2013 TE Nav processor integration question

J

jarbroen

New member
Hi guys - I've been reading the forum for a couple weeks now, tons of great info!
Just picked up my '13 TE Saturday and I'm already starting on the stereo. :)

I do kinda like the look and features of the stock Nav head unit though. I'm thinking about adding an MS8 type device instead of an aftermarket HU.

My question is where have other owners tapped the signal for a processor? I'm guessing there's an amp on the rear well? Doesn't look like I have JBL - there's no sub in the trunk.
Capturing it at the amp sounds easier - if there's a wiring diagram floating around. Otherwise, I'd need a two way harness at the HU to avoid cutting factory wires.
Trying to decide how feasible this is before I order equipment.

p.s. I've installed systems in way too many cars over the years... :)
Does our head unit do any weird EQ'ing? Just came from an F150 and those put a huge artificial boost in the mid range. Makes it a ton of work to tune a processor.

Thanks!
 
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jarbroen said:
Hi guys - I've been reading the forum for a couple weeks now, tons of great info!
Just picked up my '13 TE Saturday and I'm already starting on the stereo. :)
I do kinda like the look and features of the stock Nav head unit though. I'm thinking about adding an MS8 type device instead of an aftermarket HU.

"My question is where have other owners tapped the signal for a processor? I'm guessing there's an amp on the rear well? Doesn't look like I have JBL - there's no sub in the trunk. Capturing it at the amp sounds easier - if there's a wiring diagram floating around. Otherwise, I'd need a two way harness at the HU to avoid cutting factory wires....Thanks!"
Click to expand...

Hi jarbaroen,

First, Congratulations on your new trail, just know you're gonna love it!

Unless you have the JBL system, your power amp is built-in to the HU. For the wiring schematic, I always use "Mitchell Manuals On-line". Just last week, someone had the exact same question(s) as you have.

I attempted to post the pages that he needed via "copy/paste" the URL address, but even though I have the printable version, it wouldn't let me copy/share, or attach it to an email. If you feel comfortable giving me your fax# (using private msg), I will send the relative pgs to you that way.

Or, here's the "Mitchell Manual home page" address:

https://www.eautorepair.net/app/Cus...8&SM=358&MKN=Toyota&MDN=4Runner+Limited&PS=16

These wiring prints are very accurate. The manuals cover not only electrical, but just about every system that I need to refer to. The latest 4Runner year that's available, at this time is 2011 (SR5, T.E., and L.E.), but that pretty much covers the entire 5th Gen. Registering with Mitchell is very inexpensive ($20-30 bucks/yr), which is next to nothing, so I bought 3 years of unlimited access.

Let me know, and the best of luck to you.

rigtec, cheers
 
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Excellent, I see the scans you posted. That's a huge help.

Have you heard comments on quality of the stock HU signal? I'm debating whether it's worth it to try a signal processor... or just swap an aftermarket HU.
 
jarbroen said:
Excellent, I see the scans you posted. That's a huge help.

Have you heard comments on quality of the stock HU signal? I'm debating whether it's worth it to try a signal processor... or just swap an aftermarket HU.
Click to expand...

Now when you say "...the stock HU signal?", are you referring to the "DBu voltage output signal", or the RF signal strengh?? I know that you have experience with audio equipment(as, one of my obsessions is with "Pro-Sound Audio" equipment), so please don't think that I am trying to talk down to ya.

I think that the "XM Radio" system leaves much to be desired wrt tone shaping, or just trying to flatten out some of the peaks & valleys (holes), in the general sound. I'm using JL Audio sub-woofers & amp in my truck, with the stock HU (check it out in my photo album). It sounds really good in the lowest register, but it's very hard to tune because the system has no tone shaping tools, e.g., parametric or graphic E.Q..

Hope you can clarify a lil bit more just what you're having trouble with.

rig
 
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rigtec said:
Now when you say "...the stock HU signal?", are you referring to the "DBu voltage output signal", or the RF signal strengh?? I know that you have experience with audio equipment(as, one of my obsessions is with "Pro-Sound Audio" equipment), so please don't think that I am trying to talk down to ya.

I think that the "XM Radio" system leaves much to be desired wrt tone shaping, or just trying to flatten out some of the peaks & valleys (holes), in the general sound. I'm using JL Audio sub-woofers & amp in my truck, with the stock HU (check it out in my photo album). It sounds good in the lowest register, but it's very hard to tune because the system has no tone shaping tools, e.g., parametric or graphic E.Q..

Hope you can clarify a lil bit more just what you're having trouble with.

rig
Click to expand...

