If the vehicle wiring is unmodified, then the amplifier in the JBL sub powers all of the speakers, not just the sub in the JBL system. You probably will need to choose the JBL option for a new head unit.

 

Huh. So, I got rid of my sub but I can't say I notice any difference in sound quality. I never knew about the amplifier situation. Am I just deafer than I thought I was? I basically only listen to podcasts on the Aux cable from my phone, or an iPod.

 

That is correct. The JBL system didn't start until 2011. The 2010 models like yours had the conventional stereo, like previous years, where the subwoofer had a dedicated analogue amplifier that only powered the subwoofer. The head unit in yours powered the rest of the speakers which is why removing the subwoofer only had a minimal effect. On a 2011-2014 with JBL, removing the subwoofer would result in silence.

 

Ahhhh ok! So that means, in order for me to run my own sub and amp, I would remove ONLY the factory sub, leave the JBL amp alone… and then hope that my head unit will send a signal out BOTH the canbus connection AND the separate RCA out for the sub.

and if the HU won’t send out a signal through the RCA, then I will have to run a speaker level converter to feed my amp.

All of which will require I choose the JBL/canbus option.

If I’m correct, does anyone know if any of these android HU do that? (Send an audio signal out of the canbus connection AND RCA out)

i See some of these HU have the canbus harness as a separate option. Could I just keep that harness for the new HU? Or is the JBL/canbus option integrated into the connectors on the back of the HU?

 

I can't answer your question, but I came from the Tacoma having had 3 of them, and one of the CONSTANT problems people had with that vehicle was trying to get the factory JBL stereo to work with ANYTHING. Go over to TacomaWorld and search for all the JBL nightmare threads.

Proceed with caution before you cut into your JBL system. Make sure it's done by installation professionals who will stand by their work. Or follow the clear instructions of people here who have done exactly what you want to do, and it worked well for them. I got rid of my sub because people did it all the time, and like an idiot I didn't even know that in some years the sub contained the amp for the whole stereo - I could have silenced my whole system. The lord takes care of fools and little children I guess.

 

MMM... almost sounds like I should ditch the JBL amp and run my own speakers and amp.