[TheTodd]

So I literally just picked this up a few hours ago. Since I work at the dealership I got it from I went right from signing papers to the back for applying ceramic protection. One old lady owner, loaded and only 35k miles.

For the first 2 months or so it’ll move a little slow but after the VA meet in September the Malibu will finally be retired and most of the equipment will get transferred into this car. It’s also going to be my daily driver so down time/disassembly will be minimal.

Car:
2014 Avalon with JBL/nav system

Goals:
Supreme SQ while keeping as much useable/cargo space as possible and use OEM speaker locations and minimal modifications

Equipment:
Head unit: Kenwood Excelon Reference DMX-1057XR
Processor: JL TWK88
Amps: Alpine PDX-V9 & F4
Front Stage: SI TM65mk4, SI M3 Carbon, SI M25mk2
Sub: SI… either SQL 15 or SQL 12

All of the equipment, with the exception of the front stage & subs is currently installed in my Malibu. Once the Sept VA meet is over I’ll start pulling gear.

The decision on sub will depend on where there’s available room for it. I’m hoping for spare tire well but I’m limited on mounting depth there (I’ll measure that out in the next few days), if that doesn’t work either side of the trunk might work.

Most people will say you can’t replace the
radio in the JBL/Synthesis cars and, from what I’ve read, it’s because the circuit board for the passenger airbag light is integrated into the board with the tuning knob so it can’t be transferred to the new dash kit. So after some investigation I am under the understanding that the plug for the airbag light is the same for all models of radios so I procured a non-JBL radio so I can dismantle THAT & I can keep my original radio intact.

I should be able to start accruing install parts for this over the next few weeks so this will hopefully start moving along about the end of September. I’ll update as it moves along.

 

[rhoderage]

Wow score on the car, what a great looking 2014!

Tuned in for the build...

 

[ItsonlyaHONDA]

That space you have right there by your ski pass looks perfect for a single 15 or dual 12 SQLs sealed. All you need is around 10" depth and go as wide and tall as you can. Just remember those SQLs require some power to make them jump.

 

[Freakquency]

Yours will be infinitely easier to work on than mine

 

[Granite]

Always liked the stitching thru out the avalons interior. But I don’t understand what you’re doing with the head unit - you’ve swapped out it for the non jbl? You’ll have to swap the amp in the back to right, prob to pioneer? I’ve always had pioneer with non jbl nav systems in my last three Lexus sedans (which of course Toyota is almost identical). The pioneer is easy to work with. I’ve had an ml system and it wasn’t as easy unless you shell out for a pac dsp that grabs the canbus audio signal. The pac is nice, I was just turned off by its plastic enclosure - which seemed rather cheap compared to the brushed aluminum you get in mainstream dsp’s.

Here’s a helpful link:

2013 Toyota Avalon Upgrade

Hi All, First of all thank you for a fantastic forum, incredible amount of knowledge here. Have been doing a lot of reading here and trying to get some basic understanding on what is involved in "getting better sound quality". Considering I am a real noob at this, but really hate the way factory...

www.diymobileaudio.com

I think 2014 is 4th gen like the 2013 right?

 

[TheTodd]

I’m only using the airbag light from the non-JBL unit. I’ll be using my Kenwood as the new source, bypassing the OEM amp completely. On the non-JBL radio the passenger airbag light gets removed and installed into the dash kit when you replace the radio. On the JBL radios the airbag light is part of the circuit board of the radio and cannot be removed without really hacking up the original. Without that airbag light plugged in the car gets all confused and throws error codes. This way by using a donor airbag light I should be able to replace the radio without throwing codes.

 

[Granite]

Ah I see - and that’s all that will be affected? You’ll still have A/C and heat functionality? Ok after I looked at the nav it looks like the a/c controls are below. That’s a huge plus for you to have those separate. Now you can really go sq with a good signal from the kenwood. And damn when you zoom in that car is clean! You gotta love the way old ladies take care of their cars. Best way to buy used. Sounds like a fun build, keep us posted!

Edit: just wanted to say, if you’ve got an SI sql15 - go for it man. You’re never gonna have more trunk space than an Avalon.

