Not sure on what audio system I have...

[triguy74]

First off, I'm new to this forum and you guys all rock. I have so many great ideas to tweak out my new 4R...I can't wait to get started.

So I picked up a 2005 Limited V8 with Navigation. It has a 8 speakers system. Same as the 10 I guess but the rear pillars have the convex mirrors instead. The Nav has the JBL logo on it.

Anyone know if wires are run to the rear pillars incase I would rather have the speakers instead of the mirrors??? Would it be a simple swap out. But I must say the mirrors are nice when backing out of tight spots!

 

[SubSonic]

Can't say if the d-pillars are pre-wired for speakers or not, but I say leave the mirrors. They area absolutely perfect for backing out of parking spaces when you're flanked by larger vehicles that you can't see through - vans, Suburbans, etc. Basically kills the blind spots in the backup camera, since it can't see around corners. Those mirrors do literally let you see around corners, and if you don't have a backup camera, they also let you see directly behind your bumper. They're some of the most useful doo-dads I've come across in a late model vehicle.

If the pillars are prewired, try to see if you can put the mirros back over any speakers you put in. Maybe just drill some pinhole-patterns through them to let more sound out.

 

[triguy74]

Thanks SubSonic. I popped the mirrors out and it appears that it is NOT wired already. No biggie...cause I really agree with you on the added sight benefit. Even with the backup camera, they come in handy in the exact example you gave.

 

[SubSonic]

When I first got my Runner, I thought the mirrors were slightly redundant...had a back camera, what else did I need...Within a week, I found myself wedged in between a jacked-up F450 Ford and a blacked-out Suburban one day down at the Kohls with the wife - then's when I realized that they let me see left/right down the lane as I tried to back out. No more craning the neck or "backing up while hoping" no one is flying down the lane in my direction.

Made me appreciate the mirrors a LOT, and no longer lament the fact that we only got 8 speakers instead of 10. Sound system sounds fine, for a guy my age anyway. If I were still a 20 or 30 something and a "banging system" were still a requirement, I'd find a way to mount some tweets or something behind the mirrors. Today tho, I could care less, I'll take the mirrors.

 

[SSt4r]

Those mirrors are also great on the highway for vehicles in your blind spot. Takes a little getting used to, but you can easily tell if a car you just passed is back far enough to re-enter that lane. Look into the rearview mirror then the mirror opposite the traffic you're looking for. Try it!

Has anyone checked out possibility of mounting speakers in the hatch??