Sykesville Tacoma Owner Upgrades Stereo System

A Sykesville-based client recently contacted Westminster Speed and Sound to inquire about upgrading the stereo system in his 2017 Toyota Tacoma. He wanted to update the technology in the truck with a new radio, add new speakers and top it off with a subwoofer to make the system sound more realistic. After inspecting the vehicle and learning about the client’s listening preferences, we designed an audio upgrade that would meet his needs.

Toyota Radio Upgrade

The client like the features the Alpine offered.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available to the client now.

Our team integrated the factory backup camera with the new radio.

The client liked the features of the Alpine iLX-207 multimedia receiver. Being able to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto make phone calls, send a text message or choose the music he wants using voice commands appealed to him. We removed the factory radio from the dash and mounted the Alpine unit in its place using a kit from Metra and an adapter harness from iDatalink. We also added a SiriusXM satellite radio tuner module that will let him enjoy any genre of music or entertainment he wants.

We used a Maestro interface to let the radio control buttons on the steering wheel work with the new radio. We also connected the factory-installed backup camera to the new radio.

The front preamp outputs of the Alpine radio are connected to an Alpine KTA450 Power Pack amplifier. This compact amplifier can produce up to 50 watts of power per channel and adds an impressive improvement to the clarity and detail of the listening experience.

Tacoma Stereo Amplifier, Speakers and Subwoofer

The woofers were mounted on adapter plates.

The BLAM tweeters were mounted in the dash.

The single JL woofer produces plenty of bass.

JL Audio’s Stealthbox fit perfectly in this Tacoma.

The wiring for the JL Audio amplifier was neatly concealed.

The space under the seat made a perfect spot for the new amplifier.

The client chose a set of BLAM Relax-Series 165 RS speakers for the front doors and dash of the truck. After treating the doors with a layer of Hushmat sound deadening, we created custom plastic adapter brackets that allow the new 6.5-inch woofers to mount using the factory speaker hardware. The tweeters from the BLAM set are mounted on ABS adapters in the dash locations to create a great soundstage.

To handle bass frequencies, we installed a JL Audio SB-T-TACDCG3/10TW3 Stealthbox subwoofer system behind the rear seat. This custom-molded fiberglass enclosure features a single 10-inch 10TW3 subwoofer and is finished in a gray carpet that matches the interior of the truck beautifully. The subwoofer is powered by a JL Audio JX500/1D 500-watt monoblock amplifier, which is mounted under the driver’s seat. We used a Stinger amplifier installation kit to provide a reliable power connection to the battery.

Baltimore’s Car Audio Upgrade Experts

With the new equipment installed and the amplifiers configured for the new speakers, it was time for the client to return to Westminster Speed and Sound to check out the new stereo in his Tacoma. He loved the way it sounded and was excited to use the smartphone connectivity system. If your pickup truck needs a boost in the audio department, drop by our store, give us a call or send our team an e-mail.