How to Make the Toyota Radio Louder in the Tundra

Toyota Tundra owners who wish to increase the volume output of their factory radios have a couple of options. You can add an amplifier to your stereo system, you can upgrade the speakers, or you can do both and create a truly powerful sound system. First, make sure that the amplifier and speakers are compatible--meaning that the speakers can safely handle the amp's signal strength. After choosing the components, you can trust the installation to an audio professional, or you can do it yourself and save the cost of labor.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• 10 mm socket wrench
• Amplifier wiring kit
• Wiring harness adapter
• Speaker wire harness
• Rubber grommets
• Drill
• Trim panel removal tool

1. • 1

     Disconnect the negative battery cable from the negative lead post of the battery. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to loosen the cable's clamp. Remove the clamp from the negative lead post and rest it away from the battery.

   • 2

     Connect the amplifier ring terminal (from the amp wiring kit) to the positive battery lead. Connect the power cable (also from the kit) to the ring terminal. Drill an opening from the engine compartment through the firewall and into the inner cabin of the Tundra. Place a rubber grommet in the new opening to protect the wiring. Route the cable into the cabin.

   • 3

     Remove the Toyota's stereo. Pull the lower panel (beneath the climate controls) by hand away from the dash. Remove the trim panel to the left of the stereo by hand. Pull the dash panel surrounding the climate controls away from the dash. Let the panel hang; there is no need to disconnect the climate control wiring. Remove the two bolts on the bottom corners of the stereo mounting bracket with a 10 mm socket wrench. Pull the stereo from its dock. Disconnect the wiring to the back of the stereo by pulling the plastic wire binders, not the wires themselves. Connect the wire groups to a wiring harness adapter and connect the harness leads to the stereo. Connect the signal cable and turn-on lead (from the amplifier wiring kit) to the appropriate leads on the wiring harness adapter. Route the cables to the floor of the Tundra. Replace the stereo into the dash. Replace the two 10 mm bolts. Snap the trim panel below the stereo in place. Replace the side panel onto the dash by hand. Replace the lower panel (below the climate control panel) by hand.

   • 4

     Remove the trim panels at the door openings on both sides of the truck. Lay the amplifier's power cable (from the battery) along one side of the Tundra, beneath the carpet, to the location of the amplifier (ideally beneath the rear seat or behind the rearward-most seat). Lay the signal cable and turn-on lead along the other side, also beneath the carpeting. Replace the trim panels to re-secure the carpeting. Connect the cables to the amplifier. Run speaker wire from the amplifier to the speakers. Use the path established by the rear speakers.

   • 5

     Remove the door panels with a trim panel removal tool. Remove the panel for the window and lock controls. Disconnect the connections to the controls by hand. Pry the door panels from the doors. Remove the four screws holding the speakers in their wells with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Disconnect the speaker wiring from each speaker. Connect the speaker wiring to a speaker wiring harness. Connect the speaker wiring harness to the new speaker. Replace the speaker into the speaker wells. Use the same screws that were used to hold the old speaker in place, to secure the new speakers. Replace the door panels by hand with moderate force around the perimeter. Reconnect the lock and window control wiring and fasten the smaller door trim panel to the door.

   • 6

     Replace the negative battery cable clamp around the battery's negative lead post. Tighten the clamp with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing speakers, if your budget allows, select from the multichannel models. They separate the sound (low, mid, and high) to offer more volume and a cleaner sound.