Subwoofer/crossover do-hickey thingy in my '91...

[lka1988]

Lame title... Anyways, I've got a '91 land cruiser, and today, as I was installing a new speaker, I noticed a lone speaker in the rear, next to the tailgate.

The first thought that came to me was that this is a subwoofer of some sort. I turned up the stereo (stock ), put my ear up against the lone speaker, and noticed a low-volume bass-only signal coming from it.

So, I took off the rear panel to see if the speaker was connected to something besides just wires, turns out it is connected to a small box... I can't figure out what it is.

Q1: If this is a subwoofer, why is it putting out such a low-volume signal?
Q2: If it's not, then what's the point of it being there?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Lane

[Raedeke]

Lane -
I've got a '98 and have a similar speaker in the left rear panel.
I've not looked at whether there is a box on mine as well, but will be doing so in the next couple of days.

I believe that the little box is in fact clipping all but the low end sounds to that speaker. Much like a frequency splitter in a home speaker that splits the upper frequency to the tweeter, the bass to the bass, etc.

Not sure I'd classify it as a true subwoofer, but it's trying to place bass tone in the back as you would a sub.

don't have much for your other than that - I'm new to the forum and looking for some information on replacing my deck out with a new Alpine unit.

Cheers -

[Bud Tundra]

Lane,
I have a 94 LC and if I remember right, there is a small amp and a 6" speaker back there. I replaced my set-up few years ago with an inexpensive amp (that has a low/high input conection for the incoming speaker wire and an adjustment for the output level) and a 6" replacement speaker from Radio Shack. I can't remember the details very well, but the incoming speaker wire must be a low output signal, thus the need for a separate amp to drive the speaker. The reason why you don't hear very much out of the speaker is probably either the amp or the speaker is "toast". Remember, they used paper cone speakers and the vehicle is 15 years old!

[lka1988]

Thanks for the info.

However, I'm currently overhauling the car's sound system. I recently replaced my stock deck with a new Sony head unit, the two front door speakers with a pair of suitable 6-1/2"s, and the "subwoofer" is no longer even plugged in. My only problem now is finding a 6" midbass driver to replace it with. I've already run the wiring, now all I need is that and a sufficient amp.

I just have one more concern:
The LC's system seems to be the "specialty" system with 8 speakers + the "subwoofer"

My question is, What is the speaker size for the four small speakers and the two rear passenger doors?

[Bud Tundra]

I haven't gotten around to replacing any of the other speakers yet so I don't have any personal experience I can share with you. However, I have two suggestions. Either just remove the old speakers and physically size them up or contact crutchfield.com. On the web sight, you can enter in your cars info and they will list the sizes of the speakers that you will need. When I went to the process for my 94 LC, the sight said that I would need to contact them by phone. Perhaps there is not enough demand for the vehicle for them to enter the information in the computer data base. But they probably have the information on hard copy.
Good luck,
Bud

[lka1988]

It did the same thing for me, too. I may as well just take the speakers out, huh lol. Thanks