Anyone have experience pulling the AMP on a LIMITED?

J

Jeffkin

New member
I already replaced all 4 door speakers with 6 1/2" Infinity full ranges. My stock head unit won't break, still works perfectly! Soo...

I think I read somewhere that my '98 Limited has a ****ty external amp? Is it under the front passenger seat I think? Is it easy to just pull it and replace it with a good one or do you have to pull the whole seat out? Is there a size limitation for the new one under there?

I don't want a monster that maybe runs real hot, just one that will run the Infinitys and tweets CLEAN and LOUD...
 
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The factory amp is behind/under your head unit. It's a little metal box about 3x5x1...if you take out your head unit, you'll get access to the couple of screws that hold it in place. Remove those then just pull the factory amp out...and replace your head unit with a built in amp and it'll make those new speakers sound sooo much better.
 
You can't fit an amp behind the dash.

If you added an amp it would have to be under the seat or elsewhere. And you would have to run all your speaker wiring + power cable to it.
 
Millerad1651 said:
The factory amp is behind/under your head unit. It's a little metal box about 3x5x1...if you take out your head unit, you'll get access to the couple of screws that hold it in place. Remove those then just pull the factory amp out...and replace your head unit with a built in amp and it'll make those new speakers sound sooo much better.
Click to expand...

True and true.
I finally replaced my HU and it sounds tons better! I bought a basic $200 unit, nothing fancy.
 
khann said:
seen this manual?
Howto: 2000 Stereo Replacement - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Toyota 4Runner Enthusiasts Forum
Click to expand...

Anyone know if a '98 should be exactly the same as this 2000 procedure? His had the separate AMP, so I guess it was a Limited also?

I guess I had read that some people put a new amp under their passenger seat, but that's not where the old one is. If it was under the seat, it would have been much easier to just replace the amp and keep my fine head unit. But since I have to rip the HU out anyway, I'll just replace that with a GOOD one, no external amp needed for the speakers I have. THANKS ALL!

Oh, also my power antenna doesn't move at all, but I hear it's motor running whenever I turn my radio on or off. Does it have 2 leads, one for signal and one for power or is it just one wire? I'd like to keep it, so if I can just hook it up to my new stereo, but NOT have the motor try to work everytime would be best!
 
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Jeffkin said:
Anyone know if a '98 should be exactly the same as this 2000 procedure? His had the separate AMP, so I guess it was a Limited also?

I guess I had read that some people put a new amp under their passenger seat, but that's not where the old one is. If it was under the seat, it would have been much easier to just replace the amp and keep my fine head unit. But since I have to rip the HU out anyway, I'll just replace that with a GOOD one, no external amp needed for the speakers I have. THANKS ALL!

Oh, also my power antenna doesn't move at all, but I hear it's motor running whenever I turn my radio on or off. Does it have 2 leads, one for signal and one for power or is it just one wire? I'd like to keep it, so if I can just hook it up to my new stereo, but NOT have the motor try to work everytime would be best!
Click to expand...

The factory amp is in the same position for all models/years. With your aftermarket speakers a new HU with built in amp will be plenty. Some people do mount aftermarket amps under the seats. I mounted a powered sub (amp & speaker) under my drivers seat.
As for your antenna, someone else will have to answer...I don't have a power antenna.
 
OH, his write up says, sounds the same as mine:

Here's a round up of my recent experience
- replacing the stock
- 2-DIN Delco/Toyota AD6803 receiver/CD/cassette stereo in my
- 2000 SR5 3.4L 4Runner with a
- 1-DIN Clarion DXZ385USB stereo and a


Do I need to do anything besides disconnect the battery, with my stock Toyota alarm on a '98 LIMITED?
 
Nope...just disconnect the battery and you'll be fine. The alarm is only wired to the door locks as far as I know.
 
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Is the antenna in the up or down position? I did audio for best but for a few years, and some of the runners power antennas would give us issues with aftermarket headunits. Make sure the solid blue wire That plugs to the H/U is hooked up to the opposing solid blue wire to the harness you purchased to plug into the factory harness that you unplugged from the factory amp. You can also use the blue with white stripe wire (amp signal wire) off the head unit harness but the antenna will stay up while playing CDs. The antenna only needs a signal, no power. It's ran off a relay and there's already a 12v wire connected on the relay. Just need the signal to switch the relay over to power the antenna
 
oceanside78 said:
Is the antenna in the up or down position? I did audio for best but for a few years, and some of the runners power antennas would give us issues with aftermarket headunits. Make sure the solid blue wire That plugs to the H/U is hooked up to the opposing solid blue wire to the harness you purchased to plug into the factory harness that you unplugged from the factory amp. You can also use the blue with white stripe wire (amp signal wire) off the head unit harness but the antenna will stay up while playing CDs. The antenna only needs a signal, no power. It's ran off a relay and there's already a 12v wire connected on the relay. Just need the signal to switch the relay over to power the antenna
Click to expand...

