How do you hook up an aftermarket head unit with the factory amp. I'm not interested in the sub amp as I have already removed the sub however the would like to utilize the other amp. I bought the connections for the back of the head unit. There are RCA jacks that go into the head unit. There is a pair of white/gray and lavender/turquoise. On the back of my head unit I have outputs for the front, back and sub. Which ports do I plug into the back of my head unit. Also which sub wires do I connect and disconnect? I can't get anything to work unless I disconnect all the sub connects in the trunk and run the head unit without any factory amps.
How to hook up aftermarket head unit with factory amps
- Thread starter pejohnson
- Start date
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kevinspann
Don't take my advice.
No need to utilize that factory amp, it won't do anything for you. The cars are dual wired. There is a second connector inside the area where the radio is, to the left of it. That is the connector you want to use for your speakers - this way you can just get the standard Ford harness adapter.
SuperHO
Mental Patient
why bother? Modern aftermarket head units produce almost as much, if not more power than the stock amp, and gives a much cleaner signal.
SuperHO
Mental Patient
you may need to get an amp bypass cable, but those are pretty cheap.
just as an aside, you'll find driving your speakers directly off the head unit rather than the factory amps will provide you with significantly better sound quality overall, even if you did manage to simply send them a signal.
the factory JBL amps aren't full range. The 4-channel amp is designed to lower the bass volume while boosting mids. The bass is solely handled by the sub, thanks to built-in crossovers. So even if you did manage to get a clean signal to the amp, you'd have little to no bass, muddy mids and shrill highs.
just as an aside, you'll find driving your speakers directly off the head unit rather than the factory amps will provide you with significantly better sound quality overall, even if you did manage to simply send them a signal.
the factory JBL amps aren't full range. The 4-channel amp is designed to lower the bass volume while boosting mids. The bass is solely handled by the sub, thanks to built-in crossovers. So even if you did manage to get a clean signal to the amp, you'd have little to no bass, muddy mids and shrill highs.
Bob Gervais
Wut?
I'm not into high end car audio at all, and know nothing about it.
That said, this thread has caught my attention, since I've never been fully happy with the sound in my 92.
My setup:
-Alpine something or other. CD player, controls and charges iPod directly. I like this head unit a lot, so I won't be changing it any time soon.
-Rockford Fosgate Punch something or others in the rear shelf and doors. To my surprise, they don't sound much better than the stockers, and now I know why.
-Bazooka ghettobass tube in the trunk, stock sub deleted. I'm actually pretty happy with this.
So my questions are:
-If I use the connector that Kevin mentioned above, behind the radio, will I need a different adapter harness than I have in the car now?
-Also, if using that connector, will I still need the amp bypass cable? I have one, never used it though.
That said, this thread has caught my attention, since I've never been fully happy with the sound in my 92.
My setup:
-Alpine something or other. CD player, controls and charges iPod directly. I like this head unit a lot, so I won't be changing it any time soon.
-Rockford Fosgate Punch something or others in the rear shelf and doors. To my surprise, they don't sound much better than the stockers, and now I know why.
-Bazooka ghettobass tube in the trunk, stock sub deleted. I'm actually pretty happy with this.
So my questions are:
-If I use the connector that Kevin mentioned above, behind the radio, will I need a different adapter harness than I have in the car now?
-Also, if using that connector, will I still need the amp bypass cable? I have one, never used it though.
SuperHO
Mental Patient
if memory serves (and I promise nothing since the only stock wiring I use is the 12 volt constant and accessory feeds combined with the fact that I am heavily medicated), tucked back in the dash somewhere is a grey square connector that feeds directly to the speakers. I'm almost certain that's the one you want. That should bypass the amps altogether.
The gray connector
He's right, connect to the gray plug and it will bypass the amps. Just make sure your amps are disconnected or removed.
He's right, connect to the gray plug and it will bypass the amps. Just make sure your amps are disconnected or removed.
kevinspann
Don't take my advice.
I believe so - you'd just use the standard Ford harness connectors you find any where, walmart etc. Me, I found mine in the junkyard. CMFP.
and
No.
Bob Gervais
Wut?
CMFPFTMFW.
It's too ****** out to tear into the dash right now, but for the time being I installed my bypass cable that's been kicking around in my parts bin for 10 years or so. Sound quality is indeed better. I also had to turn the ghettotube down some. So far, so good.
Is there any advantage to using that spare connector behind the radio as opposed to the amp bypass cable?
It's too ****** out to tear into the dash right now, but for the time being I installed my bypass cable that's been kicking around in my parts bin for 10 years or so. Sound quality is indeed better. I also had to turn the ghettotube down some. So far, so good.
Is there any advantage to using that spare connector behind the radio as opposed to the amp bypass cable?
kevinspann
Don't take my advice.
I got to take all the old amps and their bracket and subwoofer enclosure out of my trunk. I guess that's about it. I like to throw ****** parts away.
Bob Gervais
Wut?
Agreed. Looks like I'll be tearing that shit out soon enough!
kevinspann
Don't take my advice.
In non-jbl and regular Tauruses, there is a black panel that covers the rear bracing and the back of the rear seat, that you can put in to tidy things up. Usually found a little scratched, but I just flip them over and they look new.
SuperHO
Mental Patient
You could always just tuck the wiring out of the way somewhere if you dont wanna go through the hassle of yanking the head unit. Thats all i've ever done.
Bob Gervais
Wut?
I'll add that to my list of junkyard stuff to get. Gotta go soon for some stuff for the truck too. Thanks!
Good idea on the wiring too!
[email protected]
Member
nevermind just found a bunch of info and pictures further down in this thread i have a 93 that just blew the amps also...would anyone have a picture or diagram for installing the after market head unit .. i have the crutchfield adapters for the radio to car connections ....just cant get any sound anywhere .... thanks
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SuperHO
Mental Patient
Use the lil square connector tucked back in the dash a little bit...
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