amp bypass for 10 speaker JBL

[cnims]

I thought I found an easy way to bypass the amp in the JBL 10 speaker system. I was looking at the wiring diagrams and noticed that all the speaker connections run through connector IO2 located in the passenger kick panel. I managed to tap into these wires, effectively bypassing the amp, but when I hook up my aftermarket head unit, it sounds like crap. Very distorted, especially if I turn it up at all.

Anybody have any idea what this is caused by? I'm thinking I still need to physically disconnect the wiring harness that connects to the amp since it is interfering with the connections. Or do the factory speakers need to be upgraded to handle the higher output of a aftermarket HU?

 

[4Runna]

i did the same, if you remove that large piece over the passenger rear wheel, the amp and crap are in there... i used tap ins to the front and rear door speakers...

i want to get the rear door and the rear highs in the cargo area on the same channel, what do you think of that?

 

[otterball21]

what kind of headunit did you install? your equalizer on your headunit might be messed up, however the speakers in the truck are a different ohm than what the headunit is putting out.

 

[cnims]

The headunit I installed was a Kenwood KDC-MPV5025. I have since returned it since I couldn't get things working right.

I think others with the JBL 10 speaker system have swapped out headunits and still used the factory speakers, so I don't think that is the issue. I guess tapping into the wires doesn't exactly work - not sure why. It seems like most of the people have completely run new wires.

 

[otterball21]

Yeah, THat's what I plan to do. Which is gonna take me awhile, oh the fun and joy, of running wire through door grommets...

 

[4Runna]

you can pick up the speakers at the plug right before the jbl amp... if someone was good, they'd make a harness!!! i was looking and wishing i had some skills, besides with a bo staff

 

[otterball21]

Metra might find some time to make an adapter for the one before the amp. I did a 95 4runner, where normal toyota plugs were plugged into the amp. so I used normal toyota plugs

 

[cnims]

Just an update: I got a chance to work on my truck this weekend. I pulled apart the cargo area (thanks to Mr. Castulucci's instructions) and unplugged the harnesses that go to the amp. This did the trick. I hooked up my new headunit (JVC KD-DV5100) and it sounds great. Now, I am working on getting the PAC SWI-X to work for the steering wheel controls, I'll start a new thread on that.

 

[cnims]

Here's a picture of the finished install.

 

[jay_marx]

What speakers did you hook up?

 

[cnims]

Here's where I tapped into the speaker wires, behind connector IO2 that is in the passenger side kick panel. It was fairly easy to do and I didn't have to run new wires all the way from the amp in the cargo area.

 

[cnims]

I am just using the factory JBLs currently, but have 2 sets of Infinity Reference speakers on the way from Crutchfield.

 

[jay_marx]

Yeah, but that JVC only has 4 speaker connections...correct? The JBL system has 10 speakers...

 

[4Runna]

I am just using the factory JBLs currently, but have 2 sets of Infinity Reference speakers on the way from Crutchfield.

those are pimp, i got a single 12 sub, it rocks... my setup is bumping

 

[cnims]

I hooked up 6 of the 10 speakers, the ones in the front / rear doors for now. I think the JVC HU sounds better on 6 speakers than the stock JBL did on 10.

 

[4Runna]

I hooked up 6 of the 10 speakers, the ones in the front / rear doors for now. I think the JVC HU sounds better on 6 speakers than the stock JBL did on 10.

if u can figure out if you can put those rear highs in line with the door speakers let me know!

 

[RXvedub]

I got the rears to work, a little tricky, but they sound great. I have nasty distortion in the fron though. My problem thread is below. Some one please help, I dont want to spend money on front speakers if I dont need to.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12306

 

[JM4RNR]

Question

I just read this thread and it was very useful because I want to put a new HU and don't know what to do with the amp and JBL system. Some people say just changing the HU and keeping everything else works well. Others say you get better sound bypassing the amp. Which one is better? Can an aftermarket unit power all 10 speakers?