Installing a Probe EQ?

[sethsho]

This question is directed at Jelloslug.
How were you able to integrate your's into the JBL setup?
After looking at the pics thumb , I too would like to do the same.

 

[jelloslug]

It hooks up exactly like a slave CD player except I think the power connector is wired a bit different. I will scan the diagram for you when I get home tonight. If you already have a slave CD player you will have to splice in some new wiring to the audio data cable (the squareish 6 pin cable). Since the top 4 pins are just an audio in and audio out loop from the tape deck to the CD player you will need to include the EQ in the loop. Run the audio out from the CD player to the audio in on the EQ (it's connector for the audio is the same as the others) and then run the audio out from the EQ back to the tape deck. The EQ does not use the status connections (the lower 2 pins).

 

[jelloslug]

Here is the wiring diagram:

 

[sethsho]

Thank you for your reply, and the diagram!
What kind of connectors and wiring would you recommend I use?

 

[jelloslug]

The easy way would be to get the wiring from a Probe. From what I hear most Probes have the wiring even if they don't have the EQ. If you cannot find that the wiring for a slave CD player will work. If you cannot find those cheap get the 8 pin connector for the amp connection to the head unit and cut off 2 pins with a Dremel (that connector is also used for the clock in 93-95 SHOs, the blend door motor, and at a splice under the carpet near the passenger kick panel). An alternate location for the power connecter is the redundant radio controls on any 2nd gen Taurus/Sable. You will have to rewire the pins but that's no big deal. Do you have a tape/slave CD setup or just one head unit?

 

[sethsho]

Yes, I have all three units.
The power connection I figured out. It's the audio portion I'm concerned with. Specifically; the connectors themselves. Or maybe I just didn't understand you correctly? shrug

 

[jelloslug]

The audio part is just a preamp loop. On each unit there is an audio input and an audio output for each channel (left and right). You will have to cut the audio output wires that come from the output of the CD player and splice in the EQ connection there. You will now be going out from the CD player to the in on the EQ, then you will go out from the EQ to the in on the tape deck (where the CD out was connected to). Here is a rough diagram.

 

[sethsho]

Ok then, thank you.

 

[Zap]

I just noticed this post, and was curious about this as well. How much do the EQ's usually cost, and am I correct in seeing that they replace the tape holder / cigarette lighter panel? Is having the EQ nice?

 

[jelloslug]

I would pay no more than $30 for the EQ on ebay. Maybe a bit more if it came with the wiring. There is a bit of fabricating to get it to fit; you have to make the mounting panel out of the existing cassette holder. The EQ actually helps the stock JBL system quiet a bit. It lets you adjust out the flat spots that the bass and treble adjustments cannot fix, plus it looks cool thumb .

 

[Devin]

You're a busy guy, Jelloslug. How hard was it to make the mount that you did? And does it have to be on the Gen 2 console?

 

[SHOMA]

not trying to hijack the post, but any way to integrate the probe eq into an aftermarket head unit? I will have the same wiring, so probably will work, right? Jelloslug, did you burn that cd for me yet?

 

[jelloslug]

I know the Probe guys have wired it to work with aftermarket head units but I have not tried it myself. I have burnt the CD 3 time and it has not work yet.... . I going to burn it on my brother PC and see if will work right then.

 

[Markus]

I would pay no more than $30 for the EQ on ebay. Maybe a bit more if it came with the wiring. There is a bit of fabricating to get it to fit; you have to make the mounting panel out of the existing cassette holder. The EQ actually helps the stock JBL system quiet a bit. It lets you adjust out the flat spots that the bass and treble adjustments cannot fix, plus it looks cool thumb .

Do you have any instructions and/or pics of making the custom panel for the EQ? I just bought an EQ and want to duplicate what you have done.

 

[jelloslug]

Here are the quick and dirty instructions:

1. Remove the tape holder panel.
2. Remove the lighter assy.
3. Using a Dremel tool or something similar cut the tape pocket off from the backside. Be sure to not cut all the way through to the front and try not to damage the "rolled" edge at the corner of the pocket and the face of the panel. You’re trying to "slice" off the pocket.
4. Test fit the EQ to see where you’re going to have to trim the flanges on the EQs metal case. Trim the EQ so it will fit between the 4 mounting posts on the panel. You may have to trim the mounting posts a little.
5. Once the EQ will fit flush against the panel up you will have to cut the rest of the opening. Start By putting masking tape over the right side of the panel so you can market it with a pencil. Next measure from the left edge of the opening to the left edge of the panel at the bottom of the opening. Now measure from the right edge of the panel back the distance of the measurement. That is how far you should cut. Do the same for the top edge. Now with a strait edge mark off the rest of the opening so you know where to cut.
6. Cut the opening with the Dremel leaving a little extra material so you can file it by hand to make it match the existing opening.
7. You will have a small section where the lighter was at, fill this with 2-part clay type epoxy or you can fiberglass it if you so desire. Both will work fine. Fill and sand it to match the rest of the panel.
8. Paint the panel with light texture paint. I used a "Cast Iron Texture" paint I found at Home Depot. I then painted over the texture with black bumper paint to smooth the texture a little.
9. Install the EQ, you may want to use a little electrical tape to fill the small gap at the bottom edge of the EQ.

 

[Markus]

Mitchell, I'm in the middle of installing my EQ now. How did you attach the EQ to the back of the old tape box?

Also, did you get the compass pics I sent you? Did you get a chance to scan the pinout of the Probe rear defogger switch?

 

[jelloslug]

I used the same mounting studs that the bezel mounts to the upper console with. You kinda have to sandwitch every together.