How to Install Subaru Kicker Tweeters | 2nd Gen Tacoma (Almost Plug & Play)
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Let's install the popular Subaru Kicker Tweeters into a 2nd Gen Tacoma! Not exactly plug and play but we got this guys.
Link to Tweeters: amzn.to/322dbF9
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Grab your wicked Subaru Kicker Tweeters here: amzn.to/322dbF9
Did you have any issues with the sound on the 6x9 after moving green and blue wires on the tweeter?
Just did this install today. All in all it went pretty smooth. I took my sweet time with the first tweeter but the 2nd went much quicker. Couple of things I learned: 1) The trim plastic is very soft and is scratched/damaged even with plastic trim tools. I had better results pulling up screw covers with an eyeglass/jewelry flathead screwdriver. 2) When swapping the wires in the connector, the Tacoma World forum suggested putting wire 4 in slot 3, wire 2 in slot 4 and wire 3 in slot 2. The connector is labeled so just follow along. I marked each wire with a marker to indicate their number, for reference. This is to ensure correct polarity, although it seems this is not 100% needed. 3) Patience is a virtue when sanding the connector down, pulling the wires out and swapping them. Extra small jewelry screwdrivers recommended! 4) When putting the front door trim plug/button back in, make sure the center button is still depressed. It will pop back out when the button is seated correctly (this was a little tough, as the trim hole didn't match the hole in the door exactly). OK I'll stop rambling now. Thanks for the awesome uploads!
Correction on #4- to put those push pin plugs back in, the center plug needs to be fully retracted. Once the whole plug is in place, you can then push that center piece forward and lock it in. I didn't do this the first time but somehow got lucky.
Just did it. HOLY CRAP! What a difference. Took 45 minutes including swapping out the shit 6x9's for some Rockford Fosgate 6x9's. The Subaru Twitter install, following the instructions in this vid, was super easy. Honestly watching this vid takes longer than doing the install. I didn't have a dremmel so I used LARGE toenail clippers and a bastard file to remove the plug fins and projections. Removing the two inner wires from the male plug was very easy (easier than it looks here) with a very small screwdriver. Thanks Tacoholic! Awesome vid, I appreciate it.
It was plug and play for my 3rd Gen, non-jbl and made a BIG difference. Cymbals, etc were all of a sudden present in my Taco mobile audio room.
I upgraded with these tweeters today. I went full scorched earth and just cut and extended the wire harness with speaker wire. Saved time, works great. Definitely used a dremel tool to adjust the oem harness fitting, worked like a charm. Great video, keep up the awesome Tacoma fun happy goodness!
Got those for my 3rd gen. Install was sooo much easier. Definitely worth the time and money.
FYI, I just upgraded all my speakers as you suggested and the front two JBL Mid Range Speakers with the Kickers you suggested today in my 2010 Tacoma 4 dr.
What I discovered is, my truck only has 2 wires going to the Driver side and Passenger side Mid Range Speakers and not 4 wires, like your Tacoma upgrade video. The 2 wires were in I believe positions 1 and 2. So I tested the Kicker by placing the #1 cable wire to the #1 position on the Kicker speaker and then using the other speaker wire touch the other speaker connector location with the secondary speaker wire. What I found out is for a 2 wire midrange speaker that's installed in my truck, you only have to move Pin location #2 to Pin location #4 in the connector, modify the connector housing and it works great!
TIP for everyone, Buy two of the White Panels clips and two of the Button fasteners prior to speaker replacement. These either break or fall apart when removed on older vehicles, just be prepared to replace 2 each of the fasteners.
Thanks for the info! I don't think I've heard anyone mentioning doing this on the JBL system before.
@@Tacomaholic Yeah I was surprised how cheap and how light weight the magnets in the Premium JBLs were! One other thing to mention, is that the front plastic 6x9 adapters brackets are not the exact mount fit for the Rockfords, I had to drill two holes in the brackets to mount the 6x9 speakers and cut about a 1/4 inch off of the mounting screw length because of door panel interference.
Just put these in my ‘05 Tacoma.
Your video made it so simple. Thank you for making these videos. You’re my go to for info now. Thanks !!!
Thanks for watching Lloyd!
Got a 2G 2015. I just desoldered the factory harness of taco tweeter, clipped the wire at Subie connector, soldered the two together. Became plug and play took 30min. No cutting tape and getting wire length. Looks factory. Love the detail in your vids!
Which wires did you solder together? Or did you just match the colors? I can't see the factory harness wires too well in this video. I was thinking of doing this but I'm afraid I might mess it up lol
@@ZippyPickleman I’m trying to remember lol. I think if you pull the black casing back a bit on the factory tweeter, it should display the colors. I just matched the colors. Just to be safe I think I rigged them together first before anything permanent and tested them. Then I soldered it.
@@CharvelGrinder I can't believe you got back to me so quick. Thanks a bunch man. I think this is the route I'm gonna go. Cheers
@@ZippyPickleman not a problem!
You can cut the connector off the old tweeter and get the Subaru tweeter plug from a scrapyard or online, and just make a patch cable.
Had a 81 SR5 and 85 Tacoma left for American and back with a new 22 TRD Off-road and O I am digging you vids. Not sure where to start on the mods but thanks big time for putting these videos out for us garage mechanics. 👍
Thanks for watching Scott!
Used a metal file to grind down the plastic. Worked great thanks for the video!
ANOTHER great video! Installed the 6x9 and 6's a few days ago went really well, thanks to your other video! The speaker set I purchased from Ebay (Toyota Tacoma 2005-2014 Factory Speaker Replacement Kicker DS Series Package) kinda worked... the "Kicker" door speakers installed perfectly, but the tweeters that were supposed to fit my second gen Tacoma were too deep, and would not fit in the bracket unless I were to have drilled a large hole in the door skin for clearance. Nope... I contacted the seller and they were kind enough to accept return of the tweeters. I then ordered the Subaru Kicker tweeters you recommended (which I probably should have just purchased in the first place...). Install went exactly as your video outlined, no worries at all! The sound? Yep... WAY better than the stock speakers that came with my Base Prerunner (non-JBL) radio. Since I was already in the door... I replaced my right/left side mirrors with Rock Auto replacements... they look great! I'll keep following ya till my wallet wears out! Thanks again!
Nice, glad to hear it!
I'm also ordered the same kicker speaker package for my 2nd Gen and just watched this and read your comment AFTER I removed everything 🙄, so I'm thinking I'm going to install just the door speakers and not the kicker tweeters, return the tweeters and order these, man what a process! 😒😒
Wow! Lot of work! So tweeters on 2nd Gen Tacos are in doors and not dash. Third gen is much easier. Not related but I lived in DC area for over 20 years (moved out a year ago) and suspected you lived in that area based on townhouse design visible in several of your videos. I noticed the Virginia license plate on your Taco in the intro of the video confirming my suspicions. Lol. Great video.
I applied your same instructions on the DS18 since it looked similar and it made the install way easier (2014 Tacoma). Thanks buddy!
How you like the Ds18s? Just picked up a pair.
@@Birdo626 I'd say it makes a noticeable difference, in my opinion. In a nutshell, I like it alot.
how long did it take because i have a 2014 tacoma and getting the DS18 too
@@jacobyamauchi1917 With the right tools (no special tool needed) it took less than a couple of hours...mind you, I took my time so not to scratch the plastic panels
Did you also do the color wire swap as he did in the video?
That warning is true!!
Thanks for the video. Getting the wires out was easy, just went slowly and was really careful. Putting it all back together was simple, too. Toyota really doesn't give you a millimeter of excess wiring. I Dynamated my door, plus used a piece where the 6x9 adapter goes. The section I cut out the the middle, I put on the metal section that unscrews from the center of the door, that you remove while installing the Dynamat.
Thank you for saving my sanity. I hadn't realized the blue-green wiring had to be swapped around. Was about to lose my mind.
Ha ha did you have the tweeter installed without moving the wires first?
@@Tacomaholic I had in my mind for some reason that it was plug and play so I trimmed down the connector to fit and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't make sound. Luckily I hadn't totally installed it yet. I watched your previous video about taking the door panel off and lower speaker install and thought 'hey, this won't be bad at all!' I obviously should have watched this tweeter one too! Ah well, all in place and sounding great. Thanks again for making and posting these!
would like to see you do in a head unit install and the heated mirrors. Really enjoy your videos! keep it up! much love from vancouver island on the west coast of canada
Thanks Adam!
