First System in 25 years...I am going in!!
 

Hello,

So quick background...I am a Toyota truck guy since the 80s and wanted wife to get a new 4runner, as old one was rock solid, but she wanted a Z. Long story short, we own a Z now!! As much as I was against it, I am actually happy we got it, as it is a very fun car. I still love my Tacoma, but drive the Z everytime I get!!

So we bought the base model with intentions of putting in better sound system and this is where we are. I have alot of experience with car stereos from mid 80s to early 90s, as old pickup had a Alpine 7380-Yamaha crossover and Kenwood/Concord amps. I can not remember the speakers, but they were tweeters midrange and woofer setup. I liked the sound but in 05 I ordered the Taco with the factory JBL and to be quite honest we both think it is very good, as we are closer to 50 now than 40 and talk radio/ music is a 50/50 mix!

So with that said, we like the decent sound of an OE JBL system so we decided on the following...

Kenwood DNX572BH reciever
Kenwood P709PS component speakers
Kenwood KSCSW11 powered subwoofer
Kenwood 6406 Amplifier
Moonet CCD Backup Camera
ASWC-1 steering wheel adapter

I was two Kenwoods deep, so I continued with all Kenwood, except for camera, as I read great things about it and cost was worth a gamble. I have heard mixed review on the subwoofer and I figured we are happy with my factory subwoofer in truck, so this may just give us enough bottom end to be happy on those quick jaunts to Vegas! If not go to plan B.


In reading the stickys and many other threads there I have to give props to BIGAUDIOFANAT, as he seems give good no-agenda advice, but props to many others, as this forum is awesome. I seems as good as my home at TacomaWorld! Is there any advice or suggestion anyone has, please feel forward to chime in, as I am still not sure on the ASWC-1, iphone and possible antenna converter. Still waiting on all parts to arrive, so I still have some study and prep work to do.

I am actually excited about putting this in, as it has been so long, but I am sure I will get half way though and look to the heavens and scream WHY, but I am still doing it!! --thanks

Pull the spare tire and convert that area to a sub enclosure. :tup:

I just finished a wicked cas corner 10" sub box install.....easy and doesn't take up hardly any space...

if the sub doesnt work that is what I may do, but like idea of utilizing spare area.

After completing this project I have to say it was a little more difficult than I thought and I have a few details I have to conclude, but I will wait until it cools off here in AZ. I am very pleased with the results and while it is no award winning system it is more than adequate for us. Here are a couple of notes I noticed after all said an done.

The Good...
--The already drilled hole in firewall and the entire run to battery...makes for very clean and easy wiring to battery.
--Dash speakers left a lot of options and easy to access and build custom enclosures.
--Help from everyone here that gave answers to all the questions. Probably would have replaced a lot of clips and done a lot more work with out all the info---thanks
--While not yet utilized, the space in back in front of spare tire...leaves a lot of options and is where I should have mounted the amp and purchased a couple of subs to stealth into the space.
--Hookup for steering wheel controls was simple, as it appears issues have been worked out.

The Bad...
---Area behind stereo is tight, but I like that metal tab in the back which allowed me to help in the final install
--Door wiring...I finally chickened out on doing it the way I wanted and just used the capped holes for speaker wire.
--It is a little tight and space under seats appears big, but I had issues mounting the amp the way I wanted.

Overall I am pleased with everything and as much as I hated installing it, I actually want to do it again!! Thanks again to everyone on this forum who has given advice and answers to problems!