JBL Synthesis Radio - 2003 to 2007 Swap

[Patrick A]

I've been wanting to do this since I bought my truck and finally bit the bullet. I like it a lot, and it was a direct swap since I already had the synthesis set up-- no loose ends or changes in function. I wanted mp3 capability with a stock look, and I don't care about navigation and I really like the way this one looks. I also incorporated a spec USA unit and I don't know how I've been without it all this time...(I've been using a tape deck adapter :/)

Anyway, two minor details I've noticed. First, it is *slightly* recessed...Probably < 3 mm. I probably wouldn't have noticed but for a thread I read from a long time ago, someone who made the switch was bothered by it so drilled new holes in the mounting clips positioned appropriately so it would sit more flush. If it bothers me in the long run I'll do the same.

The other issue...is that the text display isn't working for FM stations. It works everywhere else, and I think my reception is actually dramatically improved, if that's possible, but it won't tell me what song is playing on stations that I know broadcast the info. It just displays the station. If anyone has an idea to correct it I'm all ears, but I never really used it anyway so it doesn't matter much to me.

 

[ran]

My '07 JBL (SE) only displays stations. Text is for sattilite. If you park a while in the sun, it may spit out cds.

 

[Patrick A]

Hmm, the 03 unit would display text for some stations-- it's about 50/50 here which stations actually include it in the broadcast to begin with, but it would do it for FM radio. Maybe the newer versions just don't?

 

[jrlsail]

That may be the RDS function that the new radio does not have. I see you replaced the sub. Which model did you use and did you notice a drop in volume? Assuming it fit depth-wise.

 

[Patrick A]

That may be the RDS function that the new radio does not have. I see you replaced the sub. Which model did you use and did you notice a drop in volume? Assuming it fit depth-wise.

Aha, you're right, I knew it didn't have "RDS" but I didn't put together exactly what that meant. Oh well.

I did change out the subwoofer, mine blew out. This is what I used: Kicker - CompVR Series 8" Dual-Voice-Coil 2-Ohm Subwoofer - CVR82

It's a direct swap for the stock woofer-- 2 ohm, DVC, 8". I wanted to keep the existing amp without having to rewire everything, and I wanted to keep the dual voice coils because (I could be wrong on this, definitely not an expert) I wanted to preserve the "fullness" of the base, and I didn't really want to shift towards a punchier SVC with more power behind it in an upgraded amp. And I had to build an adapter/spacer to fit it in the enclosure. I'll upload a couple pics in a second. I just used a 1" piece of pine. As far as the sound quality goes, I *love* it, it's definitely an upgrade-- I get compliments all the time.

 

[Patrick A]

I used the 1"x_ to gain enough clearance, as this sub is slightly deeper, and serve as a screw adapter since it didn't match the stock sub's screw hole pattern.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Nice work, I had always wanted to do this swap on my 03 Sport with the JBL

 

[Husker Z]

I used the 1"x_ to gain enough clearance, as this sub is slightly deeper, and serve as a screw adapter since it didn't match the stock sub's screw hole pattern.

Patrick, are you using the stock amp to drive that??

I've been wanting to do that for a while, but don't really want to go through the trouble/expense of replacing the amp and everything else with it.

 

[jrlsail]

Awesome input! Thx!