Aftermarket Stereo in 98 LX470 But Keeping Factory Speakers (& Amp, If Applicable)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

AggiePhil

AggiePhil

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Feb 20, 2009
Threads
13
Messages
116
Location
College Station, TX
Howdy all. I have a 1998 LX470 with the in-dash 6 disc CD changer stereo. I don't know if this means that I have the "Nakamichi" or "Mark Levinson" system, nor do I know if this means that I have a built-in factory amplifier.

Anyway, I'm wanting to how things will work if I install an aftermarket stereo but want to continue using the factory speakers. Assuming that my car already has a separate factory amplifier, will I need to use the non-amplified "pre-amp" outputs on the aftermarket stereo? I would think that using the standard amplified outputs on the aftermarket stereo would "double amplify" the output...probably not a good thing. So...how is this usually done? Thanks!
 
you are correct, you have an amp that is separate from your factory radio. I just put in a Nav system and i have to turn off the "loud" in the system b/c it pushes too much through the speakers using my amp. Most decent stereos will hook straight up and will allow you to turn the internal amp off somehow.
 
I recently recieved a pioneer single din from Crutchfield. They supplied the harness as part of the package. I had to join 4 wires on the back of the radio to the 4 wires in the suplied harness. I soldered and heatshrunk the harness together today. Only burned two of my fingers. I'll be installing the stereo soon. The requirements were the new stereo have 2 SETS OF PRE-AMP output to work with the factory amp. I purchased one with 3 sets so I can one day add another amp and make it THUMP. This is for the 98 toyota LC but I imagine the process is similar.
 
AggiePhil said:
Howdy all. I have a 1998 LX470 with the in-dash 6 disc CD changer stereo. I don't know if this means that I have the "Nakamichi" or "Mark Levinson" system, nor do I know if this means that I have a built-in factory amplifier.

Anyway, I'm wanting to how things will work if I install an aftermarket stereo but want to continue using the factory speakers. Assuming that my car already has a separate factory amplifier, will I need to use the non-amplified "pre-amp" outputs on the aftermarket stereo? I would think that using the standard amplified outputs on the aftermarket stereo would "double amplify" the output...probably not a good thing. So...how is this usually done? Thanks!
Click to expand...

it would say nakamichi on the front of the radio. If you install an aftermarket radio it will work fine since the nak system has an amp under the front pass seat.
 
on mine they just cut the wires from the original radio and rewired them to the new radio. They didnt use the RCA plugs if thats what you mean. Later on when I swapped out my amp and door speakers they ran the RCA cables.
 
1loudLX said:
on mine they just cut the wires from the original radio and rewired them to the new radio. They didnt use the RCA plugs if thats what you mean. Later on when I swapped out my amp and door speakers they ran the RCA cables.
Click to expand...
OK, then they doubled up on the amplification. You had the signal being amplified by the aftermarket stereo's built-in amp then amplified again by the external factory amp. Did you run into any blown speakers or other problems with this setup?
 
nope, it was fine. Lost some bass though, but the sound was much crisper. No blown speakers, I just decided to upgrade 6 months later. I always listened to music loud and they didnt blow.
 
I'm gonna solicit the expertise of the folks over at Sound Domain to see if I should:

1) Use the factory Lexus amp (and the pre-amp outputs on the aftermarket stereo)
2) Bypass the Lexus amp and use the built-in aftermarket stereo amp
3) Use both amps together
 
you seem to understand this ... is there an external amp in the 98 LC? I am looking to put an after market stereo DVD unit in and i am wondering what issues may come up. I looked and couldn't find a wiring diagram anywhere for the LC and the wires coming out of the unit dont match up with the new units?!?! any idea what could represent which speaker ect?
 
I just put aftermarket Stereo/DVD unit in my LX470...was no problem at all actually. Kept factory speakers, amp and subwoofer for now...can change them out at later date.

Will likely change speakers and subs next...then amp last as it will need all new wire run at that point mostl likely. Good luck.
 
thx ...
 
Hey Brock,
I want to replace the Nakamichi w/ a Kenwood dnx 6160 on my 99 lx470. I want to keep the factory spks and amp. Do you have a wire diagram on how to hook these up?
 
yes I do somewhere...I got to find it though. It was pretty straight forward and in fact the shop that I gave my wiring diagram to also got one from a friend at the Toyota Dealership...but cant remember if they gave them back to me or not.

Email me at rchermanjr at hot mail dot com and I will try to get them to you if still available....but they were pretty straight forward.
 
I got the wire schematic from another site. My main concern is the factory amp trigger wire. Do you have to jump it with the vehicle's Acc wire to kick it on?
Thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom