Full Stereo Replacement. Goodbye JBL (2011 Dual Cab)

I wanted more Bluetooth power in my 2011 Dual Cab Sport because I've hated the limited options in this area from day one. The CODA Wheel, a simple $30 button, helped a lot. But I still wanted more.

I do suggest the CODA wheel if you have a Bluetooth challenged truck line mine and don't want to go down the rabbit hole I'm about to describe:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LXLSNXQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Deck Install:
I installed a Pioneer AVH 4200NEC, a iDatalink Maestro (for steering wheel controls and to automatically tie into the JBL sytem), and a new face plate for the dash. This gave me all the Bluetooth power I'd ever dreamed of. I didn't notice a difference in sound (which I didn't expect) and lost my Satellite radio (which I never used anyways). I could buy a $30 adapter to bring it back and another $50 adapter to take advantage of the built in antenna... but I'm not going to.

The deck was everything I'd hoped. The install took a full Saturday and the hardest most time consuming part was getting the full unit and all the extra wires (and the Maestro) to fit back inside. Several posts in this forum helped a ton with the install. I also installed several USB Charger ports that fit right into the dash, added 2 AC adapters to the back of the center console for the back seat, and a dual USB charger back there too. Kids were happy and no more shuffling cables up front for everyone's devices. Car Play is very cool but I hope Apple enhances it soon. It's been too stagnant and needs some upgrades. I don't have an android so can't comment on that. The deck does both. I still end up just using Bluetooth most of the time.

Speakers:

My JBL system sounded good, but I found myself wishing for more. My first thought was to install new speakers and I priced them out thinking I could just pop the door panel and replace them. I was naive. The JBL speakers are 2 ohm, not 4. And the whole system has a funky design in how the rear speakers are linked in. Bottom line, swapping out the speakers will more than likely reduce your sound quality regardless of how good the speakers are. Upgrading speakers is an all or nothing project... new sub, amp, and speaker wire. I didn't want to go this route, but all my research said it was the only way. My simple, cheap project ballooned because I needed an amp.

I thought maybe I could use the existing speaker wires. Technically, I could have cut them from the harness that plugs into the JBL amp in the back and spliced in to them. But they are tiny wires. Not a good idea. So now I needed to run power to my amp and install new speaker wires. This sounded like a lot of worth and I almost killed the project. But... I'd caught the bug and pushed ahead and tried to find another way. There isn't another way. Fine. New amp and speaker wires. Truth told? It's not so bad. Seriously. Not bad at all. Most of the work came from the Sound Dampening... but we aren't ready to talk about that yet.

I found some inexpensive Kicker speakers and a decent looking Alpine MRV-500 amp that Amazon has ridiculously cheap (just over $200). My costs had grown, but not by too much. I thought I was ready to proceed. I hadn't decided on a sub and sub box... there were several options. Some of which looked pretty cut and dry.

One of the sub box options was from Mr. Marv... so I called him. Now, I gotta warn you before you call Mr. Marv. If you are a Blue pill kind of guy, do not call Mr. Marv. If however, like NEO, you would choose the red pill, give Mr. Marv a call and prepare to start an insane journey.

Mr. Marv

Before I called, I told myself Marv was a salesman and would try to sell me something. I wasn't going to bite. I was interested in his box, but would probably go with a cheaper route. Still, everyone on these forums raved about him so I thought I'd at least give him a try.

As I expected, he suggested some Hybrid Audio speakers (which he sold). BUT... he wasn't pushy at all. In fact, he was extremely helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, and just an all around good guy. So I did some research on his claims... and everything he'd said held up. I upped my budget and decided to go with the Hybrid Audio speakers. They were about $200 more for the front alone, but based on the reviews... would make a helluva difference. With all the hours I was going to spend upgrading and the work behind it, I decided it was worth it.

Marv helped me put together a great system. I was more than happy to give him my business not just because I felt the products were well worth it, but because he was one of the most helpful salesmen I'd ever encountered. Great guy. I went with his sub box even though it meant waiting a month... he is in heavy demand and that backed up. But I got the other speakers and everything else ordered.

In the end, I went with a Pioneer TS-SW 10 Inch Sub (and Marvs custom made box for it), Alpine PDX-V9 5 channel Amp, and Hybrid Audio speakers (Mirrus in back, Unity in front). Plus new speaker wire, power, breaker box, and RaamAudio sound deadening products (I got package #1 and it was plenty).

Sound Dampening:
I'd never considered sound dampening. Marv convinced me to at least do some simple work on the doors around the speakers... so I started my research. If Mr. Marv is the red pill, sound dampening is the red pill on crack. Do not venture down this path if you are at all concerned about your sanity. This ended up being by far the bulk of the work, stress, and frustration of the entire project. It is a time consuming task. You will cut your fingers. No, shred them. You will cuss. You will break things. You will wonder if it is too late to take the blue pill....

I decided hell. I'm this far in, why not just do it right. I did a medium sound dampening job... doors and roof. Marv gave me some great advice. I had no clue what I was doing, but he gave me enough direction that I worked it out. I'm glad I did it. Would I ever do it again? Right now.. no freakin way. But, maybe 10 years down the line when I have a new truck I'll reconsider. I'd read somewhere that somebody took 40 hours on it. I spent a Fri/Sat/and Sun on it. It was pretty close to 40 for the sound dampening and wiring.

All said and Done....what do I think?
My system is installed now... with the except of the sub because the box hasn't arrived. It sounds freakin amazing. My Toyota JBL system was nice. It really was. I didn't need to do this upgrade. I told my wife and kids it was a stupid thing to do. Frivolous even. I spent more money than I needed to get something that isn't important in the grand scheme of things.

BUT... I'm glad I did it (huge grin).

Because holy shit when I turn up that volume it sounds insanely good. And I don't even have a sub yet. I'd hit a limit in the JBLs where I wished for more. More clarity, more umph that I could never get. I do not EVER hit that level with this system. It can give way more than I need. Even low levels offer more... the sound is full. I hear things I'd never heard before in songs I'd played a thousand times. And if i want it loud? Well... I haven't even found out how loud the system can go. At half volume my head is pounding and ready to explode.

If you don't have a JBL, I'd def upgrade. If you have the JBL system... it's borderline. I'm glad I did it. I'm not sure everyone would though. The JBL system is decent. It's just not freakin awesome like the one I have now. There are tons of ideas and helps in these forums. I can dig out the links to the specific ones that helped me if anyone wants them.

I have all the original JBL system components sitting in my garage. Not sure what I'll do with them yet. Sell them, or hang on to them so I can throw them back in when I eventually sell the truck.

 

Marv did the same thing to me! haha. But i love the hybrid audio speakers! I turn my stereo up to 50 - 55 all the time! I built my boxes with the help of Marv, they turned out great!

I have a link to the build in my signature.