How to install a great sound system in your FJ

[robsatx]

How to install a great sound system in your FJ

As I put these instructions together, I find myself chuckling . . . I remember thinking that set 6x9s in the front, some rear 6.5s and a subwoofer would sound awesome in my 2005 Tacoma. As I was putting the system together a good friend of mine told me I was going about it all wrong. I told him I had done a number of systems this way and the sound was always awesome.

When I first put the system together, I started with Polk Audio Momo 6x9s in the front and Polk Audio Momo 6.5s in the rear. Used an infinity sub and man that thing was awesome. I told my buddy, see it sounds “GREAT”. He was really nice kept his mouth shut and said it sounds “nice”. Keep in mind this guy spends thousands of dollars in audio equipment. He is an audio nut job.

A few months later, he put in a sound system for a friend that had a 2006 Tacoma. It consisted of one set of Image Dynamics Chameleon Component speakers in the front doors and two Image Dynamics 10” IDQ subwoofers. He invited me over told me what the truck had installed and I was telling him, it won’t compare with my sound system. About 10 minutes, later we were discussing my stereo upgrade.

A common mistake made by new car audio buffs is thinking that more is better. Well not so when setting up your sound image.

When you go to a concert, sure they have a lot of speakers, but consider the placement. I have never been to a concert, symphony or event where they placed speakers behind you or next to you. The only exception is a movie theater.

With this in mind, consider the term localization. Audio systems play in a frequency range from 20Hz to 20,000Hz.
20Hz – 90Hz (Subwoofer range)
90Hz - 20Khz are mids and tweeters.

Your ears can localize most music in the range above 90Hz. Since most subs should operate below 80hz (in the 20Hz – 80Hz range), in a good system you should not be able to localize the Bass. In other words, you ears can not tell where the bass is coming from. On the other hand, music above 90Hz, is easily localized. You ears can tell where the music in this range is coming from. This is why the placement of your drivers (speakers) is extremely important.

The 2005+ Tacoma has speakers (not real tweeters) already installed. They are in a great location for proper imaging. When installing component speakers. The drivers should be as close together as possible. In an FJ cruiser, the dash “top” speakers are to far away from the mid bass drivers and are pointing upwards. The FJ is not setup for proper imaging, by the time music reaches your ears it has “bounced” at least one time.

The best way to install the speakers (without a lot of customization) is to place the tweeters in your door panels.

By proper positioning and properly powering your equipment, you can save a lot of money and create a much cleaner sounding system.

I often hear that components are way to expensive. But I tell everyone to purchase one good set of components and forget the rear speakers. Of course I always hear, you don’t know what you are talking about. Why did the car come with front and rear speakers?

Consider this, why would you be upgrading your system if the automaker did it correctly? You are reading this because you are considering upgrading the horrible sound system installed by Toyota and every other manufacturer.

BTW, the reason they have four speakers is because of the low power provided by the head unit and the terrible placement of the speakers. It is by necessity that they install 4 speakers. Otherwise you would not be able to hear the music in the rear seats. They sell a hundreds of thousands of vehicles. They pay a few dollars for those cheap stock speakers.

I will document a total setup from head unit, to patch cables, speaker wires, power wires and amps. I will even cover how to purchase speakers that will get more power from your amp and produce clean sound that will blow away multi-speaker setups. Step by step pictures and documentation will also be provided.

The steps will be:

1. How to install a new head unit step by step. Not just a few pictures.
2. How to remove the door panels. Step by Step not just a few pictures.
3. How to install speakers and place tweeters.
4. How run speaker and power wires. Some examples on how to get the wires into those tough spots.
5. How to wire your amps, subs etc for max power. For example, purchase subs that will allow you to utilize most newer amps capability of running at lower resistance to get more power from the same amp. Instead of just 200 watts at a 4 ohm load, you can get 400 watts from the same amp with a 2 ohm load just by selecting the proper subwoofer.
6. How to route your power and patch cables to minimize noise. For example, keep your power wires away from the patch cables to avoid engine whine or other noises.
7. How to get the best sound from your head unit. For example, disabling the head unit internal amp when installing external amps.

Let me know if you guys have any comments, questions etc. I will be glad to assist however I can.

BTW, these instructions are for a great sound system without breaking the bank. You can definitely go way past this setup, but I assure you 95% of the people here will be more than happy with the results of this setup.

