New to 98 LX470, what is my audio system? (2 Viewers)

[wlai]

Just joined the club and picked up an LX470 in great shape, and hope to own and enjoy it for a long time to come . But the car being 27 years old, the audio system is super tired, bass is very boomy, sounds like it's coming from an 90's boombox .

But I'm confused by what's in the car. Mine is a 98, and I don't see Mark Levinson nor Nakamichi on the headunit. So what components do I have? From checking the car and looking online, this is what I can gather:

- A stock head unit of unknown OEM. Really not all that useful as no Aux, no Bluetooth, and I don't use radio nor CD nor tape for that matter.
- Is there an amp in the system? If so, what is the spec? Is the unit any good? Is it located behind the dash or somewhere else?
- 2 Tweeters on front doors frame (replace)
- 2 5.25" speakers on lower front doors (replace)
- 2 more 5.25" on lower rear doors (replace)
- A sub in the driver side of the trunk (replace)

I'm definitely upgrading the speakers, which is simple enough as there are lots of posts about it, and seem straight forward. The key thing is the amplification, should I upgrade the head receiver or the separate amp, and if so, how do I get bluetooth. I'm inclined to keep things stock looking, so ideally switching out the amps and speakers can dramatically improve the audio experience.

Any suggestion or input appreciated!

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Pic of the HU would help to identify. Amp is located under the passenger seat.

 

[wlai]

Of course, here it is

 

[ed94r]

I had the same deck in my 98. I may not be able to confirm all of your questions, but can say that there is/are

1. An amplifier under the passenger seat
2. Pioneer branded door speakers in unique enclosures that do not appear to be the same as later models. The door cut outs to fit these enclosures in the door are larger than later models.

After I got tired of the FM modulator as the means to hook up my phone, A local audio shop was able to mount a Pioneer double din in the same space with a garnish kit surround without any major concern. That said, I did not do the wiring for the HU. I think a new HU may be your best option but I'm not the last word in the latest and greatest to connect your HU to an external source.

I replaced all door/sail speakers with Morel's. Significant massaging of the stock enclosures had to be done to make this happen. Essentially I used the front face of the enclosures to mount speakers to the door, and blew out the rear of the enclosures to fit the speaker magnets which were too deep for the stock enclosures. Significant trimming of the sail panels also had to be done to mount the tweeters. If you are not that serious, the speakers that were previously installed in the factory enclosures and "fit" without major surgery were Infinity KAPPA 60.11CS (Front) and Infinity KAPPA 62.11i for the rears, but not sure if these are available anymore.

I have a rockford powered sub in the back as a substitute for the factory sub.

I replaced the factory amplifier with a Rockford Fosgate 4 channel and it fit without issue

 

[wlai]

Thanks. Is the amp a 4 channel? How does the Sub get driven?

 

[x8o8drifter]

Thanks. Is the amp a 4 channel? How does the Sub get driven?

Top right corner has a thing called Search.
Almost every question about these trucks has been answered and can be found using it.

 

[wlai]

Top right corner has a thing called Search.
Almost every question about these trucks has been answered and can be found using it.

I'm asking because the search results are about Nakamichi or ML systems and I weren't able to find out what these early LX470 systems.

But I apprecaite hearing about this Search(?) function. Technology, so amazing. I don't know what it is, but I guess I'll have to ChatGPT it. Thanks!

 

[SteveH]

In defense of the OP, I have never seen a non-Nakamichi branded stereo in an LX. I'm sure they exist (as shown above) but don't seem common.

 

[x8o8drifter]

Yeah totally glossed over the non Nakamachi part.

After doing more looking I am finding conflicting part numbers on PartSouq.com.
If you can go there and use your VIN and it should go to the FSM for your exact truck.
Part is under Electrical > 8601: RADIO RECEIVER & AMPLIFIER & CONDENSER The one with the disc changer in the diagram not just the HU.
I looked up my 2000 doing that and it gave me 2 different AMPs I assume based on weather or not you had a Nakamachi system or not.
Bit when I tried to go to just LHD 2UZ LX470s in 1998 I only got 1 FSM and two AMP part numbers but no way to tell which one it is.

8628060210 and 8628060270.

But also that's if you want more info on the factory AMP.
You sound like your planning on swapping HUs along with the speakers.
From what I have read.
Most modern HUs built in AMP are even better than the OEM one. So just bypass the OEM one.
Unless you are also going to replace the thing.

As a stopgap for now I am going to be experimenting with one of those crappy FM transmitters off Amazon.
Works fine in my buds FC and audio quality is good enough for me. Same as FM radio.
Does USB music. BT.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61E+OL9xOEL._AC_SX522_.jpg

 

[ed94r]

Thanks. Is the amp a 4 channel? How does the Sub get driven?

Amp is a 4 Channel and fits perfectly. Punch 600 Watt 4-Channel Amplifier | P600X4

The sub is powered: Punch Single 12"" 300 Watt Amplified Subwoofer