JBL upgrade

I'm going to follow this thread as I have the JBL in our truck and I sure feel that Toyota has done a really poor job with the speakers. We also have a Lexus RX350 with the Mark Levinson sound system, which sounds fantastic in comparison. I know Toyota doesn't wish to mess up Lexus sales by putting superior sound systems in their vehicles, but come ON--surely they can do better than the current offerings. However, I've read that the wiring for the JBL system is much more complex that the standard system, but not being an audiophile, I can't say that I know why.
 
One thing is that the JBL system is that it uses low impedance speakers, so if you replace them, you need to make sure that you replace them with speakers of the same impedance, or you will lose volume.
 
I'm doing this now. 2019 with the JBL Premium.
Just ordered.

JBL GX9638 - 6"x9" - 2.3Ω
JBL GX328 - 3.5"- 2.3Ω
JBL GX628 - 6.5"- 2.3Ω
Rockford Fosgate - P3SD2-8 - 2Ω

I'll probably do a writeup or something over on Tacomaworld. Don't see too much on it and I've been following JBL Premium options for a while now. I'm trying to figure out if there are connectors for the speakers or if they are directly soldered.

I know a few have swapped the subs to P3SD2-8. One went the Polk-Audio-MM-842-DVC route. He did a write up on installing the GX302 into the dash.

Another setup I was considering was PowerBass.

XL-844D - 2Ω wired parallel.
OE-693 6x9" - 2Ω
OE-6C 6.5" - 2Ω
 
Last edited:
I'm doing this now. 2019 with the JBL Premium.
Just ordered.

JBL GX9638 - 6"x9" - 2.3Ω
JBL GX328 - 3.5"- 2.3Ω
JBL GX628 - 6.5"- 2.3Ω
Rockford Fosgate - P3SD2-8 - 2Ω

I'll probably do a writeup or something over on Tacomaworld. Don't see too much on it and I've been following JBL Premium options for a while now. I'm trying to figure out if there are connectors for the speakers or if they are directly soldered.

I know a few have swapped the subs to P3SD2-8. One went the Polk-Audio-MM-842-DVC route. He did a write up on installing the GX302 into the dash.

Another setup I was considering was PowerBass.

XL-844D - 2Ω wired parallel.
OE-693 6x9" - 2Ω
OE-6C 6.5" - 2Ω

Mr. Noveske, please do us a favor and let us know how your speaker swap turned out, and if it was good, then please add a link to your writeup on TW. Of course, if the operation was not successful, we need to know that too. Thanks in advance.
 
Mr. Noveske, please do us a favor and let us know how your speaker swap turned out, and if it was good, then please add a link to your writeup on TW. Of course, if the operation was not successful, we need to know that too. Thanks in advance.

I will. Still waiting on them to show up and get an actual answer on what connectors. No one actually posted the actual connector parts number. I've searched everywhere.
 
9fvbPn.jpg


This stuff arrived. Now just waiting on the adapters, silicone baffles and connectors to try and avoid cutting the factory wiring. Hope this isn't a thread jacking. Not my intention. Just don't see many JBL Premiums being upgraded. I know that it won't be a crazy improvement, but I'm hoping for a little clarity and less distortion. Also have a bunch of NOICO sound deadening liner around. Planning on giving this all a go soon. Waiting on the stuff above and door panel clips. Ordered some just in case and also hoping it would keep things more secure. Just have to remember to swap the door handles out for all black as well. Just gotta knock out the roof rack install first. I know there is a guy on TW that did the same setup but with different Polk sub. I think he also went with GX602 and GX302. I believe the GX628 and GX328 are just the updated versions.
 
I don’t mind if you jack the thread, we can always use more info on these kind of projects. I decided to go with the easier 4 ohm components listed below. Leaving the woofer as is for now. Mainly went this route due to having all the connector adapters for these (Crutchfield).
Focal ICU-165. Front doors
Focal RCX-165. Rear doors
Kicker 47KSC2704. Dash
 
Noveske, did you check with Crutchfield on ordering just the adapter harnesses for the JBL? I think the p/n is Metra 72-8104, as long as your speakers are just the male spade style connectors.
 
Noveske, did you check with Crutchfield on ordering just the adapter harnesses for the JBL? I think the p/n is Metra 72-8104, as long as your speakers are just the male spade style connectors.

Yup, it was Metra 72-8104 for front and rear. Just have to figure out the dash speaker. Got things going on that other thread. Sounds pretty good. I'm getting some rattling but it's because I haven't put anything back together yet.
 
Starting putting the Focals in today, found out the supplied hardware doesn’t fit the speaker mount adapters, so off to Home Depot. Unfortunately, my Kicker tweeters won’t ship until next month, so I’ll hold my review until then. Forgot to post a picture of the JBL speakers that come in the back door, not sure why they put such a small speaker in a large opening.
 

Attachments

  • B94761C6-775A-4CED-8F10-C1EA1C5656B7.jpeg
    B94761C6-775A-4CED-8F10-C1EA1C5656B7.jpeg
    218.7 KB · Views: 4
Starting putting the Focals in today, found out the supplied hardware doesn’t fit the speaker mount adapters, so off to Home Depot. Unfortunately, my Kicker tweeters won’t ship until next month, so I’ll hold my review until then. Forgot to post a picture of the JBL speakers that come in the back door, not sure why they put such a small speaker in a large opening.
that's very interesting!
 
looking to upgrade my audio in my 2020 with JBL, would be interested in comments on the installations they others have done and how the sound was with the aftermarket speakers. I am particularly interested in the results with the Focal speakers.

Thanks!
 
looking to upgrade my audio in my 2020 with JBL, would be interested in comments on the installations they others have done and how the sound was with the aftermarket speakers. I am particularly interested in the results with the Focal speakers.

Thanks!

Focals will suffer from a volume loss. They are 4Ω. You want 2Ω all around. Factory JBL speakers are 2Ω.
 
I have the lowly non JBL system. I'd love to add a small amp and replace all my speakers, but after reading on the other Tacoma forum about people having electrical problems from just swapping out their interior light for LED's I'm not gonna mess with it.
 
I have the lowly non JBL system. I'd love to add a small amp and replace all my speakers, but after reading on the other Tacoma forum about people having electrical problems from just swapping out their interior light for LED's I'm not gonna mess with it.

Fake news.
 
Back
Top