2012 4Runner SQ+ stereo system install log.

[lowcel]

So about a year ago I installed a small system in my 4Runner and thought I would be happy with it. Unfortunately that isn't the case. I plan on taking everything out except for the head unit and starting over. I have already sound deadened the five doors. Once it warms up I plan on sound deadening the floor and other side panels. The final step will be the roof.

I plan on attending some competitions this year. I'm not using top of the line equipment but I think it will sound pretty good. Depending on how much I get into competing will determine where the build goes next.

Here is the vehicle, a 2012 Toyota 4Runner with a small lift and some aftermarket wheels and tires.

The current system consists of the following:

Kenwood DDX372BT head unit with a Pioneer ND-BC6 camera
AudioControl EQL equalizer
MB Quart RA1000.4 amp
RE Audio SEX12v2 sub in a prebuilt ported enclosure
Alpine SPR-60C 6 1/2 components

The new system is going to consist of:

Kenwood DDX372BT head unit with Pioneer camera
JBL MS-8 DSP
Precision Power P1000.1 amp
Precision Power P600.2 amp
Precision Power P900.4 amp
Precision Power P65c3 component set
JL Audio 12w3v3-4 subs (3) - ignore the 18 pictured, that was the original plan
Wiring is going to be a mix of Sky High and Soundqubed.

 

[lowcel]

I am a couple of days late on posting this so bare with me. Beginning Tuesday 1/12/16 I will be posting in real time.

I started the install today. It was a nice day so I wanted to take advantage of it. The first job is fiberglass a-pillars to house the tweeters. I plan on competing in the IASCA rookie class and the MECA street class. Both of these classes require all front speakers to be in factory locations with the exceptions of the tweeters.

This is my first time doing this so bare with me. I'm sure I will make some mistakes but as long as I learn from them that's okay.

Factory pillars.

I went to Home Depot and found some 1-1/2 pvc couplings that the tweeters fit perfectly inside. I trimmed them down to the depth of the tweeter.

I used small pieces of wood and hot glue to hold the mounts in place.

I next wrapped pieces of an old t-shirt and glued it down with hot glue.

After that I put two coats of fiberglass on them. They are now drying. I'm hoping to get some time to sand them and apply some bondo tomorrow. I don't have a garage so I am limited on when I get to work on the install.

 

[lowcel]

I was able to get some more work done to the pillars today.

First step, drilled some holes to give the fiberglass something to hold onto a little better. I should have done this at the beginning but I didn't know. I then added one last layer of fiberglass resin. Like I said before, this is a learning experience.

Next step, bondo! This is after sanding the first coat.

This is after adding the second coat. Unfortunately that is all for today since it is now dark and I don't have a garage.

 

[lowcel]

Small change of plans, I have decided to sell the 18" sub and enclosure and go a different route. I just placed an order for three JL Audio 12w3v3 4 ohm subs. I will be putting them in a sealed enclosure.

Anyway, today I managed to freeze my ass off while sanding the pillars with the last few minutes of daylight I'll see for the next few days.

Here is the passenger side, it still has a ways to go but I'm happy with how it is looking so far.

Here is the driver's side.

 

[lowcel]

Posts will now be done in real time so to speak.

 

[gshadow325]

you going for SQ+, dump the jvc dsp and get a audison bit 1. its the holy grail! amazing piece!

just finished a 2016 Jaguar F Type R, with focal k2 power 165 krx3, lc6i, jl hd900.5 and hd600.1 powering a alpine type r 12.

in a 3 way active mid and passive highs/lows setup in the fronts. no rears. center channel powered. this thru the 900.5

of course the jl 600.1 running the sub.



click on the picture for the video

 

[lowcel]

you going for SQ+, dump the jvc dsp and get a audison bit 1. its the holy grail! amazing piece!

just finished a 2016 Jaguar F Type R, with focal k2 power 165 krx3, lc6i, jl hd900.5 and hd600.1 powering a alpine type r 12.

in a 3 way active mid and passive highs/lows setup in the fronts. no rears. center channel powered. this thru the 900.5

of course the jl 600.1 running the sub.



click on the picture for the video

I'm actually planning on running the JBL for a season until I get a good idea of how to tune. At that point I plan on upgrading to a Helix.

I can't view photobucket while at the office but I'll check them out this evening.

 

[ST1FLER]

Does this improve off road ability or minimize drives haft clunk?

 

[lowcel]

Does this improve off road ability or minimize drives haft clunk?

Yes, it will make it so that you can't hear the clunk.

 

[gshadow325]

I'm actually planning on running the JBL for a season until I get a good idea of how to tune. At that point I plan on upgrading to a Helix.

I can't view photobucket while at the office but I'll check them out this evening.

Helix lol, he has one for sale. Seriously email me if you interested. I'm delivering the car today After we do some final gain adjustments and tuning and a washort and detail. Also have a bunch of other stuff pulled out too from his old car.

 

[lowcel]

Helix lol, he has one for sale. Seriously email me if you interested. I'm delivering the car today After we do some final gain adjustments and tuning and a washort and detail. Also have a bunch of other stuff pulled out too from his old car.

Thanks, I'm not buying one anytime soon though.

