Aftermarket Radio Question

[Fordlover96]

Alright, I am going to install an aftermarket head unit. I know that the head unit has internal amps and to get the correct wiring harness adapter so I can use the factory bypass connectors. But my question is, what happens to the sub woofer in the tray package? The aftermarket in question has two plugs on the back for a sub woofer (they look like the old tv plugs with the red and white.) Does that require a separate adapter? And idk if that would be in addition to the factory sub amp or just the amp from the head unit. Thanks a lot guys, as you can tell I haven't mastered auto electronics yet.....

 

[91Shonewbie]

my thoughts

I would guess that those can be used on your after market amp or to connect with the factory amp in the car. Im not sure but that would be my guess.

 

[apanthropy]

The factory subwoofer amp isn't going to like your aftermarket head unit's outputs - not the RCA output nor the speaker level output. An experienced shop or electronics expert can wire it to use half of the speaker level signal and keep the factory subwoofer amp happy, or you can use an aftermarket amplifier and bypass the factory one.

 

[sperold]

Here is some recent information:
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=111838

 

[Fordlover96]

Hey, just an update. I did the factory amp bypass. The system has more than enough bass for my taste without the sub. Of course, I did just put brand new 6 by 8's in. haha

 

[avatar28]

The factory subwoofer amp isn't going to like your aftermarket head unit's outputs - not the RCA output nor the speaker level output. An experienced shop or electronics expert can wire it to use half of the speaker level signal and keep the factory subwoofer amp happy, or you can use an aftermarket amplifier and bypass the factory one.

I was looking recently into upgrade options for my newly purchased SHO. Crutchfield has a couple of different adapters. One takes the signal from the front/rear RCA connections on your aftermarket head unit and feeds it to the factory amp. In this configuration you should have the sub since I think it is crossed over within the primary amp and you're still using it. If you bypass the amp then I can't help you.

 

[avatar28]

Hey, just an update. I did the factory amp bypass. The system has more than enough bass for my taste without the sub. Of course, I did just put brand new 6 by 8's in. haha

Yeah, I got my head unit in yesterday. Turns out one of my rear speakers is dead and the other one isn't exactly a heavy hitter in the bass department. Sounded surprisingly good for the mids and highs, though (where it's designed to work). It seemed to sound better than the front door speakers.

When you put the speakers in the back, which set of wires did you use? I noticed that there are two pairs going to each of the back speakers.

 

[Fordlover96]

Yeah, I got my head unit in yesterday. Turns out one of my rear speakers is dead and the other one isn't exactly a heavy hitter in the bass department. Sounded surprisingly good for the mids and highs, though (where it's designed to work). It seemed to sound better than the front door speakers.

When you put the speakers in the back, which set of wires did you use? I noticed that there are two pairs going to each of the back speakers.

For all four speakers I just used some harness adapters from bestbuy. No cutting or splicing.

 

[Irish Pride]

When you put the speakers in the back, which set of wires did you use? I noticed that there are two pairs going to each of the back speakers.

Just bypass and or remove the factory amp. Modern head units are far superior to the factory amp. Turning the head unit down in order to use the amp is a step in the wrong direction.

You should be able to use either sets of wires. Some cars came with 4 speakers mounted in the rear deck. My 91 had 2 - 6x9s and 2 - 5x7s. I removed all four of them and replaced them with Alpine 6x9s. Much nicer.

 

[avatar28]

For all four speakers I just used some harness adapters from bestbuy. No cutting or splicing.

How much did the adapters run? I spliced into the first one but it was something of a pain to get the speaker mounted so I haven't done the second one yet. Harnesses would be a far superior solution.

Just bypass and or remove the factory amp. Modern head units are far superior to the factory amp. Turning the head unit down in order to use the amp is a step in the wrong direction.

You should be able to use either sets of wires. Some cars came with 4 speakers mounted in the rear deck. My 91 had 2 - 6x9s and 2 - 5x7s. I removed all four of them and replaced them with Alpine 6x9s. Much nicer.

Already removed the factory amp. I just bought the $10 harness at the parts store and tied it into the speaker harness in the dash. If I were going to use the factory amp I would have purchased the adapter from Crutchfield that connects the RCA preamp outputs of the head unit to the amp's input. The car just has two speakers in the back (plus the missing sub) but the wiring harnesses that plugs into the speakers have two pairs of wires for some reason.

My current upgrade plans are roughly:

1. Replace radio with my aftermarket heat unit (Completed)
2. Replace speakers (other front door speaker first, then both rears)
3. Wire in amp power and 3 x RCA cables and install sub.
4. Replace front door speakers with something better than the ones I happened to have laying around.
5. Amp the mains (may swap this and the previous one).

 

[Fordlover96]

How much did the adapters run? I spliced into the first one but it was something of a pain to get the speaker mounted so I haven't done the second one yet. Harnesses would be a far superior.]

I paid like 7 buck each. They sold them for 13ish and I found them cheaper on amazon so they price matched.

 

[avatar28]

I paid like 7 buck each. They sold them for 13ish and I found them cheaper on amazon so they price matched.

Sweet. In-store or the website? Do you happen to still have the link to them?

 

[Fordlover96]

In store. I believe it was metra part # 72 5512

 

[Mike olsen]

Ok so i need help guys i just bought a 92 sho and i put a pioneer aftermarket head unit it it and the head unit turns on but i get no sound thru my speakers..im not too familiar with sound systems

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[Devin]

Mike, you've posted this in like five different places now.

 

[kevinspann]

Depending on how you have it wired, you may have to unplug the factory amps. Or get an amp bypass harness. The cars are pre-wired with connectors in the dash to bypass the amp anyways, but you won't have a subwoofer.

 

[Mike olsen]

Thanks for the help im gonna try to unplug the amps and see if that helps

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