After struggling to remove the OEM subwoofer, I am on my way to replacing it. I found a replacement. The subwoofer is a JL Audio 10W6 (version 1...6 ohms). I should get it later this week. It should fit, but it may be tight.
Why did Lexus and Mark choose this odd looking subwoofer? Before you go telling me they know more about stereos than I do, I realize that. This thing is just odd looking. The magnet is inside the cone. See picture.

 

Another picture of the cone and coil....

 

If you want to know how to remove the subwoofer, try this thread...

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...reclining.html

 

Did you check with lexus to see if it was still under warranty. I have the platinum coverage and just had mine replaced on Thursday.

 

Thanks for the thought. I'm pretty sure it's covered under warranty. I have an extended warranty that covers the car to 125K miles or 3 more years (currently 61K miles on a 2010).
I wanted to try something different because for the year I've had it I've been displeased with the amount of bass it puts out. I have the bass setting all the way up and it still isn't to my liking. I don't need a huge amount of base. But when listening to something that has a strong bass line (Pink Floyd comes to mind), I want to heal and feel it. That's what my home stereos do. We'll see what happens. If it doesn't work out, I'll put it back together or explore adding a boxed sub in the trunk.

 

I would try to swap out the stock one with aftermarket for better quality.
What is the dimension of the stock sub?

 

Stock subwoofer is 10". Yes, my plan is to just swap it out.

 

Is the hole deep enough to fit the normal 10" in there? Is it sealed otherwise you will need a 10" free air sub to sound correctly.

 

It will be close if it does fit. The speaker I chose is close to being able to be in an open baffle (Qts desired is > 0.50 and the JL is 0.432). I guess that means free air. I'm more into home audio and that is what we call it when the speaker is not in a closed box (with or without a port). The OEM speaker subwoofer system is not in a sealed box. It is open to the trunk on the a Mark L system. We will see what happens.

 

What sub are you planning to use? Hope it'll work out. How tough is it to get to the stock sub?

 

what ohm rating is the stock sub...anyone knows?

 

good question... the OP said he's going to use a JL Audio 10W6, version1 6ohms

 

That's the sub that he is going to use...the most important thing about swapping component out of the ML system is the correct impedence (ohm) and secondary, power (watts). Need to know these things to choose the correct replacement so the sound will match.

I'm thinking the stock is 8ohm... If op has it all busted apart, just put an multimeter across the leads and measure the ohm and see what it is...or Lexus to provide the specs (which may be hard if you don't know the right contact).

 

+1, and then the depth clearance. Hopefully the OP will chime in on the ohm rating

 

after a little more "research", getting the correct impedence is a MUST. If you get the wrong impedence (ohm) replacement, it will tax your amplifier and will cause it to fail prematurely. If you don't believe me, google it
then google how much is our ML amp costs and how "reliable" our ML amp is with all the right component already. Yep, I just repaired my ML amp for $750 a few months ago. Everything stock (audio that is)