You are a God send my dude! Thank you so much! Literally did every step you did but did not switch the middle 2 wires around! Thank you so much!
My man, looking forward in doing this as a spring project. Long commutes are driving me mad with the stock sound quality.
Looks good, you got the sound deadener installed too!! I'm jealous now
Been enjoyin' catching up on all your recent and not so recent adventures. Now I may have gotten a bit mixed up, but you pour black light dye in your oil; then have to take off your door cards remove and replace your big speakers then remove and replace your little speakers and you now don't have any oil leaking out of the doors speakers --did I miss an episode in there? - well as long as your having fun. that's what counts. 🤣😛😆 Seriously: Very well done videos and thanks for being clear (as usual) on each step, with things to look/watch out for. It makes your videos so much better the "cut to fade /return and jobs done", style of shows. p.s. good thing you mounted the speakers right side up-otherwise the music would all run out the bottom when you driven' 😉👴
Lol you know by now that my episodes are in no way linear. 😆
Saw this video months ago finally got a chance to do it myself it sounds great. Thanks again tacomaholic
Nice, may have another mod for you to do. Super easy and super functional. AC drain line mod. 5/8 ID heater hose, a clamp and zip tie is all ya need. Easy mod.
Thanks Ray! Yep I've got the AC drain mod on my list. Good one to do.
@@Tacomaholic Hell yeah brother.
A little Metallic clip! Thanks this helped my install ! Woofer next.
Now it's time for a Kicker solobaric L7...Bumpin👍
I'm definitely feeling the need for some more bass in my life. Was considering either that or the "Punch" series from Rockford Fosgate.
Tacomaholic I have an old punch 8" in a custom ported box powered by a punch 60 amp, nobody believes that it's only a single 8". It's a great space saver with huge sound, plenty for the small size of a dbl cab Taco. The Kicker solobaric's are a little over kill but one would easily get job done. If I didn't need my back seats I would have installed them long ago. You've got a clean slate can't wait to see what you do with it...it's fun to set off car alarms 👍🔊
Hey thanks for this video, made it a lot easier putting these in my truck last weekend.
Cool, but if I do it, I'll just de-solder the connector from the factory speaker, and solder it back to the kicker. Cool speakers and upgrade!
Or, after watching the WHOLE video, do what you did 😅
Easier way to adapt it is to cut the wires off the stock tweeters, crimp on a 1/4 inch female flat connector to red and black wires (make sure one of them is insulated) plug them into the tweeter over the 2 small pins of each side, connect the oem plug and presto. If it doesn't work, should just need to switch the connectors.
Plus gives you extra wire for reaching the tweeter.
Definitely enjoying the install!
Thanks Miguel!
Great job on the Video .. I'm getting ready to do my 2014 ... thanks
I can say one thing. I do really enjoy the volume controls on the steering wheel on my 2016 Tacoma. and the Tacoma has more bass than a Ranger.
Diggin' the audio upgrades
My 06 Camry seems to have the exact same wiring and clip to unclip the harness. I scraped up my hand trying to undo the clip to no avail. Imma get a poker tool and depress that motherfathering button to get the friggin thing out! Incidentally I have kickers ready to go just need to get the tweeter out
Great video bro enjoyed all 3 speaker videos
In the future when I'm looking to upgrade my speakers I think I'll see if I can order the Subaru and Toyota connectors and harnesses. Just make an adapter that way I can always return to stock if I ever wanted to.
My thought exactly
Did you ever find an adapter for that?
It’ll take less time to do that than it took to watch this video.
I been following your channel for long time now, I like a lots of mods you done to your tacoma.
I have a 2012 tacoma and yesterday installed the AJT a/c knobs,ordered the Rockford speakers and the Subaru tweeters. currently trying to find the uni filter but is not available.
Keep going!!
Thanks so much for watching Luis! Here's another option for the UNI Filter: amzn.to/322g9eS
I replaced my tweeters in my 14' Tacoma yesterday and it wasn't nearly as tedious as this. Plus, I didn't mess with the wire swtiching or have to permanently alter the stock plug. Just cut two wires and soldered the new tweeters in. If I want to go back to stock, I'd just solder the stock back. Sorry, but this mod doesn't look worth it for the 2nd Gens. Plus, there's a whole other world of tweeters to choose from. 3rd Gen, no brainer, nice mod. 2nd Gen, probably not.
Love your videos and this is a great tutorial should someone want these specific tweeters in their 2nd Gen.
I did initially consider going with other tweeters, but given the popularity of the Subaru Kickers I wanted to make a vid about them. Install wasn't too bad and they do sound great.
@@Tacomaholic I'm sure the forum appreciates you doing this for them. One positive I see is you don't need to fabricate a new bracket for the tweeter. Main thing you're happy with them.
Got an example of a lower cost, better sounding alternative that's plug and play? (No crossovers needed)
There a few reasons why this is a good upgrade. One, this is actually a great tweeter. Check the specs and you will find they have an excellent SPL and range. True something like the Hertz ML 280.3 is better, but those are $400 tweeters. Two, they fit without an adapter ring. This is great for a quick install and no rattles.
Could you post a link to the tweeters you used?
I found out that even the JBL Tacomas still have the same pathetic Toyota tweeters as seen in this video ... so you JBL guys might want to consider doing this tweeter upgrade too. 👍
Is the process expected to be the same? Any additional modification required (as far as you know)?
Thank you! Great tutorials
So I've watched your whole series on the speaker upgrade, door panel removal and addition of the sound deadening material. I found it very informative and I'm ready to get the ball rolling on my own Tacoma. I have a 2008 Crew Cab, everyone keeps talking about 2nd gen, 3rd gen, is the 2008 considered a 1st gen? My other question is would the work required and parts needed to do this Mod be the same for my Tacoma? Any input you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Greetings! The Gens go as follows: 1st Gen is 1995-2004, 2nd Gen is 2005-2015, and 3rd Gen is 2016+. Since my Tacoma is also a 2nd Gen it should be the identical process for your Tacoma.
If you don’t get the plus and minus on the correct side, the polarity will be incorrect and the speakers will pull instead of push air.
Has anyone upgraded there audio in there tacoma from the factory jbl system? I'm wondering if this upgrade is worth it since I have the factory jbl system
I was wondering the same thing.
Great work. Good info.
Thanks for watching!
I’ve been wanting to do some audio upgrades to mine. This is a much cheaper option than what I’ve been looking at with tacotunes. I really want a 10” sub in mine but I want to keep the stock head unit. Mainly because I don’t want to lose any functionality of my steering wheel controls.
Did you see my other video about the door speaker upgrade?
Tacomaholic already have them in the cart.haha
Can’t you just cut and splice the blue and green wire and swap them and it should work ?
How come you chose to go with the kicker tweeters instead of Rockford fosgate like you did with your doors
I was considering going with RF tweeters but these Subaru Kickers are the most popular choice for Tacomas. Appealing to the masses. 😀
About time you get new mud flaps..
Mud flaps get torn off on the trails too easily.
@@Tacomaholic you are sooo right, lost one over the weekend. Enjoy.
@@bobwarner9952 Lol I had one torn off the very first time I took my Tacoma offroad. 😀
@@Tacomaholic yep, backup over a small stump. Snapped it right off. OE not made to last. I need to install some airbags I guess. Lift that sucker.
Cool video, is there any plug and play tweeters that don't require cutting or trimming for the 2nd gen ?
I'm not sure about standalone tweeters, but there are some that are incorporated into a set that comes with doors speakers and the tweeters plug right into the new door speakers and work with the old tweeters at the same time. Checkout the second item listed here ( amzn.to/3ewwD6z ). I'm running those for the front doors and they sound great even though I still need to run an amp to them.
Enjoy your videos. I'm going to do the front and rear speaker upgrades like you did and plan on keeping the factory radio ('15 Tacoma DC). With the the upgraded front and rear speakers installed do you think the tweeter upgrade was noticeable and worth it?
Thanks for watching Craig! Yeah the tweeter upgrade is really noticeable even after upgrading the door speakers. A ton more clarity/treble.
