OEM Audio + 5th Gen 4Runner audio system

[Louisiana Overland]

Got any links to how you did this? Focals, and what harness's are necessary?

No harness needed to swap the speakers for the focals. They are plug and play.

The harness was used for adding the amp and processor. I called tacotunes(Daniel) and explained what i needed. I believe it was their processor harness kit. There was one harness to run from head unit to processor and another from amp to speaker out harness behind head unit. I ran a dual amp install kit to provide power under the drivers seat to the amp. The spare fuse block provides power to my fridge. RCA jumpers run from the processor to the amp. My processor is under the passenger seat. After I got it all installed I brought it to a local audison dealer to get the system tuned. They put 5 tunes on my laptop. I keep a flat tune in it. The amp is a jl audio. 100 watts per channel. Its all crystal clean and packs a hell of a punch. I think altogether with the deadener and everything I spent around $2200-$2400, so depending on the processor and amp you choose it can be more than the cost of oem audio.

I had an opportunity to listen to an OEM system in a 5th gen. I was unimpressed but it did sound better than stock.

This was my first time to do a major audio install. I soldered and heat shrinked all the connections to the processor connector plug. I was ver methodical. It paid off.

 

[Soccer13]

What were you unimpressed by in the OEM Audio plus setup?

No harness needed to swap the speakers for the focals. They are plug and play.

The harness was used for adding the amp and processor. I called tacotunes(Daniel) and explained what i needed. I believe it was their processor harness kit. There was one harness to run from head unit to processor and another from amp to speaker out harness behind head unit. I ran a dual amp install kit to provide power under the drivers seat to the amp. The spare fuse block provides power to my fridge. RCA jumpers run from the processor to the amp. My processor is under the passenger seat. After I got it all installed I brought it to a local audison dealer to get the system tuned. They put 5 tunes on my laptop. I keep a flat tune in it. The amp is a jl audio. 100 watts per channel. Its all crystal clean and packs a hell of a punch. I think altogether with the deadener and everything I spent around $2200-$2400, so depending on the processor and amp you choose it can be more than the cost of oem audio.

I had an opportunity to listen to an OEM system in a 5th gen. I was unimpressed but it did sound better than stock.

This was my first time to do a major audio install. I soldered and heat shrinked all the connections to the processor connector plug. I was ver methodical. It paid off.

 

[Louisiana Overland]

What were you unimpressed by in the OEM Audio plus setup?

I thought it sounded muddy compared to my set up.

 

[Cajun_TRD]

I went the plug and play Focal route and couldnt be more pleased. IS690 TOY for doors/dash and IC165TOY for rear doors and hatch. It sounded great with just a speaker swap but for more power I added an audison bit ten processor and a 5 channel jl audio amp. I didnt cut a single wire. I used harnesses from tacotunes for the processor and amp. It was a weekend project but the speakers went in fast. I bought a 5 channel amp to add a subwoofer later but TBH the mid bass is so STRONG it isnt really needed.

Yes. Sound dampened all the doors also.

Were the Focal's all plug in play/bolt in? Or did you have to buy them from someone with mounting brackets?

 

[Louisiana Overland]

Were the Focal's all plug in play/bolt in? Or did you have to buy them from someone with mounting brackets?

The Focal IS 690 TOY(front door/dash/ is a 6x9 and tweeter component set made specifically for toyotas. No extra bracket or anything is required. There is a metal bracket to mount the tweeter in the dash location but it is part of the kit. The connectors plug directly into your toyota connectors that you unplug when removing the factory speakers.

The focal IC165 TOY is a 6.5” coax(2-way) that is a direct replacement for rear doors and hatch locations. It does not show on crutchfields website that this is a fit for the 5th gen but I can assure you that it fits with no issue. It is made with the toyota connectors as well. Pure plug and play. I found videos online to help with door panel remival. The easiest was the rear hatch. I didnt remove it entirely but rather just popped the bottom loose enough to swap the speakers as the bottom of the panel hung with enough room to get behind it for the swap.

