[mtcprx10]

Hey guys,

im 16 and really new at this and have a couple questions. there are probably threads about this already but i really kinda wanted a post that went perfectly with what i was doing. im 16 and have a 2009 mariner premier. im looking to install a new amp and 2 10' subs. i know how to connect the subs up to the amp just fine and build a custom box, but i was wanting help with connecting the amp to the original head unit. im looking to make as few adjustments to anything stock and trying to keep it very very basic and easy. i want to keep the stock speakers all hooked up and running as normal with the HU, and i also really want to keep the original amp still installed along with the rear sub its connected to (for sake of it being as easy as possible). this does not really have to be extremely clean, but clean as possible. currently everything is stock and im not sure if i should splice into a stock speaker or somehow run a separate wire from the HU all the to the new amp that way i dont have to mess with the door speakers. i really do not want to take off the door panels, unless absolutely needed. my friend graham haw installed systems in friends cars but never done anything later than a 2002 car (he himself has an old lifted blazer with 2 phoenix gold 12' competition quality subs and a 1200 watt amp and sets off car alarms left and right). i myself am looking for a decent, low priced, sub hookup without spending much (being 16 i dont have too much on an income). i have not yet purchased an amp, but was not really wanting to spend more than 120 on one. it only needs to power 2 12inch phoenix gold ryval subs. they run about 150 RMS and 600 watt peak at 4 ohms each. i also am pretty i will need to get a LOC. as i said im new at this and would really like it if someone very experienced helped walk me through this so i didnt have to get them professionally done when i am perfectly capable of doing it.

thanks!

p.s. i was also wanting to do this without voiding the warranty which is still active and will be for another year and a half.

 

[fourthmeal]

Hey guys,

im 16 and really new at this and have a couple questions. there are probably threads about this already but i really kinda wanted a post that went perfectly with what i was doing. im 16 and have a 2009 mariner premier. im looking to install a new amp and 2 10' subs. i know how to connect the subs up to the amp just fine and build a custom box, but i was wanting help with connecting the amp to the original head unit. im looking to make as few adjustments to anything stock and trying to keep it very very basic and easy. i want to keep the stock speakers all hooked up and running as normal with the HU, and i also really want to keep the original amp still installed along with the rear sub its connected to (for sake of it being as easy as possible). this does not really have to be extremely clean, but clean as possible. currently everything is stock and im not sure if i should splice into a stock speaker or somehow run a separate wire from the HU all the to the new amp that way i dont have to mess with the door speakers. i really do not want to take off the door panels, unless absolutely needed. my friend graham haw installed systems in friends cars but never done anything later than a 2002 car (he himself has an old lifted blazer with 2 phoenix gold 12' competition quality subs and a 1200 watt amp and sets off car alarms left and right). i myself am looking for a decent, low priced, sub hookup without spending much (being 16 i dont have too much on an income). i have not yet purchased an amp, but was not really wanting to spend more than 120 on one. it only needs to power 2 12inch phoenix gold ryval subs. they run about 150 RMS and 600 watt peak at 4 ohms each. i also am pretty i will need to get a LOC. as i said im new at this and would really like it if someone very experienced helped walk me through this so i didnt have to get them professionally done when i am perfectly capable of doing it.

thanks!

p.s. i was also wanting to do this without voiding the warranty which is still active and will be for another year and a half.

Go check out my posts about adding a line converter. I recommend looking at the Audiocontrol LC6i which will take in the signal and give you something that can also output a 12v switched signal for your amp(s). They aren't cheap but they do the job perfectly. I also recommend looking into actual processors (I use the Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.2 which gives you EQ, time alignment, crossover control etc. for total system control. Yes, I am suggesting you amplify the other speakers, life is not just about BASS.

A cheap LOC will often add noise, so be careful. You should splice into the FRONT speakers not the rear, which are heavily sound contoured by the crappy stock deck.

 

[mtcprx10]

yea, i was thinking about actually taking out the stock speakers and replacing them with either a set of kenwoods or memphis audios. i just dont have enough money to do that right now and first priority (being a teenager of course) is subs.

would it be possible to pull the signal from the single back 8 inch sub? i would eventually re-do it and pull from the front when i do go to upgrade the entire system, but my whole thought process was if all im wanting is bass for right now, why not just pull from the rear instead and keep everything in the same general area? also, ive never actually taken that back right panel off where the stock amp and sub are. do you have like a diagram on here of it? i searched it and couldnt find anything.

and a third question- where would you suggest putting 10 inch two kicker comp subs? i really need my storage space in the back, and a big box takes up a little bit too much room. also as you probably know, they wont fit under either front seat and the back seats are completely out of the question because of the way their designed and there is no room for anything under them. i was considering cornering them in the back with one on each side. i also have considered putting them where the storage unit is under the carpet by cutting a hole in the carpet and building a ported box with plexiglass over it to protect them. any thoughts on these, ideas or any of your own?

thanks a ton, this really really helps!! i really appreciate it!

