Replaced the Subwoofer in my 2013+ GS350 F Sport

[@Brandon-jy2yl]

So, the elephant in the room…did your car develop more rattles after installing the sub? Great thorough video as always. Thank you. Edit: BTW, I am going to mod my car as follows…camber arms, swift springs (going to go ahead and be proactive replacing the rear struts/tops while doing the springs) RCF wheels/appropriate tires (10th anniversary black) then front/rear GS F brake upgrade. At some point I want to replace my front bumper, have it painted, and install paint protection film to help prevent all the rock pitting I see now. I don’t want any paintwork on the metal of the car if possible. I want to keep that factory…maybe I can still get away with paint protection on my hood even though it already has a few minor imperfections.

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what’s up! Not a problem, thanks for sharing your plan! Wouldn’t mind seeing the progress :). Of course I recommend Figs engineering arms since most of their stuff is made from forged aluminum. My car did not develop any new rattles since installing a sub. I think as long as you don’t remove and re-install the interior panels several times it should be fine. Lexus probably spent extra time reinforcing all the interior panels against rattling since it’s a luxury car. My WRX on the other hand rattles like crazy. My only complaint is when the dealership installed the illuminated door sills for my GS, it was required to remove some dash parts and I have a small rattle on the passenger side bottom dash. I think some foam should solve that problem.

[@j168vlogs]

Btw, when we first talked about the 10th anniversary GSF BBS wheels, the first thought that came to my mind were the black GSF calipers they offered in 2016. I’m not exactly sure how people got that option or if it denotes something special about the brakes, but it could be something to consider. www.edmunds.com/lexus/gs-f/2016/vin/JTHBP1BL3GA001339/?national=true&radius=6000

[@Brandon-jy2yl]

@@j168vlogs I need to be honest with you. I also fear putting a good bit of money into my car and somebody hits it. I know it’s bad to live in fear, but unlike your situation, my car is a daily driver (car has 75k miles.) The chance of it getting hit one day is high, and if that happens, I may not want it anymore. Of course, I would never get all the money back that I would be willing to invest in the car if it got hit and totaled. I always keep this in mind as I go down the modding path. I am like you, I have expensive taste, so I want to express my concerns. This is why I have been on the fence of jumping deep into modifications.

[@j168vlogs]

@@Brandon-jy2yl I feel you man, my GS was never a daily, my WRX was suppose to be a daily but now that is a garaged car. I now daily a 2007 Toyota Tundra two door. The truck is not exciting but it’s cheap, reliable, and super useful. I think the mods you are doing for your GS are good choices since it can still be driven like a normal car and look really luxurious. Fear is tough to reason out but I think you’re going to do at least 80% of your mods based on what I can conject from knowing you online lol.

[@itsval7]

I want a similar setup.. just wanting to replace the stock sub with a 10 inch sundown audio running 600rms to it… question does your gs350 have the mark levinson? If so how does it sound paired with the aftermarket sub now ? Clean setup

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up!! Thanks! Appreciate you watching my review. I only recently heard about Sundown Audio and how they are a SPL comp favorite so you must be a serious audiophile!! My GS does not have the ML system and the stock system has balancing issues with the lows/mids/highs. I have heard the ML system before and it is pretty immersive compared to a non ML sound system so I think an aftermarket upgrade to all the speaker locations for a ML system would be pretty amazing. Good luck!!! Let me know what you end up doing!

[@itsval7]

@@j168vlogs yea sundown audio is pretty well known in that factor… I wouldn’t say I’m a crazy audiophile but I do know clean sound when I hear it lol… my 2014 gs has the ML system and the vocal / highs sound really good so that’s why I’m just wanting to add the 10 inch sub, I will be going sealed on the box though as compared to yours being ported, and will also be using the LC2i since they are known to produce the best quality sound. Thanks I’ll keep you updated

[@arjunt973]

would you recommend the same sub for the ML system in ‘15 Gs350 ? ML stock sub sounds muddy but I am an audiophile don’t want to lose any quality.

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! This sub was meant to play loud so if you're ok with that this sub is perfect in any car. The quality of the bass is amazing.

[@arjunt973]

@@j168vlogs i don’t play really that loud, i’m more for SQ than anything , i notice when i turn up the volume it’s more so i can feel the stock bass . i’m more for clean tight bass than super boomy, but i like boomy when it is in the song . i heard the 12w6 was better for SQ purposes, and was also pointed towards Focal K2’s for SQ. any opinion on either of those ?

[@j168vlogs]

@@arjunt973 I have always liked JL Audio. W6 used to be their flagship so I would go with the W6. One thing I like is that they are offered in 4ohm so you can wire as a 2 ohm setup and draw double the power from your amp lol.

[@arjunt973]

@@j168vlogswill a 13” fit in the trunk ? custom box. also what box should i run ported/sealed . also do the panels rattle as i’m hoping adding a sub won’t cause that

[@j168vlogs]

@@arjunt973 Hey what's up! I would check the recommended box dimensions for a 12w7 on the JL audio website. From what I remember, they recommend a ported box for these subs. It would be a very close fit, these subs are really heavy too! I think over time you will have panel rattle in your car. I don't daily drive my GS, so not enough seat time to really know.

[@doc908]

Could you explain how you were able to remove the factory subwoofer from the trunk? I’ve searched the internet high and low, and everyone says you have to remove the rear seats and then pull off the entire rear deck liner from inside of the cab. Definitely not trying to do all of that. I just cant figure out how to access the factory sub to remove it

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! Sorry, I actually paid someone to do it for me. I've pulled the rear deck liner from my WRX. It was a pain due to limited space but still easy.

[@doc908]

@@j168vlogs Oh no worries. I bet it’s not too hard of a job with the GS. Thanks for the reply man!

