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Toyota Tacoma Stereo/Audio
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Comments
I also looked up your choice of head unit. To be honest, if you do decide on infinity speakers (whether they're reference or kappa's) or another brand that's more than $100 for the pair, then don't get a CD deck that's worth the same amount as the speakers. Regardless of what you get, try and get one that either has an ipod adapter (if you have an ipod that is) or a usb connector (for most non-ipod mp3 players). Don't mess with that line in crap. You have to control and look at the screen on the mp3 player. My Alpine IVA-W200 has a cable that cost me $30, it charges the ipod and plays off the on-screen controls, while the ipod is chillin' in the glove box. Anyways, hope I didn't bug you too much. I just don't want to see a guy put an average or subpar stereo in such a beautiful truck!
I have looked at a couple of Profile amps, either a pair of AP400’s or one AP1040. My main reason for the pair of AP400’s is I figured I might be able to mount them up front, under the dash eliminating the need for miles of cable, however they are not all that powerful. While under the front seats is often mentioned as a mounting area, this truck has some heat/cooling (I think) ducts that run under both and I don’t want my daughter being uncomfortable in the back seat, now do I?
Related to the head unit, I was pretty happy with a lower-end Sony in my old truck, so I imagine this one will work OK for me. And since I’m a bit of a Luddite I don’t have an ipod (I know, it’s blasphemy!) nor plan on getting one. You’ve got to understand here, when choosing my first vehicle’s aftermarket stereo, I became embroiled in the great 4-track vs. 8-track debate. I’m sure you will be pleased to know I went with the 8-track! So anything beyond a CD changer is likely beyond my scope.
Anyway, if anyone has any amp install insight for me (a magical space up front that also converts gaseous emissions to electrical power ) would be great. I do appreciate the feedback.
tt&stuph
but seriously, at least consider getting that center channel speaker if you end up with a single din unit. it looks better and adds more sound. i was toying with the idea of getting a multichannel processor so i can hear my audio dvds in true 5.1 (that is if i got a sub), but i'm starting to run out of spaces to put amps and stuff! good luck with the project, i'd at least see if there's a professional install place around town and get a quote and some ideas. you could always buy your stuff and bring it in, although they usually charge more for that.
Eclipse cd5000 (with ipc106 i-pod controll unit)
focal 165 k2p set (front doors)
arc audio cxlr 4150 (80x4 or 325x2)(to drive the focals)
arc audio fd2100 (50x2 or 190x1)(to drive the single 8" sub)
8" sub (actually haven't purchased yet)
Any advice on the install would ba appreciated. Also, on the sub, I'm looking at eathie a JBL or an ARC (due to the small enclosure size- .35 cubic ft.). Deos anyone have any other brand suggestions for the sub?
I'll put up some pics when I get it done.
I then ripped out the DB's in the front and replaced with Infinity Kappa 63.7's three-ways FOR THE SAME PRICE. What a difference that made. Much better bass response to begin with, and the tweeters are less harsh and located down below, not blaring at your face and bouncing off the glass. (However, it sounds as if tweeters are still up above). Crisp and clear, WITHOUT AN AMP, beautiful sounding speakers. I left the DB650 in the rear, which are fine for the purpose. While I'm sure installing an amp and sub would do wonders, I don't have another $1000 to spend, and frankly my ears could not afford to listen any louder than the point where distortion starts to kick in with the Kappas (VERY LOUD). In other words, The Kappas are plenty loud and no distortion without an amp. Keep in mind the 2ohms should require less power than the 4ohm speakers and hence probably worth going with the Kappas (not Reference). And 3dB of sensivity (say 95dB Kappa vs 92dB Polks) makes a big difference with how power is handled.
The wiring with Tacotunes' instructions (and info here if you need more) was very DIY friendly. I did screw up and forget to put the wiring through one of the mounts and had to undo/redo it, but that was my fault.
all da best,
t-stuph
A couple of other challenges (besides the screwy Toyota wiring colors*) I ran into were the power into the front door speakers and the little white clips that hold the “sail panels” in place. First the latter; had I read thoroughly previous posted info I would have already known this without losing a clip. When taking off the sail panels you will notice three small white plastic clips that remain in their respective holes, wherein a locking tab will be reinserted when putting it back on. Problem is that the white clips can be pushed out the backside of their hole, by the locking tab. So just pinch them together and pull them out, then reposition them on the locking tabs so the whole (small) assembly can be reinserted together.
The power issue had me a bit stumped initially but I finally figured out the power for the front speakers comes into the tweeters first, then down to the main speakers. The Kappas, instead, are wired from a passive equalizer. So, I merely stripped the pairs of wires that ran into the tweeter, and joined the like-colored ends and then capped them. Works great. One last piece of info that I had forgotten is that the Kappas apparently take a bit of time to get broken-in so they were initially a disappointment but are now functioning nicely. I do not need the amp, but I may have it installed later to maximize the Kappas. Good luck with your install!
ttstuph
*on double-cab with power windows: Front driver's side, pink=positive, blue/purple=negative; Front passenger's side, blue=positive, light green=negative; Both rear doors red=positive, white=negative
My favorite dampener is RaamMat. RaamAudio.com
BTW, you can kill a lot of road noise by adding a thin layer of foam on top of the Dynamat, or whatever dampening you are using. Foam blocks noise. Butyl and asphalt absorb vibrations. There's a big difference.
And you can break-in your speakers a lot faster by playing a test CD for a few hours on a Pink Noise track. A sweeping Pink Noise track is even better.
--
Marcus
http://www.TacomaWorld.com
Check my CarDomain for more info. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/832238
I would really like to ask you a cpl questions about this.please email me at fishnrod@pacbell.net
thx for any help ...A picture of the back of a 07 6 disc chger/radio would be golden
Rod
1. Where did you install your control module or where are the best places for the unit. Under the driver seat, behind glovebox, under dash near steering column. I's asking being in the process of doing such an install.
2. Starter interupt: Has anyone found a place that sells a interconnect cable. Since 2006 Tacos seem to have (2) ignition and starter circuts (wires) do you need to use both of them to stop the vehicle from starting or can you just iinclude one wire in the alarm cut off circut to work?
3. Where have you guys been mounting your status LED, any cool spots that have decent access to install and are easy to see from outside the vehicle?
4. Where did you install the paging antenna?
Thanks
Thanks in advance for any response.
anyone know if the ipod2car will connect to this unit or
must you have a cd changer for this devise to work. Thanks
for any advice!!
I bought a Tacoma new in 2005, had the factory CD player removed. I'm selling it for $100. 100% working order.
does this require splicing of wires?
where in the back of the radio are these wires?
Does anyone know how to go about doing this?
Is splicing the wires required or can it be connected to the wire harness?
i have a 2004 tacoma extracab.
it has single cd player-cassette player-am/fm stereo radio.
i'd like to find a stock replacemenrt for mine that ate a cd and died.
thank you.
tacotunes.com
tacomatunes.com
How to install stereo, Ipod or HD radio in your Tacoma
How to install speakers in your Tacoma
How to install component speakers & tweeters in your Tacoma
what a unique avatar - i like it !
thank you for responding. i will copy/save this for when i have the $ to upgrade.
thank you.