Custom Amp Installation

[Mr Castulucci]

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to share my custom amp installation with you. It might give someone an idea or help with someone else's install in some way...

That's a pic of the custom bracket I made. I have a 2003 LE w/ Navigation. What I did was I removed the factory subwoofer and the factory's subwoofer encasing (which was the OEM bracket for the OEM amplifier). I decided that since there is so much wasted space there (now), I could install my aftermarket amplifier behind the OEM one in kind of a piggyback configuration. I decided to go with a copper plate, because copper tends to dissapate heat pretty well.

That's a pic of the aftermarket amp installed behind the factory one (I know you can barely see it, but that's kinda the point ).

Anyway, I ran the subwoofer wire out of the navigation computer's "door" for right now.

All in all, I like the location for the amp a lot better. I used to have it on the back of the rear seats, but that proved to be a royal pain when moving things that involved folding down the rear seats. With it on the back of the rear seats, I also lost the functionality of the shelflike platform back there.

The only downside to this install is the added vibration I am getting from the copper. However, once I do a little bit more temperature testing, I might go ahead and dynamat the cargo area (i.e. I am going to take off the panels and dynamat the backside of the panels - the side you can't see).

Overall, I've seen the temperature on the copper plate creep up to 122 degrees F (EDIT: I achieved this temp on a 2-1/2 hr drive from Champaign, IL to Chicago). I have a temperature sensor stuck in there that I am periodically taking measurements with. For reference, when the car has been sitting for awhile on a hot day (everything off - outside temp about 92 degrees F), the temperature on the copper plate is about 96-98 degrees.

Anyway, I hope that gives some of you some reference for custom installs. If you are wondering how I got the cargo area apart, do a search on my name and you should find step-by-step instructions in a previous post of mine.

 

[my04runner]

Very nice install. I was thinking of mounting my amp there but then thought about the heat and decided to keep it under the seat. However I would be very instrested to hear the different temp read outs of that area, please let us know of that info.

Question; what is that component on the tire well? Is that for the navagiation? I did not notice that on my SR5. Could another amp fit in that area too?

 

[rando]

Nice work Mr. C. and as always, thanks for taking the time to take the pictures and posting.

@my04: Yep, that's the OEM nav brain. On the SR5, there is a little storage pocket in that location...that's probably why you didn't notice. I too looked at that location for my amp. There is plenty of space under those panels (on either side) to fit an amp (or two), if you're willing to fab a custom mounting for it.

With respect to the use of copper for the bracket, is that stuff rigid enough? It looks fairly plyable. You don't want your amp ripping out of its brackets the first time you slam on the brakes and/or hit a killer pot hole.

 

[Mr Castulucci]

Rando,

While copper is (in general) bendable, I have a high enough gauge of material to make it not a concern. Also, I've allowed enough copper material around each bolt to prevent anything from being torn apart on a sudden impact or jolt. It's pretty sturdy.

I think it took me a few hours (and two sheets of copper - the first attempt was a failure ) to complete the job.

I'm road-tripping to Florida (from Chicago) in early August and I will be taking temperature readings along the way. I feel that the amps will reach their maximum running temperature on the 20 hr trip (neglecting the outside temperature), so I will post back about it, and most likely make my final decision about whether or not to put some dynamat xtreme in there

If the running temp gets much higher than 122 degrees, I may decide to add some fans to cool off the amps. I'd probably mount one on the inside of the panel (drilling small holes to allow intake) and then mount one so that it faces the amps. Hopefully this would also help to maintain a positive airflow out of that air vent that's back there above the exhaust. God knows that sulphur smell is horrible (not to mention the carbon monoxide I'm probably breathing in on occassion)

 

[uwf]

Mr C,

Got a question for you. What stops someone from just taking the OEM amp and placing an aftermarket amp there? Of course, I would make the appropiate mods to the wires there, but is there a problem just mating an aftermarket amp there? Thanks for any info you can offer.

Joseph

 

[Mr Castulucci]

Joe,

Honestly, I'm not sure about that. I chose not to do it because I didn't want to overly modify the JBL system, but I suppose that (in theory), you could drop an entirely new amp in place of the old one.

But, keep in mind that such an action wouldn't really be an "upgrade" unless you are looking for more volume. I installed the aftermarket amp so that I could get more volume on the low-frequency band (i.e. more bass) out of the system.

So, if you pursue the route of replacing the entire amp, be sure you are doing it for the right reason (namely, you want more volume at all frequencies).

Also, keep in mind that pumping more power to the OEM speakers increases the risk of blowing them out. I'm sure the OEM amp is power-rated in such a way that there is little or no risk of blowing out any speakers.

Hope that helps,
-Frank

 

[sal16]

you really cant do that (replace the amp altogether) without losing some of the functions of the deck (front/rear fade and sorround mainly, probably more though). the deck only puts out left and right with data signals for everything else.

 

[Mr Castulucci]

Good point Sal, I forgot about that.

 

[uwf]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the suggestions. I am wanting more sound from the speakers. The sound now is sufficient, but as everyone else has stated, "its lacking". What I was thinking of finding was the amp out of a wrecked Sequoia or Lexus GX430 of the same year. I did some research and found that the Lexus GX430 (4runner equivalent) had a JBL synthesis thing as well (I think), except that its power output was considerably higher. Like I said though, I think that it was the Lexus. I am sure that any of the SUV's from Toyota that had a JBL sound system are compatible.

What do you guys think?

Thanks again,
Joseph

 

[Mr Castulucci]

Well, I'm not too sure on that. I'd say that you'd have to check out the wiring manual for both SUVs and compare the amp wiring diagrams. If they are the same (or modable), then you are good to go.

I wouldn't really make a purchase until you get a confirmation, because you know what happens when you assume

 

[Mr Castulucci]

Hey Everyone,

I just realized that I never posted back about the max amp temperature that I experienced.

I drove to Sarasota, FL over the summer (~90 deg F outside temp), and it was about a 22 hour drive. The max amp temperature I experienced was 136 degrees F.

I still think that I am going to dynamat the cargo area. I've got some vibration both from the amp install and from other stuff back there that is driving me nuts.

Anyway, I hope that helps anyone who was wondering.

-Frank