Opinions on the JBL sound system

[twstrchasr]

I have the Extra Care extended warranty on my 2001. I know that I have tested the water before on trying to get the amp replaced. When at that time I got the usual "no problem found" reply. What would be some good advice on how to approach this issue with my service writer

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
2001 UZJ100-- Champagne Pearl--- 61K
1989 FJ62-- Freeborn Red---130K
1991 Range Rover Classic-- Ardennes Green---62K
2003 Mercedes CL55 AMG-- Bright Silver Metallic---17K

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

OK, what amp did you replace it with, $??

Toyota. This only happened in part of the '01 year. Toyota has a corrected replacement.

 

[jasoncjung]

I have the Extra Care extended warranty on my 2001. I know that I have tested the water before on trying to get the amp replaced. When at that time I got the usual "no problem found" reply. What would be some good advice on how to approach this issue with my service writer

twstrchasr,
i got the same run-around from my dealer (sf toyota). the first time they said no problem, and brushed me aside. totally unsatisfied, i went in the next week, and complained about the sound, so they replaced my head unit, and of course returned and said "now, it sounds much better", but still the bass was too much. after the 2nd time, i brought it in, asked for the service manager, and complained that this was the THIRD time i had brought it in. i told them I KNEW that there was a TSB (AU001-01) and he looked into it right away and ordered the part. a few days later, the GM even called me after i picked the car back up to see how my "service" was. now, the system is fine, for all types of music.

that is why i originally joined the board 2 years ago - in search of the problem, and have lurked ever since.

 

[hoser45]

Well, my musical tastes run toward classic rock -- so I'm in BIG trouble with this amp!

 

[gjh]

issues with 2000's?

were there any issues with the 2000 trucks? Does someone have the tech bulletin & are they providing replacement only if you have the extended warr?

Thanks

 

[macneill]

I've been happy with the stock system in my 02, then again, I'm an old fart and never turn it above 4...

 

[Filmpros]

I had a similar problem with my 2001....the dealer changed out the amp under warranty after I complained about it. Problem was solved.

You need to replace the factory JBL amp. This is a known problem on 2001 LC's and is easily fixed by replacing the factory amp. I bought a replacement factory amp from CruiserDan and it sounds good again. For some reason they **** out and start producing excessive bass. A new amp is around $400 from CruiseDan and it takes about 30 minutes to unbolt the passenger seat and change out the amp. There are several of us on this board that have replaced the amp with good results.

 

[miraloiza]

Hi I wanted headrest monitors for the kids as we regularly drive 12 hours from where we live to the city. I live in the Aussie outback. Anyway the stock sound system was in my opinion rubbish and with the dynamics of DVD movies I knew I had to rip the lot out. I removed all the speakers including the sub. I added a Pioneer CD player, 12 disc Sony DVD player, rear seat controls so the kids could select either to watch a movie or connect a playstation and listen via headphones so the adults in the front could listen to a CD. This has been a godsend as we never hear the words " Are we there yet "
Anyway regarding the sound, I ran Kicker splits up front and pioneer rear door speakers with a removeable 12" sub box to add ambience and deep base found in movies. I used the Pioneer deck to drive the Pioneer rear door speakers and hooked up a Kicker amp to power the splits and the 12" sub. The sound is absolutely amazing whether classical or rock and movies are equal to any home theatre system I have heard. It leaves the LX system for dead.
The cost for just the deck, amp and speakers was a little over $1500.
For a cheaper setup for the LC I'd run a mid range Pioneer deck, $200 splits up front and $100 rears with a two channel amp for the splits. This alone will transform the sound.

 

[Swederson]

Tsb Au001-01

For those that are still wondering... I had downloaded the TSB from the Toyo techinfo site. Here are some of the particulars:

Title: Excessive Bass (boomy bass, JBL amplifier)
Models: '01 Land Cruiser
Introduction: A new JBL amplifier has been designed for the 2001 model year Landcruiser to address customer concerns regarding too much bass and/or the inability to reduce the bass output level in the sound system.
Production change information, starting VIN: JTEHT05J#12009229
Applicable warranty: This repair is covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
-----

So, based on that, it appears to be an '01 model year thing only. If your VIN is under the one listed above, your LC is a candidate for the replacement amp. If your VIN is higher than the one listed above, it probably has the corrected amp installed from the factory. Hope this clarifies things.
- Dean

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

For those that are still wondering... I had downloaded the TSB from the Toyo techinfo site. Here are some of the particulars:

Title: Excessive Bass (boomy bass, JBL amplifier)
Models: '01 Land Cruiser
Introduction: A new JBL amplifier has been designed for the 2001 model year Landcruiser to address customer concerns regarding too much bass and/or the inability to reduce the bass output level in the sound system.
Production change information, starting VIN: JTEHT05J#12009229
Applicable warranty: This repair is covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
-----

So, based on that, it appears to be an '01 model year thing only. If your VIN is under the one listed above, your LC is a candidate for the replacement amp. If your VIN is higher than the one listed above, it probably has the corrected amp installed from the factory. Hope this clarifies things.
- Dean

Also: Mine was replaced free OUTSIDE the 36K warranty (though I had to complain).

 

[jbuswim]

Anyone have problems with electrical interference from the engine on your new system? Had a car audio shop re-do mine and they can't get it to go away.
Thanks

 

[CA Cruisin]

My 1999 has boomy bass. It has to be the same issue.

 

[CA Cruisin]

Before amp replacement = What the hell was Toyota/JBL thinking? This this cost me $60K. BOOM BOOM BUZZ BUZZ ERRRR!

After the amp swap = Damn! This is one sweet setup! Luv it. Nice deep bass....sweet mids and highs. Luv it!

System's great. We got bad amps!

Did you replace it with a stock OEM amp? They're $800 online! Both my '99 and the '04 LCs I currently own have booming amp bass problems. Doesn't seem Toyota fixed the issue after 2001, after all.