No problem, I appreciate you clarifying.
I'll admit, I'm not familiar with either of those terms. I just play around with equipment until I find something I like. :)
How's the quality of CD or USB output? I hardly ever listen to XM because of the awful compression.
I was also wondering if the HU does any EQ'ing that's volume dependent. The Ford HU boosted lower frequencies a ridiculous amount. It was a nightmare trying to flatten that out with the MS8 and RF360.
Little peaks and valleys are tunable with those units - and even easier if those are consistent no matter the volume. You can use the processor to set volume but I like the factory controls.
 
jarbroen said:
No problem, I appreciate you clarifying.
I'll admit, I'm not familiar with either of those terms. I just play around with equipment until I find something I like. :)
How's the quality of CD or USB output? I hardly ever listen to XM because of the awful compression.
I was also wondering if the HU does any EQ'ing that's volume dependent.
Click to expand...

Gotcha!! The term DBu (decibel unit) voltage, refers to: The amount of low level output that's generated by the HU's "pre-amp" (which may be anywhere from 0 DBu (.775V) to +4 DBu (1.23V); don't worry about these tech terms). The pre-amp gets its signal from the different source components e.g., radio, cd player, ipod/mp3 player...etc; who's signals are even much, much lower then that; something like -20 DBu (77.5mV).

The "Pre-amp" is responsible for developing a signal large enough to drive the Main power Amplifier, which then drives the speakers.

The term "RF signal", stands for "Radio Frequency" signal, and how strong that signal is will, to a point, determine the sound quality of your music.

So I wasn't quite sure which signal strength you were having issues with.
Don't know if you're aware yet, but the bass, mids, and treble, are adjusted by touching the little speaker icon on the touchscreen(if you have one).

Then the tone shaping graph will appear (or sliders), and can be moved back and forth, to adjust the 3 bands of control. then when you're done, just hit "Okay". I think the O.E. HU is just...ok, but nothing special (imho).

I don't know what a "MS8" processor is, but I'm guessing it's some sort of an equalizer to help smooth out the tone. I also don't believe that the non-JBL sound system provided any "RCA" low level line outputs to run an aux amp or processor.

So, you may end up driving your processor using the HU's high level (speaker) outputs; that's how I ended up driving my subwoofer "mono-block". Just make sure that your new processor has provisions (a buffer), to be driven that way.

rigtec
 
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Sounds like the stock unit is ok which works for me. I can improve on that with a processor.
The MS8 is one of the newer units that can auto sum a factory signal. Also has tons of EQ and Xover options. If you've heard of the JL Clean sweep it's like that but on steroids.
They will take the high level speaker inputs and turn those into balanced RCA outputs for an amp.

For years I used line out converters and those worked fairly well. Now it's nice to have a converter and tuning device all in one.

I actually have a Kenwood DDX896 from the truck I traded in. However, it's a pain to use the touch screen on that in a bouncy vehicle. The Toyota screen is super easy to use - my wife really likes it... gotta keep the wife happy. :)
It's nice that it has the NAV and all the other features too.

I'm excited to start playing around. Lots of work ahead.
Thanks again for helping!
 
jarbroen said:
The Toyota screen is super easy to use - my wife really likes it... gotta keep the wife happy. :) I'm excited to start playing around. Lots of work ahead.
Thanks again for helping!
Click to expand...

You got it jarbroen! Hey, that "MS-8" sounds like a really great piece of equipment, I think it'd be worth looking into for myself. Keep up the good work and, let us know how you're make'n out with the new truck; be interested to hear all about it!!!

Greg, (rigtec) cheers
 
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Thanks again for the diagrams. I finished up my install over the weekend.
I also used the aftermarket wiring harness as a guide for wires. It has them all labled which made it easy to find the front speaker wires.

I have an Audison Bit Ten processing the stock signal. Sounds pretty good out of the box but I need to level match and do a little eq'ing.

As far as installs go, the 4runner isn't that bad. The biggest challenge was getting my 3.5" speakers mounted in the dash. Had to really mess around with the stock mounting brackets.
 
jarbroen said:
Thanks again for the diagrams. I finished up my install over the weekend.
I also used the aftermarket wiring harness as a guide for wires. It has them all labled which made it easy to find the front speaker wires.

I have an Audison Bit Ten processing the stock signal. Sounds pretty good out of the box but I need to level match and do a little eq'ing.

As far as installs go, the 4runner isn't that bad. The biggest challenge was getting my 3.5" speakers mounted in the dash. Had to really mess around with the stock mounting brackets.
Click to expand...


Hi jarbroen,

So good to hear that things are coming together. Hope you're remembering to take some pics of the work that you've done, potentially a valuable asset to the forum. I've considered, perhaps, reconfiguring the "Party Mode" wiring scheme, to compliment some of the large "modular" sub-woofer systems being utilized in the 5th Gen 4Runners; may happen soon.

Anyway, looking fwd to seeing what you've been doing with your sound system project, "...so don't be a stranger", lol!

rig, cheers
 
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I did remember to snap some pics. I will try to post a mini build log tomorrow.
The one thing I didn't photograph is the wiring behind the stereo.
 
jarbroen said:
I did remember to snap some pics. I will try to post a mini build log tomorrow.
The one thing I didn't photograph is the wiring behind the stereo.
Click to expand...

No worries jarbroen, you can always submit additional demo pics at a later time :thumb:

rig
 
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