2003 LC Stereo Upgrade (1 Viewer)

[mtnracer]

My wife wants to upgrade the stereo system in my 2003 LC with Nav as my Xmas present. I really love the idea but I would like some input from fellow mudders who have upgraded the amp and speakers in their 2003+ Cruiser (2002 and older does not really compare because of the major stereo differences).

I have read here that the factory amp under the driver seat controls the Nav screen so a rip and replace is not that simple.

I would really like some concrete examples of how some of you did the upgrade including amp, speaker and subwoofer models. Where did you mount the amp? Sound results?

Thank you! Merry Christmas.

 

[stevopike]

one of the better ones I've seen

2007 Toyota Land Cruiser - DIYMA.com - Scientific Car Audio - Truth in Sound Quality

 

[saillaw]

Is he still able to control the a/c with that? I thought if you replaced the factory amp you lose the ability to control the a/c?

I ended up going with a parrot mki9200 system to get iPod connectivity and bluetooth hands free . I still have only factory speakers and amp but plan to at least upgrade the speakers at some point.

http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/bluetooth-hands-free-car-kits

I give this solution mixed reviews. The sound quality is as good as stock, but that's not saying much. The remote unit is a little flimsy and seems to be vulnerable to interference , so you have to be careful about where you mount it. But once you mount it works well. Installation is not easy, I recommend professional installation which only further increases the cost of this relatively expensive option.

I really wish there was a reasonable way to replace the nav headunit.

Mine is a 2003 btw.

 

[OregonLC]

Is he still able to control the a/c with that? I thought if you replaced the factory amp you lose the ability to control the a/c?

If you replace the head you do, but you should be able to bypass the audio with no problemo. Whether you have to leave the OEM amp in place to power the head I don't know, but downstream of audio out shouldn't have any effect.

 

[stevopike]

I can't fully remember, but it if you removed the amp it threw a flag and the nav didn't work/displayed something saying it didn't not recognize something, but I don't think it prevented you from changing the climate.

What part of H-town are you in?

 

[mtnracer]

I think I will try to install a second amp either under the driver seat or in the upper right side cubby hole in the cargo area. I'd love to install a big sub like they did on the 2007 but I'm not sure I want to go that far.

Since my last post I installed a Vais Tech SL2i-Up and it works great. It installs itself as a Mini-Disc player and my 6 disc DVD changer still works. I can now control the iPod functions on my iPhone 4S via the touchscreen and steering wheel controls. On the fly I can also turn on "simple mode" which returns control back to the iPhone. In simple mode any audio is routed through the factory stereo but you can use any app including pandora, slacker OR the iPod function. Very cool and I still have the DVD changer for movies.

Anyone have a suggestion for an amp or for door speakers?

 

[mtnracer]

Went to a local car audio shop and asked if they can copy what they did with the 2007 LC from Stevopike's post. Same build with 8 inch sub, amps, Boston Accoustics RS60s in the front doors and labor for $1400 complete. What do you guys think?

 

[stevopike]

Depends, what is the cost/labor breakdown? Is he going to fab a box like the one in the link? And if you are going to just do the fronts and a sub, you might be able to get away with one amp. And I assume the other stuff is quality, not some random off the wall that only they carry.

 

[mtnracer]

They will use Memphis amps for the speakers and the sub but they said i can really pick anything i want. Dynomat the doors and the area around the sub. And yes, they will build a box into the side just like in the build.

 

[saillaw]

Sounds like a good price compared to quotes I've had

 

[stevopike]

I agree, great price, that box is going to be tricky.

Regarding the iPod adapter, can you only listen to pandora, etc on the simple mode?

 

[cpcc]

Sweet price, especially given the sleek look that you will wind up with in the end. Sound and show, a perfect combo for a very reasonable price.

 

[mtnracer]

I agree, great price, that box is going to be tricky.

Regarding the iPod adapter, can you only listen to pandora, etc on the simple mode?

In simple mode (on the VAIS SL2i-up) all audio is routed to the car stereo but everything is controlled from the iPhone / iPod. In advanced mode you can control the iPod functions from the wheel or the Nav touchscreen but there is no pause function which is annoying. All controls on the iPod are grayed out.

I usually run in simple mode but you can switch modes using the LC touchscreen in about 5 seconds.

 

[mtnracer]

It's on. I made a deposit and the parts are on order. I am having them essentially copy everything they did in the 2007. Two Arc Audio Amps plus the audio processor. Boston SR60s in the doors and either a JL or Arc Audio subwoofer. The shop will try to fit a 10" if possible. They said they will need the truck for 3 days.

 

[stevopike]

sent you a PM

 

[mtnracer]

Stereo Install Done!

Used Arc Audio KS125.4 Mini for the speakers and KS500.1 Mini for the sub. The KS500.1 was sent by accident as I wanted the much smaller KS125.2 in bridge mode. Now I have massive amounts of power but only a single 8" sub to use it on. They gave it to me for the same price though.

Sub is Boston Acoustics mounted in a custom box where the stock sub used to be. Door Speakers are Boston Acoustics SR60s.

They also installed the Arc Audio SRI audio processor.

Sound: I am no audiophile but all I can say is HOLY CRAP!!! I have never heard such loud, clean sound. No distortion or vibration. It just gets louder until your ears bleed. Just awesome.

One small issue that others have talked about as well: Slight hiss when no music is playing. I will go back to the shop and ask if they can fix that. Workaround for now (if I want silence) is to switch the audio source on the SRI - hiss goes away.

Out the door price with tax and all was $1800.

Overall I would say this is an amazing upgrade. Highly recommended and you still have full use of the cargo area.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

I have an after market Kenwood DNX 7140 in my 99 with stock amp and speakers. I have not been able to figure out how to silence the slight ignitation hiss when the volume is turned down. I've tried all types of filters etc, including RCA ground loop isolators etc. Nothing works.

Please let me know if you figure out how to stop this!

Thanks

 

[rails]

Where did they end up mounting the tweeters? In the pillars like the example from earlier in the post?
Any pics of how the sub came out?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[abewley]

YOU HAVE TO POST PICS OF THE BACK SUB INSTALL!!!! thanks.

 

[mtnracer]

Where did they end up mounting the tweeters? In the pillars like the example from earlier in the post?
Any pics of how the sub came out?

Thanks for sharing.

The BA SR60 tweeters went into the stock location in the upper forward corners of the front doors. For the rear doors we used some older Infinity composite speakers that were previously mounted in the front doors. The lower quality of the Infinitys definitely shows but then again I don't usually sit in the back. When my bank account fills back up a bit I will install the SR60s in the back doors as well and maybe something small in the cargo area to listen to music while parked with the hatch open.