[@j168vlogs]

@@doc908 Hey what's up! If you have the spare time, nothing is too hard of a job when you put your mind to it.

[@Driving_Somewhere]

Hi from Singapore..I have got the same car . . . and the same puny stock woofer... So did you remove the stock woofer? Am thinking if there could be any drop in replacements that would suffice as I need the trunk space for luggage when the family goes for long trips....

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up Singapore!!! Thanks for watching my videos. I've never been to SG but I heard the food is amongst the best in the world! I did remove the stock subwoofer so that sound can pass through directly from the trunk to the passenger cabin. I don't know of any direct drop-in aftermarket subwoofers, but if you do your homework, I think you can find a "free-air" subwoofer that requires no custom box and can be custom mounted in the rear deck. That is what I would do in your position. Hope that helps!!

[@Driving_Somewhere]

​@@j168vlogsOh yeahhhhh and the best weather 90+% humidity is pretty common 😅. Thanks will hunt around! 😂

[@arjunt973]

did you keep the stock sub in after adding this ?

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! I removed the stock sub and keep it in case I decide to revert back to stock system. It's good to remove as it allows sound pressure to travel into the cabin as it may allow for a louder and cripser *thump*.

[@arjunt973]

@@j168vlogs awesome👍🏽

[@gametechbuilds3755]

have you done Low Heartz up two 30hz

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! I have no idea but I did play some DJ Billy E bass songs and they sounded great!

[@gametechbuilds3755]

@@j168vlogs ah ok I want to add this ones to my car but wasn’t sure I already have the older versions I believe but I’m go check the, out thanks I wish you could off show how or what it looks like under the speaker location space where you took off the old bass from the rear of the car

[@j168vlogs]

@@gametechbuilds3755 Hey what's up! Sorry, don't have any video but I have looked up there in the past and it's just a hole lol. I do think removing the oem subwoofer made the bass more boomy in my car. Man, I haven't driven my GS in a while, really miss the subwoofer. Thanks for your comments!!

[@b00b00]

Was it hard to remove the stock subwoofer?

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! I actually sourced out the work for the sub removal. I heard it is not that easy since the screws are below the rear dash and not accessible from the trunk

[@b00b00]

@ did you find it hard to do?

[@walkertekk9]

Hey man, I'm installing the same amp and sub in my GS right now. Did you take the wiring from the old sub and use it as your speaker level input to your LC2? Or did you tap into the rear deck speakers for speaker level input?

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! I actually had the work professionally done but they tapped into a full range speaker not the subwoofer. The 12W7 is a real game changer. Perfect for the GS!! Have fun!

[@sherifnabil50]

So you kept the stock amp? Im assuming this is non mark levinson ofcourse. Did you have to upgrade the alternator to install the additional amp and subwoofer? I think the stock alternator is only rated for 80 amps

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! Yeah, stock amp/non ML system. The stock non ML stereo sounds great but def not very loud. I kept the alternator stock and there is no dimming luckily! Have fun!

[@Polishwoky]

Hey fam, any chance you could tell me what you did with the deck? If you changed it or were just able to run it with the lc2i?

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! Deck is oem stock. LC2i does the job on it's own.

[@Polishwoky]

@@j168vlogs interesting. Is it tapping into the power from the wires connected to the stock amp? I have an rta connected to those wires that im running my amp and sub off of. Beats just fine right now, i only wonder if the way your doing it is more efficient

[@j168vlogs]

@@Polishwoky Interesting... I have never heard of an RTA before but I think it was used back in the day with high end Pioneer CD headunits lol. The LC2i is directly connected to the amp power/ ground/ remote turn on. This was definitely not a high quality professional install. I would recommend using power distribution blocks for power and ground. Each separate power line needs a fuse that is rated to the lesser of the device or power wire. If you use a distribution block, you would need an extra fuse installed between the car battery and the distribution block too. This is what I think at least, let me know if you have any suggestions. Safety first, efficiency second IMO.

[@Polishwoky]

@@j168vlogs hey fair enough mine isnt necessarily professional either but i do have a fuse between the battery and the power wire. My uncles put 99 percent of the work into the system for me so ill be relaying your suggestions to them and hopefully everything comes together nice and smoothly. Thank you so much for your help!!

[@j168vlogs]

@@Polishwoky Mad props to your uncle. Give him a fist bump for keeping the culture alive!

[@dondrenairn9480]

What is the height of the box

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! I built it to manufacturer ported enclosure specifications. 15 in / 381 mm www.jlaudio.com/products/12w7ae-3-car-audio-w7ae-subwoofers-92115

[@crombie92]

How much was the setup?

[@j168vlogs]

I got it a while back for a decent price. Definitely not retail.

[@crombie92]

Definitely do a jl review

[@j168vlogs]

Cool!

[@WaveDashZoom]

Did you install the subwoofer by yourself? I know it’s hard to get to the externals due to that screen

[@j168vlogs]

Hey what's up! No, I got a local stereo shop to take care of it for me. What do you mean by "I know it’s hard to get to the externals due to that screen" ??

[@WaveDashZoom]

@@j168vlogs the display screen seems insanely hard to get off to install the wiring.

[@j168vlogs]

@@WaveDashZoom Oh ok, that is what I though you were referring to. The display isn't too bad to take off, I removed it a while back to install a DVD bypass unit. BUT you can wire an Audiocontrol LC2i to a full range speaker or possibly the subwoofer and bypass the display for a sound output source!! Does that make sense? I show a little more of the wiring in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ7Po5mjpJ6EhsU

[@j168vlogs]

I show a little more of the wiring in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ7Po5mjpJ6EhsU

[@WaveDashZoom]

@@j168vlogs thank you!!! 🫶