 

[Auntie Soshul]

Does this improve off road ability or minimize drives haft clunk?

My bet is, it'll help with the breaks.

 

[Randyman...]

Nice! Don't see many custom installs around here (at least not at the caliber I prefer). Like the PPI's, but kind of agree on upgrading the JVC DSP for an Audison or the likes (Alpine PXA-H800 is my preference). Like the a-pillar work thus far - please post pics when done...

3x 12"s - sounds so very familiar to me . A trio of JL w6v2's or w7's were on my short list (I'm sure the w3's will also get it!), but the JBL W12GTi won my heart (and the price was a steal). Loving that 3x 12" setup over here - takes up such little space behind the rear seat (if going sealed) and will still tickle your eardrums with enough power (4KW over yander!). Just make sure you have ample midbass up front to keep the soundstage well-anchored (beefing up and deadening/sealing the doors will absolutely help in that regard)...

Keep on rockin, and please update this thread as you progress!!! :music:

 

[lowcel]

Nice! Don't see many custom installs around here (at least not at the caliber I prefer). Like the PPI's, but kind of agree on upgrading the JVC DSP for an Audison or the likes (Alpine PXA-H800 is my preference). Like the a-pillar work thus far - please post pics when done...

3x 12"s - sounds so very familiar to me . A trio of JL w6v2's or w7's were on my short list (I'm sure the w3's will also get it!), but the JBL W12GTi won my heart (and the price was a steal). Loving that 3x 12" setup over here - takes up such little space behind the rear seat (if going sealed) and will still tickle your eardrums with enough power (4KW over yander!). Just make sure you have ample midbass up front to keep the soundstage well-anchored (beefing up and deadening/sealing the doors will absolutely help in that regard)...

Keep on rockin, and please update this thread as you progress!!! :music:

In order to compete in the IASCA rookie class and the MECA street class I have to go with factory size drivers up front and they have to go in factory locations. The only exception is tweeters in the a-pillars. I'm going with 6.5" PPI's in the doors and 2.5" PPI in the dash.

The subs will be getting approximately 300 watts each which is right in the sweet spot of what JL recommends for them. They will be sharing 3.6 cubic feet of air in a sealed enclosure. I got one hell of a good deal on them at $200 each so I really couldn't pass them up. I was also considering Dayton's and the Infinity Kappa.

I got the JBL MS-8 for such a great price that I can use it for a year and then get my money back for it. It is only a couple of months old, in perfect condition, and I got it for $325. I did have someone offer me a new Helix for under $500 new and I almost jumped on it. I just don't want to get frustrated. Until I get a better idea of what sound I am looking for I'm much better off going this route than with the Helix (the bit 1 isn't even an option for me, way too many people prefer the Helix).

 

[Randyman...]

Oh hey - Didn't see lowcel was the OP! Howdy there. Like your wheel upgrade!

Sorry - I read "JVC" in your OP, and then it clicked that the "MS-8" model is a JBL DSP - not a JVC! (Not a fan of much anything that is JVC - maybe a 90's S-VHS VCR!!!)...

The JBL MS8 will absolutely get the job done IMO. A good tune on the MS-8 will likely surpass a mediocre tune on an Audison/Helix IMO. The quality of the AD/DA's and processing is obviously important, but not as important as how you actually implement the DSP to correct and optimize your specific installation's needs...

Keep on keeping on

 

[lowcel]

Oh hey - Didn't see lowcel was the OP! Howdy there. Like your wheel upgrade!

Sorry - I read "JVC" in your OP, and then it clicked that the "MS-8" model is a JBL DSP - not a JVC! (Not a fan of much anything that is JVC - maybe a 90's S-VHS VCR!!!)...

The JBL MS8 will absolutely get the job done IMO. A good tune on the MS-8 will likely surpass a mediocre tune on an Audison/Helix IMO. The quality of the AD/DA's and processing is obviously important, but not as important as how you actually implement the DSP to correct and optimize your specific installation's needs...

Keep on keeping on

Crap, I have no idea why I put JVC, I'll be changing that now.

 

[lowcel]

I didn't get a chance to work on anything yesterday but I did manage to sell the Sundown SA18 sub and I opened up the MS-8 to check it out. So pretty...

 

[lowcel]

The driver's side a-pillar is done. I got a couple of stretch marks but I think I learned a little something from my mistakes. Hopefully the passenger side comes out a little better.

 

[Rick U]

That piller looks pretty good. I wasn't sure where you going with the pvc and bondo.
Now I get it. A few questions.
Where did you find the upholstery material to match?
Will the piller go back on snug with the extra upholstery?
Does your truck have air bags in the piller?
Looking good.

 

[lowcel]

That piller looks pretty good. I wasn't sure where you going with the pvc and bondo.
Now I get it. A few questions.
Where did you find the upholstery material to match?
Will the piller go back on snug with the extra upholstery?
Does your truck have air bags in the piller?
Looking good.

Thank you.

I purchased the vinyl from Upholstery Fabric - Outdoor Fabric - Upholstery Supplies. They have it listed by vehicle.
I will be doing a test fit tomorrow. It should fit the same as always.
My vehicle does have air bags in the pillars. They are higher up than the speaker pods. The modification will not affect the air bag.