Tweeters in the A-pillar? GX470 Parts??

[sm4r]

The base stereo sucks! I want to start upgrading the speakers but keep everything looking stock.

I noticed the Lexus GX has tweeters mounted in the A-pillars. I stopped by the dealership to check them out the other day. They appear to be the same dimensions as the 4Runner, which I suspected. However, they were covered in the same material as the headliner and they also had a grab handle on the driver's side. Should be an easy conversion IF I can get my hands on the parts.

I realize this is a long shot but here come the questions...

Does anyone have access to the Lexus GX470 parts catalog?
Has anyone looked into doing this?
Has anyone taken apart their A-Pillars? Do you have pictures?
Does anyone have advice (other than the obvious -- call a Lexus dealership) on where I should start?

It's probably not the best time to try to source these parts given the turmoil in Japan. I might start with salvage yards.

Any help is greatly appreciated... thanks all!!

 

[Ryan_S]

You could always use the stock 4R ones and flush mount or surface mount some aftermarket tweeters. You wouldn't necessarily need the OEM panels.

Check this out...
Tweeter installation - Component Speakers Installation Guide

 

[sm4r]

You could always use the stock 4R ones and flush mount or surface mount some aftermarket tweeters. You wouldn't necessarily need the OEM panels.

Check this out...
Tweeter installation - Component Speakers Installation Guide

That's an option but I really prefer to keep it stock looking. Most after market speakers have their logos on the speaker grills. The A-Pillars are pretty exposed. I've had my car stereo stolen several times in the past. Granted this was in high school (15 years ago) and the speakers I had stolen were 15x the size of a tweeter. I'd just prefer not to draw any unwanted attention regardless of how remote.

Besides that it just doesn't look as aesthetically pleasing even with a flush mounted tweeter.

In the end, it probably won't be worth the cost of buying the parts.

 

[harper7]

The base stereo sucks! I want to start upgrading the speakers but keep everything looking stock.

I noticed the Lexus GX has tweeters mounted in the A-pillars. I stopped by the dealership to check them out the other day. They appear to be the same dimensions as the 4Runner, which I suspected. However, they were covered in the same material as the headliner and they also had a grab handle on the driver's side. Should be an easy conversion IF I can get my hands on the parts.

I realize this is a long shot but here come the questions...

Does anyone have access to the Lexus GX470 parts catalog?
Has anyone looked into doing this?
Has anyone taken apart their A-Pillars? Do you have pictures?
Does anyone have advice (other than the obvious -- call a Lexus dealership) on where I should start?

It's probably not the best time to try to source these parts given the turmoil in Japan. I might start with salvage yards.

Any help is greatly appreciated... thanks all!!

Do you mean the GX460?
They quit making GX470's a couple of years ago and the angle of their windshield is more layed back then the 5th Gen 4runners and is like the 4th Gens.

I've never heard of anybody that has done it and the only way would be to buy new Lexus GX460 parts and try it. I doubt it will work as they share the same frame and some mechanical parts but interior has a completely different design.Only one way to find out though.GX460 in the junk yard will be hard to find considering they didn't sell many.

 

[sm4r]

Do you mean the GX460?
They quit making GX470's a couple of years ago and the angle of their windshield is more layed back then the 5th Gen 4runners and is like the 4th Gens.

I've never heard of anybody that has done it and the only way would be to buy new Lexus GX460 parts and try it. I doubt it will work as they share the same frame and some mechanical parts but interior has a completely different design.Only one way to find out though.GX460 in the junk yard will be hard to find considering they didn't sell many.

I'm pretty confident it would fit. They usually standardize as many parts as possible to keep their part counts/variations to a minimum. I sat in one briefly. The geometry appeared equal but it's hard to say just by eyeballing it.

Figured this was a long shot. Thanks all!