OK, I went through ALL 34 pages of postings in this forum today, trying to capture as much info about the stereo and various mods. I deliberately ignored NAV systems. This is Part one - tidbits and comments I found useful.
I have a chart on all the speakers that I will post after I format it. For now, hope this will be helpful, and help newbies who are overwhelmed with months of install posts.
If you want an more formatted version for easier reading (page breaks, bolded subsections, etc.) send me your email address via PM or email.
Good reading!
Sandi
*************
Useful audio posts, Compiled by Sandi_k
Sept 2005 - Aug 31, 2006
Part 2 here:
Audio FAQ, Part 2 - LONG - Compiled posts
BASIC ELECTRICAL HELP
Re: Speaker polarity
LF Speaker +/- + pink - purple +,- radio harness
RF Speaker +/- + lt. green - blue +,- radio harness
LR Speaker +/- + black - yellow +,- radio harness
RR Speaker +/- + red - white +,- radio harness
SoonerFJ previously said:
Does anyone have the polarity for the 6x9's in the door? The passenger door has a red wire and a white wire. The driver's door has a solid blue wire and a red wire with a blue stripe.
Thanks in advance!
left door: positive is pink, negative is blue
right door: positive is red negative is white
fish_antlers
Crutchfield Wiring Kits:
Dash wiring harness kit from Crutchfield:
#12071035 Toyota Wire Harness speakers
Rear speaker connector kit (most necessary, least slack available):
#12071040
Door speaker connector kit:
#12071045
$10 each set; if you buy the speakers from them, they’ll throw in the harness for free
Wiring diagrams:
http://brockandbecca.com/files/fj/
and then click on FJ electrical pdf
General Speaker and Stereo Specs
Great resource. With radio specs:
http://brockandbecca.com/files/fj/in...m?folder=Radio
General speaker commentary
I replaced the stock units with Diamond Audio 6 ½" rounds in the doors and 2" tweeters in the dash and the aural improvement was immense. I've been hugely impressed!
Jim_D
I ordered some Kicker K35 3.5" coaxial speakers from ubid.com for $30 per pair - SHIPPED. The specs are comparable with the Rockford Fosgate speakers and this is quite a deal. I would look around before you get stuck on one or 2 specific speakers in your mind. Compare specs and (if you have the chance) listen to them.
I would recommend not dumping over $50 per pair on the speakers unless you are going to amp them adequately. I - for the time being - am sticking with the factory head unit. Boston Acoustic and Infinity Kappas - in particular - really need to be amped to get your value out of them. The Kickers allow me to use HU Power with the option of adding an amp down the road - all at a reasonable cost.
The RF's are specifically made for factory speaker replacement and would be a better choice than the BA speakers unless you are adding an amp.
I also ordered 4 - 80hz high pass crossovers from Partsexpress.com. These were actually more expensive than the speakers, but will cut the bass to the dash and rear pillar speakers and should cut the distortion if (really when) I amp them.
I will report back when I get them installed - hopefully this weekend.
__________________
Last edited by Castle Rock FJ : 05-10-2006 at 05:37 AM.
If you want to run off the deck power I would suggest you use a component system in the front (with the mid-bass mounted in the door, and the tweeter mounted in the dash location) and 3 1/2 or 4 inch in the rear. The Pioneer has four channels only and they are not 2 ohm stable, which is what you would need to run two sets up front.
You can also go with the 4" in the rear but will need to space them out.
gsgmac
Front Dash Speaker Installation
Dash speaker install with pics:
Stereo install progress *update*
Dash speaker grille removal tip:
Someone else posted here to use an insulated (rubber coated) cup hook, like you would use to hang a coffee cup on. Slip it down through one of the holes and up through one a few spaces over. Constant gently pressure and it will pop off. Also you need to be careful or tape up the trim on the “A” pillar or the grill may scratch it when you lift it out. Or wrap a rag around flat-bladed screwdriver head when prying…
Re: My FJ Project Completed! - Front dash
aanative previously said:
I will always recommend the high end boston acoustics speakers. Best treble out there. their 3.5 is the best on the market.
I put these in the dash with 600 hz bass blockers with 75 watts driving them. Excellent speakers.
Checkraiser
Dash speaker install tips from Cruzer:
Install is easy. The covers pop out, I used a dental pic to hook around the grill and slowly pulled until the first clip gave. Be careful to protect the A pillar with some plastic or paper, I almost scratched it as I was lifting the cover out. Remove the stock bracket ( a couple of 10mm screws) and your out. I just used some sheet metal screws to mount. I did have to trim the underside of the stock grill with a dremel to allow for the new speaker clearance.
