Upgrading 2006 radio

[claydoctor]

Just got my 2006 Sport and disappointed in radio. Hard to explain but it sounds distant and not much happens when you turn up the volume. Last year these cars were coming through with the JBL 10 speaker unit for $825 option price. Now they appear to have taken the standard 6 speaker radio, added the 6CD in dash changer and and charged as $200 option. I don't even see the JBL 10 speaker radio in the owner's manual. What is most cost effective thing to do to upgrade sound system. I want to keep stock head unit , add an amp(s) and perhaps a subwoofer. Keep it neat and not go much over $500. Suggestions?

 

[GYoter]

Do a search for scion HU. The head unit from scions fits right in, sounds 1000 times better and is cheap(under $100). Then just add an amp and a sub.

 

[claydoctor]

I'm confused. There's Scion the car and then I thoiught I saw a picture of a Pioneer aftermarket radio named Scion. Does Pioneer make the radios for the Scion? I already said I'd rather keep the stock head unit.

 

[claydoctor]

OK, I see what you're talking about. The Scion radio IS made by Pioneer and fits hole in dash. Also says it's 160 watts, etc but it doesn't have 6CD in dash changer and still looks like an aftermarket radio. Why can't they make standard radio with the necesary inputs and outputs to upgrade. How do they manage to sell that thing for $100? Wonder if the steering wheel controls work with it?

 

[Derek]

OK, I see what you're talking about. The Scion radio IS made by Pioneer and fits hole in dash. Also says it's 160 watts, etc but it doesn't have 6CD in dash changer and still looks like an aftermarket radio. Why can't they make standard radio with the necesary inputs and outputs to upgrade. How do they manage to sell that thing for $100? Wonder if the steering wheel controls work with it?

There are two Scion head units, a single disc and a 6 disc changer. You can usually find the single disc for around $100, and the 6 disc for around $200. Either way, it is WELL worth the money. It is a more powerful head unit so the sound is much better, plus it plays MP3's, AND the steering wheel controls work perfect! Probably one of the best and cheapest upgrades you can do to the basic standard radio in the 4Runner.

 

[claydoctor]

Went by local Audio shop. They suggest if I want to keep head unit, put in a 4 channel amp and swap factory door speakers for Infinities. He was up to $800+ w/o subwoofer. I notice that 4Runners equipped with JBL 10 speaker Synthesis unit have the subwoofer in rear side panel (where I have storage door), center in-dash speaker and speakers in rear upper door pillars where I have those dumb mirrors.. Seems like it would be easy to put factory sub and corresponding panel containing it, where my storage door is then do as they suggest on amps and speakers. They didn't think much of replacing mirrors with speakers and I don't think I'd gain much by cutting hole in dash for center speaker. So I'd end up with 7 speakers instead of 10. Any thoughts and anyone know how big that factory sub is? I presume it's a JBL.

 

[cdoyle]

The factory 'sub' really doesn't do much. I wanna say it's either a 6.5 or a 8 is all.

You get more 'punch' out of the 6x9's in the doors. I think the sub was really more just so the salesman could say 'it has a factory subwoofer'

If you're going to upgrade your system, do not go for the JBL stock stystem that the Limited's had. For the money you spend on that, you can get a pretty nice aftermarket system.

 

[claydoctor]

Thanks for the advice. Maybe I'll pass on the sub. At 63, I'm a bit old for engaging in hip-hop wars at stoplights but one of the 4-runners I test drove had the JBL system and I remember the bass was really thumping. This system I have just doesn't seem to have any depth to it. It's like I have to adjust the volume for each song and even then the sound seems distant and one dimensional. I'll let you know what happens.

 

[duck95]

Will the Scion radio still work with the mini jack audio plug that is in the center console on the 2006's?