Aftermarket Stereo In 98 Lx470 But Keeping Factory Speakers (& Amp

[AggiePhil]

Howdy all. I have a 1998 LX470 with the in-dash 6 disc CD changer stereo. I don't know if this means that I have the "Nakamichi" or "Mark Levinson" system, nor do I know if this means that I have a built-in factory amplifier.

Anyway, I'm wanting to how things will work if I install an aftermarket stereo but want to continue using the factory speakers. Assuming that my car already has a separate factory amplifier, will I need to use the non-amplified "pre-amp" outputs on the aftermarket stereo? I would think that using the standard amplified outputs on the aftermarket stereo would "double amplify" the output...probably not a good thing. So...how is this usually done? Thanks!

[PearlLX]

dude, i am tryin to do the same thing. i have a kenwood dnx5120 and definitely DO NOT want to bypass my factory amp. its messy, expensive and is hard to retro-activate if that makes sense. what i mean is if u wanted to go back to your original system ( to sell the truck) it would be very very difficult. i have found a few sites that might help you, but if youve done any searching at all you have probably found them yourself already:

http://clublexus.com/forums/lx470-and-lx45...iring-help.html

following the posts and directions on this thread tells you how to use the factory amp via the pre-outs so you dont 'double amplify'. however its no easy feat and requires some plastic surgery and ingenuity. i am still in question about many things. also since the factory amp is turned on only by a factory reciever, when u install your new receiver, you must do something called jumpering, yes jumpering, the acc wire, so that the amp turns on when the car turns on. a lot of this wiring requires knowledge of what wire does what so for that here are a couple sites that diagram the lexus harness.

http://www.modifiedlife.com/1999-lexus-lx4...ring-schematic/

http://www.celiamania.com/wordpress/wp-con...lx470pinout.pdf

well thats about all i can help u with since i too am in the installation process and havent completed it yet. i cant even figure out how to get power to my damn kenwood from the truck. do i need to splice the power cable? ughhhhh