Upgrading audio in new (to me) 06 4Runner Sport

[Burnsy87]

Hey guys, gotta type this quick, working in 35 mins.

Grabbed a great 2006 4Runner Sport last week, but less than thrilled with the standard audio equipment. Plus it doesn't work well with my iPod, the Aux cable gives me a ton of background noise when the charger is plugged in.

Been in contact with the people at Crutchfields, and here is what they've suggested to me:

JVC KW-HDR81BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Rear
JBL GT6-5 5-1/4" 2-way car speakers at Crutchfield.com

Front
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_109GT66/JBL-GT6-6.html
Is this a viable route for me? Or are there component sets that I should look at?

FWIW, my music is all in my iPod, Metallica, Pantera, Rob Zombie, Avenged Sevenfold, All That Remains, that sort of thing. I want the deep bass too, so some sub woofer suggestions for down the road would be appreciated as well.

Thanks all

 

[Sungod]

Why would you go with 5 1/4 and not 6.5?

 

[OHP]

That head unit is fine
6.5" Components in front (Separate Tweeter and Woofer)
1 10" Sub
1 4/3 Channel Amp
Leave the rears factory, you probably don't sit in the back seat much so why change them?

This should probably be in the audio section.

 

[Burnsy87]

Thanks guys.

You're right, my mistake, this should be in audio.

And I have to change the head unit, I can't deal with the background noise of both the aux cable or the 12v iPod plug in. It's awful. I need something that will connect directly with my iPod without any interference.

I'll probably do the 6.5's in the front for now. Are 8s or 10s better for crisper, deeper, "metal"-type bass?

 

[OHP]

I listen to the same thing you do and have always had systems with big enough subs to produce as much bass as I wanted. However, with my runner I am going to just replace the factory 8" sub with an aftermarket one in an attempt to save cargo space. Depending on which JBL Audio system you have, you may or may not have the factory sub. I suspect the one 8 is not going to be enough but we'll see. If it is not I will switch to a 10 in a ported box. As far as your question about 8's or 10's, I think 8's sound the best for rock if they are done right. They're very fast and punchy, which I like.

 

[Burnsy87]

I listen to the same thing you do and have always had systems with big enough subs to produce as much bass as I wanted. However, with my runner I am going to just replace the factory 8" sub with an aftermarket one in an attempt to save cargo space. Depending on which JBL Audio system you have, you may or may not have the factory sub. I suspect the one 8 is not going to be enough but we'll see. If it is not I will switch to a 10 in a ported box. As far as your question about 8's or 10's, I think 8's sound the best for rock if they are done right. They're very fast and punchy, which I like.

I don't have a JBL I don't think, it wasn't listed on the dealer's page, nor was it something the seller advertised to me. I think I have the more basic audio system Toyota equips them with, unless it is all JBL. I don't know, sorry.

I was told 8's for my type of music.. I don't want it to shake houses, but I want to feel it... if that makes sense. I'm not an overly flashy dude, but I want to feel the drums haha.

Is there a way I can move this to the audio section? I made this thread on the fly, didn't realize an audio section existed, feel like a ****. Damn noobs. :redbrick::hello:

Edit: After some contemplation, here's what I'm thinking. I'm thinking I'll need an amp also, any recommendations?

JVC KW-HDR81BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
Polk Audio db840DVC db Series 8" subwoofer with dual 4-ohm voice coils at Crutchfield.com
Sound Ordnance™ Bass Bunker Ported single 8" subwoofer enclosure (Model BB8-60V) at Crutchfield.com
Polk Audio db6501 6-1/2" component speaker system — also fit 6-3/4" openings at Crutchfield.com

 

[OHP]

All of that equipment will work fine. You might consider spending another $20 on the head unit and getting the next JVC model up, 900BT. It has 5V preouts and a better display. I have it and like it. As far as an amp goes, you need a 4Channel that is 60 to 75 watts RMS per channel. Two channels will run the door speakers and the other two will be bridged to run the sub. I'm a big JL Audio fan, their amps are great, but they are on the expensive side.

