Confused: JBL Synthesis upgrade possible?

[stroh]

I have a 2007 V6 SE with the JBL Synthesis 6 disc system. I added XM at the dealer when I bought it. The system has steering wheel controls.

I love the sound but hate the display. I listen to XM almost exclusively and the display only uses half of the available space and only shows part of the song/artist name and only one of them at a time.

I'd like to upgrade to a Nav unit with rearview camera while still retaining the quality of the sound. The local stereo shop says that it isn't possible without replacing everything including the speakers. Cost starting around $3000.

Searching online I read about people that have installed new head units and retained use of, and I assume the sound of, all the JBL equipment. When I sent email to one of the the dealers that advertised this (OEM somthing) I never got a reply.

Is this possible or not? If so, what head units are plug and play replacements? Wife is addicted to steering wheel control so that has to be included as well as the XM capability. Don't care about DVD viewing.

Michael

 

[tkr128]

Yes, you can. You can upgrade to any of the factory Toyota navigation systems: E7007 (from 2006+ Siennas), E7008 (from 2006+ 4Runners) or E7009 (2007+ Solaras). These units will work with the steering wheel controls as well as the XM (although the E7007 does not have a SAT button, it still works).

Except for a few things, everything is plug and play:
-The silver piece around the console will need to be changed in order to fit the different size of the NAV system.
-You will need to tap the reverse and speed sensors within the vehicle (pretty much necessary for any NAV system)
-Voice guidance (the voice that tells you when to make a turn) needs to be wired to the JBL amplifier in the cargo area.
-In order to get the bluetooth function and voice commands to work, you will need to purchase a microphone separately and wire it up. If you don't need these functions, this is one less thing to worry about.

Otherwise, it is pretty straight forward. Search for "E7009" or "2006 navigation" and you'll find people who have upgraded their JBL systems to the factory NAV.

Hope that helps!

 

[stroh]

Search for "E7009" or "2006 navigation" and you'll find people who have upgraded their JBL systems to the factory NAV.

Hope that helps!

I just found a link from OEMVALUE that lists the Solara Nav system. They never responded to my email, but I think you just answered for me.

Why do you have to wire to the amp in the back, doesn't it use the output from the head unit?

I'll head back to OEMVALUE and do some more browsing for the mic and trip piece.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[tkr128]

Why do you have to wire to the amp in the back, doesn't it use the output from the head unit?/B]

The headunit outputs the voice commands to the amp, but the regular JBL system without NAV does not have the wires hooked up for them, so the amp can't receive them to output to the speakers. So, for the voice ouput to work, you will need to run 2 wires from the headunit to the amp plus an additional shield into the headunit. It's explained here on the Sienna forums: http://www.siennaclub.org/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=11673&view=findpost&p=110050

 

[jonhul]

You might take a look at the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 nav unit. I put one in my 06 SE and have retained all of the steering wheel controls including XM. TERK makes a harness that will hook the HU to the JBL harness with all functions intact. Personally, I find the Z1 to be superior to the factory unit.

 

[stroh]

You might take a look at the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 nav unit. I put one in my 06 SE and have retained all of the steering wheel controls including XM. TERK makes a harness that will hook the HU to the JBL harness with all functions intact. Personally, I find the Z1 to be superior to the factory unit.

You did the install yourself. How hard was it. With the Terk harness did you have to do any splicing?

 

[nserpa9248]

Metra Electronics makes a wire harness for the 4Runner w/jbl...Make sure whatever radio you get has FRONT/REAR/SUBWOOFER RCA pre-outs.

If your getting a nav, it should but double check, youll need it for the harness..

Any best buy / circuit city will have(or be able to order it) for appx $20.

You will have to solder the power, acc, ground, etc wires, but no speaker wires.

 

[rider]

Hi,

You can definitely add a new head unit without replacing the rest of the system, and it might even sound better.

I just installed an Eclipse AVN 5500 in my '06 SE. I have the JBL Synthesis. The Metra TYTO-01 wiring harness is required to interface the HU with the JBL amp. It works great. The stearing wheel controls are plug and play. I don't think the Eclipse supports XM though, only Sirius. However the Metra adapter will work with any other HU. Other HU brands may require an adapter for the steering wheel controls.

The SQ of the Eclipse is a bit better than the OEM unit and provides a nice base to begin replacing the rest of the system some day.

 

[stroh]

So if I understand correctly, with the Metra TYTO-01 adapter I can install any aftermarket stereo that has front, rear, and sub RCA jacks in my T4R without losing any of the current abilities, and it might even be better?

So now I'm considereing one of the Pioneer units Avic Z1 or D3. Any opinions on these?

 

[rider]

The Metra adapter will work for sure if you have the JBL synthesis system on a 2004 or later 4runner. The literature also says it works with standard Toyota JBL systems as well. As long as you have preamp out RCAs on the new head unit you will be good to go.

You plug your front and rear preamp out rca's from the new HU into the adapter. The JBL system has no separate subwoofer conrol so there is nothing on the adapter for a subwoofer. The subwoofer or non fader cables from the HU go unused.

 

[nserpa9248]

So if I understand correctly, with the Metra TYTO-01 adapter I can install any aftermarket stereo that has front, rear, and sub RCA jacks in my T4R without losing any of the current abilities, and it might even be better?

So now I'm considereing one of the Pioneer units Avic Z1 or D3. Any opinions on these?

The Z1 is definetley the king of double-din navigation/multimedia systems right now, it can do anything, and is very easy to use, not to mention the excellent quality of the naviagtion, screen, and audio systems that pioneer packed into it.

If you dont mind spending the extra money...go with the Z1..i could go on for YEARS about what that thing can do that makes it outstanding...

-Nick

 

[jonhul]

I found this thread interesting on factory installed nav units. Appears the Toyota factory units aren't rated very high by their users.

http://avic411.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4069&highlight=

 

[nserpa9248]

Proprietary software and factory integration may be nice, but truth be told those things will never hold a light on the aftermarket scene for a long time.

Those things are awesome for consumers who want the pimped out version of their new cars, or dont know what they could get for equal or lesser money, and higher quality...

Honestly, look at how much it costs for a factory nav system and the premium sound package..

Well worth going to a quality audio shop and have them hook you up with something much more satisfying for the money.

-Nick

 

[Diablo3305]

The Metra adapter will work for sure if you have the JBL synthesis system on a 2004 or later 4runner. The literature also says it works with standard Toyota JBL systems as well. As long as you have preamp out RCAs on the new head unit you will be good to go.

You plug your front and rear preamp out rca's from the new HU into the adapter. The JBL system has no separate subwoofer conrol so there is nothing on the adapter for a subwoofer. The subwoofer or non fader cables from the HU go unused.

so this harness won't work with a 2003 JBL? Has anyone installed one of these units on the 2003 4R with JBL? I am interested in the AVN 5510. Unfortunately I didn't get the nav back when I bought mine, but I would love to have one.

 

[forward_deploy]

I'm also interested whether the TYTO-01 bus connector will fit properly connect to the plastic female connectors on my 2003 4runner w/JBL system. I am going to try and purchase the part from either Best Buy, Circuit City or some other brick-and-mortar establishment since I would prefer to have the component sooner rather than later and I can return it easier if it fails to fit properly. If those stores don't have it in stock, then I'll get it from a net retailer.

I do know that the Metra wire harness that my stereo dealer convinced me would properly connect my HU with the Toyota factory speaker wires (going into the amp) does not integrate with systems fitted with JBL package. Bummer.