I started this project about two months ago collecting parts and looking for a quality installer to help with my install. I live in the central valley and we have many car shops around but unfortunately only a few high-end installers.
Before I started I took into consideration two things: I didn't want to do anything I couldn't un-do if I either didn't like the sound or if I sold the truck later on. I also didn't want the truck in pieces for days waiting for fiberglass to be sanded and painted. I've been that route before only to be disappointed later by deadlines that are never met and mediocre workmanship.
My system consists of a nearly complete Eclipse audio system:
The amplifiers themselves are very efficient even running in 2-ohm, but I still replaced the factory battery with a Stinger Dry Cell. I also added additional grounding points on the chassis replacing the factory ground wires with zero gauge stinger wire. There is no noise in the system even at high volumes. All the wire consists of stinger pro series signal wires and connectors.
The AVN6610 head unit has all the typical features of a double-din CD/DVD player including hookups for blue-tooth, Sirius, and a backup camera all which have been added to the Tundra. In addition a pair of Eclipse MRE-700W screens rest in each headrest for those who want to sit in the bed and watch movies.
On the way to the amplifiers I added an Audio Control DQXS Pre-Amp EQ for the ultimate in listening enjoyment. I should note don't even consider this unit unless you have an RTA and you can tune your system. The Eclipse head unit has 5V pre-outs and I tuned the system using an RTA right at 5 volts for absolutely zero noise and zero hiss. The Eclipse head unit had no problem generating 8 to 9 volts per pre-out but I left it at the advertised maximum to insure the best sound quality possible. The DQXS allows for 31 points for EQ tuning per speaker if needed so with an RTA you can correct every possible sound imperfection that your interior will present you with. You can save your changes to any one of eight possible modes. I added a USAC tuning, another for old rock, another for video, bass and so on. The Tundras interior had many presented me with many sound quality challenges especially in the 400 to 1200 range, where vocals primarily come into play. Need some extra bass punch for that old rock music that has little to begin with? This gem of a unit can do it with sound accuracy unsurpassed by any other car audio component. Forget using the EQ on the head unit, the EQ on my head unit remains flat because it's totally imprecise and just muds up the sound.
The Eclipse amps are very efficient and pack considerable power given their small size. You could run a couple of them without impacting a stock charging system on your truck. Each sub amp produces a little over 500 watts at 2-ohms before it protects itself. They're quick to install and only 11 x 11 in size, which makes them easy to hide if need be. Each sub amp sends its signal to a 12" Eclipse SW7200 DVC sub woofers packed into a custom 1.2 cu sealed box. Eclipse recommended anywhere from .5 to 1.5 cu for a SQ sealed enclosure so I decided in 1.2 for the best SQ possible. They can rock out and have no problems producing notes from 20 to 80 as they're designed to do. At maximum volume a fine ear may be able to detect a tiny bit of mechanical noise from the voice coil as it tires to push the woofer even harder. These are by no means high excursion woofers, they're designed for music and precise listening.
The XA4000 component amplifier is running at 2-ohm and will easily send 375 watts to each set of door speakers without a sweat. This provides an incredible sound stage at medium to high-volumes. The Eagles "Hotel California" will bring a tear to your eye with breath taking sound quality. The sound quality of Stings "All this time" DVD is so surreal that you'll think you're in the audience and that's not exaggeration. Even older music from AC/DC, Styx, Don Henley, etc., will sound better with a much improved sound stage and corrections for the interior. Poorly recorded music from bands like Boston, Journey and Kenny Loggins will sound better but admittedly you only have their poorly recorded signals to work with. Today's music is often over sampled with turned up bass and treble so you'll find yourself de-tuning them some to make them sound better.
What's next for this Eclipsed Tundra? I have to build a trim panel to cover the amps and their wiring. Then I thought about dropping the crossover in their component speakers and running an active signal directly from a set of amplifiers. I may need to mod the doors to get an 8" mid bass in there but we'll see. I should note that you don't need 3-way components up-front. 2-way components would work perfectly for most people. Bouncing sound off the windshield presented me with some definite tuning challenges that you won't be able to overcome without a device like that DQXS.
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I drive a 2007 Toyota Tundra 4x2 Sport Truck, 5.7L V8. DZ BU EC EM FE HM PN RN SL SM SP WR Black over Gray / Black interior.New pics and details coming.
Bouncing sound off the windshield? You used the dash positions?
Installing a mid-bass driver is a challenge I've got to deal with before long as well
The front still uses the stock speaker locations but I would like to do something about that. To correct the harshness in female voices, which play largely through the dash mounted 1 1/2" midrange driver, I've had to de-tune them down -6 decibels. Thankfully male voices typically sing through the door mounted 6 1/2" woofers. The components can only manage 100w nominal or 300w peak so I have to watch the power levels for the time being. Switching over to an active component system will allow for better tuning and increased power up-front.
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I drive a 2007 Toyota Tundra 4x2 Sport Truck, 5.7L V8. DZ BU EC EM FE HM PN RN SL SM SP WR Black over Gray / Black interior.New pics and details coming.
do you know if the bluetooth connection can be connected to the steering wheel controls. I am looking at the 6610 as i have heard of the ease of installation with Eclipse and Toyota. I heard the volume is easy enough but didn't know about the bluetooth.
do you know if the bluetooth connection can be connected to the steering wheel controls. I am looking at the 6610 as i have heard of the ease of installation with Eclipse and Toyota. I heard the volume is easy enough but didn't know about the bluetooth.
Thanks
Adam
I can't tell you for certain if the bluetooth unit supports the steering wheel controls because I don't have steering wheel controls in my Tundra. I doubt it does but perhaps someone else can chime in on this.
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I drive a 2007 Toyota Tundra 4x2 Sport Truck, 5.7L V8. DZ BU EC EM FE HM PN RN SL SM SP WR Black over Gray / Black interior.New pics and details coming.
Which dash install kit is that ? I just got my Metra, for my MAX675vd, I think the install kit you used looks better.
It's the American International head unit install kit TOY-K967 unpainted available on ebay.
I added a shot of the current tweeter location so others can see where they're located.
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I drive a 2007 Toyota Tundra 4x2 Sport Truck, 5.7L V8. DZ BU EC EM FE HM PN RN SL SM SP WR Black over Gray / Black interior.New pics and details coming.
That sail panel where you have your tweeter looks factory...Is it? That would make installing my components into the front a bit easier.
Yes that's a factory Toyota cover. If you don't have them (many don't) you can pick up a pair from your favorite Toyota parts guy for around $40.00.
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I drive a 2007 Toyota Tundra 4x2 Sport Truck, 5.7L V8. DZ BU EC EM FE HM PN RN SL SM SP WR Black over Gray / Black interior.New pics and details coming.
Anyone notice that I Line-X'ed the cargo tray the subwoofer box rests on? I love Line-X and just can't get enough of it. Besides that try was getting all scratched up and my solution looks and works much better.
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I drive a 2007 Toyota Tundra 4x2 Sport Truck, 5.7L V8. DZ BU EC EM FE HM PN RN SL SM SP WR Black over Gray / Black interior.New pics and details coming.
Yes that's a factory Toyota cover. If you don't have them (many don't) you can pick up a pair from your favorite Toyota parts guy for around $40.00.
Thanks! I will do that. I have a JL 3 way setup that I plan on putting in from my front stage and that will make things easier and keep the tweets from reflecting off of the windshield.