 

[Burnsy87]

All of that equipment will work fine. You might consider spending another $20 on the head unit and getting the next JVC model up, 900BT. It has 5V preouts and a better display. I have it and like it. As far as an amp goes, you need a 4Channel that is 60 to 75 watts RMS per channel. Two channels will run the door speakers and the other two will be bridged to run the sub. I'm a big JL Audio fan, their amps are great, but they are on the expensive side.

Outstanding, thank you very much. I owe you big time.

 

[black_120]

If you're not planning on adding a sub. I suggest going with 6x9s in the front doors. Otherwise, go with the 6.5 and an adapter.

 

[emelianenkov]

I have a Pioneer BT9000 HU with Pioneer 3-way 9x6.5's in the front and 6.5's in the back. I also have a 200 watt sub amp, with a 12" sub in a quick-removable enclosure.

My radio has iPod integration and I tucked the iPod connector in that little cubby below the AC controls.

My main music genre is everything! Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Ozzy, Rage Against The Machine, Motörhead, Anvil (yes, Anvil), System Of A Down, AFI, etc... This system ROCKS for every genre!!

One suggestion, use crutchfield for research, they are one of the best, but don't buy from them, they're ridiculously expensive! They are a very good resource though!

Good luck!

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I would definitely amp the speakers if you are replacing the head unit, and definitely do 6 1/2's instead of 5 1/4's

 

[Burnsy87]

Wow, just jumped on Amazon and can save nearly $300 somehow. That's nuts, I didn't know Crutchfields was THAT expensive. I still would need some sort of instructions though, this isn't my thing at all.

 

[450exc115]

Is there a signle din to double din adapter available. I have a Sony from my previous car that I was thinking of installing. Usually the adapter have extra storage space too.

But my other option would be to do a GPS unit as my window version is 3 years old now and way out of date.

 

[emelianenkov]

Wow, just jumped on Amazon and can save nearly $300 somehow. That's nuts, I didn't know Crutchfields was THAT expensive. I still would need some sort of instructions though, this isn't my thing at all.

Exactly! As I said before, Crutchfield Is ridiculously priced, but they give the best recommendations. With that $300 you saved, you could find a small audio shop where they KNOW what they're doing... Don't go to bestbuy or something stupid like that. I went to a guy that my dad had gone to previously to do all the wiring in his 05 Limited. This guy owned the shop and was the only one working on the cars because he takes so much pride in the work he does. Pride, value, and a clean install is what you need to look for!

You could also see if that audio shop has speakers/amps/subs/etc. you're interested in, often they give you a better deal, you don't have to pay shipping, and of you pay cash, sometimes they don't charge you tax!

Just my $0.02 on saving $$$

 

[97BlackAckCL]

You get what you pay for, crutchfield gives you the mounting brackets, wiring harnesses, and detailed picture instructions with your headunit. The thing with Crutchfield is, you're going to pay a higher price for brand new models. I usually grab an end of life or discontinued HU from them once the price goes down to normal

 

[Burnsy87]

You get what you pay for, crutchfield gives you the mounting brackets, wiring harnesses, and detailed picture instructions with your headunit. The thing with Crutchfield is, you're going to pay a higher price for brand new models. I usually grab an end of life or discontinued HU from them once the price goes down to normal

Would it be reasonable to grab the amp and subs from Amazon, and the head unit and front component speakers from Crutchfield?

 

[OHP]

I wouldn't buy any of it from Crutchfield. Even if you have to buy the dash kit and harnesses separately you will still come out cheaper. As far as install instructions go, I agree with going to a Mom and Pop shop or do it yourself. Don't go to a big box store. There are a million resources on the net about how to install car audio stuff. It's really easy with a little research and patience.

 

[emelianenkov]

I wouldn't buy any of it from Crutchfield. Even if you have to buy the dash kit and harnesses separately you will still come out cheaper. As far as install instructions go, I agree with going to a Mom and Pop shop or do it yourself. Don't go to a big box store. There are a million resources on the net about how to install car audio stuff. It's really easy with a little research and patience.

+1. The install kits are really cheap online

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Would it be reasonable to grab the amp and subs from Amazon, and the head unit and front component speakers from Crutchfield?

Absolutely, I just bought all new equipment for my runner from a mixture of sites, head unit from crutchfield, amps from sonicelectronix, and some random stuff from amazon. Do whatever is gonna save you the most money