The speaker swAp was super easy and made a world of improvement.

I bought the front set from crutchfield. I saved some $$ by buying the rear sets through ebay. The shipping on the rears was slow. They shipped from Italy, but arrived with no damage.

 

[Louisiana Overland]

Were the Focal's all plug in play/bolt in? Or did you have to buy them from someone with mounting brackets?

I just realized you are in New Orleans. I live near Baton Rouge and my girlfriend lives in Gonzales. If you want to take a drive up this way and have a listen Id be happy to meet somewhere sometime.

 

[Joelmaloney42]

Just came across this thread and I'm surprised to hear some of the negative reviews. I installed the reference 500Q and a separate dedicated amp for the sub with a gain control knob in my 2018 Runner earlier this year. I do believe having a second dedicated amp for the sub makes a huge difference and I don't have to tinker with the gain control knob at all. Sometimes I'll turn it up a bit but around 40% is where the true quality shines. I haven't experienced any of the static noise or distortion that some of you have mentioned and I've had it installed for 4+ months now. However, I have noticed the front passenger tweeter to make some odd noise only a handful of times when I have the volume at 50+. It seems to happen when their is a higher pitch chorus but it hasn't bothered me much. With that being said, I notified Daniel and I'm going to be giving him feedback the next time I hear it (pretty rare) so he can try to replicate it and make adjustments if needed. Also, I had an issue with the original wiring harness they sent me but Daniel's customer service was above and beyond and he made sure to make it right. For a plug and play option that doesn't take up any of your trunk space (I have two dogs) it's exactly what I was looking for. Volume 40 on this system is louder than maxing out the stock speakers and the highs and lows aren't even comparable. If you are looking to get a system that rattles your block apart, this system isn't for you. I've had several friends who heard the original setup compared to this one and I've received nothing but compliments on the quality and the bass produced. Lastly, one of my friends with a Runner was pretty impressed as well so I know she will be getting in touch with Daniel when she's able to purchase it. I'm in Denver and happy to demo mine for anyone interested

 

[alcomedic]

Just came across this thread and I'm surprised to hear some of the negative reviews. I installed the reference 500Q and a separate dedicated amp for the sub with a gain control knob in my 2018 Runner earlier this year. I do believe having a second dedicated amp for the sub makes a huge difference and I don't have to tinker with the gain control knob at all. Sometimes I'll turn it up a bit but around 40% is where the true quality shines. I haven't experienced any of the static noise or distortion that some of you have mentioned and I've had it installed for 4+ months now. However, I have noticed the front passenger tweeter to make some odd noise only a handful of times when I have the volume at 50+. It seems to happen when their is a higher pitch chorus but it hasn't bothered me much. With that being said, I notified Daniel and I'm going to be giving him feedback the next time I hear it (pretty rare) so he can try to replicate it and make adjustments if needed. Also, I had an issue with the original wiring harness they sent me but Daniel's customer service was above and beyond and he made sure to make it right. For a plug and play option that doesn't take up any of your trunk space (I have two dogs) it's exactly what I was looking for. Volume 40 on this system is louder than maxing out the stock speakers and the highs and lows aren't even comparable. If you are looking to get a system that rattles your block apart, this system isn't for you. I've had several friends who heard the original setup compared to this one and I've received nothing but compliments on the quality and the bass produced. Lastly, one of my friends with a Runner was pretty impressed as well so I know she will be getting in touch with Daniel when she's able to purchase it. I'm in Denver and happy to demo mine for anyone interested

my experience as well. Was one of the first handful to get this system installed in my 17' Not sure how long exactly but its been a good year or so and have been nothing but pleased with it

 

[jcage89]

You Gotta Reach Down....