 

[fourthmeal]

Answers is Bold

yea, i was thinking about actually taking out the stock speakers and replacing them with either a set of kenwoods or memphis audios. i just dont have enough money to do that right now and first priority (being a teenager of course) is subs.

would it be possible to pull the signal from the single back 8 inch sub? You MIGHT be able to do this. The wiring is a twisted pair, shielded. It is a low-level signal, basically an RCA signal. You could possibly splice in an RCA plug to that wiring. There are also modules on ebay that do this properly. Given that you wanted to make it removable and such, I would recommend investing in the module! Those modules also give you a turn-on circuit for your amps, which you will need because these cars do not have a typical 12V+ switched circuit. i would eventually re-do it and pull from the front when i do go to upgrade the entire system, but my whole thought process was if all im wanting is bass for right now, why not just pull from the rear instead and keep everything in the same general area? The REAR outputs are heavily contoured, I said that already. you will have very little accurate bass coming to the subs. The contour looks like a plateau, with heavy cuts on the low end (this matters for bass), and on the high end (not as important.) Pulling from the front will ensure this doesn't happen. Pulling from the sub wire as previously mentioned would also be smart. also, ive never actually taken that back right panel off where the stock amp and sub are. do you have like a diagram on here of it? i searched it and couldnt find anything.
It is a small amp, and a small 6.5" sub in a plastic enclosure. The plug has 12V power, ground, and the twisted pair low-level signals to the amp.

and a third question- where would you suggest putting 10 inch two kicker comp subs?Ditch the subs and buy something more shallow, then build a proper false floor (like I have and am doing again.) A false floor is easy with this car if you don't have a hybrid model (because the space for the battery pack is back there.) Just pull the plastic spacer and think of the possibilities. Shallow subs are easy to work with under that space, if you know how to fiberglass (or if you compromise a bit and use wood shapes, and have overall less airspace for smaller subs.) Another option is to order an MTX box that fits back there, hides on the side. Doesn't hold 2 subs, but one good one. i really need my storage space in the back, and a big box takes up a little bit too much room. also as you probably know, they wont fit under either front seat and the back seats are completely out of the question because of the way their designed and there is no room for anything under them. i was considering cornering them in the back with one on each side. i also have considered putting them where the storage unit is under the carpet by cutting a hole in the carpet and building a ported box with plexiglass over it to protect them. any thoughts on these, ideas or any of your own? Take a peek at all my builds on this forum, see what you think.

thanks a ton, this really really helps!! i really appreciate it!

 

[foxbodyman8907]

i just got an 07 escape yesterday and i just installed my system today that was in my old car. i pulled the factory hu tapped in my loc to the front speaker wires. i could of spliced the remote wire to the wire harness there, i didnt cause i wasnt 100 percent positive on the wire to splice to ( the wire i was gonna tap to was the yellow/black, its the acc wire from what i gathered on all the wire diagrams i looked up), so i pulled the fuse to radio and put the remote wire in with it and it works fine. i also left the stock 8" sub hooked up

 

[mtcprx10]

by leaving the stock 8inch hooked up, do you have it powered by the stock amp also? or do you have it running with the new amp? i was thinking of unwiring the stock 8inch but leaving it where is it (easier when i go to sell the car) and leaving the stock amp in its place (also for re-sell) and just locating the amp under a seat or in the back somewhere.

and to 4thmeal- how would you go about putting in a false floor? like i was wanting to keep the storage space (as i said earlier) and having the subs "in the floor" would be really nice. and just covering them with plexiglass? or would that muffle the sound too much?

thanks guys!

 

[fourthmeal]

by leaving the stock 8inch hooked up, do you have it powered by the stock amp also? or do you have it running with the new amp? i was thinking of unwiring the stock 8inch but leaving it where is it (easier when i go to sell the car) and leaving the stock amp in its place (also for re-sell) and just locating the amp under a seat or in the back somewhere.

and to 4thmeal- how would you go about putting in a false floor? like i was wanting to keep the storage space (as i said earlier) and having the subs "in the floor" would be really nice. and just covering them with plexiglass? or would that muffle the sound too much?

thanks guys!

To answer that question, take a look at my previous builds, and watch out for my newest build which I will go ahead and start a thread on.

 

[foxbodyman8907]

by leaving the stock 8inch hooked up, do you have it powered by the stock amp also? or do you have it running with the new amp? i was thinking of unwiring the stock 8inch but leaving it where is it (easier when i go to sell the car) and leaving the stock amp in its place (also for re-sell) and just locating the amp under a seat or in the back somewhere.

and to 4thmeal- how would you go about putting in a false floor? like i was wanting to keep the storage space (as i said earlier) and having the subs "in the floor" would be really nice. and just covering them with plexiglass? or would that muffle the sound too much?

thanks guys!

its still hooked up to the factory amp and is fully functional. i cant tell its there with my subs hooked up.