 

[TheTodd]

From what I’ve read, yes, the airbag light is the only restriction. The heat/ac is separate. With the Maestro RR any functions that run through the OEM radio are able to be accessed through the Kenwood… so I’ve been told.

I don’t have the SQL yet and I’m still on the fence between the 12 & 15 but all the modeling I’ve done shows a decent volume (and low end extension) gain with the 15 in 2cf sealed so that’s the way I’m leaning. I measured approximately 2.6-2.8 cu ft in the spare tire well but the depth is only 8”. Raising the floor 2” or so will get me the depth clearance I need PLUS allow me to mount the amps & DSP in the floor too.

As far as the car… yeah… it was TOO clean to pass up. Financially it was NOT the best time but I’ll never see a car this nice with that low mileage. It’s got no dents, dings, scratches or even stone chips. No wear on any of the seats or floor mats.

 

[kattan_tha_man]

So I literally just picked this up a few hours ago. Since I work at the dealership I got it from I went right from signing papers to the back for applying ceramic protection. One old lady owner, loaded and only 35k miles.

View attachment 342627
View attachment 342628 View attachment 342629
View attachment 342630


For the first 2 months or so it’ll move a little slow but after the VA meet in September the Malibu will finally be retired and most of the equipment will get transferred into this car. It’s also going to be my daily driver so down time/disassembly will be minimal.

Car:
2014 Avalon with JBL/nav system

Goals:
Supreme SQ while keeping as much useable/cargo space as possible and use OEM speaker locations and minimal modifications

Equipment:
Head unit: Kenwood Excelon Reference DMX-1057XR
Processor: JL TWK88
Amps: Alpine PDX-V9 & F4
Front Stage: SI TM65mk4, SI M3 Carbon, SI M25mk2
Sub: SI… either SQL 15 or SQL 12

All of the equipment, with the exception of the front stage & subs is currently installed in my Malibu. Once the Sept VA meet is over I’ll start pulling gear.

The decision on sub will depend on where there’s available room for it. I’m hoping for spare tire well but I’m limited on mounting depth there (I’ll measure that out in the next few days), if that doesn’t work either side of the trunk might work.

Most people will say you can’t replace the
radio in the JBL/Synthesis cars and, from what I’ve read, it’s because the circuit board for the passenger airbag light is integrated into the board with the tuning knob so it can’t be transferred to the new dash kit. So after some investigation I am under the understanding that the plug for the airbag light is the same for all models of radios so I procured a non-JBL radio so I can dismantle THAT & I can keep my original radio intact.

View attachment 342631

I should be able to start accruing install parts for this over the next few weeks so this will hopefully start moving along about the end of September. I’ll update as it moves along.

That car really is a rare find. The used car everybody is looking for. "an old lady who barely drove it owned it" such sweet words. Low miles, almost certainly cared for, and it's safe to assume the previous owner didn't autocross it on the weekend.

An old person as the previous owner is the most important feature to ensure reliability, lol.

 

[kattan_tha_man]

Always liked the stitching thru out the avalons interior. But I don’t understand what you’re doing with the head unit - you’ve swapped out it for the non jbl? You’ll have to swap the amp in the back to right, prob to pioneer? I’ve always had pioneer with non jbl nav systems in my last three Lexus sedans (which of course Toyota is almost identical). The pioneer is easy to work with. I’ve had an ml system and it wasn’t as easy unless you shell out for a pac dsp that grabs the canbus audio signal. The pac is nice, I was just turned off by its plastic enclosure - which seemed rather cheap compared to the brushed aluminum you get in mainstream dsp’s.

Here’s a helpful link:

2013 Toyota Avalon Upgrade

Hi All, First of all thank you for a fantastic forum, incredible amount of knowledge here. Have been doing a lot of reading here and trying to get some basic understanding on what is involved in "getting better sound quality". Considering I am a real noob at this, but really hate the way factory...

www.diymobileaudio.com

I think 2014 is 4th gen like the 2013 right?

