Bluetooth Installed with JBL

[ram830]

I wanted to share my recent experience installing a bluetooth system that both looks stock and that works with a JBL audio system. I have a 2006 Limited with JBL and many of the advertised systems like Blu Logic cannot be used with a JBL audio system out of the box. After a lot of research I found a few options.

First my install: I installed an EGO Dash TS system EGO DASH TS . The system does not come with a "plug and play" harness, you have to order it separate based on your application. They make a harness for JBL systems, part number 01056WIH-TSJ. The only splicing is attaching two wires into a speaker for sound. The easiest option is the center channel because it is right behind the radio. The harness comes with all he connectors you need and directions. I can post if anyone is interested. The whole install took less than two hours.

One other option I found during research was a harness made by Quick Connect Products. Parrot Kits and Quick Connect Harness Adapters . The model number is QCJBL-1. From what I have read and talking to the manufacturer you can use this harness with multiple bluetooth systems. I have not tried it but it seems almost identical to the EGO part number I listed above.

Hope this is helpful, I would have done this years ago if I knew the parts were available.

 

[CookieRoe]

Nice find, thanks for sharing! the JBL powered radios in our trucks make it very difficult to find products.

Doesn't look as though it you can see phone number on the radio screen, though.

 

[galactic_04]

For audio streaming you have to go with the higher-end parrots (mki9200), but the ck3100 does have a display seperate from the radio that displays the phone number.

This system basically goes between the radio and speakers and over-rides the speakers when it's active. There's a built-in amp with the system so it's not relying on the amp int head-unit. My boss has the 9200 and loves it for music and phone use

 

[ram830]

Doesn't look as though it you can see phone number on the radio screen, though.

You are correct, you cannot see the incoming number on the display.

 

[calikev]

ram830 It would be great if you would post the install steps. I'm about to install this. Bought it today after reading your post and could use all the help I can get.

 

[ram830]

ram830 It would be great if you would post the install steps. I'm about to install this. Bought it today after reading your post and could use all the help I can get.

No problem. I have attached the instruction sheet that comes with the harness. The second sheet I have is a step by step instruction sheet for a Blu Logic system in a 4Runner. Ego does not have a 4Runner specific installation guide so they gave me this to follow. It is pretty close. It is too big to post but I can email it to you if you like.

Installation is easy. You need to get to the back of the radio so you have to pull the top of the center console and the HVAC controls. Once you get the radio out find the connection to the center speaker. It is directly behind the radio. You can unplug the two wires from the speaker. The wires should be green and the negative wire has a black stripe. You need to cut these wires and install the correct bullet connectors that come with the harness. The gray wires on the harness are marked either to amp or to speaker. Make sure you keep the wires with the black stripes together so polarity it correct. Once you splice in the wires the new harness just plugs between the radio and the factory harness.

The control button, harness and mic all plug into the control box so make sure you put it somewhere you can reach it with all the wires. I placed mine behind the HVAC controls. There is a large bundle of wires and behind it is a little shelf. I wedged the control box behind the wires and sat it on the shelf. I secured it with a few pieces of two sided tape. Once you get it all plugged in link your cell phone and test it. If it works put everything back together.

I will post a picture of my mic installed and the control button on my center console. Hope this helps.

 

[ram830]

Here is a picture of the control switch installed.

 

[ram830]

Here is a photo of the microphone. I mounted it to the base of the rear view mirror and ran the wire along the edge of the head liner, down the front left pillar and under the dash to the control box.

 

[calikev]

ram830 Thanks for everything!!! I should have my kit tomorrow or Friday and will install this weekend if so. Can't wait to put my Jawbone ICON earpiece to rest while in the truck.

BTW if anyone needs an earpiece and aren't sure which one...get the Jawbone ICON or the even newer one. They are bullet proof and the noise cancellation and clarity is amazing!

Thanks again ram830!

 

[RunninUte]

I installed the iSimple gateway with the bluetooth add on. It is plug and play, no cutting of any wires, everything works through the radio. It also comes with an iphone/ipod cord so you can either stream the music and phone calls via bluetooth or run the sound through the cord and keep everything charged. They also offer HD radio and Sat radio.

 

[CookieRoe]

I installed the iSimple gateway with the bluetooth add on. It is plug and play, no cutting of any wires, everything works through the radio. It also comes with an iphone/ipod cord so you can either stream the music and phone calls via bluetooth or run the sound through the cord and keep everything charged. They also offer HD radio and Sat radio.

How do you like your isimple setup? Is is laggy as many have said? :snacker:

 

[calikev]

Installed the EGO TS3 yesterday. It works really well and the install was exactly as ram830 stated. I also used the center channel speaker behind the radio. It was an easy install and only took about an hour to do everything. I bought the system directly from the manufacturer for $140 shipped with the "J" harness for the JBL system.

 

[ram830]

Installed the EGO TS3 yesterday. It works really well and the install was exactly as ram830 stated. I also used the center channel speaker behind the radio. It was an easy install and only took about an hour to do everything. I bought the system directly from the manufacturer for $140 shipped with the "J" harness for the JBL system.

Calikev

Glad to hear it went well. I have been using mine for a few weeks and I am happy with it. Just the other day I figured out that if you are on a call and turn off the truck the bluetooth stays on until you hang up the call. I thought that was a nice feature.

 

[CookieRoe]

Thanks everyone for sharing. I never could get my BT on my NAV to work. This is a viable option I just may go for! If it can't display phone numbers on the screen, ahhh, so what. Price looks reasonable too.

 

[calikev]

Thanks everyone for sharing. I never could get my BT on my NAV to work. This is a viable option I just may go for! If it can't display phone numbers on the screen, ahhh, so what. Price looks reasonable too.

HAHAHA...we're a pair! I just finished telling the wife that I wish the Nav would work on my bluetooth. I have a really good Nav app on my phone and this unit would be perfect "IF" I could bluetooth sync and use bluetooth for Nav apps/itunes, etc...

It's still an excellent system so far in terms of quality of the call and quality of the unit.