I'm looking to see if there is enough interest for me to build a break-out harness for adding an Amplifier to your existing system. I would hand build these out of Genuine Toyota parts. The idea would be that you could plug one end into the existing radio, another end into the car, and then have leads ready for connecting to your choice of aftermarket Amp with speaker level inputs. (You would still need to supply power to the Amp, but I would include the remote turn on lead). I have come up with a version for the base and the JBL system. Would there be any interest in the $100 price range? If not, what would you be willing to pay? Again, these would be made out of Genuine Toyota connectors and pins, with all wire interconnects fully soldered and insulated, with enough length to reach a good Amp location. (Underseat for base radio, to the rear for the JBL system). Nate
I would buy this product if... Would this work with coastal dave's video/audio kit? I would like to add a subwoffer would this project help in that? Thanks!
Peter, this would be unrelated to Coastal Dave's options; meaning, yes, it would work regardless of his options. As far merely adding a subwoofer, there is already a commercial product for this! Here it is (You'll have to cut the end off if you buy something besides a bazooka subwoofer): http://www.crutchfield.com/S-y0c6nGPxRfx/c...047071761&cc=02 My product would be for adding an amplifier and optionally replacing the existing speakers. Nate
Ok, I took a look at that. It says it doesn't fit the Prius, but I'll take that with a grain of salt as it seems that there are very few people who really know what works and what doesn't, besides the folks here! So where does this cable go? Does it connect to the factory amp? BTW I've got the JBL system. Thanks for the help in this. I'm getting a bit tired of the sound system in the Prius and and looking for ways to up grade now. As I understand it you will lose the steering wheel controls of you add a (second) amp to the JBL system, no? In any case thanks for starting up a project like this nate. We've got a great little (although little might not be the right word any more ;-) ) community here!
i don't know about the need for a break out harness for an external amp. it's easy to just splice into the speaker wires. a harness to add an audio input at a REASONABLE price really would be a good seller. everything i've seen up till now has cost something like $300....more than i think it's worth. now if somebody could come up with that for $100 or so....that would be great.
Man, I just tapped into all the line outs from the OEM head unit this past weekend to run out to an amp! It looks like a nightmare behind the head unit with the 8 splices... Nate, would you include the RCA connections or would the thought be to just have wires run from the break out harness to the amp (some amps allow for a high level inputs via an included harness that plugs into the amp)? Also, I purchased from Pacific Accessory Corp. Adjustable Line Output Converters that take out some of the noise in the line (See part #SNI-35): http://www.pac-audio.com/products/loc.htm Is this something to be considered in your harness? PS I have the standard radio in my car... -bob
The harness could terminate however market demands. I have found the easiest way to hook up a "high-level" output is to connect to an Amp that already has high level inputs. The line-out converters get a bit bulky and clunky and there usually is no good place to mount them. You know, since this would be a custom order process, I could build finished harnesses that plug in to specific Amps. This would make everything but power plug and play. If you have a factory Amp, the break out harness would go from the factory Amp to the new Amp (and back to the speaker wiring). Nate
I specifically did NOT get the JBL upgrade in hopes of getting my own stuff when the aftermarket decided to catch up with the technology. While I'm not entirely unhappy with the existing system, the ability to add an amp and other modifications to the base system would be most sincerely appreciated. Consider this a thumbs up!
With the JBL system, unless you replaced the header, you have to add your amp AFTER the JBL amp, so no, you would not lose steering or MFD control of the JBL system. You can't just replace the JBL amp, because the header only sends FIXED line level R&L signals to the JBL amp, along with instructions to the amp via the AVC network on the volume, balance, tone controls, fade, etc. It is like they broke apart the radio into two sections with the audio controls in the amp.
