I've been planning on using my tax return to upgrade the audio in my 2002 4Runner SR5 Sport Edition. I just have the standard 6 speaker 3-in-1 audio system. I have been looking at the Alpine head units and have definitely decided to go with one of those, especially after seeing all of the wonderful experiences on another thread in this forum (where I also posted this message as well).

I would like to replace the factory speakers without adding an external amp as well. However, I have not decided on which brand/model of speakers to use. I'm not even sure what sizes are currently in there. I think that I read the front speakers are 6 3/4" and 1" tweeters, but I'm not sure about the rear speakers. Any suggestions for size/brand? I really like what I've heard of Infinity Kappa & Alpine speakers, but haven't specifically looked at any models.

I have been thinking about simply replacing the 4 door speakers (with 2-ways) and letting the stock tweeters stay put. Is this advisable, or would it be worth my while to put component speakers in and replace the tweeters as well (even though I don't want to put in an external amp)?

Next question is on wiring. Is the stock wiring decent enough to use if I'm not installing an external amp? Would it be worth my while to buy better speaker wire and re-run the wiring.

Finally, what would you rate as the difficulty of these sorts of installations? I've put new head units in other Toyota vehicles, and they're generally fairly straightforward. Get the wiring harness, and the mounting kit (to make up for the double-din). I have not, however, installed aftermarket speakers in a Toyota. Is removing the door panels a difficult process? I was thinking about having this installed, but as others have noted, you can never be sure of the quality of work, especially when everything is (or should be) hidden. I'm an IT person, and while I understand the electronics and electrical workings, I'm not real mechanically inclined. If new wires are deemed necessary, I'm really not sure what I'd be doing, as I'd have no idea how to go about running new wires...

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA Thanks for anyone who can provide me with any insight!

Thanks so much in advance!

 

As for your component speakers I'm not sure how much you are lookin to spend but I would suggest clarion or JL audio. Both make a very nice speaker. If you're goin for bumps on a budget you could even go with Sony Xplodes. I personally don't like sony's stuff but there components aren't bad. Since you're not using an external amp your factory wiring will do just fine. I will say that it's not going to be fun takin off your door panels to do this but it's not a huge job. I would say you can get it done in about a day. If you have any other specific questions bout this stuff feel free to PM me or what not. I have quite a bit of experience in this stuff.

 

Installation is easy, i would rate it 2out of 5 just bolt off an on. as far as running wires, I dont think you would want to spend that much time powering door speakers with seperate amp. Do get some subs and amp for that but running all the speakers on seperate amp is generally an overkill because any high-end Head Unit comes with descent self-contained amp. unless you're a stereo fanatic just use the head unit for powering regular speakers. you can find how to take off door panels on tech section and rest is self-explanatory.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

My only other question is on size of speakers. Are the rear door speakers 6 1/2" or 6 3/4" as well? Another issue could be depth? Any ideas about what depth of speaker I could get away with? Obviously these things will be a factor in which speakers I decide upon.

 

goto this website:

thezeb.com

and look for the CL-61a's. at 149.99 for two 6.5" and the 1/2" silk tweeters. nothing can touch them for that price. They sound absolutely amazing. The mids and the highs are spectacular! You will have to use a 3/4" MDF ring to get the spacing right for the fronts.


and you can use this template for the rears along with the 3/4" MDF (see below) which are 5.25. i used CDT CL-5X which are $44.99 at thezeb.com

http://fastq.com/~sschaefer/96-02_4R...r_Template.pdf

I would stay away from sony speakers from my experience. Infinity are good as are the focals though they are a bit spendy.

if you need any help at all please do not hesitate to ask.

 

I'm gonna do this as soon as I get the Kappas ordered. Goto Cartoys or something and have them help you with speakers and look into gettin bigger size for the back speakers and it's magnet size, cuz if you tell them you're getting Kappas they'll be all over you. After you're done tell them you'll comeback on ur next payday. Im not kidding though....I've bought my first Alpine stereo from them before and paid too much, so at least they can do is help me find my speaker size to give me some kind of payback.

 

For removing the door panels check here:

http://www.hboss.net/4runner/door-panel-removal.htm

 

Thanks Steve!

That site is a great reference tool, no doubt.

I don't know about your speaker suggestion though, I'd really like to avoid cutting mounting templates if I can help it. I think I'll stick with a 6 3/4" speaker.

Is it safe to assume that the front & back are both the same in the factory system?

Mounting depth appears to be an issue though. It seems that Crutchfield.com is telling me that anything > 2 1/2" of mounting depth won't fit in there. Is this true? Has anyone put a 2 3/4" or so speaker in there w/o any major work? I trust all of your opinions on the 4Runner specifically way more than I trust that website.

 

no prob...the templates that i refer to are only for depth issues not the speaker diameter. the only thing is, if you get any speakers that are over the mounting depth then you will need to fabricate spacers to avoid hitting the glass when the window is rolled down. another plus to the spacers is you get a quality speaker mount with virtually no vibration. if you go the component route you are going to find mostly 6.5"'s. if you need some pics of how i did mine i can take some this evening and get them to you tommorrow.

