what size aftermarket speakers to get for '04 Runner?

[cmachado]

What size aftermarket speakers can I get that will fit the current openings on a '04 Runner sport with basic factory stereo.

I would like to buy the Kenwood wOOx sub to place under the seat and a 4 channel amp to drive aftermarket speakers on the doors. I would leave the HU in place and wire it so it drives the tweeters on the door.

 

[partsrep]

I'be got 6x9's in the front and 6.5's in the rear doors, same as stock. I left the tweeters alone but changed the main speakers to Polk Audio DB series and it's incredible compared to OEM.

 

[cmachado]

thanks! I was actually looking into getting a pair of Infinity's for the front and back. Maybe Kappas if I can swing it or just the reference series.

 

[partsrep]

Nice choices. Infinity was in the running until I caught that great sale on the Polks at Circuit City.

FYI.... I left the stock tweeter in the top of the front doors. It has a built in crossover from the factory so you can crank it up without fear of overload even with your new equipment.

I've got the Scion Xb 160 watt Pioneer HU and it's good up to about 75% volume level before I get any noticeable distortion from any of the speakers. I would need to add an external amp to go any higher.

:guitar2:

 

[cmachado]

Partsrep, did you get a chance to listen to the Scion head unit with the factory stock speakers? I've shopped around on ebay and found that I'd be spending about $200 for the Infinity speakers. Somone has agreed to sell me their single disc Scion HU for $125. I'm also bidding on a Kenwood wOOx subwoofer that's got a "Buy it Now" price of $109.

I figure the whole set up will run me about $500+ with installation. If I skip the speakers for the time being, will the sound still improve over the stock Toyota head unit. I'm getting engaged this summer and really need to curb my spending.

Also, do you have a subwoofer installed. I peeked under my driver's side seat and although the Kenwood wOOx is a pretty compact subwoofer, I'm not sure it will fit under the seat anyway. If it doesn't, I won't add the subwoofer because I don't want to lose any cargo space, nor do I like the look of a box sitting permanently in my cargo area. If that's the case, how's your base without a sub? I don't need booming base that drowns everything else in a song. I like tight base that sounds clear and complements good mids and highs.

Finally, if I do nothing else other than a straight swap of the head units, does the HU cut the appropriate frequencies to the speakers so they don't blow, or do the stock speakers have frequency blockers installed at the wiring points? In other words, do I need to worry about buying bass blockers or some sort of crossover device?

Thanks and sorry for the long questionnaire.

 

[cmachado]

sorry, one other thing....

After installing your system, have you noticed any shakes or rattles. I'm really hesitant on removing the door panels and the dash because when I upgraded my stereo in my last car, the doors would squeak and rattle as if some things were loose. Maybe it was the plastic clips holding the door together. Anyway, I'm just hoping to find a good reputable shop that will do professional work and put everything back nice and tight.

When I'm on the road, and the radio is off, I like it to be nice and quiet in the cabin. Except for the sunroof rattle I'm getting now, I am enjoying that right now.

Just curious.

 

[partsrep]

I changed the HU to the Scion single CD first. Huge improvement over the stock T4R 6 speaker HU.

But when I added the Polk Audio speakers all the midrange and highs came to life with a much cleaner bass. The Polks have built in crossovers for the frequencies so I didn't add anything like bass blockers. The stock tweeters have it built in as well as I mentioned earlier in the thread.

With the Polks I don't really see the need for a seperate subwoofer as the bass is so deep with the Scion HU I need to keep it turned down quite a bit, I think it's because of the 6x9's and 6.5's being larger speakers to begin with and a large air cavity in the front door space all adding to the bass response.

Save your money on that sub until after you buy the Scion HU and listen to it. You may be happy with just the HU and save a few bucks at the same time.

 

[partsrep]

Regarding the rattles and vibration, I have none. Be sure to reinstall the little plastic washers that are on the door panel push pins. They have a tendency to fall to the ground when the door panels are removed and often overlooked on reinstallation. That would cause rattles or vibration. However, my mirrors do vibrate when I crank it up but that's just me and my music.

