Whenever I acquire a new vehicle, typically one of the first things I do is replace the stereo. I’ve never heard a factory sound system that was satisfactory. Additionally, the navigation systems that auto manufacturers come up with usually drive me crazy. You make cars. You’re crap at designing a UX. The stock sound system in the 4Runner is notoriously poor. Multiple owners report back with the same complaints. Theres a significant amount of bass due to the large size of the stock speakers but the system over all sounds flat and muddy. Theres no definition or separation I opt instead for a head unit that supports Apple Car Play. A number of apps support Car Play such as Spotify, Pandora, Apple Maps, Google Maps and many more including off road navigation apps. Its a much more pleasing user experience.
In this install I opted for the Sony XAV-AX1000 (https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV1000/Sony-XAV-AX1000.html) I’ve got the same one in my Subaru. Its a pretty basic model which is all I need. Also really like having a physical volume knob. The only thing I’d change is the USB port on the front of the unit. Wiring a USB cable from the back of the unit into the glove box or somewhere else more discrete would be preferable. That feature can be found with other models. The head unit will supply signal via RCA cables to a 400 watt JL Audio amplifier. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698361/JL-Audio-JD400-4.html The amplifier will push sound to 6.5” Infinity separates in the front doors, surface mounted tweeters in the dash, controlled by an active crossover. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108P6510CM/Infinity-Primus-PR6510CS.html It’ll also route sound back up to the head unit and tap into the factory speaker wire found there to be distributed to the rear doors and the tailgate. I opt for a simpler co-axle style 5.25’ Kenwood speaker https://www.crutchfield.com/p_1131396PS/Kenwood-KFC-1396PS.html Toyota runs those four speakers in series so the 4 speakers are sharing the 3rd and 4th channel from the amp. I had concerns about resistance in this configuration but it seems fine. I added a powered subwoofer by Alpine which will nestle under the front passenger seat: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500PWES8/Alpine-PWE-S8.html Signal runs from the pass through on the amp via RCA cables to the sub and power runs from the distribution block on the amp plate.
I purchased almost everything from Crutchfield. They’re definitely the leader in car audio. They’ll add in all the accessories you’ll need to make all this stuff fit your specific application. Their install database is really solid. They also have the necessary kits to make stuff like steering wheel controls work with the head unit of choice.
In addition, I bought a mounting plate from TacoTunes that’s fabricated to fit under the drivers seat and provides a solid place to mount the amp and power distribution block to. TacoTunes also has a ton of install videos on YouTube illustrating all the various aspects of audio install on the 5th Gen 4Runners.
Clean!
I pulled power through the firewall, via a 4 gauge cable attached directly to the battery with an inline fuse holder. Leaving some slack in anticipation of re-routing it to a secondary battery system sometime in the future. The 4 gauge cable goes to a fused power distribution block which delivers power to the amp and the powered sub.
Overall, I’m extremely happy with this setup. It is probably the best sounding install I’ve ever done. It gets quite loud with great resolution between the highs and lows. A healthy yet not overpowering amount of bass. Theres nothing like cranking it up with the windows down on a warm day. Party on.