Factory/Aftermarket Amplifier Questions.

[TCruise]

I'll use this as my introduction as well as add my questions here. I'm very new to the 100 Series world, as I just graduated college and bought my first car. It's a green 1999 100 series with Iron Man pro shocks and OME medium rear springs. I'm waiting on my 4x4labs rear bumper to come in so I can put that on. I installed a frontrunner slimline II on the roof. It was a little thin, so we had to flip the feet on the track around and it worked from there.

Anyway, my question is about the factory amplifier that is mounted behind the passenger side of the dash. Is there any way to remove that and not have any problems? When I disconnected it originally while installing my new audio system, it wouldn't let me crank my 100. It sounded exactly like trying yo crank it without a sensor in your key. Is that just another anti-theft design that is impossible to bypass?

My second question is about the aftermarket amps. I have a JL HD 600/4 and HD1200/1. They're about 14" by 12". I have them basically sitting in the open right now. Do any of you have custom audio installed, and if so, where are some good places to mount your amps?

Thanks again for your help! Here's a pic of my 100.

 

[gatormark91]

Um, well… the "factory amplifier that is mounted behind the passenger side of the dash" is not the amplifier... It's the engine ECU. It says so on it. So that is why you got no crank.

The amp is under the passenger seat. This FAQ has everything you need to know to remove it and wire in a new head unit:
Stereo Wiring: Land Cruiser / LX 470 (1998-02)

You will need to purchase an amp bypass harness from Metra and jump a couple of the wires in the connectors under the passenger seat. All the factory stereo wires collect under the passenger seat, you shouldn't need to cut anything in the dash or run any new speaker wires.
Metra 70-8116 Amp Bypass Harness

As far as where to put amps, there really isn't anywhere except under the passenger seat (where I have mine). The rear AC and the sub enclosure are in the rear interior quarters, there isn't any extra space in there. The rear heat unit is under the driver's seat. You are pretty much left with figuring out some custom enclosures, which will interfere with your ability to carry stuff.

 

[TCruise]

That makes sense...it was dark when I was messing with it, so I'll use that as my excuse . Thank you for the explanation

I didn't see it underneath the passenger seat, so I suppose I'll look harder there! I already wired the head unit, door speakers, the two amps and the sub, so removing the factory amp isn't a huge deal, I just didn't want unnecessary parts there. I'm thinking about mounting my two amps onto my sub box, but I'm not sure how well that will work if I ever need to take the sub out for space. Maybe mount the sub amp to the sub box? But then where are some good places for the other amp? I'm also concerned about running a power wire that far. Is my concern there warranted?

 

[gatormark91]

That makes sense...it was dark when I was messing with it, so I'll use that as my excuse . Thank you for the explanation

I didn't see it underneath the passenger seat, so I suppose I'll look harder there! I already wired the head unit, door speakers, the two amps and the sub, so removing the factory amp isn't a huge deal, I just didn't want unnecessary parts there. I'm thinking about mounting my two amps onto my sub box, but I'm not sure how well that will work if I ever need to take the sub out for space. Maybe mount the sub amp to the sub box? But then where are some good places for the other amp? I'm also concerned about running a power wire that far. Is my concern there warranted?

There is a protected plastic channel that runs along the outside edge of the carpet, next to the sills, that covers a lot of the interior wiring. Just make sure your wire is heavy enough gauge and properly fused.

 

[TCruise]

There is a protected plastic channel that runs along the outside edge of the carpet, next to the sills, that covers a lot of the interior wiring. Just make sure your wire is heavy enough gauge and properly fused.

Thank you for your input here! I just got around to being able to remove the actual factory amp. That link you posted was incredibly straightforward, and my 600/4 fit wonderfully in the space down there! I'll be cleaning it up and rerunning wires tomorrow. Today was a test to make sure my amp would fit. I've also decided that I'm going to mount the 1200/1 onto the 13W7 enclosure because that will allow it to get plenty of ventilation and I'll still be able to remove the subwoofer easily if I need to. The JL amps are very good about convenience in that category because the power/ground/remote/speaker wires don't insert directly into the amp. There is a block that holds all of those that then plugs into the amplifier. Great design.