Quick and Dirty 3rd gen amp and speaker install with pics

[TheeMikeB]

Part 1
So I've seen a few recent questions regarding install of speakers and door panel removal and thougth I'd share my recent install information. Originally I was going to do a full writeup but time was a factor and remembering to stop and take pics wasn't always on the top of my mind. I did however get some solid shots of the door panels, speaker brackets, and amp locations as well as wiring paths that I thought would be helpful. This isn't exactly step by step but I just wrote some of the big stuff down.

Also I'll start by saying I installed my HU last year and this install covers amp/speakers only and I don't have any pics of the HU install.

My system: Alpine IDA-x305 HU, Infiniti Kappa Five 5CH amp, JL Audio C2-650 componenents in front, JL Audio TRX-525cxi in Rear, Polk Audio 10" Dxi DVC sub mounted in a sound ordanance bass bunker.


First thing for me was to layout the amp and cossover locations under the drivers seat to get an idea of cable runs/paths.

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall009.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall009.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Once I had the locations fitted I began running the cable. I started with the power cable first from the battery. My amp called for a 4 AWG and I decided to use the existing hole in the firewall for the bulk cable bundle instead of trying to drill a new hole. (located on the driver side next to the brake master. I created a punch and lightly greased the power cable to slide throught the existing factory grommet.

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall005.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Showing under the dash where I came through:

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Then I ran the cable along the door runner and into the existing factory hole in the carpet for the seatbelt/airbag connector.

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

For my ground to the amp I ended up using a 4AWG negative battery connector because of the long thick fat terminal and mounted the ground to the left rear seat bolt after grinding away the paint using my dremmel.

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall014.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall014.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

At this point I removed my center console parts (cupholder/shifter cover, and radio surrounds to gain access to the pre-amp outs) sorry no pics of this but the 4runner center comes apart extremely easlily. I then ran the preamp outs from the radio through the center console along the transfer lever, and down under the drivers seat. There is a pic down near the end of this showing where and how my cables run from the console to under my seat.

Now it was time for running the speaker wires... the fun part :redbrick: So at this point I did a door at a time starting with the front drivers door. I removed the door panel which I'm not going to go indepth on becuase I didn't take photos to explain what I was doing. But here is a photo of the front door panel removed. (this is actually the passenger door)

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall018.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall018.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

close up of factory speaker

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I removed the factory speaker and installed the JL Audio:

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Don't forget a bead of silicone glue along the rim to seal it off.

 

[TheeMikeB]

Part 2

Post 2

Also measured and decided to mount my tweeters in the factory locations since it fit perfectly, I dremelled out the factory tweeter grille and mounted in the aftermarket JL:

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Now that the speakers are mounted I began running the wires to the doors. This was a bit tough becuase I used 16awg and the insulation was thick. But I used my 'punch' and some grease to get it though. I used the factory wire paths with a bit of effort and paitence.

1. I removed the factory rubber wire cover thingy from the door side and the body side.

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall026.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall026.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Then using my 'punch' and some light grease I fed the wires through:

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall025.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall025.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I then soldered the speakers and tweeters to the new wire inside the door and mounted them back in.

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall030.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall030.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Then I connected to other ends to the crossovers.


The back door was done in a similar fashion... I used the factory wiring paths using my 'punch' and light grease. Here are some pics of the rear doors with panels removed.

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall039.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall039.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

close up of rear 4" speaker

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall040.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall040.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I upgraded my 4" rear to 5.25" using these speaker brackets:

Car-Speaker-Adapters - www.car-speaker-adapters.com - Call Us Today - 412-260-6835

side by side stock 4" and JL 5.25"

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall042.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall042.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[TheeMikeB]

Part 3

Post 3

factory speaker and aftermarket bracket

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall041.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall041.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

JL mounted in speaker bracket

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall045.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall045.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Don't forget to put a bead of silicone glue around the speaker rim to seal it off. I soldered all my connections to ensure good contacts and then remounted into the doors using factory screw holes and then replaced the door panels.

At this point i'm pretty much done with all my connections and such so I tested and adjusted the amp at this point and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!! This thing JAMS.

So after all my adjustments and tests I was comfortable doing wire maint and mounting the amp to the body. I acutually just used velcro to mount the amp and crossovers and it works perfectly.

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall047.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall047.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I reinstalled my console, and drivers seat, here you can see how the cables come out under the console edge and directly under the seat with no issues.

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall048.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall048.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Here is a view with the seat in... the amp BARELY sticks out the back, I have the seat a few clicks forward (I'm 5'10").

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall052.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall052.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

and I just put the edge of the rear floor mat over it..

<a href="http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/?action=view&current=4RunnerAudioInstall053.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o439/gunnacostya/4runner%20Audio/4RunnerAudioInstall053.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Well I hope this helps some people, I know it's not a super write up but the pics may be helpful for some. At least answer the questions of what size speakers and amp etc can I fit. I was torn between the alpine PDX-5 amp and this one, the PDX-5 is much smaller but was wayyy more expensive. I got this off Amazon for like $280 and couldn't be happier. It's not a 'Four Blockka" but it bangs perfect without being obnoxious. It sounds awesome from inside the car, and it surprises me sometimes with some hard bass when that kind of music comes on.

:guitar3:

 

[blcktpgsr]

Great write up..I'll sure Bookmark this one and use it as a guideline when I do mine. Thanks for sharing!

Man, that bottle of Corona just made me thirsty!

 

[infamousRNR]

[MENTION=47731]TheeMikeB[/MENTION]

hey dude,

is there anyway you can take a look at these links and try to fix this write up?

 

[TheeMikeB]

[MENTION=47731]TheeMikeB[/MENTION]

hey dude,

is there anyway you can take a look at these links and try to fix this write up?

SOrry man not on here much, I don't have time to re work this, but here is a link to the photobucket album.

Hope this helps you.

4runner Audio by Mike B | Photobucket