Can I Add a Stock Subwoofer to My Aftermarket Head Unit

[YetiX]

I've searched (a lot) and could not find an answer to my questions on this so I'll put it to the collective 4th generation wisdom.

My 4Runner came with the basic stereo, i.e no subwoofer in the rear, no JBL.

I replaced the stock head unit with a JVC which works great. But I want a little more base. I got a stock JBL sub and amp from another member here for a good deal and want to hook it up. Here are my questions:

1. Has anyone done this before? If so, how?

2. Is the subwoofer wiring in the rear compartment already? On BMW's they have one wiring harness for all versions of the same car/SUV so you can just add components as needed. Same for Toyota?

3. If the wiring for the subwoofer is already there in the rear compartment, and I plug it in, how do I connect things on the front end, i.e. at the head unit? Are there wires on the stock harness that go to the stock sub that I would just connect to the new radio's subwoofer input? Or?

4. Or, do I have to independently connect the sub by getting power to the amp and then run RCA's back to it? (In which case I'd probably be better off selling off the stock sub and starting from scratch.)

5. If I have to do 3., does anyone know which wires are which on the stock connector on the sub-enclosure?

6. Do any of my questions make any sense?? :shrug:

Thanks!!

 

[youngr]

I've searched (a lot) and could not find an answer to my questions on this so I'll put it to the collective 4th generation wisdom.

My 4Runner came with the basic stereo, i.e no subwoofer in the rear, no JBL.

I replaced the stock head unit with a JVC which works great. But I want a little more base. I got a stock JBL sub and amp from another member here for a good deal and want to hook it up. Here are my questions:

1. Has anyone done this before? If so, how?

2. Is the subwoofer wiring in the rear compartment already? On BMW's they have one wiring harness for all versions of the same car/SUV so you can just add components as needed. Same for Toyota?

3. If the wiring for the subwoofer is already there in the rear compartment, and I plug it in, how do I connect things on the front end, i.e. at the head unit? Are there wires on the stock harness that go to the stock sub that I would just connect to the new radio's subwoofer input? Or?

3. Or, do I have to independently connect the sub by getting power to the amp and then run RCA's back to it? (In which case I'd probably be better off selling off the stock sub and starting from scratch.)

4. If I have to do 3., does anyone know which wires are which on the stock connector on the sub-enclosure?

5. Do any of my questions make any sense?? :shrug:

Thanks!!

1. YES many people have done this

2. No

3. yes and i would reccomend going with a different sub anyways......

4. what?

5. not really.

if you search "JBL sub" or any combinations you can think of regarding the issue you will come up with several VERY detailed write ups, many including step by step pictures that will explain everything and even show you what to do, all the way from how to get the rear trim panels out to hearing your new sub for the first time.

 

[YetiX]

1. YES many people have done this

2. No

3. yes and i would reccomend going with a different sub anyways......

4. what?

5. not really.

if you search "JBL sub" or any combinations you can think of regarding the issue you will come up with several VERY detailed write ups, many including step by step pictures that will explain everything and even show you what to do, all the way from how to get the rear trim panels out to hearing your new sub for the first time.

Reading your response I realize I screwed up my numbering. (MATH = Mental Abuse To Humans)

I did do a number of searches and I couldn't find one about adding the stock sub where the truck did not come with one. I found a ton on how to get the stock sub, which was already in place, to work with the aftermarket head unit.

From your response, it sounds like I'll need to run wiring from the head unit to the sub and find a way power the amp.

Question 5. (which used to be 4) is this: The stock sub has a plastic connector coming off it, not RCA's and wires. How do I connect this to new wiring? i.e what color wires on the plug are what? i.e. power, ground, input, etc.

Thanks!