Audio Mods for 2005 4 Runner

[Insanityman358]

So I just bought my first 4Runner and I'm loving it. I sold my 1993 Toyota Pickup (22-RE) Manual X-cab/X-bed which had 280k miles. It was the best vehicle I've ever owned. Hands down. I'm not sentimental, but I actually had anxiety letting it go.

Anyhow, my new rig is the 2005 V-8 Sport Edition 4 Runner w/ JBL Premium Sound w/o RDS. I'd like to figure out how to keep to HU, but add on an AUX input. At this point I'm not sure it's possible, but I thought I'd throw it out there before I drop $1k+ on a whole new system. Below is a link to the exact HU it came with.

2003 2005 Toyota 4 Runner Radio with CD Cassette 16853 | eBay

Can I connect anything to add an AUX port to this unit?

Also, I have an amp and sub that I'd like to hook up any recommendations for adding it to the existing 8" JBL setup with ease?

Thanks!

 

[wnelax04sr5]

So I just bought my first 4Runner and I'm loving it. I sold my 1993 Toyota Pickup (22-RE) Manual X-cab/X-bed which had 280k miles. It was the best vehicle I've ever owned. Hands down. I'm not sentimental, but I actually had anxiety letting it go.

Anyhow, my new rig is the 2005 V-8 Sport Edition 4 Runner w/ JBL Premium Sound w/o RDS. I'd like to figure out how to keep to HU, but add on an AUX input. At this point I'm not sure it's possible, but I thought I'd throw it out there before I drop $1k+ on a whole new system. Below is a link to the exact HU it came with.

2003 2005 Toyota 4 Runner Radio with CD Cassette 16853 | eBay

Can I connect anything to add an AUX port to this unit?

Also, I have an amp and sub that I'd like to hook up any recommendations for adding it to the existing 8" JBL setup with ease?

Thanks!

i don't know how the stock jbl unit is, but changing my stock head unit for an aftermarket with an aux and usb input with bluetooth was a huge upgrade. [MENTION=87687]LTDSC[/MENTION] has some experience with the amp and sub

 

[eviele]

Is this what you're after?
If I didn't already have an aftermarket head unit that was in my Tacoma I might have kept the stock radio and gone this route:

AUX and iPhone Car Kit for Toyota 4Runner 2003-2009 | GTA Car Kits

My aftermarket radio did make a fantastic difference in sound quality though and bluetooth hands free phone calls are nice.

 

[Rocket61]

So I just bought my first 4Runner and I'm loving it. I sold my 1993 Toyota Pickup (22-RE) Manual X-cab/X-bed which had 280k miles. It was the best vehicle I've ever owned. Hands down. I'm not sentimental, but I actually had anxiety letting it go.

Anyhow, my new rig is the 2005 V-8 Sport Edition 4 Runner w/ JBL Premium Sound w/o RDS. I'd like to figure out how to keep to HU, but add on an AUX input. At this point I'm not sure it's possible, but I thought I'd throw it out there before I drop $1k+ on a whole new system. Below is a link to the exact HU it came with.

2003 2005 Toyota 4 Runner Radio with CD Cassette 16853 | eBay

Can I connect anything to add an AUX port to this unit?

Also, I have an amp and sub that I'd like to hook up any recommendations for adding it to the existing 8" JBL setup with ease?

Thanks!

For aftermarket sub install & leaving the stock sub as is,

If you pop off the panel in the trunk exposing the sub you'll also see an amp. Get yourself a quality line driver and tap into 9, 19, 8, and 18 going into the amp. I wired my line driver and amp remotes to the 12v outlet in the back.

 

[gaterose]

Look into this thread for the sub & amp - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/62400-replaced-jbl-sub-added-amp-install-pics-info.html

There are a few options to upgrade the JBL but an aftermarket HU would probably be a better upgrade. I swapped my JBL out (same reason, no ipod connection) when I first got mine but then decided to swap it back in for the clean OEM look and try one of the add-on kits (spec-USA I think), horrible idea. I couldn't believe how much the sound was degraded with the JBL HU compared to the cheap Alpine I was using at the time. I thought it sounded fine before I swapped the first time around.

 

[Insanityman358]

Thanks for your help everyone. I'm starting to be convinced that an aftermarket HU is the way to go. My fear is that an aftermarket unit either wont have enough power or wont interface with 10 speakers correctly.

Are there any other MODS that you guys have really liked.

I'm buying the YAKIMA ski racks this week for the upcoming season.

I've got aftermarket rims and tires already, I bought a Toyota hitch cover, and replaced the center caps.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Thanks for your help everyone. I'm starting to be convinced that an aftermarket HU is the way to go. My fear is that an aftermarket unit either wont have enough power or wont interface with 10 speakers correctly.

Are there any other MODS that you guys have really liked.