Yesterday playing TOTD DeluxeED CD as baseline for evaluating improvement w/ OE Audio+ as I drove to work and thinking again what a shameful thing it is for Toyota to equip such a muffled crappy audio system in such an otherwise cool rig (and reminding myself how much I miss Chris Cornell). This morning finally after a month I had time to work on it so I've spent the past four hours just replacing all the stock speakers with the OE Audio+ speakers and...

Holy crud... its really really good. I don't know who here wasn't wowed but I haven't even installed the electronics for the system yet and I'm impressed. I think someone else here wrote that if they had known how good just speaker replacement sounded they might not have bought the whole system. I still want to install the amps, but I must say after listening to such a dogcrap audio system for the past two months since buying my Pro, I'd be content with just these speakers too.

I'll share more as I have time to finish it all up and do the accessory meter mod (probably tomorrow)… but for now I'm impressed. Here's a few things I can say about the install process... The plastic clips in the panels are the biggest PITA of the whole process. They are very stubborn and difficult to get out even with a full set of panel trim tools, make sure they all come out and are re-seated before putting the panel back on. The front doors were the hardest because of the surgery necessary to extend the slack in the front door speaker wires. DO NOT over tighten the 10mm screws that hold the speakers in the door and hatch because it just goes into a green plastic anchor and will strip it if you overtighten. Also sheet metal is a sharp MOFO and my hands are taped up because it's been a while since doing anything like this and I forget how carefull you need to be not to slice up your hands on the exposed sharp edges with the panels off.

Anyway, not quite saying hello to heaven yet :guitar2:but certainly in that direction from where I started.

Cheers - JC

P.S. - Daniel at OE Audio+ is awesome and really cares about his product. He anwered an email first thing this morning himself about an install question and provides his personal cell phone to use if there is a delay getting his support team.

 

[Soccer13]

I’m from Seattle too and had the oem plus in my previous 4runner, was one of the ones not hugely impressed but getting ready to give it another try on my new 4runner. Did you go with just the reference package or did you add the gain adjuster knob? Thanks!

Yesterday playing TOTD DeluxeED CD as baseline for evaluating improvement w/ OE Audio+ as I drove to work and thinking again what a shameful thing it is for Toyota to equip such a muffled crappy audio system in such an otherwise cool rig (and reminding myself how much I miss Chris Cornell). This morning finally after a month I had time to work on it so I've spent the past four hours just replacing all the stock speakers with the OE Audio+ speakers and...

Holy crud... its really really good. I don't know who here wasn't wowed but I haven't even installed the electronics for the system yet and I'm impressed. I think someone else here wrote that if they had known how good just speaker replacement sounded they might not have bought the whole system. I still want to install the amps, but I must say after listening to such a dogcrap audio system for the past two months since buying my Pro, I'd be content with just these speakers too.

I'll share more as I have time to finish it all up and do the accessory meter mod (probably tomorrow)… but for now I'm impressed. Here's a few things I can say about the install process... The plastic clips in the panels are the biggest PITA of the whole process. They are very stubborn and difficult to get out even with a full set of panel trim tools, make sure they all come out and are re-seated before putting the panel back on. The front doors were the hardest because of the surgery necessary to extend the slack in the front door speaker wires. DO NOT over tighten the 10mm screws that hold the speakers in the door and hatch because it just goes into a green plastic anchor and will strip it if you overtighten. Also sheet metal is a sharp MOFO and my hands are taped up because it's been a while since doing anything like this and I forget how carefull you need to be not to slice up your hands on the exposed sharp edges with the panels off.

Anyway, not quite saying hello to heaven yet :guitar2:but certainly in that direction from where I started.

Cheers - JC

P.S. - Daniel at OE Audio+ is awesome and really cares about his product. He anwered an email first thing this morning himself about an install question and provides his personal cell phone to use if there is a delay getting his support team.

 

[jcage89]

I’m from Seattle too and had the oem plus in my previous 4runner, was one of the ones not hugely impressed but getting ready to give it another try on my new 4runner. Did you go with just the reference package or did you add the gain adjuster knob? Thanks!

