LX Subwoofer Replacement

[UT08LX570]

Not a whole lot documented on the subject of sub replacement. Lots of guesses or "this is what you could do" so I figured I'd share my project.

Sub replacement on 08 LX with ML. I went fairly cheap to make sure I could get it to work first. Let me start by saying I'm no audiophile. Maybe I'll tear it down again and go with a shallow audiocontrol sub and port the box for a little more rumble than punchy, but I'm content for now.

The LX uses a 10" 8ohm sub compared to the 8" that the LC uses (cant remember the ohm on LC). I initially tried this cheap 10" dual voice coil 4ohm sub wired to 8ohm and it sounded like garbage on stock amp/wiring. I then jumped down the rabbit hole of piggy backing an amp fed by line output converter. I used an Audio control LC1i to grab rear door signal from the factory amp under driver seat. Used that to convert signal to the RCAs going to the Recoil DI600.1 amp. I was able to fit the LOC and amp on a 3d printed mount in front of the sub box. I did give up the cupholder and storage area for the right side 3rd row, which is not installed anyways, but I'll repurpose the holes with 3d printed cover plates with some USB's and aux power for the rear. I mounted the remote bass control knob in the ash tray so its tucked away, will print a cover plate for that as well.

Overall I'm very happy with this basic setup.

 

[UT08LX570]

Diagrams for amp wiring for 08-09 LX, or you can use a 9v battery and leads to test until you find the speaker you want to tap for signal.

 

[sedole]

Love seeing all these things you're coming up with for the LX!

Digging my new rear cupholder from you btw!

 

[YellowJacket]

Thanks for this write-up. When I get my dream car (2021 LX570) I'll be very grateful to refer back to this. One of the first upgrades I did in my 2013 was upgrading the 8" sub in my LC and adding an aftermarket amp.

Coming from someone who had dual 15" Rockford Fosgate subs in my first 4x4, 25+ years ago, I can honestly say that my 2013 LC with a little amp and upgraded 8" with the 14 or so speakers is amazing. Surprisingly amazing. My buddy who did the install has been in the industry forever and he must know what he's doing. I will be stoked for even an extra 2" and will certainly do dynamat or some extra sound dampening material.

 

[CBfj62]

Thanks for this write-up. When I get my dream car (2021 LX570) I'll be very grateful to refer back to this. One of the first upgrades I did in my 2013 was upgrading the 8" sub in my LC and adding an aftermarket amp.

Coming from someone who had dual 15" Rockford Fosgate subs in my first 4x4, 25+ years ago, I can honestly say that my 2013 LC with a little amp and upgraded 8" with the 14 or so speakers is amazing. Surprisingly amazing. My buddy who did the install has been in the industry forever and he must know what he's doing. I will be stoked for even an extra 2" and will certainly do dynamat or some extra sound dampening material.

What sub/amp combo did you go with?

 

[sticky iqqy iqqy]

This is awesome. Def going on the todo list. Any suggestions on subs? Guessing this will need a shallow sub?

 

[mbennett22]

Not a whole lot documented on the subject of sub replacement. Lots of guesses or "this is what you could do" so I figured I'd share my project.

Sub replacement on 08 LX with ML. I went fairly cheap to make sure I could get it to work first. Let me start by saying I'm no audiophile. Maybe I'll tear it down again and go with a shallow audiocontrol sub and port the box for a little more rumble than punchy, but I'm content for now.

The LX uses a 10" 8ohm sub compared to the 8" that the LC uses (cant remember the ohm on LC). I initially tried this cheap 10" dual voice coil 4ohm sub wired to 8ohm and it sounded like garbage on stock amp/wiring. I then jumped down the rabbit hole of piggy backing an amp fed by line output converter. I used an Audio control LC1i to grab rear door signal from the factory amp under driver seat. Used that to convert signal to the RCAs going to the Recoil DI600.1 amp. I was able to fit the LOC and amp on a 3d printed mount in front of the sub box. I did give up the cupholder and storage area for the right side 3rd row, which is not installed anyways, but I'll repurpose the holes with 3d printed cover plates with some USB's and aux power for the rear. I mounted the remote bass control knob in the ash tray so its tucked away, will print a cover plate for that as well.

Overall I'm very happy with this basic setup.

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What is that in your center rear seat, I noticed that pretty quick lol? Looks like a 3d printed cup holder, mine in my LC is broken.

 

[UT08LX570]

What is that in your center rear seat, I noticed that pretty quick lol? Looks like a 3d printed cup holder, mine in my LC is broken.

Yeah its a 3d printed cupholder that I designed and sell. Because I made the holes as deep as wide as possible, it does require very basic trimming to the broken factory unit for clearance. I have a whole google doc/PDF for help with install. Im making some minor tweaks to design, for more reliable prints, and will have a new etsy sale listing made in a couple days.

 

[sticky iqqy iqqy]

So couple questions about this.
1. Is that the factory sub box? Does it already have those RCA connections at the bottom left?
2. If I’m understanding properly, the only wires you had to tap into were the rear speaker wires for LOC. Then you just ran power for the amp and connected loc to the sub. I see a power splitter back there. What was the purpose of that?
Seems fairly straight forward. Is the only sub control from the bass control knob?

 

[UT08LX570]

So couple questions about this.
1. Is that the factory sub box? Does it already have those RCA connections at the bottom left?
2. If I’m understanding properly, the only wires you had to tap into were the rear speaker wires for LOC. Then you just ran power for the amp and connected loc to the sub. I see a power splitter back there. What was the purpose of that?
Seems fairly straight forward. Is the only sub control from the bass control knob?

Factory sub box, 3/4" sub ring spacer to screw the sub into, aftermarket terminals in a hole I put in the bottom.

Correct on hookup, I also took the opportunity to put a bluesea fuse block in the rear for any future power needs I may have. Just have a splitter going to that and the amp.

Have all the normal sub controls via knob, amp tuning, and a few on the head unit.