Complete audio overhaul on my '92 FJ80

[Jvoight]

Well it's been a week or so after completing this audio upgrade. It has really been nice to listen to...

I would catch myself with a grin through entire songs... Really impressive... Sound quality, volume, great mids... The crossover and tweeters on all 4 doors reveal sounds in familiar songs that were previously unknown... Percussion details, back up singers, detail of acoustic guitar.

The bass setup is unsuspecting because of its compact size... impressive is a bit of an understatement... Buddy was asking how does that much tight clean bass come from that small off a package...

The other cool thing is every seat in the rig sounds awesome... front seat, middle seat, even the 3rd row. The third row has less power going to those high mounted pillar speakers... Which is a good thing being they are so close to your head.

I am very happy with the whole setup. Also very glad I did more than just the standard minimum. I get a lot of the same reaction when people sit and listen... First sitting there staring at nothing (just listening), a smile starts to emerge, then followed with... "Damn!!... That is incredible."
If you want something that sounds better than " pretty good..." This may be a good route to go. Sound quality is def above an average system and certainly below crazy expensive competition systems. I just sounds damn good inside the rig... which is what I was going for.

Changes I may consider doing if I were to do it over...

1) sub and amp...
Wouldn't change a thing... This setup is awesome

2) head unit...
Love it, easy to use and navigating the options make sense... And Have Value. Things like each input source saves it's tuner settings... Bluetooth can have a different equalizer setting than the radio or the aux in. AptX is great upgrade for Bluetooth,

3) 4 channel amp.
No changes... It Is great and compact.

4) door speakers.
Very good!
The only thing I could maybe see doing is staying with the same brand just for the visual appeal...Kenwood deck- Kenwood speakers... Or maybe The Alpine Type-S components speakers and go with an Alpine deck.
That would've cost quite a bit more tho... Being I got the stuff I used with decent discounts.



Thanks

 

[n00g7]

Now if only I wanted to put that in the FZJ80.... I do want a smaller free air 10" or even an 8" and a smaller amp... and I personally absolutely will go with another Hifonics amp!

I haven't had much luck with rockford fosgate either.

Been doing Alpine amps and HUs recently as other brands die on me -- the PDX series amplifiers are tiny for the wattage so easy to hide and the plug connections are nice.

I've had good luck with infinity and JL for speakers and JL for subs.

To OP: Nice install.

 

[Jvoight]

To OP: Nice install.

Thanks!

I haven't had much luck with rockford fosgate either.

I won't hold back on reporting if this Fosgate amp punks out...

I felt comfortable going with Rockford Fosgate based on the one I have in my boat that has been worked hard for 4 full seasons... And has been flawless.

It would be disappointing if RF has cheapened them to the point of losing quality and reliability. It does seem like a lame trend for most bigger companies anymore. Infinity and JL are def good stuff.

If it ends up being junk... I'll move on... After I have a few

 

[n00g7]

Thanks!

If it ends up being junk... I'll move on... After I have a few

Hard part is already done, so you can definitely hit the bottle.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

JL amps are so-so in comparison..... Phoenix Gold had it's best years at the late 90's early 2000's, but their head designer went to another company (and I can't remember that brand name - but it was an "off brand" and you could basically get a PG amp under another name for 1/3 the price).

JL subs, so long as you go with a W3 or higher, are awesome subs. I went with the Pioneer Premier 10" comp sub that I have now only because the JL was 2.5x the price... I was/am pleasantly surprised with the Pioneer keeping up with that Hifonics amp I have.... which is a serious work horse.... I've sort of made up my mind that any amp meant for a sub - if it isn't 1ohm stable, then it isn't the amp for me. If the company/engineers have built it to handle anywhere from 1-8ohms then I expect it to be a good quality unit.

I just couldn't believe that the Hifonics amp killed the RF sub.... it was their top of the line 10" sub too....

