Keep stock head unit

[Theory2]

Has anyone simply installed new speakers with the stock 6 speaker system and had better results? I feel like the sound is lacking something in the mids and highs.

OR

Has anyone installed an amp and kept the stock speakers?

Obviously I'd like a little sound improvement without $$$.

Thanks

 

[alpha]

best improvement, imo, if you're going to only change one component, is change the head unit. if you want to keep it looking stock, take a look at the Scion head unit. Run on a search on that, many members here have done it and have liked it.

 

[Spider5]

best improvement, imo, if you're going to only change one component, is change the head unit. if you want to keep it looking stock, take a look at the Scion head unit. Run on a search on that, many members here have done it and have liked it.

:iagree:

The best Mod I have done.

 

[trd_style]

i recommend changing the head unit in general. because i heard from alot of reviews that T4R stock headunit doesn't last that long. for me, it didn't read my cds. and when it does, it fried it. so i had alot of problems with my old OEM head units. so now i have a panasonic which works 'okay' with my stock speakers. -_- need to get some new ones though.

 

[greasefingers]

I replaced the Stock HU with the Scion one and replaced the four paper cone speakers with better ones. I really enjoy it. It cost a total of $ 300. But you have the JBL-six speaker system with external amp mounted in the rear cargo area. The Scion HU will not work with that set-up.

The possibilities you have are many: replace just the speakers, replace the amp, replace the HU, and replace all. Each one requires some creative wiring and an electrical wiring schematic (found somewhere here), with the exception of the speakers. Keep in mind that the speakers are molded into special adaptors. So a lot of modifications need to be done when replacing them. Many people here have upgraded the stereo system components. There is hours of reading for you to do in this forum. Have fun researching.

 

[Theory2]

Don't like the look of the Scion head unit or I'd jump on that. Maybe the head unit in the new FJ Cruiser will be plug and play.

Do NOT have the JBL just the basic 6 speaker system. Thanks for the input so far but can anyone reply to my original inquiry.

I'd like to keep the factory head if possible.

Thanks

 

[greasefingers]

Don't like the look of the Scion head unit or I'd jump on that. Maybe the head unit in the new FJ Cruiser will be plug and play.

Do NOT have the JBL just the basic 6 speaker system. Thanks for the input so far but can anyone reply to my original inquiry.

I'd like to keep the factory head if possible.

Thanks

Aaaa sorry about that. Yes you are right. The standard setup is 6 speakers. So you could swap the Scion HU with your existing one. The Scion HU is more powerful and does sound better. Once I did this then I wanted even more so I replaced the speakers. I got rid of the tweeters and used four 3-way pioneer replacements (6 1/2" rounds in all of the doors)

 

[Larry77]

Personally I would replace the HU first. If you just replace the stock speakers your new speakers would be very underpowered and running speakers with low RMS power causes a lot of distortion and is actually harder on them then overpowering them...(in my experience).

If you just tried to install an amp with your existing HU and speakers I feel like that would just be a lot of work for very little results. The paper coned stock speakers are not designed for more watts then a stock HU puts out. I think the Scion Pioneer HU's are probably pushing the envelope in watts for the stock T4R speakers.

If you're just choosing between a new amp or new speakers as your original question appears, I would definitely replace your speakers...an amp is not what you need at this point.

Definitely look into the Scion decks, it appears most everyone that has done this easy mod has been more than pleased. "Don't like the looks?" To me they look very similar to the stock HU in your runner now and you could get the "Scion" word off if that's what you don't like...

Hope this helps a little...

 

[viper4evr2001]

i had. "HAD!" replaced stock headunit with a clarion and replaced the front speakers with Infinity Reference 9612i 6"x9" and replaced the tweeters with some Infinity Reference type ones and had 2 12" jl subs in the back and sounded great but then got jacked and stuck with stock again but to my suprise it doesnt sound bad at all with the stock headunit with these speakers. im thinking abouyt hte scion hu upgrade to stay kinda stock but im deff keeping these speakers in. so the point of this paragraph that im trying to get to is change the speakers.

 

[Theory2]

Thanks for the opinions everyone.

 

[Spider5]

Personally I would replace the HU first. If you just replace the stock speakers your new speakers would be very underpowered and running speakers with low RMS power causes a lot of distortion and is actually harder on them then overpowering them...(in my experience).

If you just tried to install an amp with your existing HU and speakers I feel like that would just be a lot of work for very little results. The paper coned stock speakers are not designed for more watts then a stock HU puts out. I think the Scion Pioneer HU's are probably pushing the envelope in watts for the stock T4R speakers.

If you're just choosing between a new amp or new speakers as your original question appears, I would definitely replace your speakers...an amp is not what you need at this point.

Definitely look into the Scion decks, it appears most everyone that has done this easy mod has been more than pleased. "Don't like the looks?" To me they look very similar to the stock HU in your runner now and you could get the "Scion" word off if that's what you don't like...

Hope this helps a little...

Any advice on removing the "Scion" without damaging the HU. I've tried different cleaning products with no success and I'm concerned that if I use anything strong it will create some damage.

 

[Larry77]

Someone on here said to just use an alcohol wipe to get the letters off then apply something like armorall or 303 to get the shine back. Hopefully someone who's actually done this can chime in for ya...