2008 base system upgrade

1) I have no experience with manufactured speaker adapters. Basically, I just used some 3/4" MDF and made my own adapters using the stock ones as a template. The stock ones were bolted into the door, so I had to drill them out before I could replace them.

2)The factory tweeter signal is wired the woofer, and it is x-over'd with a capacitor

3+4) I do not know. Hopefully someone can chime in on that.


There are a few other installations here. A good handful of people have upgraded their sound systems with new amps/speakers, subwoofer, carputers, etc... Have a look through the Audio/Video Forum and also the Modifications Forum. There's pictures, but I don't think there's a compilation of installs anywhere.

 

I used these adaptors for my JL 6.5". Work great.

http://www.scosche.com/products/sfID1/151/sfID2/174/sfID3/181/listPage/2/productID/870


The only concern is the depth of the magnet may cause the front window glass to hit the speaker when rolled down. My solution was to apply about a cm of modeling clay around the rim of the template. Problem solved. Easy as pie.

Like Presto said, you have to drill out the entire speaker assembly to remove the stock speakers.

BTW, where did you get that avatar? I posted a picture like that on here once....

 

The woofers for my Diamond Audio D6s are mounted in the stock plastic housings in the front doors. No rings, no adapters.

I think I'd still run power from the battery in the trunk to the amp(s), even if they were under the passenger seat rather than under the hatch as they are now. Should be easy to pull the wire from the trunk and through the door sills. That's how my speaker wires are run (from the JBL amp to the CleanSweep, and then from the MTX amp back to the stock speaker wires).

 

PriusChat Member "DocVijay" did a great write up on making the trim rings.
Go to his website at: 2006 Prius Hybrid Mods
There are good install pics there, but the doco on trim rings is buried deeper at:
Woofer Baffles for Doors

The factory wires for the fronts have full range signal running to both the woofer & tweeter...it's just that the tweeter has a small capacitor on it to block the bass frequencies. I took the wires going into the tweets and fed them as input to my components passive crossover....then I ran aftermarket wires out to the new woofers & tweets.

Pull the power for the amp from the 12V battery in the right rear corner.

I used a Scosche SLC-4 line-out-converter for a while and it worked great (no noise), but eventually I upgraded to an Audio Control Three.1 as my pre-amp.

I have no first hand knowledge of the iPod adapters, but check out the Dice, Vais Tech, and Coastal Electronics offerings....not sure about '08 compatibility, but it sounds like not much has changed since '06 with the base stereo.

Hope this helps....Cheers!

 

I got the adaptors from the link I posted.

I used Damplifier from Secondskin instead. A much better value and the quality is as good, if not better in many respects, than Dynamat which is, IMO, way overpriced. I got 80sqf of Damplifier for half the price of Dynamat. Check out the Secondskin website for more info.

My upgrade was along the same line as Doc Vijay's, except I also have a Kenwood self-powered sub under the driver's seat. The Cleansweep units are a bit pricey, but the results are outstanding. For a less expensive alternative, search for banjoman's hack.

Just tonight I cranked up "Come Together" to test out my new Sansa MP3 player, and couldn't be more surprised by how clean and tight everything came out. (BTW, I plug my MP3 into the Cleansweep instead of the Aux input because for some reason it sounds much better that way).

Of course, with Damplifier everywhere (even on the roof), the car is a whole quieter and the speakers and sub really come alive.

 

HSDP - How did you make out?

I've got the same set up. I drove home and the first thing I told my wife was , the stereo su*&s. So I ended up contacting Crutchfield. Here's what I got:


Polk Audio db5251 5-1/4" Component System - I know they handle 6.5 but the rep basically told me to watch out for the height of the speaker in relation to how the stock one is mounted so this would be an easier fit (circuit city indicated the polks at 6.5 were fine) and that since I was installing other goodies I could rely on the tweeter and the smaller woofer for the highs.

Kenwood KSC-SW1 150W Compact Powered Subwoofer - will put this under the passenger seat - seems like it will be able to move a lot of air

EFX Amplifier Wiring Kit 8-gauge w/Patch Cord - seems like 4 gauge is way more than necessary

Blaupunkt THA475 75W x 4 Car Amplifier - seemed like a good compromise since I'm not looking for bust da windows sound, but a really clean and good sounding system

StreetWires FB8 8-ga. Firewall Bushing

StreetWires UCT14 per foot 14 gauge Blue/Copper Speaker Wire

Posi-Products Connector Kit 6 pieces Posi-Tap Assortment

Anything I should look out for when trying to install all this stuff?

 

I put in the infinity 6020 reference in front- kenwood sw10 the latest version of the amped sub in the back, try some coax in the rear door, you can get power from the 12 v battery in the rr corner- lift up the carpet- take out the compartment either way you can view the battery. it has a small tray over it that will come out even w most of the rest of the stuff in place.
As others did I drilled through the right side if the compartment to run the wires and left myself some extra to allow spare access.

additionally I ran the sub control up the right side and poked it through one of the carpet holes under the pass seat in case I wanted to fuss w the base.

I am going w an amp in the compt. as well when it comes in.

Dynamat or similar will help the sound as well as quiet the car on the road.
Takes alot of time but 90% + say it is worth it.

I did my doors then the spare tire area then the RR ctr panel- all helped some as I went but when I finished the left side I was amazed at how much more it helped the sound.

I think Frys.com even has the infinity speaks for a better price than crutch.

Steve

 

I would be grateful to anyone willing to offer an amp recommendation for my '08 Prius. It will be powering a Polk 5.25 component set in the front doors, which I've read perform best when fed 100w. I had considered using this amp Profile AP600 2-channel car amplifier 100 watts RMS x 2 at Crutchfield.com but comments in this thread about class A/AB amps have me concerned.

 

^^^

The Prius power system is far better than any vehicle with an alternator. I think we have 1 or 2 people running 1000 watts, with no reported problems with dimming. I'm running, about 600 watts, currently.

 

Aye, I've only noticed dimming domelights once and my aux battery was pretty drawn down at the time. After a recharge and normal driving I've never had a dimming issue again. I currently run a 1500 watt Diamond Audio D6 amplifier (4x40amp fuses). I have never seen the headlights dim during heavy bass notes yet.

 

aw man- that system system gives me the car stereo "itch." Ive installed for fun since 1978- but time is limited- thats why I am looking at the package #4.

what does package #2 have for space to put a radio?

 

IMO don't bother with the upgraded JBL package. Get the base model stereo and upgrade it. You'll end up with much better sound quality and features for less money.

I feel the base model speakers sound fine for normal use. Upgrade the deck and install it into the little compartment below the stock unit and you'll make a huge improvment in sound. Get a deck that has high pass filters built in to get rid of the low bass signle going to your midranges and you'll clean up the sound.

Then simply run an RCA from the deck to the rear of the car and install a subwoofer amplifier. The auxilary battery is already in the rear of the car so you don't have to run power wire through the firewall which makes install a snap. I think the Prius was designed for aftermarket stereo installs.

Seriously, the stock speakers work well with a simple deck and subwoofer upgrade. Enoguh so that I have not bothered to install new speakers or another amp yet.

 

Hello,
I have a 2008 Touring with pkg #2, base stereo as well. I would like to know if I can install an aftermarket, in dash dvd player with integrated navigation? Is this a 1 DIN or 2 DIN, or something else opening?

 

Something else, good luck with that.

 

It's barely a 1 DIN unit. It may require drilling some holes if they don't line up with the aftermarket headunit.