2018 Prius 4 w/ JBL Audio — Front Speaker Install Guide

Cheers everyone!

I’m putting together this post to share my experience with upgrading the audio in the Prius 4 w/JBL audio. Today I’m posting and documenting a written and visual guide for the installation of speakers into the front driver’s side (I did the passenger side yesterday with an identical process).


This post is meant to aggregate the various posts and videos I’ve found into one source on the forum (which has been super helpful).
Prius 2016 4th Generation: How to remove door panel" and my speaker install. | PriusChat
Speaker Upgrade from JBL "Premium" System | PriusChat

- door panel removal



Note: I am an electronics engineer and tinkerer, so my perspective is a bit different from that of a traditional mechanic.

Tools Needed

• 7mm socket – to hold the Philips bit (if you’re lazy like me)
• 8mm socket – for 2 door panel screws and lock-nuts on speaker mount
• PH1 bit – for upper door panel screw, speaker + bracket hardware
• 5/32 drill bit – to drill out factory speaker rivets
• Socket wrench – to secure lock-nuts
• Socket extension – helpful for door-panel screws
• Drill – for rivets, speaker bracket, speaker mount
• Wire stripper/crimper – to modify Metra connector if needed
• Pliers – to break off optional tabs on Metra bracket
• Plastic spudger – for trim and speaker removal

Hardware Needed

• 6x M5 100 x 20mm screws – to mount bracket to door
• 12x Nylon washers – for compression (between screw head/bracket and nut/door)
• 8x 8-32 x 1” screws – to mount speaker to bracket (imperial)
• 4x 0.25” female spade connectors – only if needed for harness-to-speaker connection

Parts Needed

• Metra 72-8104 – Speaker harness available on amazon
• Metra 82-8148 – 6” to 6-3/4” speaker bracket available on amazon

Installation Process

1. Remove the cover plate behind driver’s door handle (use spudger).
2. Pull up on armrest to uncover screw and allow control removal.
3. Pull up (light forward levering if needed) to remove controls.
4. Unplug door controls (note colored tab clips).
5. Remove bottom two door screws using 8mm socket and extension.
6. Remove top screw using PH1 bit (7mm socket to hold if lazy).
7. Pry out door light (can be hot).
8. Remove door panel by pulling firmly outward (may be violent).
   
   • 8b. Panel top edge clips by gently levering upward as you pull away from door.
   • 8c. Check for stuck clips and remove carefully using crimper (shim to protect paint).
9. Unhook lock ball-wire and door handle linkage.
10. Set panel aside.
11. Unplug factory speaker.
12. Drill out factory rivets using 5/32” bit.

• 12b. Retrieve rivet bits from inside door via speaker hole.

Optional Speaker Prep

1. Seat speaker into Metra bracket. (4ohm woofer speaker PRV AUDIO 2X 6MR250B-4 Slim Midrange)

• Remove interfering plastic tabs.
• Mark mount holes (square hole = up).
• Use 8-32 screws to pre-thread speaker mount holes.

Bracket and Speaker Mounting

1. Mount bracket to door:

• Stack: M5 screw → washer → bracket → door → washer → locknut
• Loosely fit all 3 before tightening.
• Tighten using PH1 and drill.

1. Thread Metra harness through bracket.
2. Attach harness to speaker (Metra: black = negative, white = positive).
3. Mount speaker to bracket using 8-32 screws paying attention to not strip them.

Final Steps

1. Plug Metra harness into factory plug and test for signal.
2. Grab door panel and prepare for reattachment.
3. Grow a 3rd hand and reattach ball-wire linkages while holding panel.
4. Align front red clip and light wiring when placing door panel.
5. Plug in and snap in door light.
6. Secure panel with top PH1 screw.
7. Secure bottom 2 screws with 8mm socket.
8. Plug in control wiring and re-seat control module.
9. Snap armrest cover back in.
10. Reattach handle cover plate.

You’re done! (Hopefully)

PS: I’ve got tones of photos documenting the process, but am not sure the best way to post them so they don’t break in the future.