I will just add to this thread as I complete each step.

[Corey]

Sounds great, no pun intended.
I just had installed the new Pioneer AVIC D3.
Next on my list is better speakers and a sub setup.

I know what you mean by all the extra speakers.
In my '91 4Runner I had, I only had two speakers.
Infinity Reference 6.5" components in the doors, and the tweeters mounted up on the door sill all the way to the front.

One JL W6 15" sub in the back, and the sound filled the whole cabin and had much better imaging than the FJ.

When I get ready for new speakers, I am only going to run two in the doors, and of course a new sub setup for the back.

Thanks for the info here, bookmarking this page.

[FJMike89]

got some pics?

[Dova80]

Cant wait to see what happens with this thread.

[EddieLasVegas]

Thanks for doing this and I'm looking forward to seeing it all.

Eddie

[robsatx]

This will be my masterpiece, no not master piece install . . . a master piece install would require a much larger budget . . .

I already ordered colored cables to make installation easier and quicker to install. I will also be performing an out of car install so you can see how easy it will be to hook up your own system.

I am excited and can't wait to get rocking. Just waiting on a few more pieces.

[RipsFJ]

I will try to be humble when I say this ... all you have to do is follow how I set up my system, and you will end up with a great sounding system in your FJ.

Here are my 8 keys to having a great sounding stereo in your FJ.

1. Less is best! Don’t fill your FJ up with drivers just because you have the room! In other words, don’t waste your money on drivers located behind your ears, unless they are subs!
2. Use a HU that has at least a 4V pre-out section.
3. Use a 3-way component for the front that you can bi-amp.
4. Make sure your 3-way component has a very large sub/mid bass driver, preferably a 9 inch driver for the doors. Also, make sure the components include a soft dome mid. There is nothing warmer or smoother sounding then a soft dome mid.
5. Mount the mids and tweets in the dash/pillar area. This will result in great imaging, and fantastic up/forward sound stage.
6. Use 2 10 inch subs and point them towards the back of the vehicle.
7. You can run this whole system with a 4 channel amp, and a single D-class mono amp for the subs. Don’t under power anything …. Overpower if you must.
8. Tune your system, tune it again, and then tune it some more.

These steps are for those that want a nice sounding system. It’s not the loudest, it doesn’t have the booming bass, but it’s just clean and accurate …. The way music is supposed to sound.

Have you noticed that my key steps reflect how I set up my system?

[martyr]

just subscribed, bring it...

[Go4aRyd]

Still haven't gotten to this mod - so I'm ALL EARS.

[robsatx]

RipsFJ previously said:

I will try to be humble when I say this ... all you have to do is follow how I set up my system, and you will end up with a great sounding system in your FJ.

Here are my 8 keys to having a great sounding stereo in your FJ.

1. Less is best! Don’t fill your FJ up with drivers just because you have the room! In other words, don’t waste your money on drivers located behind your ears, unless they are subs!
2. Use a HU that has at least a 4V pre-out section.
3. Use a 3-way component for the front that you can bi-amp.
4. Make sure your 3-way component has a very large sub/mid bass driver, preferably a 9 inch driver for the doors. Also, make sure the components include a soft dome mid. There is nothing warmer or smoother sounding then a soft dome mid.
5. Mount the mids and tweets in the dash/pillar area. This will result in great imaging, and fantastic up/forward sound stage.
6. Use 2 10 inch subs and point them towards the back of the vehicle.
7. You can run this whole system with a 4 channel amp, and a single D-class mono amp for the subs. Don’t under power anything …. Overpower if you must.
8. Tune your system, tune it again, and then tune it some more.

These steps are for those that want a nice sounding system. It’s not the loudest, it doesn’t have the booming bass, but it’s just clean and accurate …. The way music is supposed to sound.

Have you noticed that my key steps reflect how I set up my system?

How much did you spend on your system? This would be in the above "great" sound system. My last system ended in a similar fashion as what you are describing, a good head unit capable of peforming active xovers is the way to go. Along with MidBass drivers.

I have learned the following rule.
85% will schlep speakers everywhere and add an amp
12% will perform a good - great install.
2% will put in a really good system
1% will just go insane!

This post is intended to put a great sounding system without breaking the bank. Will sound 1K better than stock and 10 times better than just slapping speakers everywhere.