I'm buying the YAKIMA ski racks this week for the upcoming season.

I've got aftermarket rims and tires already, I bought a Toyota hitch cover, and replaced the center caps.

I'm pretty sure the aftermarket head units produce more power than any stock unit, it was a huge difference with mine.

as far as other mods, a great one thats also really inexpensive is the interior led swap, you can find whole kits on amazon or piece it together yourself

 

[Insanityman358]

I'm pretty sure the aftermarket head units produce more power than any stock unit, it was a huge difference with mine.

as far as other mods, a great one thats also really inexpensive is the interior led swap, you can find whole kits on amazon or piece it together yourself

This is the one I'm thinking about getting:

Kenwood DPX500BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Also, I'm ordering the LED kit today.

Thanks!

 

[Insanityman358]

Any recommendations for replacing headlights/tailights with something meaner looking? It seems like a lot of options are cheap and don't have lasting durability.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

This is the one I'm thinking about getting:

Kenwood DPX500BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Also, I'm ordering the LED kit today.

Thanks!

its got 22 watt rms, which is what mine has, and it was far more powerful than stock

 

[Insanityman358]

I was looking at your build and saw the smokers kit. That is literally the best thing! My Amazon bill is getting hefty today.

:car:

 

[Sporin]

This is the one I'm thinking about getting:

Kenwood DPX500BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Also, I'm ordering the LED kit today.

Thanks!

I'm looking to do the same but everytime I read a thread about getting a new HU to interface with the JBL stuff it sounds like a crap shoot. I really need to get bluetooth setup for phone calling, and get at least an aux-in (I mostly listen to podcasts in the truck.) So sick of the cassette adapter. :yell:

 

[wnelax04sr5]

I'm looking to do the same but everytime I read a thread about getting a new HU to interface with the JBL stuff it sounds like a crap shoot. I really need to get bluetooth setup for phone calling, and get at least an aux-in (I mostly listen to podcasts in the truck.) So sick of the cassette adapter. :yell:

i have a kenwood HU that does both, its great. kenwood stopped making it recently, but i got my mom a similar one from them and its basically the same exact thing, just a couple different buttons.

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X598 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

edit: according to crutchfield, it works with jbl and rds

 

[Insanityman358]

I trust Crutchfield, they have never led me astray. 4 decks from them now with no problems. You do pay a little more, but I think they'd handle any problems I run into.

"I used to have a girl, but she found out I didn't have the v8." <<<--LOVE THIS!

BTW, I have the V8, bought it right after I broke up with the girl. She never did approve of my 93 Toyota Pickup (22RE, 280k miles). I think her brain melted when she saw the new digs.

Bah ha ha ha

 

[wnelax04sr5]

I trust Crutchfield, they have never led me astray. 4 decks from them now with no problems. You do pay a little more, but I think they'd handle any problems I run into.

"I used to have a girl, but she found out I didn't have the v8." <<<--LOVE THIS!

BTW, I have the V8, bought it right after I broke up with the girl. She never did approve of my 93 Toyota Pickup (22RE, 280k miles). I think her brain melted when she saw the new digs.

Bah ha ha ha

haha thanks, my gf drives a tahoe with a v8 but its a slow pig compared to any 4runner

 

[97BlackAckCL]

If you wanted to replace the head unit but keep the stock amp, you would simply need to add a pac tato interface to the amp

Amazon.com : PAC TATO JBL Amplifier Turn-On Interface for Toyota Vehicles : Automotive Radio Accessories : Car Electronics

 

[gaterose]

Thanks for your help everyone. I'm starting to be convinced that an aftermarket HU is the way to go. My fear is that an aftermarket unit either wont have enough power or wont interface with 10 speakers correctly.

Power is a nonissue in this case since you have JBL. You're not going to be using the aftermarket HU amp, you'll buy an adapter for the JBL amp and sound will still be going through the JBL amp via preamp out RCAs->adapter->OEM JBL connector->JBL amp. The JBL amp will still be processing the sound and translating it to the speakers just like if the JBL HU was in there.

As far as your ipod/aux needs just an HU should solve that, could add bluetooth as well with most modern HUs. I'd probably get one with 3 preamp outs though, so you don't need to tap into the JBL amp for your new sub.

 

[LOSTR4]

Or you can rock a Scion FRS radio for an OEM+ improved sound check and looks!

 

[Az4runnin]

Or you can rock a Scion FRS radio for an OEM+ improved sound check and looks!

Still trying to figure that 1 out. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/180539-scion-h-u-t10004.html

 

[eviele]

This is the one I'm thinking about getting:

Kenwood DPX500BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Also, I'm ordering the LED kit today.

Thanks!

I should get some pictures for you. I have the same radio installed and it works well with the steering wheel controls, matches the interior well and sounds better than stock. If you're not after a navigation unit, I recommend this one.