1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

What's needed to hook up amp/sub to head unit?

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by Compromised 4Runner, Jun 4, 2019.

  1. Jun 4, 2019 at 9:59 AM
    #1
    Compromised 4Runner

    Compromised 4Runner [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2019
    Member:
    #10098
    Messages:
    99
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner SR5
    Hello peeps

    Went in expecting to get a tacoma, but ended up with a 2018 4Runner SR5 instead! Made the right decision.

    Since I have the thread, can anyone point me to a tutorial or video about hooking up an amp/sub to a 2018 or 5th gen 4runner head unit? I get the basics of it all, just not sure if the stock head unit has the rca plugs and a spot for the amp remote wire. If it does not, should I get something like this? Didn't find what I was looking for on youtube or in the audio/video section here.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Jun 4, 2019 at 11:51 AM
    #2
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2016
    Member:
    #2304
    Messages:
    1,772
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner Trail Premium w/ KDSS
    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    welcome to the group :wave:
     
    Bob likes this.
  3. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:45 PM
    #3
    cmtaz

    cmtaz New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2019
    Member:
    #8377
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    I used an amp with speaker level inputs. Out of the headunit into the amp, and use the amp for crossovers and levels
     
  4. Nov 15, 2019 at 9:01 PM
    #4
    RUNNING4N602

    RUNNING4N602 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2019
    Member:
    #11992
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    SISKO
    Phx
    Vehicle:
    2015 SR5 DARK GREY
    Installed aftermarket amp w/o rca’s
    [​IMG] Cmtaz is on the money with getting an amp that has speaker level input connection. I used the Kac-9106. You can run the speaker connection using the front driver side dash speakers. Use the t taps on Positive Wire (+): Light Green and Negative Wire (-): Blue. Amp will fit right under driver seat. Hope it helps
     
    Bob likes this.
  5. Nov 15, 2019 at 11:28 PM
    #5
    kbp810

    kbp810 rebmem wen

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2019
    Member:
    #8935
    Messages:
    616
    Gender:
    Male
    If you’re just planning on adding a sub, the harness you listed wouldn’t be a bad idea. Otherwise, you can get the metra connectors and some 8 conductor speed wire off Amazon (or other), and build your own plug and play harness including all four channels. Essentially you’ll just run the speaker wires from the radio into the amp (speaker level inputs), then the speaker wires from amp, back to the other connector end that will run to your stock speaker wiring. Easy to reverse in case you ever go to sell and want to return back to stock.

    Note that I think taco tunes sells a harness that does essentially the same; but it’s cheaper and fairly easy to do on your own if you don’t mind a little work.

    71D4AB27-B465-4F9A-A40D-10353047CF04.jpg
     
  6. Nov 16, 2019 at 4:32 PM
    #6
    cmtaz

    cmtaz New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2019
    Member:
    #8377
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    This is your million dollar answer !!!

    I had this done (the Metra 70-1761 & 71-1761 harnesses and some 9 wire) after i replaced my speakers. 5 channel pioneer GM-D9605 (any amp will do) w/ a bass knob and a 12" shallow mount pioneer sub in the enclosure. one of the benefits of doing this way (a side from being easy to reverse and to return back to stock) is your balance a fader still work.

    One tip.... turn OFF the entune speed volume adjustments.


    IMG_20181202_143002.jpg IMG_20181202_142920.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2019
    kbp810[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Nov 17, 2019 at 3:22 PM
    #7
    RUNNING4N602

    RUNNING4N602 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2019
    Member:
    #11992
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    SISKO
    Phx
    Vehicle:
    2015 SR5 DARK GREY
    Installed aftermarket amp w/o rca’s
    I added this sub do you guys think it’s to bulky?CA06E541-B5E9-463C-8683-107378EE9407.jpg
     
  8. Dec 2, 2019 at 5:37 AM
    #8
    ManBeast

    ManBeast New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2018
    Member:
    #8082
    Messages:
    322
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zach
    Jax FL
    Vehicle:
    2014 TRAIL
    I think that port is too small.
     
  9. Dec 2, 2019 at 6:02 AM
    #9
    RUNNING4N602

    RUNNING4N602 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2019
    Member:
    #11992
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    SISKO
    Phx
    Vehicle:
    2015 SR5 DARK GREY
    Installed aftermarket amp w/o rca’s
    What’s your thoughts on sub enclosures 308D712E-F840-4DD0-904E-972655A67AED.jpg
     
  10. Dec 14, 2019 at 2:55 PM
    #10
    Pschiller86

    Pschiller86 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2019
    Member:
    #10528
    Messages:
    100
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2016 MGM 4Runner SR5

    Do you have the diagram of the wiring harness you made using the speed wire?
     
  11. Dec 14, 2019 at 3:06 PM
    #11
    kbp810

    kbp810 rebmem wen

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2019
    Member:
    #8935
    Messages:
    616
    Gender:
    Male
    Not right off hand, but if I recall correctly, everything was color coded (speed wire colors matched the metra harness connector wire colors); and the metra connectors also had a list of which color wire did what. Also FYI, there is one wire (orange I think?) that doesn't get used; it will be obvious which one when the time comes, as there won't be a mate for it on the other harness side. It was all relatively fool proof.

    From a quick google search, here is a reference as well; it's the same for all 87' and up Toyota's (for the two main connectors).

    https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/radio2-jpg.671492/
     
  12. Dec 14, 2019 at 3:20 PM
    #12
    Pschiller86

    Pschiller86 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2019
    Member:
    #10528
    Messages:
    100
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2016 MGM 4Runner SR5

    This should work on an aftermarket head unit too?
     
