3rd gen installation advice
- Thread starter hulk311
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Clemsonfan15
New member
You will probably need a wiring harness.
To remove the radio: Remove the black piece that goes around the shifter by prying it up (4-6 clips). Then remove the 4wd shifter if you have one. Remove the piece around the shifters. Remove the HVAC buttons (knobs, etc...). Remove faceplate of HVAC. You should see a few screws and unscrew them. Then you should be able to remove the center dash piece. Don't pull it too far because the clock and emergency flashers are connected. Disconnect them and then remove the center piece. This should expose the head unit which is held in by four screws.
Are you installing an amp for the speakers? If not then you don't need to replace the wires. If you are I would assume you'd be fine with 12-16 gauge.
How many watts are you pushing to the sub? 1/0 gauge is always best, but is not always required. 4 gauge would probably be fine.
The brand of wire really matters too. Make sure it's a good brand.
To remove the radio: Remove the black piece that goes around the shifter by prying it up (4-6 clips). Then remove the 4wd shifter if you have one. Remove the piece around the shifters. Remove the HVAC buttons (knobs, etc...). Remove faceplate of HVAC. You should see a few screws and unscrew them. Then you should be able to remove the center dash piece. Don't pull it too far because the clock and emergency flashers are connected. Disconnect them and then remove the center piece. This should expose the head unit which is held in by four screws.
Are you installing an amp for the speakers? If not then you don't need to replace the wires. If you are I would assume you'd be fine with 12-16 gauge.
How many watts are you pushing to the sub? 1/0 gauge is always best, but is not always required. 4 gauge would probably be fine.
The brand of wire really matters too. Make sure it's a good brand.
tarheeltp17
New member
The stock speaker wire is fine - no need to run new wire to each door as that will be overkill. The only reason you would need to run new wire into the door is if you plan on installing components and not installing the crossovers inside the door.
Power wire - depends on your amp. 1/0 is not always best. If you are running a system that draws 300 amps of current, then yes you'll need 1/0. Check the fusing on your amplifier and check the owners manual as most will tell you what you need for that particular amp. The brand of wire isn't all that critical, just make sure that it is nicely insulated. Cheaper brand wire tends to lack a few strands of wire (not that critical for those not doing competition) and aren't as flexible as compared to more expensive brands. Other than that, it's fine for your typical install.
Power wire - depends on your amp. 1/0 is not always best. If you are running a system that draws 300 amps of current, then yes you'll need 1/0. Check the fusing on your amplifier and check the owners manual as most will tell you what you need for that particular amp. The brand of wire isn't all that critical, just make sure that it is nicely insulated. Cheaper brand wire tends to lack a few strands of wire (not that critical for those not doing competition) and aren't as flexible as compared to more expensive brands. Other than that, it's fine for your typical install.
Clemsonfan15
New member
Gonna have to disagree with that. 1/0 is always best except for two situations: 1. You have 2/0 or 3/0 or you need more than one run of 1/0.
I'm not saying it's not overkill, which in many situations it would be, but it is the best.
tarheeltp17
New member
How is it the best? Because that's what you did in your car? Because its the biggest you generally find in a car audio shop?
Overkill is an understatement. It's just stupid to run 1/0 when you don't need it. Decent 1/0 is $8 a foot... Not to mention you are going to have to buy additional parts so that you can connect the 1/0 to the amplifier that doesn't have a 1/0 input. If your system isn't going to be drawing 200+ amps of current, you don't need 1/0 and isn't the best solution for your system requirements.
There really isn't a "best" wire size. There's a "what you need" wire size and a "what you don't need".
Overkill is an understatement. It's just stupid to run 1/0 when you don't need it. Decent 1/0 is $8 a foot... Not to mention you are going to have to buy additional parts so that you can connect the 1/0 to the amplifier that doesn't have a 1/0 input. If your system isn't going to be drawing 200+ amps of current, you don't need 1/0 and isn't the best solution for your system requirements.
There really isn't a "best" wire size. There's a "what you need" wire size and a "what you don't need".
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mytyeerinpie
New member
From my expierience anything under 1000 watts will not require more than 4 ga for power and ground. Just please make sure you have a good ground. They arent too easy to find in the back of a 4runner either. I just ran wire all the way from the battery back. I have 4 runs of 1/0 100% copper welding wire going to my rear batteries, but thats my preference. IMO 4 ga will be fine and easier to hook up.
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