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Subwoofer Install DIY on Factory non-ML Amp. 2016 IS200t -- too easy.

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Old 08-23-19, 09:23 AM
  #46  
PrankMonke
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From what I have researched, the black shielded wires on the small harness are the input wires which would bypass the amp. I found it easier to tap the output wires on the large harness as they are significantly easier to access and the shielding on the low input signal is not compromised. The original post uses the "Line Level Input" on the amp. I found using the "High Level" to be superior sound.
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Sdxplicit (08-28-19)
Old 08-28-19, 10:40 PM
  #47  
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So I ran everything as described to a line out converter (scoche). I tapped green/brown, pink/white to their respective corresponding terminals in the loc. Grounded it, ran a power line to the amp power line instead of using the power from the harness, and ran a remote wire from the scoche (it comes with this) to the amp remote. Grounded the amp, turned everything on, the sub and amp hit just fine, but the rear speakers no longer work. Any ideas?
Old 08-29-19, 07:48 AM
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PrankMonke
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Originally Posted by Sdxplicit
So I ran everything as described to a line out converter (scoche). I tapped green/brown, pink/white to their respective corresponding terminals in the loc. Grounded it, ran a power line to the amp power line instead of using the power from the harness, and ran a remote wire from the scoche (it comes with this) to the amp remote. Grounded the amp, turned everything on, the sub and amp hit just fine, but the rear speakers no longer work. Any ideas?
How did you tap the wires? Can you post a pic? Is there no sound coming from the rears or is it faint?

The first thing that pops in my mind is that when you tapped the line out wires from the amp you accidentally cut through the wire. It should have still worked because of tap would carry the signal, but given the movement required to reattach the harness it may have broken the connection.
Old 08-29-19, 08:10 AM
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Sdxplicit
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Originally Posted by PrankMonke
How did you tap the wires? Can you post a pic? Is there no sound coming from the rears or is it faint?

The first thing that pops in my mind is that when you tapped the line out wires from the amp you accidentally cut through the wire. It should have still worked because of tap would carry the signal, but given the movement required to reattach the harness it may have broken the connection.
Used t taps. All good now. Just a loose connection. Double checked and tightened everything. I used t taps that are made for the 14 gauge wires in our cars so it is slotted and won't severe the original wire. I did notice that the volume needs to go higher to get more sound but the sound quality blows OEM out of the water. If I upgrade the OEM speakers, I ca. Give the ML upgrade from lexus some thing to cry about and still be well below $1600 the price.
Old 09-12-19, 09:00 AM
  #50  
E46CT
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Originally Posted by PrankMonke
From what I have researched, the black shielded wires on the small harness are the input wires which would bypass the amp. I found it easier to tap the output wires on the large harness as they are significantly easier to access and the shielding on the low input signal is not compromised. The original post uses the "Line Level Input" on the amp. I found using the "High Level" to be superior sound.
This site seems to say low level is superior? I don't follow this stuff as hard core as I used to back in the day. I'll change it if the other way sounds better.

https://knowledge.sonicelectronix.co...-level-inputs/
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Ugur (08-19-20)
Old 09-12-19, 03:43 PM
  #51  
PATCHEZ
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I've been dying to have more bass in my girl.. when I'm ready ill get to that. i have an old mtx 4500 12 that I'm sure works still lol
Old 10-03-19, 02:05 PM
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yohan81718
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I installed sub on my ML unit and I get this delay in the bass. Anyone else experience this?
Old 10-04-19, 07:58 AM
  #53  
E46CT
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Originally Posted by PATCHEZ
I've been dying to have more bass in my girl.. when I'm ready ill get to that. i have an old mtx 4500 12 that I'm sure works still lol
i remember MTX. back in my youth, man. that's what i rocked. also JL audio... the old school JL amps that were like 50 lbs and solid cast iron. those were the days
Old 10-04-19, 10:27 AM
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yohan81718
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Also, I feel like ML misses a lot of high end bass for the punch. It gets quite boomy with lows and I don't feel the kicks much.
Old 10-07-19, 10:37 AM
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yohan81718
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E46CT, you mentioned "tap into the rear speaker signal". What happens if you tap into the front speaker signals vs subwoofer line? Any reason you chose rear speakers over the others?
Old 10-07-19, 01:12 PM
  #56  
E46CT
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Originally Posted by yohan81718
E46CT, you mentioned "tap into the rear speaker signal". What happens if you tap into the front speaker signals vs subwoofer line? Any reason you chose rear speakers over the others?
1 It's closer