  13. Dec 14, 2019 at 3:30 PM
    #13
    kbp810

    kbp810 rebmem wen

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2019
    Member:
    #8935
    Messages:
    616
    Gender:
    Male
    You most certainly could - but I would leave the speaker connections off of the side coming "from" the radio; and use the RCA jacks instead (will provide a better signal for your amp to work with). Then just use the speedwire from the amp back up to the harness end that goes out to your factory speaker wiring.
     
  14. Dec 14, 2019 at 3:37 PM
    #14
    Pschiller86

    Pschiller86 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2019
    Member:
    #10528
    Messages:
    100
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2016 MGM 4Runner SR5
    Yeah that’s what I meant! Lol. RCAs from the head unit and the speed wire going back.
     
    kbp810[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Jan 18, 2020 at 2:45 PM
    #15
    Pschiller86

    Pschiller86 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2019
    Member:
    #10528
    Messages:
    100
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2016 MGM 4Runner SR5
    Anyone have pics of amp racks they’ve used?
     
  16. Jan 19, 2020 at 7:28 AM
    #16
    Johnny 4th Gen.

    Johnny 4th Gen. New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2020
    Member:
    #12784
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Floriduh!
    Vehicle:
    My first 4 Runner SR5 Sport
    W.I.P.
  17. Feb 13, 2020 at 6:16 AM
    #17
    Myla86

    Myla86 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2020
    Member:
    #13130
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Myla
    Vehicle:
    Rav4 2018
    Can you give directions on how to make the harness? And what’s the “blunt” end for? Where it looks like it’s just taped off?
     
  18. Feb 13, 2020 at 6:34 AM
    #18
    kbp810

    kbp810 rebmem wen

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2019
    Member:
    #8935
    Messages:
    616
    Gender:
    Male
    I think you were referring to my DIY harness - the blunt end in the picture just hasn't been stripped back yet... those would be the speaker wire connections to the Amp speaker outputs (amp back to the factory speaker connections).

    The harness is pretty easy to put together... the colors on the metra harnesses match the OEM wire colors, and comes with a list on the packaging of which color does what. There are also toyota radio wiring diagrams readily available via a google search; the two main harness connections that contain the speaker wires has been unchanged since 1987 (so look for any diagram that references 1987 and up toyota).
     
  19. Feb 13, 2020 at 12:58 PM
    #19
    Pschiller86

    Pschiller86 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2019
    Member:
    #10528
    Messages:
    100
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2016 MGM 4Runner SR5
    hey Myla there’s some pretty good details on the Tacoma world forums of all the wiring
     
  20. Apr 5, 2020 at 5:44 PM
    #20
    FNG33

    FNG33 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #13765
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Do any of you know if this would fit onto a 2020 head unit? Ive been looking for weeks for a wiring diagram for tapping in and adding it myself but I cant find anything
     
  21. Apr 7, 2020 at 12:22 AM
    #21
    RUNNING4N602

    RUNNING4N602 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2019
    Member:
    #11992
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    SISKO
    Phx
    Vehicle:
    2015 SR5 DARK GREY
    Installed aftermarket amp w/o rca’s
    FNG33 what are u trying to tap into?
     
  22. Apr 7, 2020 at 7:34 AM
    #22
    FNG33

    FNG33 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #13765
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    I’m trying to put a line out converter into the stock radio harness but all the diagrams I have found don’t match anything on the back of my stock head unit
     
  23. Apr 7, 2020 at 1:22 PM
    #23
    RUNNING4N602

    RUNNING4N602 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2019
    Member:
    #11992
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    SISKO
    Phx
    Vehicle:
    2015 SR5 DARK GREY
    Installed aftermarket amp w/o rca’s
    Are you open to tapping in through the front right tweeter?
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  24. Apr 7, 2020 at 6:47 PM
    #24
    FNG33

    FNG33 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #13765
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Hmm I haven’t thought about that. Would that work?
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  25. Apr 7, 2020 at 9:04 PM
    #25
    RUNNING4N602

    RUNNING4N602 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2019
    Member:
    #11992
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    SISKO
    Phx
    Vehicle:
    2015 SR5 DARK GREY
    Installed aftermarket amp w/o rca’s
    I tapped into mine but I did it through my left drive side. I have the picture of the tweeter for reference 6768F116-9645-466C-AD1A-F91C208B5B4B.jpg
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  26. Apr 7, 2020 at 9:06 PM
    #26
    FNG33

    FNG33 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #13765
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Do you know which wire is which by chance?
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  27. Apr 7, 2020 at 9:11 PM
    #27
    RUNNING4N602

    RUNNING4N602 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2019
    Member:
    #11992
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    SISKO
    Phx
    Vehicle:
    2015 SR5 DARK GREY
    Installed aftermarket amp w/o rca’s
    Pink is positive purple is negative
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  28. Apr 7, 2020 at 9:13 PM
    #28
    FNG33

    FNG33 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #13765
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Thanks man Ill let you know how it goes
     
  29. Apr 7, 2020 at 9:14 PM
    #29
    RUNNING4N602

    RUNNING4N602 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2019
    Member:
    #11992
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    SISKO
    Phx
    Vehicle:
    2015 SR5 DARK GREY
    Installed aftermarket amp w/o rca’s
    Yes sir
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  30. Apr 8, 2020 at 9:27 PM
    #30
    FNG33

    FNG33 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2020
    Member:
    #13765
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Hey man, you said that you also put in a line output converter right? Where did you wire your constant 12v and the remote wire to?
     

Products Discussed in

To Top