2004 T4R with JBL Stereo problem

[ArthurKotb]

After taking apart the right side of the cargo area of my '04 and locating the subwoofer I wanted to replace I found that JBL, in their infinite wisdom created a sound box with the speaker permanently installed. Maybe it's just early model '04s, maybe it's just mine, I don't know. I do know that after a couple of hours getting to this box, removing the 6 outer Torx screws, retainer ring, grill cover, amplifier and sound box from the wall I'm ready to go postal on them.

The only way I can see to mounting a new speaker in this box (a new replacement is $478.60 for the box with mounted speaker and I'm not buying something out of a junkyard) is to somehow either cut the metal ring off the speaker to remove it or cut the plastic around the speaker then create an oversized ring to fill and gap and mount the new speaker on top of it.

JBL having done it this way makes me wonder what the wiring connection is on the back side of the speaker. I'm not buying a new one until I get this thing apart.

Am I the only one to have this problem??? I haven't found anything anywhere that shows a 1-piece unit.

 

[AuSeeker]

I just did a forum search to try and help, I read through several of the replacement topics and didn't see where anyone with a early 4th Gen mentioned the trouble you're having removing the old subwoofer.

The guy in this topic has a 2003 and he say the speaker was attached with Torx screws.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...ve-subwoofer.html?highlight=subwoofer+replace

Here the complete search results.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/gsea...4r-jbl-stereo-problem.html&ss=8377j5091769j19

 

[OopsIBrokeIt]

Get a pry tool/flathead under that outer plastic ring, the little notch to the lower left was the best access point. It's got a sealant of some sort between the box & the speaker ring, then the screws for good measure. It took a little force (or maybe I also warmed it a little with a heat gun on low?) and then finally started to loosen up. Once it did it pried right out and I was able to drop in my replacement subwoofer no issue.

If you bought the right adapters you can even reuse that factory connector for the new sub.

 

[ArthurKotb]

Thanks, AuSeeker. There are several videos on how to remove the subwoofer. In all of them once you take out the 6 Torx screws the speaker cover and ring with the foam come off and then the speaker falls out. I was waiting for that to happen but it didn't. I tried getting under the edge of the speaker with a small flat tip but nada. I can see the actual black sealant in some of the areas around the metal lip of the speaker. Removing that side panel wasn't all that bad. It looks worse than what it is. It also allows me to tap into that 12V plug on the right and run a wire across and under the narrow plastic strip at the hatch. I can use that for the backup camera I installed.

In one of the links you provided someone said the dealership quoted him the price for the sub assembly, ~$460. When I looked up the number on box it shows that assembly, so at some point they were gluing them in. Later ones were just held in by the Torx screws, ring and cover.

Others, even '04 owners, posted in YouTube about replacing the speaker and there was no mention of a problem in removing the speaker.

I appreciate you doing the search.

 

[ArthurKotb]

Well, terribly sorry....D'oh! is in order here. A huge Homer Simpson moment.

I was taking pictures of this "glued" area and no matter how much I scraped I couldn't find an edge. I uploaded the pictures to my laptop and I saw another edge right at the edge of the box. I put a screwdriver under there and voila, the speaker comes out.

I can't tell you how stupid I feel right now. I've made a lot of errors over the years but this one takes first prize. Really sorry, thanks for jumping in there and providing input. I'll go slam my head in the door a few times now.

:redface:

 

[AuSeeker]

Well, terribly sorry....D'oh! is in order here. A huge Homer Simpson moment.

I was taking pictures of this "glued" area and no matter how much I scraped I couldn't find an edge. I uploaded the pictures to my laptop and I saw another edge right at the edge of the box. I put a screwdriver under there and voila, the speaker comes out.

I can't tell you how stupid I feel right now. I've made a lot of errors over the years but this one takes first prize. Really sorry, thanks for jumping in there and providing input. I'll go slam my head in the door a few times now.

:redface:

Ha!

