Stereo - just running new speaker wires and discarding the under-seat amp?

[harpersferry100]

Hi, I'm tired of the buzzing ground noise from the factory amp. I'm also planning to replace the factory speakers. There's many notes on here about replacing and reconnecting / rewiring for the factory amp. Has anyone just fully removed it, bypassed it entirely at the head unit (rather than under the seat) and ran new speaker wires to the doors?

 

[TXSunDevil]

What year?

Thread 'Pre-03 nav delete how-to'

Sep 4, 2016

10-1-2022 edit: I relinked some deprecated pics and I'm self-hosting the spreadsheet.

Here is the link to my spreadsheet in PDF and XLSX formats.
Another update: print your own radio bezel. I modeled it in CAD and it's a free download.

Thanks to redjet for his original spreadsheet which mine is based off of. I mapped all pertinent pins for anyone to easily follow. My vehicle is a 2001 LX470 with Mark Levinson audio (North American LHD model specifically).

The relevant connectors are at the back of the AC Amplifier and the orange plug at the AC/Nav fascia...

• primeral
• Replies: 1,123
• Forum: 100-Series Cruisers

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[harpersferry100]

Good point - 2000 LX.

 

[TahoeZ]

The amps in the pre 01 suck but I haven’t seen any issue with the speaker wiring. Unless you’re planning on running a ton of power it’s pretty easy to swap the amp in the existing location and run RCA to the new head unit, or just splice in under the seat and bypass.