Cruzer
Dash speaker install:
4" Polk db400's
Remove the speaker bracket and mount directly to the plastic surround (fit with no problem) with mounting tabs turned up so the tweeter cone is slightly recessed within the hole (otherwise the stock speaker cover won't fit perfectly as it will hit the tweeter cone).
Tex-FJ
Re: Front speakers finished... pics here. Adam12Hicks post
Adam, great tips and pics. One thing to mention...the "horn kinda thing" as you described it most likely to prevent sound cancellation more so then direct the sound (through reflection). If the sound waves from the front of the speaker combine with those from the rear, it will result in cancellation and a loss of fidelity. Try using a couple of pieces of Dynamat or other self adhesive sound deadening material to "seal" up the surrounding space. Try using one layer from the bottom (if you have access) and one from the top. This a pretty cheap fix and it will make your added speakers sound much better. I was an installer by trade for of 10 years
gsgmac
Front Door Speaker Issues
Front door mounts require re-fabrication of the existing mounts; You must remove the whole door panel to even access the door speakers. They sawed out the speaker portion (center) and retained the mount portion. They then just somehow ran screws thru the original plastic mount.
Micrad
Door speaker install help, with pics (including door speaker frame cutouts)
Door speaker install (Pictures)
funky_junk
If you want door mounts premade (to preserve original door speakers) tacotunes.com has the mounting for $35 on EBay. Stock speaker cover still fits; used it on a buddy’s FJ. “It was pretty easy also. We mounted the speakers on the mounts first, then headed outside to do the install. Maybe 35 - 40 mins all together.”
Robsatx
Front door speaker install writeup from dcoates – including MDF frame, dynamat, foam cushion:
8" Speakers In Doors
To Sub or not to sub? Rounds with tweeters vs. 6x9 in front door
The best scenario would be to dump the front speakers and go with separate components. The 6x9s are nice but if you get a sub you will yield better sound quality from 6.5s than the 6x9. The 6x9 are great if you do not plan to have a sub. Otherwise, 6x9s are not going to produce the sq you are looking for.
Keepaustinweird
Re: 2 way, 3 way, 4 way.... WHICH WAY
If you don’t think separate components make a difference, you need to come listen to my system. You don’t want a 6x9 2-way spewing out high frequencies down by feet. The best way to go is separate drivers with an amp. Try to get as high a range in frequency up in the dash area. This is what will make a great sound stage.
RipsFJ
Rear Pillar Speaker Issues
Rear speaker install with pics:
Rear Speaker Install Page 2
Attillahunley
Accessory and installation tips
I had the same issue when I replaced my rear speakers. The problem...the speaker magnet was in contact with the metal panel behind the speaker and was causing the two rears to sound muddy. It also affected the front speakers as well, probably because of grounding. By moving the rears forward, away from the sheet metal, the problem was solved and they sound great.
SoonerFJ
I installed 3.5" in both the dash and rear quarter panel. The dash ones popped right in, but the rear ones took a bit of thought to keep the magnet from contacting the surrounding metal panel. I ended up cutting out the middle portion of the rear brackets to free up some room. This left the upper and lower parts of the stock bracket (where the mounting points are) intact for speaker attachment.
SoonerFJ
Re: 4" Speakers....do they fit?
I put 4" Polk db400's in both the front dash and rear pillars.
I removed the front dash mounting bracket completely and screwed the speakers into the plastic frame with very little modification.
The rear pillars are a little tricky. I had to cut off the mounting bracket and screw the speakers directly into the sheet metal surround using nylon spacers to keep them off the rear sheet metal. The diameter of the magnet was not a problem but the depth of the speaker was a bit tight. The 4” Polks have a top mounting depth of 1 13/16”. In looking at 4” speakers for the rear I would try and make sure you don’t go much over that depth as you will definitely have some mounting issues.
Tex_FJ
Re: Rear Pillar Speaker Upgrade Size
(and install tips)
I too just installed Polk db400 4" speakers into the rear pillars. I took the speakers and brackets out, a 10mm ratchet box wrench helps if you don’t have the trim out. I used 1/2" nylon spacers from Lowe's behind the speakers to space them out from the car. I had to grind the speaker grill down on the inside a little bit.
WV_FJ
**** End of Part 1 ****
Audio FAQ, Part 1 - LONG - compiled posts on speakers, installation, amps, etc.
Colink1 - Austin, TX 
Planning my system now.
Titanium Silver 4x4, Icon suspension stage 1 (demello installed),A-trac, rocksliders, TRD CAI, TRD exhaust, 18" Ultra Goliaths: blacked out w/305x60x18 BFG KM2, 6 speed manual(short shifter), Bigbills CB Combo, JBA Headers-Ceramic Coated.....
Linear Mode
