installing subs with stock head unit

4

4runner4trail

New member
Hey guys. Right now money is a little tight so I'm not replacing my head unit, but I am installing some subs. I have done this before w/ an after market head unit w/ RCA outputs, but how on earth do I do it with the stock head unit? Also, where would I hook up the remote power wire to? Would the cig. lighter outlet work?

I have a 2002 4Runner Limited w/ the 6 disc in-dash changer.

Thanks.
 
Register to hide this ad
You won't like this answer, but if your stock head unit doesn't have RCA outputs (low level for subs or even for F/R channel speakers), AND you plan on replacing the head unit at some time in the future, then I wouldn't bother hooking up subs to the stock head unit, if I were you.

It would be more trouble than it's worth. You'd have to splice into an ACC power wire (cig lighter?) for the remote turn on lead, then cut the high level rear channels out of the HU and hook them up for your sub channels. So you'd lose the rear channel speakers. Plus, you'd have to have an amp that would accept high level inputs too.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that's the way to do it... I think I did it that way in my buddy's jeep a long time ago.
 
Actually there is an option. I personally bought an EQL from Audio control. ITs a 13 band EQ which can take the high level inputs from your stock radio (you can just tap into them, you dont have to cut them from the speakers) The EQL will convert those high level (already amplified signal) to a low level (RCA signal) so that you can then plug those into what ever amp you want to run your subs. The good thing abou this unit is when you do upgrade to a aftermarket radio, you can use the EQL still b/c it also has low level inputs.

You win both ways
 
Or you could get a line-out converter. Its a little box that takes a high or low input and converts it into a RCA outlets. Currently thats how my amp and sub are hooked up in my 4Runner and the wife's OZ Lancer. No need to replace head unit until it starts messing up. Plus, the box is small enough to tuck anywhere, mine is tucked into the jack storage compartment.
 
myrunner99 said:
Or you could get a line-out converter. Its a little box that takes a high or low input and converts it into a RCA outlets. Currently thats how my amp and sub are hooked up in my 4Runner and the wife's OZ Lancer. No need to replace head unit until it starts messing up. Plus, the box is small enough to tuck anywhere, mine is tucked into the jack storage compartment.
Click to expand...
+1 This is exactly what I did with my stock unit a couple weeks ago.

Here's a PAC Line-out converter:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_5265_PAC+SNI-35.html
 
thanks for the replies guys. The amp I have has high input connections so I can wire it up directly to my stock headunit. I just need to know what wires on the headunit I need to tap into. Does anyone have the schematics or anything? Also, I wired up the amp last night (except for the wires to the headunit obviously) and whn I turend the car on, the amp doesn't seem to be powering up. I have the ground lead going to one of the tie downs in the rear. I took a wire brush to the tie down and the car body. Is this a decent place to ground, or will it not work? Also, I have my remote lead going to the rear power outlet. Will this suffice or no?

Thanks.
 
The rear power supply is where I have my amp remote is to. As far as the tie down for ground, just make sure you have good metal to metal contact and that should suffice as a good ground. Other then that, all I can think of is make sure you put a fuse in the main power line from the battery. It should power up.
For the input signal from the head all I did was tap into the rear speaker wires in the rear doors.

Steve
 
I'm not familiar with 02's, but is your rear power outlet a 12v DC outlet or a 110v AC outlet?

All in all, I'd fork over the dough and buy/install a new HU now so you can just do all the wiring once. But if you have the time & the patience....
 
The rear is a 12V. I think in the 03+ 4Runners, its 110. I will go over everythign again tonight and I might not have enough metal to metal for the ground. I also ordered one of those RCA line converter things which I guess will make the sound a little clearer. Thanks for the replies guys...
 
did your amplifier come with a remote gain control?

And/or can you get one?

If it has the option, use it, since the factory radio cant control that subwoofer by itself (such as with an aftermarket HU) then the remote gain will allow you to adjust the gain from the drivers seat.
 
The Fade adjustment on the HU can be used for amp gain control.
I mean.... I assume that, since there are no dedicated sub channels on the HU or the in-line converter (if he chooses to use one), and he's tapping directly into the speaker wire, he'll be using the rear channel for the sub inputs.
 
um, how did u guys wire to the rear speakers but still be able to open the door? there are no rear rear speakers in the 4runner, just the rear ones in the door. wouldn't it pull the wires when you go to open the door?
 
... You don't run the wires into the door... You run the wires behind the radio and catch the signal there. Also even if you decided to run the wires into the door, properly installed it would not pull the wires. How do you think the manufacturer get wires into doors? It's really not that complicated.

As far as hooking up subs to a factory radio... theres no need to cut the rear outputs of the radio. In fact, I have no idea who in the hell told you to do that but they should never install.

All you need is either a LOC or check your amp to see if it has a selectable high level/low level inputs. Low level is RCA, high level is directly off the speaker wire. A LOC (Line output converter) taps onto speaker wire and coverts it to low level outputs. The only reason you'll want to use a LOC is if your Amp doesn't have high level inputs or if you plan on switching to an aftermarkert headunit later down the road.
 
ok, so does anyone know the wiring schematic behind the stock headunit? I need to know which wires to tap into.... I have the 6 disc in-dash changer headunit. Thanks.
 
Its been a year or so but if I remember right I tapped into the wires in the B-pillar, where the front seat belts are. Just before they go into the wire loom at the doors. I removed all the plastic molding and the wires are tacked to the pillar itself. Once I was tapped in I ran my wires under the carpet to the jack area and thats where my LOC sits.

Oh, and to answer your question above, I don't know the schematic for behind the radio. Thats why I removed the rear door paneling and popped the rear speakers out to see the colors of the wires and tracked them to the B-pillar.
 
Last edited:
myrunner,
thanks for the help. That sounds like the easiest way to do it. Did you just use like 14-gauge speaker wire from the pillar to the LOC?
 
Its been awhile since I did the install but I think used either 14 or 18 guage wire. I believe it was the 18 guage because I bought a spool of it at wal-mart when I bought the amp install kits for my 4Runner and the wife's OZ Rally Lancer. I did the same install with my wife's car too. She too has a stock head unit. No use in getting an aftermarket one until the stockers take a crap. I also went ahead and hard wired in a Sirius Sat head unit while I was at it in her car. Only thing that shows is the head unit, no wires.
 
thanks for the good info, I got my subs installed and hooked up on my stock head unit (and the factory fader works as bass trim but not as a gain control). The only problem I'm having is the remote turn on. I have a 1997 4Runner so no rear outlet. I removed the upper rear panel (the one with the trunk light in it), and found a 12v source in the set of wires that runs to the hatch...the only problem is its a constant 12v and not ACC switched. Any idea of there is actually an ACC switched 12v source back here, or if I would be better off getting it from the cig ligter up front?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 282 (members: 5, guests: 277)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,306
Messages
3,554,046
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top