Glad that got figured out, we'll all know for the future if anyone else asks!

 

[ArthurKotb]

Ha!

Glad that got figured out, we'll all know for the future if anyone else asks!

I know I won't forget :cowboy:

 

[SocalSam]

On a side note, I made my speaker cover removable so I can get to the speaker without taking apart the interior.

 

[ArthurKotb]

Hopefully the Pioneer will last another 21 years

Interesting modification. How did you do it? Do you have instructions? While mine is apart, waiting for the speaker, I'd be interested.

 

[SocalSam]

Hopefully the Pioneer will last another 21 years

Interesting modification. How did you do it? Do you have instructions? While mine is apart, waiting for the speaker, I'd be interested.

I used a straight razor to cut the melts that are around the mounting posts. Don't remove any material. Panel will stay in place with friction and does not rattle.

My interior apart when I first got the Slicker.

 

[ArthurKotb]

I was looking at that panel today, since it's off the car anyway. There are some plastic welds and some regular tabs to make the whole thing fit together. On just a guess I'd say they put those welds on there to make it easier for the assembly line to install the panel as a single unit instead of having the separate parts to deal with. It's 8 plastic welds that need to be cut to make this work.

It was great that you noticed those welds. I saw the separation on that panel and wondered why they didn't make that panel to be removed by itself. Then again, they don't make cars the way that would be the easiest to take them apart, just easiest to put them together.

There's a YouTube video about this job where the guy used a box cutter to slice the edges around the speaker grill to get access. He was able to swap out the speaker and put the grill back on with Super Glue. I don't think I'd go that way. I didn't think it was too bad to take it out the way you're supposed to. I think it took me about an hour and I bag and label screws and clips as I go so I know what came from where. Replacement speaker is supposed to arrive tomorrow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjuK3WjJngQ&t=23s

 

[ArthurKotb]

My interior apart when I first got the Slicker.

Have you ever replaced the speakers in the D pillar? I think that grill just pops off but I don't see any videos for it. I'm not sure I'd replace them but they buzz so they must be blown. I think I'd probably just put some glue on the membrane to stop that

 

[SocalSam]

Did not have to replace pillar speaker. If the speaker is zyzzing, it could be bad amplifier channel. Test speaker out of circuit.

Cutting grill in the video is OK. Even though mine is serviceable now, I don't see taking the panel off ever again.

On a side note, the video presenter used MBQuart DiscusDS1-204. It looks to fit OEM screw holes. Which Sub speaker did you use?

 

[ArthurKotb]

Pioneer New TS-A2000LD2 8-inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer
$99 online at Walmart with free 2 day shipping. I got all 6 screws in and used the original grill and mounting ring. There's no room for error and the nameplate is a little skewed. With the panel on it doesn't make a difference.

Amazon and others had it at $169. One at Amazon had it for $96 but 3 week shipping estimate.

It sounds pretty good, about like OEM, but without the bzzzzz bzzzz bzzzzz

It's all back together now. Getting the panel back on was a little rough. I wish they'd find a way better than those white plastic things. I always have 1 or 2 left over and that's after putting them pack on the panel 2-3 times. That right cargo net "daisy" holder will never be the same. That's another auto industry torture device.

 

[OopsIBrokeIt]

Have you ever replaced the speakers in the D pillar? I think that grill just pops off but I don't see any videos for it. I'm not sure I'd replace them but they buzz so they must be blown. I think I'd probably just put some glue on the membrane to stop that

You're correct. The grille just pops off with a pry tool.

I didn't replace my speakers, but I did swap the grill for the mirror with no noticeable impact to the audio quality in the vehicle.

 

[ArthurKotb]

Well, that's a thought. You just ordered the part?

I checked those speakers again and it must have been the subwoofer making the noise. Those tweeters seem fine now. I don't think they add anything to the overall quality of sound. I wear hearing aids now so I'm not the aficionado
I once was.

I like the idea of replacing the grills with the mirrors.