Exactly, I just want to hook up the radio signal wire, not the power wire. It's easy to just move the antenna up and down by hand if need be. I just leave it up, unless I'm going thru a car wash. Thanks!
 
Anyone know if this wiring harnass will work for a '99 Limited?

http://www.amazon.com/Stereo-Harness-Toyota-4Runner-installation/dp/B000KL6VXE/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1328599930&sr=1-4

I'm thinking about this stereo. Don't want fancy, in case it gets stolen..

JVC KD-HDR44 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

I won't get it at Crutchfield, if I can find it cheaper with the wiring harnass.

I remember seeing a stereo mentioned on here somewhere, that was a double DIN and LOOKED like it could have been the stock HU! Wish I could find that to check out again...
 
Yes that harness will work, the piece that plugs into that is plugged into the factory amp below
The radio in the dash. Unplug it and plug the one you looked up into that after you wire it up to the aftermarkets H/U
 
Jeffkin said:
Anyone know if this wiring harnass will work for a '99 Limited?

http://www.amazon.com/Stereo-Harness-Toyota-4Runner-installation/dp/B000KL6VXE/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1328599930&sr=1-4

I'm thinking about this stereo. Don't want fancy, in case it gets stolen..

JVC KD-HDR44 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

I won't get it at Crutchfield, if I can find it cheaper with the wiring harnass.

I remember seeing a stereo mentioned on here somewhere, that was a double DIN and LOOKED like it could have been the stock HU! Wish I could find that to check out again...
Click to expand...

If you order it from Crutchfield, you get the harness and any other adapters for free. I have ordered every stereo component from them since I was 15 (I'm 28 now) and have not once been disappointed. Plus since you're getting a single DIN, they will get you a centering plate, or a cubby hole to add in the extra space.
Here is my Double DIN...you are probably referring to the Scion radios though, as they look stock.
IMG_5775.jpg~original

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KWXR610/JVC-KW-XR610.html?search=JVC+KWXR610&tp=5684
 
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IMO, Crutchfield is overpriced. If you are willing to be hands on, I don't think it's worth it. Just picked up a Kenwood X 395 on ebay for $90. Good headunit.

I think a couple months back I got the sleeve and the wiring kit for $17 shipped, also from ebay.

Get some crimp style connections and a crimper. I would also get some extra wire and make add on in between the factory harness and the metra harness, so you can set the radio down on the seat. And also easily take it in and out.
 
PS Yes I have pulled my factory HU and amp...and threw them in the trash!

All of the dash pieces just pull off. Start at the center console (this is the first piece of three that overlap each other), then the shifter surround, and finally the radio surround.
 
tbst said:
IMO, Crutchfield is overpriced. If you are willing to be hands on, I don't think it's worth it. Just picked up a Kenwood X 395 on ebay for $90. Good headunit.QUOTE]

Some items can be overpriced, but you can also get great deals. I picked mine up for $129, with free harness and mounting sleeve. I always install my own equipment, but there always seems to be something I need a quick tip on, and their free tech support has come in real handy.
It's just preferences I guess...
Click to expand...
 
Millerad1651 said:
Some items can be overpriced, but you can also get great deals. I picked mine up for $129, with free harness and mounting sleeve. I always install my own equipment, but there always seems to be something I need a quick tip on, and their free tech support has come in real handy.
It's just preferences I guess...
Click to expand...

Not trying to negate the benefits of ordering from Crutchfield. There are some. But for me, being a little more frustrated is worth saving $50 here and there.
 
tbst said:
Not trying to negate the benefits of ordering from Crutchfield. There are some. But for me, being a little more frustrated is worth saving $50 here and there.
Click to expand...

I feel exactly the same, I always shop around. But turns out this HU I'm getting is CHEAPEST at Crutchfield, plus NO TAX and FREE Shipping! :)
 
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