Full meal deal... the 500q+ with 2nd dedicated sub amp and gain knob.... although again driving around passed hour and asking myself why its necessary. Anyway probably install the rest tomorrow if time.

 

[stickcharmer]

Full meal deal... the 500q+ with 2nd dedicated sub amp and gain knob.... although again driving around passed hour and asking myself why its necessary. Anyway probably install the rest tomorrow if time.

Looking forward to your feedback

 

[jcage89]

Yesterday playing TOTD DeluxeED CD as baseline for evaluating improvement w/ OE Audio+ as I drove to work and thinking again what a shameful thing it is for Toyota to equip such a muffled crappy audio system in such an otherwise cool rig (and reminding myself how much I miss Chris Cornell). This morning finally after a month I had time to work on it so I've spent the past four hours just replacing all the stock speakers with the OE Audio+ speakers and...

Holy crud... its really really good. I don't know who here wasn't wowed but I haven't even installed the electronics for the system yet and I'm impressed. I think someone else here wrote that if they had known how good just speaker replacement sounded they might not have bought the whole system. I still want to install the amps, but I must say after listening to such a dogcrap audio system for the past two months since buying my Pro, I'd be content with just these speakers too.

I'll share more as I have time to finish it all up and do the accessory meter mod (probably tomorrow)… but for now I'm impressed. Here's a few things I can say about the install process... The plastic clips in the panels are the biggest PITA of the whole process. They are very stubborn and difficult to get out even with a full set of panel trim tools, make sure they all come out and are re-seated before putting the panel back on. The front doors were the hardest because of the surgery necessary to extend the slack in the front door speaker wires. DO NOT over tighten the 10mm screws that hold the speakers in the door and hatch because it just goes into a green plastic anchor and will strip it if you overtighten. Also sheet metal is a sharp MOFO and my hands are taped up because it's been a while since doing anything like this and I forget how carefull you need to be not to slice up your hands on the exposed sharp edges with the panels off.

Anyway, not quite saying hello to heaven yet :guitar2:but certainly in that direction from where I started.

Cheers - JC

P.S. - Daniel at OE Audio+ is awesome and really cares about his product. He anwered an email first thing this morning himself about an install question and provides his personal cell phone to use if there is a delay getting his support team.

Did the rest today... long long day (mostly cable and harness management challenges)…. but did finally get it all working. Last night I made reference to not saying hello to heaven with just the speakers, I'll amend that tonight....

Oops can't quite see the screen with the picture blur... try this...

:guitar2: I'll write more tomorrow cause I'm too worn out but I will say the payoff in the end was certainly there. I think the full 500Q system with sub and 2nd dedicated sub amp is definitely something that balances the whole sound. Seems like all the door speakers are well balanced and the tweets have really crisp highs now that make the imaging of the sound really pop. Then having that gain knob to set the sub at just the right amount of low end for whatever you are listening to makes it just right. I tried with multiple source (CD, USB radio, etc and multiple genres. All sounded good but the CD sounded off the chain. I am really happy.

The accessory meter isn't too shabby either.

Cheeer for tonight...

More tomorrow...

JC

PS - full disclosure... I ran out of time and didn't get the sub fully installed so I was listening tonight with the sub sitting in the back seat. I can't imagine it will make that much difference having it in the cargo area but I'll get that done tomorrow.

 

[Weedkiller]

Did the rest today... long long day (mostly cable and harness management challenges)…. but did finally get it all working. Last night I made reference to not saying hello to heaven with just the speakers, I'll amend that tonight....

Oops can't quite see the screen with the picture blur... try this...

:guitar2: I'll write more tomorrow cause I'm too worn out but I will say the payoff in the end was certainly there. I think the full 500Q system with sub and 2nd dedicated sub amp is definitely something that balances the whole sound. Seems like all the door speakers are well balanced and the tweets have really crisp highs now that make the imaging of the sound really pop. Then having that gain knob to set the sub at just the right amount of low end for whatever you are listening to makes it just right. I tried with multiple source (CD, USB radio, etc and multiple genres. All sounded good but the CD sounded off the chain. I am really happy.