 

Those templates would definitely allow for differing depths of speakers. For some reason I wasn't even thinking along those lines, because the .pdf indicates that it will allow you to mount a 5 1/4" speaker in there. I think I will probably put 6 1/2" or 6 3/4" in both the front and back.

I still may make those templates though. For starters, as you indicate, you're going to get a good vibration free speaker mount. Secondly, it would open up a lot of the 6 3/4" speakers that have a 2 3/4" mounting depth, which would be too much without the wooden speaker mount.

I'm REALLY not real handy with wood though...did you just use a jigsaw to cut those out? Obviously the screw holes have to be precise, but how about the rest of it, does it need to be perfect as well? You say that the inside will vary by speaker, which is fairly obvious. I have never bought high-end speakers before, will they come with a template similar to the one that you have that I would use for the inside of the mount? Also, do you know, offhand, if that same template would work for the front speakers as well?

Thanks a TON for all of your help, I must sound like a moron...I just don't wanna fork out tons of dough for a speaker install that I cannot even verify the quality of work. I also don't want to f*** up my truck!

 

to fabricate the spacer for the front speakers, i used the stock speaker ring and traced it onto 3/4" MDF and cut it out with a jigsaw. i marked the holes using the stock speaker ring as well. for the back, since i only put in the 5.25", i used the template exactly from the PDF. make sure you uncheck that shrink oversize option if you do decide to go with the 5.25". which brings me to another point. I have the 5.25" CDT's and they really do complement the 61A's. and have a 75W RMS rating. I am pushing 85W X 4 to the fronts and the rears with no problem. Many will tell you that they are not even neccesary, which is personal preference i guess, but i do think that the 5.25" are enough for me, especailly with the external amp.

 

Well, I don't think I'm going to go with components, I think I'll just put 2-ways in the doors, and leave the stock tweeters alone. Although I'm wondering if a built in crossover would prevent my 2-ways from receiving a high range signal? Or is the current crossover built into the factory headunit, which I will be taking out anyways? If I did go with components, where do you guys put your crossovers? As I wrote earlier I think I will make the wooden mounts, they don't look too tough and the flexibility of having > 2.5" depth speakers would be nice in selecting my speakers.

So, you used MDF as opposed to the balsa that was mentioned in the pdf file? That makes sense, but for some reason I had assumed that you created that pdf...

Oh yeah, one more thing. Since I don't want to install an external amp, I'm planning on getting one of the Alpine units that requires a direct connection to your battery (9833 or 9815). Have you ever had any issues with running that wire up to the battery?

Again, saintsteve, thanks for the help

 

If you still decide to not use an external amp, please do not get Maybe I'm just a little to bit into audio. Personally, I would not recommend running your speakers off of your headunit. Most headunits give less than 30 watts RMS, and a lot of speakers require well over 50 watts RMS.

If you do not run an external amp, PLEASE DO NOT get components. They are not efficient, and hog tons of power. Also, when you turn your deck up 3/4's or more, you will have nothing but ugly distortion.

Keep in mind that from a good aftermarket 2-way (or even my components for that matter) you will not get as much bass as from your stocks. This requires a sub! However, your mids and highs will be worlds better.

Also, I have my crossovers in my kick panels. My 4 channel amp for the speaks is under the driver's seat and will soon be moved to the amp rack being integrated into my new sub box.

 

As I said, I think I'll be going with 2-ways, for many of the reasons that you describe. I just don't feel like putting in an amp. I'm not a bass freak anyway so a loss of bass is not a major loss to me. I'm more interested in crisp highs & especially mids. Bass is nice, but not the beat all, end all in my musical tastes.

Others have indicated that the factory speaker wiring should be sufficient unless I add an external amp. I don't really want to re-wire the entire vehicle either, so I think I'll leave the stock wiring & use the power from the head unit. I've heard other systems with the line of Alpine head units I plan on installing and they sound pretty good even without a component amp.

I just looked at some amps, and if I were to run my rear speakers off of the head unit, and then run the front ones off of the amplifier, it looks as though I could get a good one for not as much as I thought. So, if I were to buy a 2-channel amp and use that to power the front speakers (in which case I'd go with components), where are you running the wiring? I'd like to put it under my driver's seat. Just curious if it required any drilling or cutting, or if you just ran it through the inside. My curiosity is now piqued, because if I'm going to do this I'd like to do it right. Just go ahead, get the amp installed, and run new wiring. I'm on vacation starting Friday the 5th and I'm going on a road trip Thursday the 11th. I'd like to get it installed in that time frame. On Sunday, my father (a professional mechanic, but not a car stereo installer) is going to give me a hand with the mechanical issues (taking door panels off, etc.).

If I wanted more bass, I'd definitely add a sub anyways. Which is always possible at a later time. Right now, I think the 2-ways and a new headunit will do wonders for the sound in my 4Runner.

Thanks again for the help guys!

 

*bump* for maybe a few more answers?