Sub and Amp install (PICS) '03 T4R

[4alarm]

I've had a Rockford 800a2 amplifier and 4 JL 8w6 subs sitting in my garage for the last 3 years. I originally had it installed in my '88 Honda CRX, but pulled it all after 3-4 months because it was too heavy.

Ever since getting this 4Runner I have been planning on installing this stuff, but never got around to it. I've been trying to think of somewhere to mount the amp where it would be hidden and out of the way (infant + toddler = lots of cargo). I saw FlyingDutchMan's install: HERE and it inspired me. So today I started the install.

I spent most of the day running around town getting the wood for the box and amplifier mounting surface. Then I headed over to my friends stereo install shop to pickup some 4 guage power wire, fuses, and speaker wire.

One problem that I had was the JL 8w6's are dual 6 ohm voice coils. My amp is a 2 channel amp (2 ohms per channel) but when you bridge it, it's only safe at 4 ohms. The only way to configure the 8w6's for 4 ohms is to wire 3 of them in series and parallel (Wiring Diagrams HERE!). So that left me with an extra speaker, and a much bigger box that I don't have room for (remember the kids). While I was at my friends shop he showed me a JL 10w3 (single 4 ohm voice coil) and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. "So Happy birthday dear!" (it was my wifes birthday yesterday) "I bought you a new subwoofer."

I built the amp mounting surface today and will get it wired up tomorrow. I'll also get started on the sub box. I plan to build something similar to the JL stealthbox that will tuck nicely around the wheel well. Here are the pics so far:

Getting started:

 

[4alarm]

Removing the rear panels (Click HERE for an excellent guide of removing the panels):

 

[4alarm]

Amp mounting surface installed:

 

[4alarm]

I'm a little worried about the strength of the amp mounting surface. I decided to go the easy route after spending a few hours on my first design with no hope of ever getting it to fit through the opening.:bash: It looks like it will hold up but I may need to add another mounting point to solidify it.

 

[4alarm]

Finished the amp installation today. I didn't have too much time to work on it. I ran the power wire (4 guage) down the drivers side of the truck, across the back of the back seats and under the side panel.

Through the firewall:

Under the front door sill:

Under the rear door sill:

Behind the rear seats:

Under the side panel:

 

[4alarm]

I had to tear the dash apart so I could hook up my composite audio cables and the remote lead. I ran the composite and remote wires along the passenger side of the truck. Got everything wired to the amplifier and mounted it to the board. The amp has 2 8 guage power terminals and 2 8 guage ground terminals, so I wired both power leads with 8 guage wire to a power distribution block. Using 4 guage wire from the distibution block I wired it to an in-line fuse, then connected my power lead from the battery. I combined the two 8 guage ground wires into a single 4 guage eye connector and used one of the old storage compartments mounting bolts to ground it to the body. I used my 4 1/2" angle grinder with a flap sanding disk to make sure I got a good clean mounting surface.

Dash apart:

Amp Installed:

Power, Ground and Remote:

Composite and speaker (12 guage) wires:

Installed:

Distribution Block, Fuse holder and ground:

 

[4alarm]

In the engine compartment I installed another in-line fuse holder and completed the battery connection.

Fuse:

Battery connection:

 

[4alarm]

I reinstalled the panel after a few moments with my dremel. I had to remove a section of the inner compartment to clear the amplifier. I also found that I hadn't taken into consideration the rear 12v plug. I had to remove it and find another location to mount it. I wasn't sure how to get the 12v plug out, after trying to force it out I finally took the whole thing apart (not necessary, look inside it, find the little black tab holding the center section in place, press the tab while pulling the center out. Then you can depress the sides of the plastic surround and it pops right out.). I decided to use the hole from the 12v plug to run the speaker wire out of the panel so in can be plugged into the box when I get it done. I found that wire harness for the plug reached over to the tail light bulb cover, so I'll drill that out and put the 12v plug there.

Re-installed the side panel:

New location for 12v plug:

12v plug in pieces:

Relocated 12v wire harness and pulled the speaker wire through the old hole:

 

[4alarm]

After testing the amp with the sub sitting in the back of the 4Runner, I finished installing the rest of the rear panels, door sills and dash. It's nice and clean. Other than the speaker wire hanging out, you'd never know it was there. Tomorrow I should have the box built and I'll finally get to hear it.

Side note: I bid on a Scion head unit on e-bay today, but lost it in the final seconds. Oh well, I drove the price up to $66 for the guy who beat me. I'll be keeping my eye out for another head unit in the future.

 

[sharp4runr]

Great write-up. Why do you want to get a SCION head unit? It looks like you already have an aftermarket head unit?

 

[4alarm]

Great write-up. Why do you want to get a SCION head unit? It looks like you already have an aftermarket head unit?

Thanks!

This is my wifes truck. She's complained about the steering wheel controls not working since I first installed it. The current HU is also XM ready but they discontinued the XM module for it. It also gets horrible radio reception every since the swap.

If I can find a Scion head unit for a descent price I'll use that until I can afford and in-dash DVD.

 

[sharp4runr]

Ahh I see. Yeah I have to side with the wife on this one. I'm really fond of the steering wheel controls

 

[4alarm]

I didn't get time to work on the box today. had an unexpected visit from a freind of mine and...... More on that later.

 

[Spider5]

Very nice job and great writeup. One question; can you remember seeing a wiring harness for the factory amp behind the panel even though you don't have the factory amp. I've been meaning to take this panel apart to check but haven't had the time. I'm looking for a constant hot connection somewhere behind the panel or an unused wire running to somewhere I can connect it to a hot circuit using the factory fuse box to keep it all clean.

 

[4alarm]

No additional wiring harness in that panel. I can double check for you. I can still remove the cover. There may be something under the tailight panel, I didn't look there, just pushed the 12v harness through the crack.

 

[4alarm]

I picked up all the supplies to do a fiberglass enclosure. This will be my first attempt. Hopefully I'll be able to work on it Sunday.

 

[VQD83]

Hey 4alarm, I have a Scion HU Model number T1807 for sale, check out the Classified section if interested.

 

[4alarm]

Hey 4alarm, I have a Scion HU Model number T1807 for sale, check out the Classified section if interested.

Thats a good price, but the wife has vetoed any further stereo purchases. Looks like I'll be sticking with this one for a while.

 

[4alarm]

Had a little time today. I started by using the blue painters masking tape to tape off the entire area. Then I used some aluminum foil for added protection. Then I cut some fiberglass mat into different size squares and rectangles, and mixed up the resin. I worked in small sections painting on some resin, adding fiberglass, then saturating the fiberglass. I got one good layer down before the wife yelled at me to come back inside to help with the kids.

Fiberglass is some nasty $h!T!! I found that you have to work REALLY quickly in the Arizona heat. I lost a 1/4 of a batch (8oz) of resin I made cause it geled up while I was working on it (first batch). The next few batches I made 4oz batches and used less hardener. Went through 3 paint brushes and 5 mixing bowls.

After about 2 hours of letting it set, I peeled up the tape on the sides and worked my hands behind it to get it out of the truck. Then I spent another 30 minutes trying to get all the tape/foil from off of the back of the form.

I guess it came out well for my first attempt. There are some spots that bulged out making some pointy spots where it should be fairly smooth. I'll hit it with the sander to nock down the big spots before I add more layers.

Before:

All taped up:

A little foil:

 

[4alarm]

First Layer:

Pulled out: