Amp Replacement (jbl audio)

So I had a 2012 Tundra and I had put in a amp and sub. Got my new truck and it has the stock jbl system in it. Let's just cut to the chase..... It's garbage. Highs & Mids aren't half bad, but the stock "sub" was a waste of money for them to even install. I had to turn it all the way up and put my hand on the speaker to even know it was working. So I have spent about a month reading and reading and reading about different solutions to bypass or just replace the stock jbl amp. Which is located under the passenger seat. I found taco tunes website and thought yes this will do.... Nope read the disclaimer and "not for jbl systems". It seems they didn't make it very easy to replace the garbage. So I'm trying to find anyone who has successfully upgraded their system. I don't want or need some monster system. Even leaving so the stock speakers including the sub in there. Just fine tune the eq and push more power. I bet the sub isn't a bad one as my wife had had a sequoia and 4-runner with jbl systems.... They weren't bad. So anyone who can shed some light on this please please please do.

 

The JBL system rolls bass off at higher volumes; thats probably one of the things you are experiencing. After taking apart my system the general speaker quality, including the sub, were craptacular; small magnets flimsy cones etc. Nothing premium about it.

As far as bypassing, I am assuming you are keeping your head unit, there are a few ways to go. Most recommend a DSR-1 to reconstitute the audio coming out of the head unit. You'll need the special harness to trick your head unit into thinking the original amp is still there; the JBL amp and head unit work in conjunction to control volume for cues, navigation, calls, etc. PAC Audio is another option; I've not used this option so I can't tell you too much about it.

 

So I just need to use the dsr1? I'm leaving everything the way out is as far as head unit and all that. Do you happen to know what the special harness is to truck the head unit?

 

@james@tech12volts makes one, he also sells a preset DSR1..

2007 to 2020 TOYOTA TUNDRA JBL WIRING HARNESS

2014 to 2017 TOYOTA TUNDRA JBL WIRING HARNESS (tech12volts.com)


07 to 20 TOYOTA TUNDRA DSR1 PROCESSOR AND HARNESS JBL ONLY

07 to 19 TOYOTA TUNDRA DSR1 PROCESSOR AND HARNESS JBL ONLY (tech12volts.com)

He also has sub enclosures and even complete systems for Tundras..

For all your car audio and video needs (tech12volts.com)

He has been very helpful to many members here including myself.

 

Thanks guys!! I will hit up James and see....I noticed online he's showing out of stock. I will update you guys along my journey. When I upgrade I will take pictures and videos showing the process.

 

The PAC ap4-ty12 will allow you to add an aftermarket amp and keep the JBL for the highs/mods if desired. I used it in my tundra and it’s great! I now have an aftermarket screen so not needed anymore

 

I have a 2010 Platinum w/ JBL and I am going through the same thing right now. I just replaced my right side view mirror and while I had the door panel off, I saw the blown out speaker in the door, so I replaced it (and the other side, of course) while I was in there but now I think it draws too much and it "braps" when I turn it up. I just emailed James about the DSR-1, but I need to figure this out soon cause it's wearing me out.

@Shelbie67 were you able to keep steering wheel controls after doing the PAC harness? @pjgraber03 you have an update?

 

I have the JBL system and wanted to keep the stock head unit. Another member asked and I provided them with some information:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/jbl-system-question.87676/#post-2247088

 

@AT x AT thanks for that.

Just got done talking to James from Tech12 and he's out of the wiring harness to bypass the factory amp and there is no ETA on when they will be back in. I absolutely refuse to go with SoftTaco Tunes as I think it's total BS that you have to buy over $1k worth of their crap to get their adaptor.

You have any idea where else I could get an amp bypass for a 2nd gen JBL equipped truck?

 

steering wheel control are retained with the pac harness, your only worry is if you replace the headunit. But they can still be retained….are you sure you put a 4-ohm speaker in? What speaker did you buy?

 

I believe my shop has them in stock….but cruchfield should. I’d be willing to ship one to you if we have it.

 

Thanks, man. So I am actually keeping the factory HU just to not have to deal with it all. I used to be in to installing car audio in the late 90's to early 2000's and it was a breeze back then. I got out of it, now looking to do this myself and I am just blown away with all the crap you gotta deal with now... So after reading a lot of stuff, seems like I just need a RF DSR-1 and the iDatalink HRN-AR-TO3 Harness to keep my steering wheel controls, right? On top of adding the new amp(s) of course. I have a 2nd gen Tundra, but everything on this forum is for newer Tundras and I don't trust that it's all the same

 

I bought the amp wiring harness from auto harness. Got the idea from the post below. I think it was around $50 when I bought from him earlier this year. Mine was made differently because I have the stock JBL system. Since yours doesn't, it'll be cheaper.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-audio-wiring-harnesses-jbl-and-non-jbl.43781/#post-1122525

 

If you are keeping the stock headunit, you do not need any special wiring to keep your steering wheel controls….either the PAC or dsr will allow you to add amps…I know the PAC piece allows pass through and will allow you to keep the stock jbl amp active if you only wanna replace front speakers or add a sub….I know the pac piece comes with everything you need

 

So wanted to update everyone. First off I'm sorry impressed with this community. I never expected so much help and input from everyone.

So I have links to everything I need to get the install done. I will be getting the items here pretty quick. The wife is having me sell my old speaker and amp to pay for the new one (if anyone would want a phionex gold sxt 10 sub and a 500watt mono block amp contact me here or in pm).

Once I get all the parts I will document everything. Pictures, videos everything. That way others can use what it to find what they need as well. There's nothing really out there saying if this is what you want to do do x,y,z. So I thought it would be cool to put it all together. So please be patient and I'll get things together.

 

Best of luck with the purchase and install! Feel free to pm me if you have any questions! I have access to wiring diagrams and lots of parts.

 

Hey guys finally got everything ordered.... The jbl amp will be here soon...I also ordered the plug and play wire harness @james@tech12volts . I will do my best to write up a detailed write up on it as well as get a you tube video hooking it up showing what all it entails. The first part was ordered a jbl dsp4086 8 channel amp and the plug and play harnesses.... Total I'm just over $300

 

You're in for $300 for the harness and the amp?!

 

Ya I found the amp for $240 and the harness for $70 so just over $300

 

Well, I bought a harness for $299, kicker 5 channel amp for $420, hertz 6.5 components for $180 and the adaptors today on top of the amp kit & extra RCAs. Mine is currently torn apart.

 

I've gotten to a stopping point, but it's where I have to cut the factory harness to use speaker outputs for my new amp. How'd that go for you?

 

No need to cut the harness at all. I can get pictures and stuff for you. I was going to do a big video but things never go as planned. But I do plan on doing a big write up. I have my new jbl amp completely installed and it's wonderful.

 

New to the thread. I have an 08' with JBL system. Can anyone explain the easiest way to install an upgraded subwoofer and amp while utilizing as much of the factory subwoofer wiring possible. I'm wanting to install the JL audio stealth box. Appreciate the help

 

How much more bass do you get with the new jbl 8channel amp. I just ordered mine

 

If you buy the harness you don't need to cut anything.

 

Here are my pics from my truck. No cutting at all done. No power wire ran. Just all using harnesses