JBL 3 in 1 w/6 Disc/10 Speaker Question

[drs.Datsyuk]

Hello everyone this is a great forum with a lot of info. I'm looking into purchasing a 2004 SE but the problem that I keep running into is that none of them have the JBL 3 in 1 w/6 disc 10 speaker option just the standard sound system. My question is can this option be added by the dealer or can this only be done by the factory? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Vortec4800]

Welcome to the forum!

That's a factory option, I'm a bit surprised you can't find one with the JBL system - my dealer was the exact opposite. I couldn't get one with the standard stereo, which I wanted because it would be easier to mod and make better. The option is around $1000 for the JBL IIRC which is only a decent stereo anyway. I'd say if you're considering putting in a better stereo anyway, get the factory stereo. If you're happy with decent sound then get the JBL, or get the factory with the Scion radio. Pretty much anything you do is cheaper than the JBL option, unless you do a hardcore system.

 

[flownosaj]

I ended up buying a limited because I was unable to find a V8 sport with 6-disk JBL and leather in the entire state of Texas--and that was with 2 dealerships looking for me as well. Gulf States seemed to only stock 2WD V6 bare bones or completley loaded models only.

As to the JBL radio, I like the convience of the in-dash changer, I like the steering wheel controls, the "center chanel/surround" is a nice option, and overall, the sound isn't bad (It's not like I'm trying to blow out windows). I felt that it was worth the money to have a "factory" radio that I was happy with.

What I wish they would have is integrated XM radio and a built in interface for an iPod (and the steering wheel controls interface as well). I know you can add it in aftermarket, but I think for as much as they're charging, the JBL should have these options.

 

[sharp4runr]

I like the factory JBL, although it lacks bass. That can be easily fixed with an aftermarket sub/amp combo.

And like Flow, I like the steering wheel controls. Uber convenient!

I think it'd be pretty hard for them to add the JBL system in the car. It looks like the radios are wired differently. The models that don't have the JBL system, have a pocket in the trunk area where I have a sub. Also the plugs on the back of the radio are different for the JBL/Non JBL cars. The standard radio has an integrated AMP, while the JBL radio has the amp next to the subwoofer.

If you get the standard radio, it'll probably be cheaper to throw in an aftermarket system.

July

 

[Mark86]

Hello everyone this is a great forum with a lot of info. I'm looking into purchasing a 2004 SE but the problem that I keep running into is that none of them have the JBL 3 in 1 w/6 disc 10 speaker option just the standard sound system. My question is can this option be added by the dealer or can this only be done by the factory? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

I am not sure where you are from, but I am from NJ and have not seen 1 Sport on the lot with the JBL 6 speaker. I also wanted that option and the dealer could not locate one. When my truck was in for service, I looked at all of the 4Runners on the lot. They had around 15 Sports in stock, and none of them had the JBL. This option can only be added from the factory. I wanted this system because of the RDS feature.

 

[Vortec4800]

I think it'd be pretty hard for them to add the JBL system in the car. It looks like the radios are wired differently. The models that don't have the JBL system, have a pocket in the trunk area where I have a sub. Also the plugs on the back of the radio are different for the JBL/Non JBL cars. The standard radio has an integrated AMP, while the JBL radio has the amp next to the subwoofer.

Correct, it would be nearly impossible and not economical at all. You could get a much better sounding stereo by going aftermarket at a fraction of the cost.

I do agree that the steering wheel controls are handy though, I forgot the factory radio didn't come with these. I love those things!

 

[Mark86]

I do agree that the steering wheel controls are handy though, I forgot the factory radio didn't come with these. I love those things!

I have the factory radio and it came with the steering wheel controls. I think the the steering wheel controls are standard on all sports.

 

[sharp4runr]

I have the factory radio and it came with the steering wheel controls. I think the the steering wheel controls are standard on all sports.

Your right only the SR5 didn't get them. Alas another reason why I'm glad I paid just a little more for a sport...

 

[Derek]

Your right only the SR5 didn't get them. Alas another reason why I'm glad I paid just a little more for a sport...

I've got an SR5 with the steering wheel controls, I couldn't live without them

 

[Mark86]

That is another hard configuration to find where I am. Out of all of the SR5's on the lot (30), none of them had the steering wheel controls. I agree. I definitely couldn't live without them. I can acutally surf the radio stations and CD's without taking my eyes off the road.

 

[alpha]

I've got an SR5 with the steering wheel controls, I couldn't live without them

wow, I didn't know that they came with steering controls.. oh well..

my parents each have steering controls on their cars.. they're fairly convenient, but i'm used to not having them anyways, so..

oh well, easier to go aftermarket without them and i suppose there is always a remote with an aftermarket system

(yeah yeah, justification for not having steering controls)

 

[Guest]

The JBL 10-speaker stereo is only $360 at invoice pricing... $450 at sticker.

It's worth it IMO, unless you want to rip it all out and put in something custom of course.

I used to be really into car stereo systems (had over 7 grand in a SQ setup in my truck, and that was at internet prices)... so I think I've got a pretty good ear for things and can safely say that if you got the base stereo and spent $360 in upgrades on it you would still not be able to come close to matching the overall improvement you get from the JBL stereo. True for $360 you could get a cheap sub/amp combo and definitely have more bass... but to get the improved clarity, imaging, high, and mid-bass/range frequencies is going to be quite a bit more extensive and costly because that's when you start replacing stuff rather than just adding on.

I also like the JBL setup because it has a center channel which will make it very easy to, in the next year or two when SACD/DVD-A and multi-channel satellite radio becomes a little more prevelant, get a true surround sound output instead of just surround sound downmixed to stereo.

 

[sharp4runr]

The JBL 10-speaker stereo is only $360 at invoice pricing... $450 at sticker.

It's worth it IMO, unless you want to rip it all out and put in something custom of course.

I used to be really into car stereo systems (had over 7 grand in a SQ setup in my truck, and that was at internet prices)... so I think I've got a pretty good ear for things and can safely say that if you got the base stereo and spent $360 in upgrades on it you would still not be able to come close to matching the overall improvement you get from the JBL stereo. True for $360 you could get a cheap sub/amp combo and definitely have more bass... but to get the improved clarity, imaging, high, and mid-bass/range frequencies is going to be quite a bit more extensive and costly because that's when you start replacing stuff rather than just adding on.

I also like the JBL setup because it has a center channel which will make it very easy to, in the next year or two when SACD/DVD-A and multi-channel satellite radio becomes a little more prevelant, get a true surround sound output instead of just surround sound downmixed to stereo.

Agreed. I like the JBL system. Good all around sound, though lacking in the bass department. That was easily fixed though by adding a 480 watt amp and 2 10" subs.

July

 

[Guest]

As a clarification, the JBL does not have to be ordered with the 6-disc changer. My fiance just ordered an 05 4Runner limited and we felt that $360 (we paid invoice or a little under really) was worth it for the better sound, but the extra $300 (or however much it was) for the 6-disc was not since we tend to listen mostly to FM and XM radio and if we listen to a CD it'll really only be one at a time. Plus in order to get XM to plug in directly and avoid FM-modulation I would have had to unplug the 6-disc changer anyhow.

I ended up buying a limited because I was unable to find a V8 sport with 6-disk JBL and leather in the entire state of Texas--and that was with 2 dealerships looking for me as well. Gulf States seemed to only stock 2WD V6 bare bones or completley loaded models only.

I'm almost positive that leather is not available on sport models unless it's added on by the dealership. At least that's what Toyota's website says.