2) tapping into the rear gives you the option to fade them out to reduce bass. you typically use your front speakers as main speakers so there would be no point in tying the sub to them as you'd want them at full level all the time.
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Old 10-30-19, 08:24 AM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by E46CT
Someone requested some info on this. Installed a JL 12" subwoofer and Rockford Fosgate Amp to my 2016 IS200t non-ML system.

It sounds GREAT and I haven't even tuned it yet. The system before was meh and really this new system sounds absolutely great. I'm not really wanting to upgrade anything else now. For some reason just adding a subwoofer has enriched the sound quality. I thought the trunk being sealed would not let any bass in but boy was I wrong. HUGE noticeable difference.

Here's how I did it:



I literally bought everything from Amazon.

Amp I used: http://amzn.to/2c2Simt
Subwoofer I used: http://amzn.to/2cyXoZL -- Looks like it was replaced with a newer model: https://amzn.to/2NhIWTm or this one: https://amzn.to/2Jtk60j
12V wiring kit I used: http://amzn.to/2bLsI6z
T-Taps: http://amzn.to/2bOCu6t

You'll also need:

Some quality needle nose pliers for squeezing the crimps. Everyone should have these.
Wire strippers/cutters (or you can use a nail clipper)
1/4" drive ratchet with deep socket 10mm
Electrical tape (optional)
Zip ties (optional, recommended)
Allen key or allen key screwdriver for the fuse holder. I think the correct size tool MAY come with the amp. Not sure I forget.
Flashlight

Time: 2-3 hours.

1) Disconnect negative terminal on battery. You'll be messing around with a (probably) very expensive amp. So don't risk it.

2) Pop trunk. Pull out trunk mat, spare tire lid, right side tool kit foam, and right-rear latch which is secured by a 10mm nut. Lift the panel on the right side up and out. Below it is the factory amp.

3) Remove factory amp and set aside. It is held down by two 10mm nuts. One facing the sky and one under the interior trim facing the front of the car. You'll need a deep socket 10mm. Tilt the amp towards you and look at the large front harness. It has a special black clip you have to unlock and pry upwards then the harness slides out. Use a flashlight and be careful not to break anything. The smaller harness just pulls right out with a push tab like normal. You'll be working with both harnesses. The large harness for the rear speaker signals (4 wires total - green/brown for positives and pink/white for their respective negatives. The negatives are directly below their respective positives. Can't miss them.

4) Take your line level input harness from your amp (assuming you bought the one in my link) and use the T-Taps to tap into the rear speaker signal wires on the large harness. These are unfiltered pre-amp signals for the rear speakers. Exactly what you want. Tip: Tap the wires when you have the black plastic part on the large harness fully locked in the up position. This ensures you have enough room to re-insert the harness into the amp because that black piece has to be fully up to go back in. Thanks to RamAir, here are the wires you need to tap on the amp: L+ Beige; L- Pink; R+ Green; R- White.

