Hey All,

I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice.

I've got a 2005 SR5 4runner with JBL audio. I would like to install a new head unit with carplay. I am not especially handy with cars, but I think this is something I can handle with the help of the internet. I do have one hold up though and it has to do with the JBL audio in my 4runner.

I bought my 4runner second hand and from the get go had audio issues. The head unit always operated and turned on when the car did, but would not play sound through the speakers until about 15 min to 1+hour into any particular drive. This problem was curiously most noticeable in winter.

I would also occasionally have my battery drained after leaving it for a week or more, but sometimes it would be drained after sitting for just a few hours. After much troubleshooting, I discovered that these 2 issues were related and the uniting factor was the JBL amplifier. I believe the JBL amplifier has a short which impacts the audio and drains my battery.

I decided the simple and cheap thing to do was disconnect the amplifier and use a Bluetooth speaker for audio. Once the amplifier was unplugged, the battery issue has disappeared and the Bluetooth speaker does the trick for audio.

Now I am a little tired of using the Bluetooth speaker and would like to have a unit with Apple Carplay. It seems relatively simple from my research, but the sticking point is how to adapt any tutorial I see to accomodate my busted JBL amplifier.

Is there a way to install a new head unit while keeping my JBL amplifier unplugged? Do I need to consider this at all while installing?

Let me know if you have any questions, thanks!

Looks great!

Here's the HU upgrade for my 2005 4Runner - non-JBL but I included a link to the JBL Metra wiring harness. If memory serves the stock wiring harness has both JBL and non-JBL connectors. The Metra harness just simplifies things as well as ease of installation.

Aftermarket Head Unit - Double-Din:
Alpine iLX-W650 7" Mech-Less Receiver Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._title_o05_s00

Aftermarket amp for Alpine iLX-W650: (bolts on behind HU)
Alpine KTA-450 4-Channel Power Car Amplifier, Compact PowerStack Amp with Bracket, Ideal for iLX-W650
Amazon.com

Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up Power 4 Speaker: (non-JBL) optional
Amazon.com

Metra 70-8117 Factory Amplifier Harness for 2004-Up (Toyota Vehicles with JBL Sound System) optional
Amazon.com

PAC SWI-RC Steering Wheel Control Interface SWI-RC-1.
Amazon.com

I'll save you the grief of trial and error looking for a proper CarPlay compatible USB extension (THIS ONE WORKS):
*I installed it where the cigarette lighter used to be in the shift console.* also a great location for a bass control knob for a sub.*
PAC USBDMA1
1-foot USB cable extension — great for car stereos with rear USB ports
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541USB...C-USBDMA1.html

Now, a lot of these newer model head units will lock you out of certain features to keep you from wrapping yourself around a telephone pole goofing around with settings while driving. It requires a connection to the parking brake wire - yellow/blue or yellow/orange (can't remember) I ran this along with acc power to a 5 pin rocker switch to get around this as simply grounding the wire once isn't enough. Fit perfectly in a shifter console blank.

Nilight LED Light Bar Rocker Switch Stereo Rocker Switch 5 Pin Laser On/Off Switch 20A/12V 10A/24V Switch Jumper Wires Set
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._title_o00_s00

*Here is a cheaper alternative to Alpine* It has an internal amp.
I installed this in my 5th gen 4runner:
Boss BV800ACP
Digital multimedia receiver
https://www.amazon.com/BOSS-Audio-Re...P9J/ref=sr_1_1

I did a lot of research before pulling the trigger on this particular setup and it paid off with a quality retrofit stereo system that kicks azz!

Good luck with your audio build.