The accessory meter isn't too shabby either.

Cheeer for tonight...

More tomorrow...

JC

PS - full disclosure... I ran out of time and didn't get the sub fully installed so I was listening tonight with the sub sitting in the back seat. I can't imagine it will make that much difference having it in the cargo area but I'll get that done tomorrow.

Sounds like a worthwhile mod. Although I haven't upgraded a T4R sound system yet, I have a pretty extensive background over the years upgrading the SQ of just about every vehicle I've owned. I'm sure a person can find a better value ratio by piecing together a system with all the individual components, but it'd definitely take more time, cutting, and permanent mods, so I see the value in going this route. Looks good!
Btw , I like your taste in music. Great album. Big Cornell fan here too.:rockon::rockon: throw some Audioslave in the mix and some AIC!

 

[jcage89]

Sounds like a worthwhile mod. Although I haven't upgraded a T4R sound system yet, I have a pretty extensive background over the years upgrading the SQ of just about every vehicle I've owned. I'm sure a person can find a better value ratio by piecing together a system with all the individual components, but it'd definitely take more time, cutting, and permanent mods, so I see the value in going this route. Looks good!
Btw , I like your taste in music. Great album. Big Cornell fan here too.:rockon::rockon: throw some Audioslave in the mix and some AIC!

Yeah Cornell is certainly missed... truly a unique voice that I "grew up" with so sentimental soundtrack of my life type of stuff. :cheers:

I think others here have taken the route of piecing together a system. A recent poster talked about buying speakers and amps and harness all from different places then taking somewhere to have it all tuned. I think that last bit is the magic and unless you have the skills (which you may very well have) to do that part on your own then you'll pay close to (or more than) the OEA+ price anyway. I liked that it is a one stop shop for a package that was designed specifically to work together and sound good in the 4runner.

I spent Saturday just replacing the speakers with better speakers and mentioned I might have stopped there because it already sounded much better. But once you get those properly tuned DSP amps working, that is when the true imaging happens and nuances jump out of your music. Ohio Hawk is a way more intense audiophile than myself (before installing OEA+ fully shielded his rig with sound dampening material!) and he gives a very good writeup on page 23 of this thread. His doesn't have the dedicated sub amp with gain control so I'll speak to that. IMHO if you're already resolved to paying this much for the solution then adding the second amp increases headroom and gives better control of the low present in the mix. I like it and you can hide that knob in the glove, set it and forget it.

JC

 

[Joelmaloney42]

my experience as well. Was one of the first handful to get this system installed in my 17' Not sure how long exactly but its been a good year or so and have been nothing but pleased with it

Right? Wondering if it is install or wiring issues from some of the negative reviews

 

[Joelmaloney42]

I’m from Seattle too and had the oem plus in my previous 4runner, was one of the ones not hugely impressed but getting ready to give it another try on my new 4runner. Did you go with just the reference package or did you add the gain adjuster knob? Thanks!

Get the gain control knob and 2nd dedicated amp... I can't rave enough but the sound quality with the full package.

 

[Soccer13]

I am planning to get the gain adjuster and second dedicated amp!

Get the gain control knob and 2nd dedicated amp... I can't rave enough but the sound quality with the full package.

 

[jcage89]

I am planning to get the gain adjuster and second dedicated amp!

You won't be sorry.
JC

 

[metalrex]

You won't be sorry.
JC

[MENTION=8730]jcage89[/MENTION], do you feel like the 6x9s get muddy at all? Are you keeping the HU eq at neutral? Wondering if you would you be interested in trying to listen to a few songs that I have asked Daniel to evaluate? Or, I can try a few from SG and Audioslave you reccomend. Hes still waiting to get a T4R with the 450q setup for evaluation. Curious if the 6x9s muddy up and take over the music with these songs on your system.