 

[new96FJ80]

Got the wires mostly ran for the sub/amp in the back... Which I ran under the edge of the carpet along passenger side. RCA cable, amp power cable, power on signal wire and the bass boost/punch level wire (to control bass level from the driver seat) All needed to make the journey.

Next post I'll show pics and details of rear amp wiring.

Have you had any issues with sound feedback/interference? I've heard you can get feedback/interference from running the power cable down the same side as the RCA cables.

I ordered the same subwoofer/amplifier combination and will be installing when I have a free weekend in a month or so. Excited to hear the sub sounds good when properly powered.

Thanks!

 

[tlin]

Do you think that Pioneer sub you've got would fit where the stock sub originally went? I placed my Kenwood sub back there a few years ago and have occasionally thought about going with a slightly bigger model (which you have). Can't find a pic of my sub actually installed but here's the work-in-progress just since everyone likes pictures......

BTW - good job on the '92 FJ80. Best year - period.

Nice install and writeup. Seeing your components makes me think, again, I need to swap out my Pioneer 3-ways. While I appreciate the improvement my own install gave me over the stock setup when I got my '80, I've grown a bit tired of the low-point-source of the mid/highs due to the speakers I chose.

well done!

 

[Irish Reiver]

So this is what my method of enlarging the hole looked like... Using a saw-zall.
View attachment 1169933
I used a hammer and tapped the cut tabs in
View attachment 1169934 I pre drilled and ran new screws in the metal to mount the oversized speakers.

I am on the middle of a similar project. I have selected and bought the head unit, sub & amp for the sub. I'm struggling with the door speakers and 4ch amp. Every post I have read about replacing the speakers shows the minimal clearance issues with the front door panels. On this thread I see the rear doors Appear to have a lot of access. Am I right or are the photos misleading. If there is adequate space to mount a decent set of 6 3/4" speakers and i mounted something smaller in the front would the sound quality be negatively impacted.

 

[Spencersieler]

Nicely done, if I'm not mistaken, you completed your cummins swap?? is that you?

 

[baselfish]

Do you think that Pioneer sub you've got would fit where the stock sub originally went? I placed my Kenwood sub back there a few years ago and have occasionally thought about going with a slightly bigger model (which you have). Can't find a pic of my sub actually installed but here's the work-in-progress just since everyone likes pictures......

SO here is my homebrew 6" Sealed - Kicker sub - 4ohm (they seem to only come 2 ohm - meant to be run 2 parallel)

car audio

• baselfish
• Mar 6, 2015

car audio

Abracadabra - its gone (in the stocker sub cubby)

car audio

• baselfish
• Mar 6, 2015

car audio

space is indeed tight - with the biggest factor being depth which is > 3 inches....
and when at least a 8" sub will take .5 - .6 ft3 - (meaning you box should be 6" x12" x 12") -
lest you work with fiberglass - it is very tight fight

tis the reason i went with a small 6" sub. no doubt it doesnt thump - but sounds fine by my 45 year old ear

i know some have tried 8" even 10" free air in the cubby - but me personally am not a big fan of such....

bF

 

[Jvoight]

Have you had any issues with sound feedback/interference? I've heard you can get feedback/interference from running the power cable down the same side as the RCA cables.

I ordered the same subwoofer/amplifier combination and will be installing when I have a free weekend in a month or so. Excited to hear the sub sounds good when properly powered.

Thanks!

No issues at all with feedback/interference.
Don't run the cheapest RCA cables you can find also make sure your ground wire connections are really good and I think you will have same results as me.

I'm confident you will love that sub/amp combo

 

[Jvoight]

Do you think that Pioneer sub you've got would fit where the stock sub originally went? I placed my Kenwood sub back there a few years ago and have occasionally thought about going with a slightly bigger model (which you have). Can't find a pic of my sub actually installed but here's the work-in-progress just since everyone likes pictures......

View attachment 1230455


BTW - good job on the '92 FJ80. Best year - period.