5) Now it's time to run your power and ground and remote wire. (you can do this step before #4 if you wish) doesn't matter. You'll need to run your 8 gauge power wire from the positive terminal on the battery. The wire in the kit I linked comes with everything you need, including fuse and terminals. Go inside your car and pull down the passenger footwell panel with your fingers. There's no screws. Pull it down. Don't be scared. Now look under with a flash light. There's a large rubber grommet that is on the firewall. You can see a little hole for something to go in. That's where you'll put your wire. Use a tool, wire, whatever to poke a hole in that unused rubber hole. Push your 8 gauge power wire through and pull up enough slack on the other side that you can attach to the battery. Just let it sit there. DO NOT CONNECT TO BATTERY UNTIL THE VERY LAST STEP. You don't want to short anything out. Now run the power wire down the passenger side of the car. I recommend pulling up the passenger front and rear side sill plastic scuff panels. Pull outwards towards drivers side gently using your fingers then upwards. These panels come out very easy. You should not have to fight them. Then tuck the 8 gauge power wire neatly inside and you can simply tuck in under B-pillar panel using fingers. Pull taught from the rear to make sure the wire is securely under the B-pillar panel. Then pull up back cushion of seat to get more access. Then fold down passenger side seat back. Now you can route your wire to the trunk. Avoid any sharp metal. Route the wire carefully and secure with zip ties where necessary. Run wire to roughly where your subwoofer will be and cut to size. Now put your interior back together using your fingers. Easy.

6) For ground wire, I simply used the front right metal latch in the trunk. I had to remove the little lid that comes down. Sliced it off with a razor blade. Oh well. That latch grounds securely into the chassis--I confirmed. As for your remote turn-on wire, on my 2016, it was the small brown wire in the corner of the SMALL harness. Confirm with multimeter. You want 12V when car is ON and nothing when off. Connect your amp to speaker cables, your power, ground, remote and button trunk back together. Now the last part, connect the fuse and ring terminal to positive side and reconnect your ground wire. Mine worked on the first try! Double-triple check everything you do ESPECIALLY the connections. Always work safely and if you do not feel comfortable or experienced enough, consult a professional shop to assist you!

Edit: I relocated the amp to the left side and used a ground right below the driver's tail light on the inside of the trunk. There's a 10mm bolt you remove. Perfect!

Enjoy your sweet sounding non-ML system now!! =)

These are the two harnesses you'll use that plug into the factory amp. Large harness for speaker taps (info above) and small harness for the remote turn on wire. For 2014/2015 cars, it may be blue or white I've read. Confirm with multimeter. On my 2016, it was the light brown wire in the corner.




Added pics:







This is the base control **** mounted on the left side of the car. This literally took me 10 min from start to finish. Extremely easy route the wire. Just tuck with your fingers. Just zapped the screws right in the plastic panel. Nothing above it. Make sure you use tiny screws. The kit comes w/ them. Nevermind the zip tie hanging down. I trimmed everything up nicely after I took the pic. Used two zip ties to secure the bass control wire to some factory wiring harnesses up there. Make sure you go behind the brake pedal so you don't interfere with its operation.

I'll post pics of the relocated amp to the left side along w/ updates on install. Wires ran a bit differently, etc. Cleaner--no exposed wires. Remove box in one easy step. Still the same concept overall though.

Not an audiophile but I won't mind an added bass to my sound and really appreciate your post! Thank you!

Question: Would this amp be able to drive a dual 10" below?
Amazon Amazon

I'm not going to blow it to the max volume but just curious if it can. Price is not much of a difference.
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EoIS300NJ (09-17-20)
Old 10-30-19, 08:48 AM
  #58  
Miamiboy87
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Wondering if I could apply the same concept to my 14' CT.. So does this install not have anything to do with the headunit?? Just simply replacing the amp and adding a subwoofer? I'm sure getting to the head unit can be a hassle
Old 10-30-19, 12:09 PM
  #59  
E46CT
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yep i switched everything over to my CT. On the CT, the battery is in back so it makes running power more simple. but the rear speakers will need to be tapped by accessing the loom that runs up the B pillars. so a bit of a trade off in difficulty. in the end, it's a wash.
Old 10-30-19, 02:08 PM
  #60  
Miamiboy87
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Might have to make some time to work on this project. Kinda tired of the "flat" sound of the system..i like hearing deep bass and eventually upgrade the door speakers.

Last edited by Miamiboy87; 10-30-19 at 02:08 PM. Reason: typo


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