2012 Stereo Upgrade (pics)

6186 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by KevvyGP, Dec 18, 2013

pentavolvo

Discussion Starter · Jul 13, 2012

So a few weeks ago I purchased a brand new 2012 Escape XLT the my fiance soon to be wife will drive for the most part. I installed car audio for a number of years but haven't done it professionally in over 5 years. I was looking for a budget minded small upgrade for the Escape unlike the full out setup in my 05 Mustang GT.

I absolutely love the SYNC so the stock deck will be staying.

Here it is after its first bath. Did I mention I bought it on a Saturday, and Sunday morning I was doing stereo upgrades.

Polk DB651 coaxial in front drivers door, they do really well off factory deck power, better then I had figured

Front passenger door. Rears were left stock but its faded way forward.

Everything looks normal

Seat slid full forward to show the goodies. An 800 watt power inverter for running a laptop, etc, this is great because we travel alot. The amp is an old Urban Audio Works that I had from probably 15 + years ago that will put out about 300 watts rms bridged to the 10" sub. I also have another matching one stashed away.

View from the front of seat

Side view, I will probably build a small piece to cover this

4ga power wire feeding off of battery

Down firing sub box with a 10" Elemental Designs 11kv.2. This keeps the sub pretty well protected so I don't have to worry about it when throwing stuff in the car. I screwed up the carpet a but which you cant really see in the picture but I may redo it all.

Overall I am happy with it and she loves the setup and the car. Any questions feel free to ask. Remote start will be next

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jeremy1701

· #2 · Jul 13, 2012

Nice work, man! One question...

The stock head unit has a preamp output(s)?

jbone2470

· #3 · Jul 13, 2012

Congrats on new escape,new wifey,and new stereo upgrade....Did u hook up your inverter straight to the battery? I been thinking of getting one .Where did ya get yours and how much?

I see them all over the place,not sure what brand to get.I was thinking Schumacher,cause i know they make great battery chargers,their Inverters must be good too..

pentavolvo

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 13, 2012

Deck does not have preouts I tapped the high level outputs. There is a 4ga power wire ran from battery to distribution block under the seat and then a short piece of 8ga to inverter and to amp. Normally for just an inverter I would run 4 or 6 ga for an inverter that size, 6ga is plenty. It is actually a cheap 60 dollar 800 watt inverter from Menards. Newer version can be had for same money as we just put one in a friends car. This one is almost 3 years old and was in my work truck, never any trouble with it. I have ran laptop, printer, charged Dewalt batterys, corded drill, shop vacuum off of it multiple times, not all at once obviously. I had a bigger one that I put in the work truck, then took the 800 watt one and put it in the Escape, since the bigger one wouldn't fit under seat with the amp in the escape.

How much we will use it in the escape im not sure but we do travel alot so it is nice to have. I dont even get an extension cord out to vacumn the car out

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AREscape

· #5 · Jul 14, 2012

Nice upgrades! I may have to install an inverter in my E! The thought of not pulling an extension cord to vacuum is reason enough!

astro

· #6 · Jul 15, 2012

AREscape said:
Nice upgrades! I may have to install an inverter in my E! The thought of not pulling an extension cord to vacuum is reason enough!

That would need to be a pretty big inverter. Vacuum cleaners often pull 10 amps or more (1200 watts or more).

pentavolvo

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 15, 2012

my inverter runs shop vac all day long no issues

gmori7

· #8 · Mar 9, 2013

Hi! Really nice installation here, congrats! I'm wondering where is passing your 4GA positive 12V to the cabin? Near the steering column? And you said remote start up was the next step. How will you do this? You'll run a 12V accessories switched wire to your amp? I cannot even find a wire that is switched by the ignition... Thanks!

Phillipdiaz

· #9 · Mar 17, 2013

jeremy1701 said:
Nice work, man! One question...

The stock head unit has a car parts preamp output(s)?

Awesome work. I am just looking to install new sound system in car. Which will you prefer now?

replica33981

· #10 · Sep 6, 2013

Great questions asked here, wanted to give a bump & hope for some answers

pentavolvo

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 7, 2013

Ok ill try and answer all the questions

Stock unit dost have preouts I tapped the high level outputs behind factory deck

Power wire is ran through grommet that is more ales next to the brake booster I can get a pic if someone needs it

In effervescent runs shop vac fine but really struggles with the dyson

Any other questions fire away

jonnyanalog

· #12 · Sep 8, 2013

How long are the RCA cables you ran from behind the HU to the amp under the seat?
Also, did you fully remove the seat to get the amp under there?

pentavolvo

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 9, 2013

If I recall I only unbolted seat and slide it back a bit could be done without even un bolting

Not sure on length but they are 9 foot if I recall I think you could make 6 work

1anndale

· #14 · Sep 18, 2013

I am looking to emulate this set up I just have a few questions before I get to it.

Is it hard to figure out which speakers are connected to which wires in the HU? I don't want to clip the wrong wires.

Also I understand I will need LOC's to run from the HU to the amp which I have purchased, but how did you run the sub from the amp, did you tap into wires with another LOC and if so where?

I am planning on running a LOC for the front speakers, and a LOC for the back speakers to the amp (5 channel), speaker wire back and out to the speakers and then wiring the sub to the amp. I just want to make sure I have it all right before I dig in.

Thanks!

KevvyGP

· #15 · Dec 18, 2013

1anndale said:
I am looking to emulate this set up I just have a few questions before I get to it.

Is it hard to figure out which speakers are connected to which wires in the HU? I don't want to clip the wrong wires.

Also I understand I will need LOC's to run from the HU to the amp which I have purchased, but how did you run the sub from the amp, did you tap into wires with another LOC and if so where?

I am planning on running a LOC for the front speakers, and a LOC for the back speakers to the amp (5 channel), speaker wire back and out to the speakers and then wiring the sub to the amp. I just want to make sure I have it all right before I dig in.

Thanks!

Howdy not sure if you already did your install but I am super impressed with my factory install that is simple and impressive. Could do the full install in 1 day and drive out booming with nothing looking "unstock" for around $600 or less, bluetooth A2DP included... no need for LOC either.

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