Nice install and writeup. Seeing your components makes me think, again, I need to swap out my Pioneer 3-ways. While I appreciate the improvement my own install gave me over the stock setup when I got my '80, I've grown a bit tired of the low-point-source of the mid/highs due to the speakers I chose.

well done!

Thanks!
THE SUB - I think it might fit... Would be pretty sweet if it did. I opted not to bother trying for fear of a hard hitting sub rattling the crap out of the side panels... But if you have already had a better sub installed and didn't have those issues, prob be worth a try. Btw it is way better deal to buy the sub and box pre loaded/together. Then you would have the option to put it on the floor like mine if it didn't fit or function so well...

YES, 92 FJ80's are awesome!

IMO, component speakers are so worth it especially when supplied with some additional watts. They really spoil ya...

 

[Jvoight]

I am on the middle of a similar project. I have selected and bought the head unit, sub & amp for the sub. I'm struggling with the door speakers and 4ch amp. Every post I have read about replacing the speakers shows the minimal clearance issues with the front door panels. On this thread I see the rear doors Appear to have a lot of access. Am I right or are the photos misleading. If there is adequate space to mount a decent set of 6 3/4" speakers and i mounted something smaller in the front would the sound quality be negatively impacted.

There is room to install the 6-3/4" on all fours... Just have to modify as I did... The rear has plenty of potential space. The rears run into problems when the window rolls down and a linkage arm will come into contact with the speaker magnet. A spacer ring 1/2" or 5/8" thick will need to be used to get the speaker out away from the linkage arm to roll down all the way. I will be making some rings for mine soon... But for now I have stuck a piece of "do not go past" tape on window track to indicate where to stop... yeah, def not full proof.

I don't think sounds sound quality would be affected negatively... But usually you see larger speakers in front doors compared to the rear...

 

[Jvoight]

Nicely done, if I'm not mistaken, you completed your cummins swap?? is that you?

Thanks

YES it is powered by a 5.9 cummins

 

[jamesurq]

Some comments:

People ragging on Rockford Fosgate need to check out their Class D amps. Good stuff there.
Someone mentioned so-so quality for JL amps?? Strongly disagree. I have their 1000 w slash V1 amp and it's ridiculously robust and will endure a ton of punishment (I run it into a 13.5 W7 in a ported box)

That is all...

 

[tlin]

YES it is powered by a 5.9 cummins

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR - YOU'RE NOT A TRUE '92 GUY!

Juuuuuuuuuuuuusssssssssstttttttttttt KIDDING!

I built a custom bracket to mount the Kenwood sub I bought. It's a self-powered 8" unit (link to it in my original reply to you above). It certainly helps out but definitely sounds "small" or punchy with some music. That's why I've wondered if going bigger would be a good idea, just to have a fuller/richer and more consistent sub working against a larger variety of music types.

The location is solid, have had ZERO problems with the mount/install (no leaks back there which is important to be sure of before mounting). I also added sound-deadening (pic above) - very happy overall but deeper bass would be preferred.

If you decide to see if your Pioneer fits, please let me know. thx!

 

[surfpig]

Nice job...

I used nearly the same head unit and speakers but that's it. Vast improvement over the old setup.

Bit I accidentally tossed the Bluetooth mic with all the packaging.

Luddites.

 

[Irish Reiver]

There is room to install the 6-3/4" on all fours... Just have to modify as I did... The rear has plenty of potential space. The rears run into problems when the window rolls down and a linkage arm will come into contact with the speaker magnet. A spacer ring 1/2" or 5/8" thick will need to be used to get the speaker out away from the linkage arm to roll down all the way. I will be making some rings for mine soon... But for now I have stuck a piece of "do not go past" tape on window track to indicate where to stop... yeah, def not full proof.

I don't think sounds sound quality would be affected negatively... But usually you see larger speakers in front doors compared to the rear...

Thanks @Jvoight . Are the stock speaker cables sufficient to drive the bigger speaker or do they need upgrading as well?