My understanding is that he will mount the stock head unit out of sight but wired in to preserve air bag function and keep the annoying extra lights off in the cluster.

 

[mumbles]

Congrats on the car, great platform 👍🏻

 

[TheTodd]

My understanding is that he will mount the stock head unit out of sight but wired in to preserve air bag function and keep the annoying extra lights off in the cluster.

Nope. OEM unit will be completely removed. You can check out the Avalon install on 5-Star’s YouTube for a better description but it’s like I said above. For the non-JBL radios you have to unscrew the airbag light from the radio housing and mount it into the new dash kit. So I had to buy a different radio because the airbag light in the JBL radios cannot be removed. My Kenwood unit is the big 10” floating screen model and has the ability to access things like tire pressure, gauges & other car functions using the Idatalink Maestro RR. Therefore I do not need to keep the OEM radio for those functions.

 

[Chriswilkin22]

If you aren't going to replace the headunit somehow, I would most definitely by-pass the head unit if the sound from that headunit if it is just as dirty as the Camry JBL system.

Just helped a friend start upgrading his sound and that headunit sounds like ****.

 

[M_Mark28]

Nice score

 

[TheTodd]

Got it tinted today

 

[TheTodd]

Still moving slowly but some slow progress is being made. I’ll be purchasing the rest of my SI speakers this weekend at the Sundown show. I’m not going but the prices are too good to pass up so Naiku will get them for me and I’ll pick them up at his meet in Sept. I already have a set of TM65MkIVs so this weekend I’ll get the mids, tweets & the SQL-12 (I don’t quite have the room, or amp power, for the 15).

The plan is to put the sub in the right rear corner of the trunk. I’ve estimated there’s about 1.3-1.4cf in that spot, so the 1cf sealed I’m aiming for shouldn’t be a problem. Does anyone have any tips/tricks on how to apply mat on this area without it falling off…

I’ve glassed stuff before but I’ve never had to apply it upside down. I want to do the first layer IN the car until it hardens to make sure it holds shape.

Other than that, my new remote starter showed up today.

It’s a simple 30min plug & play install so that’ll get done this weekend. I might get frisky and start glassing this weekend, we’ll see.

 

[Truthunter]

I've installed several of those 12V Solutions remote starters in Toyota/Lexus vehicles. They work flawlessly and are super quick to install.

 

[mumbles]

Still moving slowly but some slow progress is being made. I’ll be purchasing the rest of my SI speakers this weekend at the Sundown show. I’m not going but the prices are too good to pass up so Naiku will get them for me and I’ll pick them up at his meet in Sept. I already have a set of TM65MkIVs so this weekend I’ll get the mids, tweets & the SQL-12 (I don’t quite have the room, or amp power, for the 15).

The plan is to put the sub in the right rear corner of the trunk. I’ve estimated there’s about 1.3-1.4cf in that spot, so the 1cf sealed I’m aiming for shouldn’t be a problem. Does anyone have any tips/tricks on how to apply mat on this area without it falling off…
View attachment 344117
I’ve glassed stuff before but I’ve never had to apply it upside down. I want to do the first layer IN the car until it hardens to make sure it holds shape.

Other than that, my new remote starter showed up today.
View attachment 344118
It’s a simple 30min plug & play install so that’ll get done this weekend. I might get frisky and start glassing this weekend, we’ll see.

I've worked with fiberglass a bit and have found that the hotter you mix the resin, the quicker it gets sticky... just mix up enough to do a small patch, then wash, rinse, repeat.
Have you thought about a stack-fab enclosure? I kind of want to try one just for the experience but, admit it looks like a lot of work.

 

[TheTodd]

I did think about a stack-fab but to be honest my router skills are rudimentary at best and the fiberglass can be a lot thinner than the wood would have to be which gives me a little more wiggle room with airspace. I’m by no means a master at fiberglass work but I’d rather deal with the smell (call me weird but I like the smell) of that than the wasted wood plus sawdust mess. Not to mention the cost of wood these days…

 

[mumbles]

Trust me, fiberglass supplies have gone through the roof as well, just spent $100 at AutoZone… hopefully you have some laying around!