Review on PAC TATO JBL Amplifier Turn-On Interface for Toyota Vehicles - Black by Charles Butler

Used this unit to install a Pioneer HU on a 2005 Toyota Tundra. This truck had a factory 6 disc changer but not a JBL version. I wasn't sure if this unit would work as it's only advertised for JBL models, but my truck used a rear amp like JBL's. I plugged it in and it worked. So far, so good. Even Pacific tech support didn't know if it would work, but Crutchfield techs did, so thanks to them. After a week of use, I started the truck in the morning and there is no sound. The radio worked fine but there was no sound. Later that day he went back to work. A week later, the same thing happened, although this time the noise mysteriously didn't return. I disassembled the dashboard again and found that it was one of the connectors for Pac Tato. I took two cable ties and wrapped them around the device in such a way that it held the plug very firmly in the socket. So far so good, but it's only been a week since I fixed the issue. Overall Impression: This makes the installation very easy and reversible. Without them I would have to route the cables back to the remote amplifier under the back seat and connect the cables manually. With this device, you route all the wiring around your desk or bench, and then install it with plug-and-play. The downside to this kit is that this kit comes with a couple of boxes, wire harnesses and connectors that need to be crammed into the dash and you may not have as much room as I have in a full size truck. It is also based on using 4 radio preamp outputs instead of speaker outputs. The audio volume doesn't seem to be as loud as it could be, even when I set the microswitches on the interface box to maximum volume. That's fine with me, but any kid looking to rattle their trunk lid might be disappointed. And finally, the intermittent plug that causes problems should be something that the folks making it should look into more closely. Update: I still have this unit and have been using it for two years now and it still flakes off every now and then. often forces me to pull the radio out of the dash (5 minute run, I've done so well), unplug one or both plugs from the unit, and cycle it on and off multiple times to wipe the contacts. He usually behaves for several months afterwards, but not always. Someday when I have time I will run some wires straight from the radio back to the speakers and permanently disable the amp there. It probably improves the sound too. the amplifier in the radio Pioneer is more powerful than the factory amplifier under the back seat. It makes setup really easy but has some limitations on the input signal (above a certain level I can clip the signal here) and it's just a PIA that has to go through a day or two before I can fix it again and again.