BTW..... getting engaged is the inexpensive part of your future. Just wait until you're married! LOL

 

[cmachado]

thanks, Parts. Truly appreciate your input on this.

I will follow your advice and skip the sub for now. I may just go ahead and get the Polk speakers you have. I've priced them at about $120 on eBay auctions. Otherwise I may still spring out for the Infinity Kappas.

I found a last minute Scion single disc HU for $107 shipped. Should be here next week. Hopefully, I can get a good price on professional installation.

 

[cmachado]

thanks, Parts. Truly appreciate your input on this.

I will follow your advice and skip the sub for now. I may just go ahead and get the Polk speakers you have. I've priced them at about $120 on eBay auctions. Otherwise I may still spring out for the Infinity Kappas.

I found a last minute Scion single disc HU for $107 shipped. Should be here next week. Hopefully, I can get a good price on professional installation.

BTW, I'm alreay feeling the financial blow of sharing my life with someone. We already live together and I've seen my disposible income go from down every month. Whatever....she's worth it

 

[rhlitt]

cmachado- did you put in the new HU and any significant sound improvement? What and where did the installation cost?

 

[partsrep]

cmachado-
Look at this thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3317&highlight=scion

It's where the whole Scion HU thing started for me. I have a post there with detailed instructions on how to install the HU in about 20 minutes. All you need are a 10 mm socket and a phillips screwdriver.

BTW- when I bought my Polk speakers from Circuit City I was prepared to install them myself. That is until they told me they would do all four for $40. I handed them the keys, told them I was a picky pain in the *** and that I wanted to see the installation before they put the door panels back on. I was lucky. The installer was a real pro and did a beautiful job. I couldn't have been happier.

:guitar2:

 

[kimboy]

partsrep,

Did you have to pay for a special bracket for the 6X9's? Or was that part of the installation?

 

[partsrep]

The installer at Circuit City modified the bracket/adapter that holds the stock speakers. He carefully cut the speakers out of the plastic adapter then sized the adapter to fit with a small grinder. He then reinstalled everything together using long sheet metal screws running down the sides of the plastic adapter into the dorr sheet metal. I thought it was a rather ingenious yet simple solution.

I bought my Scion HU for $120 and the total speaker installation was $283. So for $400 I ended up with a stereo that sounds great. I think that's a bargain.

 

[kimboy]

I went to Smithtown SCION today and requested an audio manual for the SCION 6CD Pioneer Head Unit. The sales rep was nice enough to take it out of a brand new xA. Anways...

I will scan picture of the 6 CD scion Radio Manual if someone can host them. Please PM me and I can either Direct Connect (Instant messenger file transfer) or e-mail you pictures of the manual.

I also went to circuit city today, and the polks that partsrep is talking about sound awesome.

I will most likely wait for a bracket for the runner to come in, and I will provide the installation personelle some cheap door clips from Toyota. From what I hear, they are basically 1 use clips that sell for $ 0.18...

Also, if your wondering, someone suggested dynomatting the door just to provide a little sound deadening from the large 6X9 speakers.

 

[partsrep]

I will most likely wait for a bracket for the runner to come in, and I will provide the installation personelle some cheap door clips from Toyota. From what I hear, they are basically 1 use clips that sell for $ 0.18...

Also, if your wondering, someone suggested dynomatting the door just to provide a little sound deadening from the large 6X9 speakers.

I had my door panels off before I let Circuit City do the job and the panel clips are reusable. There shouldn't be a need to replace them.

:iagree: Dyno matting the doors probably is a good idea, something that I wish I had done.

BTW..kimboy, I had the installation done at Circuit City in Patchogue right by Costco. And the speaker adapters you can buy will have to be modified about as much as your stock adapters. You would need to buy them if you ever plan on going back to the OEM speaker, something I know I'll never do, otherwise, just cut the old speakers out and put the new ones in.