Tacotunes makes a plug n play wire harness kit for 2nd generation tweeter swap now!
Well that sure would have made things easier. 😀
Great video! One quick question, while this looks easy someone has got to make a plug in adapter for this. Have they ? I just ordered these and want to find a easier way.
I haven't seen anything for the 2nd Gens, but these tweeters plug right in on 2016+ Tacomas.
I didn’t need a easier method. You and black cat made this so easy. Anyone with basic skills can do this.
I put JBL GTO speakers to match the kicker/ Subaru tweeters and they sound incredible! Thanks.
Everyone holds their breath and waits for Brian to snap the white clip....
It was sketchy there for a moment. 😀
I have a 2015 Access Cab... it has 2 crappy speakers on the roof behind the liner... is there a video on how to change them or an upgrade???
What size are the speakers?
Anyone tried this same tweeter swap on an 07-13 Tundra? I know my Tundra came with a stock tweeter that looks pretty much exactly like the stock one shown in this video. The Tundras tweeters are mounted in the dash instead of the door
Toyota loves to use identical parts like this between different vehicles ... so there's a good chance it would work.
I think I will just buy speakers that are compatible with my 2nd Gen Tacoma
Did you add a crossover ? Tweeters i have also has a crossover, i have not yet installed. Front door speaker is 6x9 Triaxial. Do you recommend adding Crossover to tweeter?
I don't have a crossover installed for these.
I did exactly what was in the video. The passenger side sounds great, but the driver side now has no sound at all. Don't know what to do at this point.
Are you sure you changed the correct wires?
why not just remove the sodder from the existing and connect to the new? it would be faster and easier.
What size are those tweeters ?
Is it possible to mount tweeter upside down to take give wiring harness more slack?
Yeah it should work fine mounted upside down. I tried it but my OCD wouldn't let me sleep at night knowing the Kicker logo wasn't facing the right way. 😀
@@Tacomaholic Lol,, I know what you mean. Thanks
i just mounted it upside it works and has enough space :P
sorry i didnt quite understand why you swapped the green and blue wires. what is the reason?
Been awhile since I did this install but I think the wires need to swap position for sound to come out of the tweeter.
I don’t like clipping factory connectors. It’s a no for me, but thank you.
Are these safe to run with an amp and crossover or will they blow?
I'm not sure but the product page probably has the specs
do i need to swap the wires for like in the vid for the plug and play ds18 tweeters
If the other tweeters are supposed to be plug n play then you shouldn't have to swap wires.
they said they are plug n play but i know imma have to shave down the connector for them to fit im just wonderinv if i need to swap the wires like you did
@@fishintheboot9639 I wouldn't think so ... but I wouldn't think you'd have to shave the connector either.
No need for a crossover?
I'm not an audio expert by any means but a crossover wasn't needed for this swap install. That's not saying that adding a crossover would improve it even more though if you have a built system.
Can you just buy an adapter to make this easier?
I never found one at the time.
Alright tnx for the reply! Keep up the good work!
Smor3z _ is there one now
@@sosababy6307 are you talking about the taco tunes adapter?
You guys are paying wayyy to much for tweeters. Don’t buy OEM speakers because most of the time they suck and or are overly expensive. Check out Crutchfield. It’s a website that shows you what speakers will fit in your vehicle and it gives you very good prices. Plus it’ll give you all the wiring harnesses necessary for your speaker installation. Those 90$ OEM tweeters probably don’t sound as good as a set of 50$ alpine dome tweeters
Austin L there meant for subarus lol
@@staplquad8297 That's a bunch of bs. The only difference between these and a 50$ set is the brackets for mounting and the cover. Speakers are universal.
"Souldering". lol
Can’t you just cut the cables and reverse them and solder them real good🤷🏻♂️
You could do that. I thought about it before trying the driver side but it wasn't that difficult to get the wire free to swap so I prefer not to cut anything up.
Who cares where the kicker logo is?? You don’t see it anyways
Truck is way too clean
First
Good job. Boomer !
What size are they
Same as factory.
ATTENTION anybody who only has 2 of the purple/blue and pink/purple wires instead of 4 (such as myself) just follow these same instructions and it will work