FJammer In 4Runner Experience

[SeaKayak]

After seeing the FJammer in a friend's FJ Cruiser, a few weeks ago I purchased an FJammer head unit to install in my 4Runner. Following are some of my observations about the unit...

Positives

 

[SeaKayak]

Here are some samples of the display colors with the Fjammer...

 

[statman24]

I also have a 2004 4runner. Mine is a limited, but no JBL. Not sure how many speakers I have, but I've found 4 so far.

I don't have speakers in the back near the hatch... and I'm wondering if that's because I have 3rd row seating.

Anyway, I have the most basic unit that came that model year. I know (from what I'm reading) that there are other units (Toyota, Scion, Fjammer... etc) that fit my 4runner with almost no modification needed.

I plan (in the future) to get something with GPS (maybe the kenwood or eclipse), but for now I'm looking for something temporary.

Is the Scion/Pioneer (2005) the best option out there right now? How about new Scion radios? Any include satellite radio? How about cd changer (whether built in or external?

Any info would be greatly appreciated... but I'll continue to read.

Thanks!

 

[statman24]

OK... just finished reading the 14 page Scion HU thread... wow, that was long.

So far, it looks like an 06 Scion HU will work. Have not read any other posts yet to see of 07 or 08 units will... or other stock units that might fit.

Again, I'll continue to read, but if anyone can suggest the best alternative for now I would appreciate it.

 

[Uneek]

I also have a 2004 4runner. Mine is a limited, but no JBL. Not sure how many speakers I have, but I've found 4 so far.

You could have six, eight or ten. If you don't have a center speaker on your dash and a sub on the passenger side of the cargo area, it's six (two on the front doors, near the map pocket and the door handle and one on the rear doors by the map pocket). JBL systems will have either eight (navigation) or ten (Synthesis and some navigation models), eight if there are mirrors in the cargo area (adds sub and center speaker to the above six speaker setup) or ten (adds speakers in place of the mirrors in the cargo area in addtion to the eight speaker setup).

 

[statman24]

OK, I have 6. 2 on each of the front doors and one of each of the rear doors.

I don't have mirrors or speakers in the rear of the vehicle. I'm thinking because I have 3rd row seats. I'll have to look at a non 3rd row 4runner.... but I think that the mirrors or speakers in the rear are probably replaced by the holder for the 3rd row seat belts in my 4runner.

So... you recommend going with a Scion head unit instead of the Fjammer. Do you know if both of the 2008 Scion units (regular and premium) will work on my 4runner?

 

[Uneek]

You're correct. With third row seats, the rear most speakers (for the 10-speaker JBL) where the mirrors would be are taken up by the seat belt anchors. IIRC, JBL isn't available with the third row option.

I don't have any first hand experience with the Fjammer or Scion headunits. But the Scion upgrade is a popular option here that many members have chosen for non-JBL upgrade. I believe members have stated the Scion headunits have a higher wattage and it sounds a lot better than their stock headunit.

 

[statman24]

You're correct. With third row seats, the rear most speakers (for the 10-speaker JBL) where the mirrors would be are taken up by the seat belt anchors. IIRC, JBL isn't available with the third row option.

I don't have any first hand experience with the Fjammer or Scion headunits. But the Scion upgrade is a popular option here that many members have chosen for non-JBL upgrade. I believe members have stated the Scion headunits have a higher wattage and it sounds a lot better than their stock headunit.

Well, that explains that. In another post, I was asking/wondering why a Limited would not have the JBL system... so the answer is 3rd row seats! Thanks

Just picked up a new Scion head unit (in transit). It's this one that another forum member had installed previously:

Scion Alpine DVD unit

I'll try popping it into my non-JBL 6 speaker 4runner to see if/how it works.

 

[Uneek]

Limiteds come standard with the 6-disc changer, but the JBL upgrade is still optional. Most regions order in their Limiteds with the JBL Synthesis or navigation systems, I haven't seen a Limited in my area with a non-JBL system.

That's a sweet Scion headunit, I think that's like the uber upgrade that's one from the top, which is now the SNS (Scion Navigation System).

 

[statman24]

Limiteds come standard with the 6-disc changer, but the JBL upgrade is still optional. Most regions order in their Limiteds with the JBL Synthesis or navigation systems, I haven't seen a Limited in my area with a non-JBL system.

My limited does not have the 6-disk changer either.

 

[Even Steven]

Wow, that FJammer head unit looks surrounded by the 4Runner's silver center stack. Too bad the sound doesn't work well with the 4Runner's speaker system.

 

[drmorbius]

You're correct. With third row seats, the rear most speakers (for the 10-speaker JBL) where the mirrors would be are taken up by the seat belt anchors. IIRC, JBL isn't available with the third row option.

I don't have any first hand experience with the Fjammer or Scion headunits. But the Scion upgrade is a popular option here that many members have chosen for non-JBL upgrade. I believe members have stated the Scion headunits have a higher wattage and it sounds a lot better than their stock headunit.

Well as usual I just learned something new. Mark 86 and I have been trying to help Statman24 identify his system. It appears that Uneek has the unique answer! I'm just glad it got solved. I wonder if those undesirable features on the FJ unit could be engineered out . It sure is a good looking unit!

 

[SeaKayak]

Wow, that FJammer head unit looks surrounded by the 4Runner's silver center stack. Too bad the sound doesn't work well with the 4Runner's speaker system.

It didn't sound bad, as much as it just brought too much of a processed sound to the party. I personally didn't like it, but someone else might.

It really looked good in the dash. I'm disappointed that it didn't work out for me for sound and auxiliary input.

 

[SeaKayak]

Just for reference, here is a picture of the back of the FJammer. You can see that it has the dual inputs for a diversity antenna. Maybe they have in mind to put it in future 4Runners...hopefully with a little audio tweaking.