1st 4Runner... Looking to upgrade stereo!

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someday139

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Purchased my first 4Runner yesterday. 2005 SR5. I am curious what others have used when upgrading the stereo and speakers... Not at all familiar with current car audio upgrades. What have yall put in that is clear and loud when wanted???
 
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Do you have the JBL or non-JBL? Non-JBL is easier to go aftermarket but it can be done with either.

There's an audio section you might look through but I think most people just go for new component speakers in the front, new rear speakers and maybe a subwoofer in the back. The JBL has stock subwoofer that fits in the side panel of the rear cargo area. There are a couple of people who have put the enclosure in without having the JBL. Here's one guy that's in the middle of doing it:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/110628-out-old-new-er.html

Here's a finished one:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/audio...y-sub-enclosure-non-jbl-equipped-4runner.html
 
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I would start with a new headunit. I just recently install one in my JBL equipped runner and it drastically increased sound quality. I may upgrade the sub for alittle more bass but it's still way better than stock.
 
I am always a pioneer man, which is what I've always run in my Acura. But I just picked up a JVC DVD double din navi touch screen for my 4Runner since I got a killer deal on it. I am doing all MB Quartz components front and back, and a JL 8" sub. All will be going in tonight and tomorrow
 
One name... JL Audio. It's all I have in mine except for the head unit. And if they made HU's then it'd probably be in there too. I can't say that I love my Kenwood Excelon... Not for the money I paid for it. There are a lot of quality brands out there though and I've tried many of them, but like Toyota, JL has earned my loyalty.
 
superman is on the right track with JL, its good stuff.

my uncle owns a car audio/custom home entertainment shop and i worked for him a few summers ago. ive had great luck with JL and memphis audio in my vehicles.

just a sidenote, do yourself a favor and don't buy them from walmart or the like. like lots of walmart products, it may be the same model, but not the same quality. walmart and big box stores have so much buying power that they dictate to the manufacturer how much they will buy a certain model for and the company has to oblige by cutting corners on production for them to make money. this is true with lots of items there, i just know from installing them that the audio equipment is not the same quality. its a good time to SUPPORT LOCAL.

look in to some Memphis Audio speakers, they are crisp and priced well. JL or Memphis for woofers.

lastly, if you dont plan on installing yourself, try and buy the stuff from the actual shop that is going to put them in. nothing is more frustrating then when someone walks in with an awesome "insert crap brand here" subwoofer or remote start they got on ebay and ask you to install it. stereo shops dont make a killing on labor like a mechanic does. let them set up a package that will give exactly what you want.
 
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From what the paperwork the dealer had printed with what the option were it had, it has the JBL! But how do I know? What is the difference with JBL? Not familiar with it!
 
someday139 said:
From what the paperwork the dealer had printed with what the option were it had, it has the JBL! But how do I know? What is the difference with JBL? Not familiar with it!
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If it has JBL, it should be posted all around the car. It should say it on the head unit, on the doors it should say "JBL Synthesis" and there should be a subwoofer on the right side of your trunk behind a mesh grill
 
Thanks Staygold. And I fully second the buy from an actual car audio shop thing if you don't plan on doing the install yourself. I've had great luck with custom shops, because well... They do it for a living, so they BETTER be good at it.

As far as the JBL thing goes, your head unit should say JBL on it and your speakers should have a little JBL synthesis emblem on the cover in the door. Hope that helps and I posted you a little congrats message on your "single mom pulling trigger thread".
 
It's not JBL then. I will swing by a car audio that has great reviews! And I checked the JL dealer locator for mobile audio and it says the closest dealer is in NC. I'm in SC.
 
someday139 said:
It's not JBL then. I will swing by a car audio that has great reviews! And I checked the JL dealer locator for mobile audio and it says the closest dealer is in NC. I'm in SC.
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Actually when I lived there, there was a place in Summerville that sold JL Audio equipment. If you take Ex 199A There is a walmart plaza on the left and in the strip mall there is a Radio Shack. Attached to that radio shack is stereo shop and they had JL stuff. From what I remember they had pretty good prices too. Don't know if it is still there but it's worth a shot. Also, there is Norton's on Ashley Phosphate. I dealt with a Norton's that was local to here once upon a time and he did a good job. Don't know if it's the same guy though. That shop in North Chuck tinted a window for me when my truck was broken in to a year and a half ago and they pretty much botched it, but oh well. They did offer to fix it. I think he specializes in Kicker though so he can't deal JL.
 
I have the same system as you (except I updated my head-unit with an Kenwood HD Radio). I kept the same speakers.

The HD radio was a nice upgrade. Analog stations didn't make a difference in sound quality at all..but the HD stations made a huge difference.

Start with a new head unit (I recommend an HD unit) and then go from there.
 
MikeInNH said:
I have the same system as you (except I updated my head-unit with an Kenwood HD Radio). I kept the same speakers.

The HD radio was a nice upgrade. Analog stations didn't make a difference in sound quality at all..but the HD stations made a huge difference.

Start with a new head unit (I recommend an HD unit) and then go from there.
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Same as who, me? If so, then I LIKE YOUR STYLE! I've been eyeing the HD tuner ever since I've had this thing (2 and half years) just never could find a reason to pull the trigger on it. You are literally the first person I've ever heard of to even comment on the thing. I'm getting so sick of radio though and satellite radio has never wowed me either. Thank goodness for iPhone apps!
 
TRDCal, are you still using the JBL amp?

It's surprising to hear that replacing the headunit in a JBL system improved the sound because the headunit is only sending low level audio signals to the JBL amp and speakers.

Anybody else upgrade the headunit only in a JBL system? If so, did it sound better and which headunit did you go with?

Ken
 
^ I did the opposite in my last 4Runner and replaced all the JBL speakers with new speakers and kept the stock head unit and amp, and it sounded amazing.
 
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