Desperate Mystery JBL or not in my 2003 4 Runner Limited

[control]

I have been trying to figure this out. I have a 2003 4Runner limited and it has a single cd player and tape deck. I thought all limiteds have jbl, but I don't know if this is right. It also came with the headphones and remote for rear passenger audio.

My speakers don't have the JBL logo on them, and neither does the stereo and I have smooth knobs on the stereo and it looks like the JBL has indents on the knobs.

What do you think, I want to buy a Pioneer NAV and am not sure if I need the special harness or not for JBL.

I dont know what I have, please help.
Chris

 

[NDRYDEN123]

could you post a picture so we can get a better idea of the type of head unit you have.

 

[drmorbius]

I have been trying to figure this out. I have a 2003 4Runner limited and it has a single cd player and tape deck. I thought all limiteds have jbl, but I don't know if this is right. It also came with the headphones and remote for rear passenger audio.

My speakers don't have the JBL logo on them, and neither does the stereo and I have smooth knobs on the stereo and it looks like the JBL has indents on the knobs.

What do you think, I want to buy a Pioneer NAV and am not sure if I need the special harness or not for JBL.

I dont know what I have, please help.
Chris

If you had JBL you would have a speaker grill for the sub near the wheel well on the passenger side of the cargo area, so no you do not have the JBL system. You also do not have the JBL symbol in the upper right corner of the H/U.

 

[T4RBoarder]

If the logo isn't on the speaker covers then you don't have it. Also, you can get the JBL speakers without the chunky knobs...the ones with the chunky knobs are actually a 6-disc changer H/U otherwise it is just a normal CD/Cassette Combo.

 

[riverwolf]

The 2K3 brochure lists the 3-in-1 with 6 speakers as standard on all models, including Limited. The Limited added rear seat audio as standard, but the required wireless headphones are still optional...go figure.

All of the optional systems (1CD/6CD/Nav ) are flagged JBL and included 10 speakers instead of the 6 on the stock system. The Toyota University 4th Gen product intro document also only associates JBL with the optional 10 speaker systems.

10 speakers = 1 center dash/ 4 (woofer/tweeter front doors)/2 (full range rear doors) / 2 (rear pillar tweeters) / 1 subwoofer

6 speakers = 4 (front doors) / 2 (rear doors)

-Brent

 

[chronicanomaly]

Confused as well...

I've been confused about this since I bought the truck. I have the ten-speaker system for sure, but my radio is a single-disc with tape deck, and doesn't say JBL anywhere on it.

I've wondered whether or not I can replace the head unit with the Scion unit so I can use iPod direct input, but the general consensus seems to be no, even though my head unit does not seem to be a JBL head unit?

 

[riverwolf]

Re: Confused as well...

I've been confused about this since I bought the truck. I have the ten-speaker system for sure, but my radio is a single-disc with tape deck, and doesn't say JBL anywhere on it.

I've wondered whether or not I can replace the head unit with the Scion unit so I can use iPod direct input, but the general consensus seems to be no, even though my head unit does not seem to be a JBL head unit?

I don't know specifically about the Scion, but if you've got the 10 speaker system, then you've got a few issues with replacing the head unit. What about your speakers...any of the grills labeled JBL/Synthesis?

In the 10 speaker setup, there's an amp attached to the the subwoofer enclosure. The amp communicates with the head via digital signals, not traditional speaker or line level connections, so all of the actual audio processing...bass, treble, surround sound, crossover, etc. is actually done in the amp/processor. I haven't followed closely, but I believe there are a couple of kits out now that will finally allow you to use aftermarket heads with preamp level outputs directly with the JBL/Toyota amp/processor.

The wiring diagram for the audio system shows the 6 speaker system as having an internal amp in the head unit. Since the speaker wires are connected directly to the head, it's possible to use any standard unit in its place.

If you just want an external input for your Ipod's audio, you can do that with an auxillary adapter. The 4th Gen JBL units have an input for an external device, usually the CD changer that mounts in the "secret" compartment inside the glove box. If not currently, at one time PIE and others made an adapter that would turn that input into RCA jacks. A bit of searching the forum should turn up installs.

-Brent

 

[T4RBoarder]

I would check out http://www.peripheralelectronics.com/

They sell iPod adapters and I will be buying one as soon as I get a truck

 

[chronicanomaly]

The speakers say JBL on them, so I assume it is the JBL system regardless of whether the head unit says it or not. Thanks for the replies, I will do some searching to try and find an auxiliary adapter.

 

[drmorbius]

The speakers say JBL on them, so I assume it is the JBL system regardless of whether the head unit says it or not. Thanks for the replies, I will do some searching to try and find an auxiliary adapter.

It's beginning to look like the 2003 models had no obvious JBL markings. One way to tell for sure is to look behind the H/U and if it has a 20 pin plug then it is a JBL unit regardless of markings.