benot32

haven't been able to get any good advise from folks on the ECA
forum, so I was hoping that you might have some insight for me. As you
know, I'm now buying the top trim-line Limited 4Runner which includes
a stock "premium" JBL stereo that Toyota is forcing me to buy as a
$700 option. I would like to install an aftermarket receiver to
improve sound quality and enable convenient iPod access. An equally
important concern is the ability to use factory installed steering
wheel and rear-seat interfaces to control the stereo. I'm debating
whether or not to even take out the stock receiver. If I decided to
keep the stock receiver I could use some type of line-output-converter
like this: http://www.davidnavone.com/adaptor_products.htm
But of course iPod compatability would be less convenient, and sound
quality would probably be noticeably degraded compared to an
aftermarket HU, right?

So if I went with an aftermarket HU, I could maintain the use of
steering wheel controls with something like this:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pacswisteerw.html
Additionally, the Limited 4Runner has a set of rear audio controls and
pre-wiring for wireless headphones are included which I don't want to
lose the functionality of by adding an aftermarket deck.The reason
being that I don't want to have a top of the line car with a bunch of
buttons that are not connected to anything - I don't want to explain
to passengers why they don't work etc.

FirstToy

IMO, sound quality is pretty good on the JBL 10. I have the rear seat audio control thing too and dont see how you could keep it working w/ a aftermarket HU...maybe, I just never heard of it.

Try upgrading just the speakers instead? If that doesnt work then go for the HU. I kinda like the JBL so I'm leaving mine.

For the iPod-- look up Bulldog-Yota's slick adaptor he put the iPod hidden in the dash bin and uses the stock HU.

jw

yeah, a line out converter would degrade sound quality some. you may just want to consider just adding an infinity basslink. http://www.cbrstereo.com//index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=953

that would take care of the low-end and allow your other speakers to do what they do best - mids and highs. that should impove overall sound quality and still allow you to use all of the factory controls. upgrading the front speakers would help out too. like FirstToy said, i would try upgrading just the speakers first, maybe add the basslink. if you're still not happy with how it sounds, you can always take it a step further.

Skyline

I have a 4G Ltd, and use a PAC iPod adapter. I can switch tracks on the steering wheel, and it sounds great. The JBL system makes provision for an external CD changer, (even though it's already got one built in,). I rip my CD's to my iPod at the highest sound quality possible, but I still have room for about 4,000 songs on my 40gig iPod. I have a wire run to the center console, and the iPod is velcroed to the little fold out table when in use. Here's a picture: