Installing aftermarket subwoofers - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mikejordan17 · 08-06-2004, 03:34 PM

I got my tc about 8 days ago and I just put 2 12 inch mtx subs in with a mono mtx amp and it was really simple. It was nice how easily the head unit area came out and the factory pioneer cd player still puts out great bass with the subs. I just hooked up an rca converter spliced into the rear speaker wires and it sounds great, no rattling or anything. Also the headlights don't dim at all. the panels in the front pull right out with no screws and then there are 4 screws to get the head unit out. The panels on the driver's side come out very easily as well and there is a wire bracket there to run the power wire etc. The only problem i had was that I had the inside corner panel laying in my friends yard and his dad ran it over with his truck, 38 dollars to replace. lol.

RanmaP · 08-06-2004, 04:40 PM

Hi I will be doing the same setup as yours too... why did you have to take out the HU? Was it so that you can run the remote to the amp?

Since I don't really want to replace my HU when its brand new, unless someone wants to buy it (which I hight doubt).

Do you have any pictures you can post or send me? Just wanted to see how it looks like.

Thanks
Philip

ranmap@hotmail.com

mikejordan17 · 08-06-2004, 05:06 PM

The easiest way to splice in the rca converter and to connect the remote wire was to take out the hu simply so I could get to the wires much much easier, only 4 screws hold the head unit up so i just took those out and i really rigged it cuz i was in a hurry but i just took a razor blade and spliced them in, ONE THING THAT YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW IN ORDER TO PUT A CONVERTER IN IS WHICH COLORED WIRES ARE THE REAR SPEAKERS AND WHICH IS THE REMOTE, FOLLOW THIS, i got it from the toyota schematic, it took me a while to find out,

REAR LEFT SPEAKER
Positive = Brown
Negative = Yellow

REAR RIGHT SPEAKER
Positive = Red
Negative = White

ABOVE WIRES ARE IN LEFT SIDE PLUG

REMOTE WIRE = Silver-------->IN RIGHT SIDE PLUG

RanmaP · 08-06-2004, 05:51 PM

Thanks for your scheme, I'll print that out and I'll have something to work off of.

mikejordan17 · 08-06-2004, 05:55 PM

Yeah and I thought the installation was easy even thought I had to figure that out on my own, You should fly through installation with that information.

The Wolf · 08-06-2004, 08:56 PM

Wow, your headlights don't dim? How much is your amp rated for?

mikejordan17 · 08-07-2004, 09:14 AM

I have a 420 mtx, I am not sure how much wattage it is putting out but it really hits.... I think around 600-800 watts

2AZ-FE · 08-17-2004, 02:16 PM

Hey,

I just took out my HU yesterday to install my sub in the same manner that you did and found that my wire harness is different. I have different colored wiring and where you say the remote wire is, is different on my vehicle. Which stereo did you have installed on your tC? Maybe it is different if you get the optional HU's. Just wondering. My remote wire is on the left side harness on the bottom of it when you are looking at the dash from inside the car. It would be the harness closest to the steering wheel. I think that the color of it was green instead of silver also. Not sure why, but just wondering which HU you have. Thanks.

mikejordan17 · 08-17-2004, 03:01 PM

I have the regular single disc pioneer cd player, and I'm assuming that you don't have the same head unit???? I do know that the remote wire is silver on mine and it is on the ride side plug.... reply back and let me know.

One thing I forgot to say earlier is that to get behind the plastic cover and everything you have to pull the bottom plastic part off first surrounding the shifter, then you pull the top part straight out... then disconnect the air conditioner of course and you are inside....

2AZ-FE · 08-17-2004, 04:21 PM

Hey,

I also have the factory deck with a single disc player. That is odd. Over my lunch hour I bought a continuity tester and cofirmed that my remote wire is on the left side plug. I am not sure why they would be different. Makes not sense to me, but they are.

mikejordan17 · 08-17-2004, 08:51 PM

Is it only the remote wire that is different from my schematic????

RanmaP · 08-17-2004, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the updates, I'll be careful to look it over before I start cutting anything.

2AZ-FE · 08-18-2004, 09:24 AM

Hey,

I installed my stuff last night. The wire colors that you stated were correct for my radio. The only thing that was not correct was the plugs that the wires were located in. The speaker wires were located in the right side plug, the smaller of the two, and there were just those 4 wires and one other that I am not sure what it was. The remote wire was in the left side plug, the larger of the two, right next to the constant power wire. I am not sure if we are confused as to what side left and right is or if I am misunderstanding you when you locate them, but the wire colors to match. I had to ask a friend to verify since I am color blind, but he did say that they matched your colors that you got from the dealer. At an rate, my sub is in and it sounds good. Everything is well and it works fine.

***2wickedtoyz*** · 08-18-2004, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikejordan17
I have a 420 mtx, I am not sure how much wattage it is putting out but it really hits.... I think around 600-800 watts

actually you amp max rated power is only 420 @ 2ohms and 210 @ 4ohms

that might explain why your headlights are not dimming.

try wiring your subs like this that way you get the most out of them:

mikejordan17 · 08-19-2004, 06:51 PM

Are you saying that each of my subs is only taking about 110 watts right now???

You are suggesting that I bridge my amp??? I can't remember how to do that, your picture shows only one positive and negative on the amp, I have two positives and negatives on my amp, so what do I need to do to get the most bass??? Run both wires from only one set????