'm not sure why, but they made this hu with a "fixed", 'built-in' equalizer, then gave it an on or off switch (PM button). So when it's off, it sounds kinda bland and lacks detail and fidelity.

When it's turned on, it sounds like a completely different hu with a decent sound quality. That's all that is happening when you press the pm button. The only other thing is that if you do opt to change your hu, you won't even need the party mode switch to do that because the new hu's sound will be totally stand-alone (independent), but you will still want to decide which rear speakers you'll want on; backdoor passenger area, tailgate, or all. Hope this helps. Best to you!

[rigtec]

Originally Posted by Auntie Soshul

"...I like the "jumpering" option for the tailgate speakers and the added detail..."

Hi Auntie Soshul,

I like that option too, thanks for your post! Here's one very important point, "Jumpering". If you chose to add a "jumper" to the tailgate speaker block connectors; which then directs the full amplifier power to the 4ohm backdoor speakers... In the event that you decide to revert this system back to stock, YOU MUST remove those jumpers and reconnect the tailgate speakers!

(1) If you don't remove the jumpers, when those "speaker selection relays" are energized (in party mode), the L & R rear channel amps in the hu will attempt to feed the tailgate speakers only; remember the backdoor speakers 'drop-out' in pm. With the jumpers in place, we have effectively short circuited the rear channel amplifiers, so the amps "WILL BURN-OUT" due to the excessive current draw. (2) When not in pm, the speakers will be wired together in series (default mode). If the tailgate speakers are simply not connected, then the backdoor speakers will not be connected to the amps either, so they'll be no sound at all; nothing to fear( ), just a reminder lol!

[RaginTxn84]

awesome - thanks for the clarification!

[Auntie Soshul]

Thanks, @rigtec . Is there any chance you could include the photos and diagrams referenced in your original post?

[rigtec]

Originally Posted by Auntie Soshul

"...Is there any chance you could include the photos and diagrams referenced in your original post?"

Not quite sure what you mean by... "include the photos/diagrams"(?); is there something further regarding the 'tweak' that you may still need?

rig

[Auntie Soshul]

Originally Posted by rigtec

Not quite sure what you mean by... "include the photos/diagrams"(?); is there something further regarding the 'tweak' that you may still need?

rig

Maybe my PC isn't configured correctly to view such items, but I'm unable to see the pictures and diagrams mentioned in your first post, like "the diagram above", or the photo of the Mitchell diagram, "pink traces", "yellow dotted line", and "here's a picture of mine below".

[rigtec]

Originally Posted by Auntie Soshul

Maybe my PC isn't configured correctly to view such items, but I'm unable to see the pictures and diagrams mentioned in your first post, like "the diagram above", or the photo of the Mitchell diagram, "pink traces", "yellow dotted line", and "here's a picture of mine below".

Hi Auntie,

I just checked to see if my submissions were displayed by turning off browser cookies and login out, but I could still see them. I'm using 'google chrome', but I also have IE and fire fox. When I disabled firefox' cookies, I could no longer see the photos/diagrams. Make sure you're logged in, and your cookies are turned on. Please let me know what you find!

cheers

[sandcrawler]

no pics displaying for me either. just FYI

[rigtec]

Originally Posted by sandcrawler

no pics displaying for me either. just FYI

Okay. I have no idea 'yet' what's going on, but I'll get it fixed! Problem is, I can see them... got any clue what the problem is?

Thx!

[rigtec]

Hi forum team'

There was a problem w/the photos in this thread and I had no idea you couldn't see them! (so very sorry for that!). I was seeing them using 'Chrome', but after I was informed, I couldn't see them either when browsing w/ IE or Firefox. I reloaded them to a different photo album this time using my phone, and then pasted them into the thread again, hope they will be visible this time! Thanks so much 'sandcrawler', for keeping me informed, and 'Auntie Soshul' and 'RaginTexin' for your input as well! I know The 'Tweak' will make much more sense now with the photos!

rigtec, best regards!

[RaginTxn84]

How does the party mode button effect aftermarket system installs? Can you have all 8 speakers going at one time?