Non JBL to JBL Upgrade

the jbl has an integrated amp under the rf seat. it would be difficult to rewire the car for the jbl. the good news is if you install an aftermarket head unit and speakers, you will have a better system than the jbl, which isn't all that great. there are several threads on this. I had a kenwood in my '04 and I replaced all the speakers with bigger, better 4 ohm drivers. it sounded very good-- much better than the jbl in my '06 or the wife's '05. also, alpine tweeters fit the front door triangles perfect, and sound great. in many ways, I like the base stereo better because its so easy to upgrade. the jbl uses odd resistance drivers, so its hard if not impossible to find correct resistance drivers to replace the mediocre jbl. 4 ohm woofers might maybe work, but no one has had any luck with that that I've seen.

there should be an aux port in your center console, next to the 12v outlet.

 

If you just install an amp and sub and speakers, it will far exceed anything JBL puts out. Leave the head unit alone.

 

the head unit sounds like dooky, and there are no aux or usb ports, or BT.

some aftermarket head units have the aux and usb ports right on the front. no drilling needed. a good head unit and door speakers will be fine without a sub unless you have room for it and require massive bass. you also need the metra axxess so your steering wheel buttons will work, and a scosche install kit. crutchfield can hook you up, but they will try to sell you some dinky little woofers, or coax speakers. I got my woofers from parts express. 7" in the rear doors and 6.5" in the front.

 

I think there are easier ways to add an aux connection. I have the non JBL stereo in my 2007 and I picked up a GTA iPod integration unit for a good price on eBay. It works for apple products and uses the steering wheel controls, but also has the 3.5mm aux input. I have the aux input in the center console, but wanted to use my iPhone or iPod also. It took about 10 minutes to install through the glove compartment and gives great sound through the iPod. I thing regular price is $99, but mine unused was under $50 thru a private party on eBay. They are other units, but this was a good value for me.

 

i almost wonder if that is the harness for the 12v plug that normally would be in the console.