New JBL dash kit + install pics

[davisc23]

I was checking out crutchfield one day a couple weeks ago and noticed they now make a dash kit for 4runners with the JBL 10 spkr system (so there are no gaps around the edges). It's made by Scosche (42TA2042B)
One warning though: they forgot to include the correct trim piece that goes around the headunit so I had to use the trim piece from my old dash kit. Luckily it kinda fit.

I originally installed the older version but once I found out about this new one I ordered it and replaced the old one. Here are some pics I took of the installation (including my custom install mp3 player in the armrest and pocketpc gps nav system):

Close-up of headunit (CF/mouse GPS antenna is in the dash pocket):

Custom 'Toyota' bootup logo I put on my Empeg hard drive based (20gb) mp3 player:

mp3 player playing a song:

Armrest closed (subwoofer vol. control knob is in the center row of buttons):

 

[hubbabubba]

That's a really cool setup - good job

 

[Vortec4800]

Looks really nice, I think the trim peice that goes around your head unit actually comes with the head unit, not with the install kit - at least all mine have...

 

[bryancos]

Nice work... is that a pocket pc/phone that's running the GPS software? Or strictly a handheld GPS?

 

[davisc23]

Thanks....the GPS is actually just an Ipaq 2215 pda running Routis 2004 mapping software. I bought a car mount from Seidio (www.seidio.com) and used a Haicom 303mmf compact flash GPS antenna in tethered mouse mode (serial cable). The antenna plugs into the car mount along with the power from the cigarette lighter adapter (it can be hardwired also). There's also a built-in speaker in the car mount so you can actually hear the navigation directions over the stereo (well, almost). The pda sits in the mount just like it would on a desktop cradle so you can easily take it in and out of the car without having to disconnect any cables. I figure it's a lot cheaper than buying an all-in-one unit, plus I can put as much memory as I want in it using the CF slot and SD card slot (currently has a 256mb sd card).

 

[Vortec4800]

Very nice, how exactly is the cradle mounted to the dash? Its hard to tell from the picture...

 

[davisc23]

There's a suction cup with an adjustable arm on the car mount. I just stuck it to the face of the lower compartment on the center dash. The bottom is resting on the console in front of the cup holders. It's a snug fit so there's no vibration while driving around.

 

[the irishman]

I noticed that you installed an Alpine receiver. I am preparing to do the same but I noticed upon removing the original Toyota radio that it uses 2 antenna leads. What's the smaller lead for and what did you do with it when you installed the Alpine? Also, when I was mocking up the installation, I made all the connections to test it out (I don't have the faceplate just yet) but noticed that the FM reception seemed very poor and the AM reception was almost nil. Any ideas?

 

[davisc23]

One of the leads for the antenna needs to have a 12V power source (to drive the antenna amplifier somewhere in the back). I just tapped into the ignition-on +12V from the stock harness and connected it to the smaller antenna lead. I think there was a more detailed description of how to do this on this forum somewhere (with pictures), so you might want to try searching for it. I'm no expert, I just followed the instructions on this board. So yeah, once you do that, your FM reception should improve dramatically.

 

[ZonaT4R]

Very nice setup!

Question: How did you route the power and leads to the MP3 unit in the console? Thinking about putting a SAT radio there...

Thx

 

[davisc23]

Very nice setup!

Question: How did you route the power and leads to the MP3 unit in the console? Thinking about putting a SAT radio there...

Thx

For the constant 12V power I tapped into the headunit's power lead by cutting a hole in the bottom of the center console storage compartment and feeding the wires underneath the center console. For the ignition-on 12V lead, I just tapped into the cigarette lighter power wire that was already in the center console area. Once you have the dash and center console plastic trim pieces off, it's pretty easy to route the wires.

 

[ZonaT4R]

Davis,

Thanks for the info.. Did you route the wires down thru the 'tissue holder' and down the back/inside of the storage compartment? (so there are no wires hanging straight down when your console storage lid is upright?

Thx!

 

[silvestb]

Wiring harness

Which wiring harness did you use to integrate into the factory 10speaker jbl amp? I have a 2004 SE 4X4

any assistance would be greatly appreciated...

Brian

 

[davisc23]

Davis,

Thanks for the info.. Did you route the wires down thru the 'tissue holder' and down the back/inside of the storage compartment? (so there are no wires hanging straight down when your console storage lid is upright?

Thx!

That mp3 player is actually the size of a regular headunit and it's mounted vertically in the center console with the wires coming out the bottom. There's nothing connected to the lid of the storage compartment (if that's what you were referring to). I cut a hole out of the console lid so you can see the display and controls. The lid still opens and closes like it normally would.

 

[davisc23]

Re: Wiring harness

Which wiring harness did you use to integrate into the factory 10speaker jbl amp? I have a 2004 SE 4X4

any assistance would be greatly appreciated...

Brian

I actually didn't use a wiring harness to hookup the Alpine. At the time I was installing this, there were no harnesses that would work with the JBL system (but there may be now?). I wired the headunit power directly to the battery and rewired all the door speakers directly to a 4 channel amp I have in back. It took forever to finish, but it was worth it.

 

[ZonaT4R]

Ahh, I get it... very trick! I was thinking the MP3 player went up with the armrest.

Nice design.. got me thinking again...