Removing JBL, help hooking up aftermarket HU and speakers

[jbserra]

Hello all,

Someone probably knows this already, so I figured I would ask before digging too deep.

I have physically removed all JBL components, and I have a new head unit and speakers. There are 2 wiring harnesses at the HU. Are there 2 pairs of wires at all the speaker locations? If not, are both harnesses tied together somehow? Otherwise, what is the best configuration for the new aftermarket pieces? JBL harness plus the amp bypass, or can I use the non-JBL hookup somehow? I haven't been able to find good enough wiring information for the JBL setup...

Thanks in advance.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

Personally, I used the other wire harness that is not used with the JBL audio system. That harness goes straight to the speakers and bypasses the amps that were used with the JBL system. This way, the stock subwoofer is no longer hooked up unless you install an amp to power it.
To me, it sounds better than using the JBL amps and having to buy more harnesses....but some people disagree with that.

Oh yea...the speakers are dual wired...one set comes from the amp, the other set comes from that 2nd wire connector at the head unit location.

 

[jbserra]

Hey, thanks for the quick response!

Ok, so I can just hook my new speakers up to the existing wires at their respective locations. THEN, I can just wire into the non-JBL harness. Good deal.

Will the colors of the wires at the speaker locations match the colors on the non-JBL harness so I can figure out how to hook into the head unit?

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

If you spend the 10 bucks for the regular wiring harness (The 2nd connector in the dash is the same connector used in any standard ford automobile during the same year) (I wouldbut it, makes it much easier) all the colors should match right up, its just a matter of hooking up the harness to your new HU harness, and then clipping the connectors together in the dash, mount the HU, and away you go.

Yup, hook up the new speakers with the same wires at the locations already. I have new rear and front speakers and am using that 2nd wire harness in the dash...have not had 1 problem since the install.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

Will the colors of the wires at the speaker locations match the colors on the non-JBL harness so I can figure out how to hook into the head unit?

I do not know for sure, but if I understand your question right, it doesnt really matter what wire is positive and which is negative. That really only matters if you are 1) running massive power (1000+ watts) or 2) are bridging more than 1 speaker to a certain output (right rear, etc).

Also, the harness you buy and your new HU should have all the wires marked, so its just a matter of matching tags (RR with RR, 12+ remote with 12+ remote, etc.)

Thats my 2 cents...

 

[jbserra]

I will definitely get the connector. I've used them in the past and it makes it sooooo much easier. Plus, I can be **** and solder all my connections.

I just wanted to verify the color scheme. Thanks for your help.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

No problem and good luck

 

[Wings Dirty]

I do not know for sure, but if I understand your question right, it doesnt really matter what wire is positive and which is negative. That really only matters if you are 1) running massive power (1000+ watts) or 2) are bridging more than 1 speaker to a certain output (right rear, etc).

Also, the harness you buy and your new HU should have all the wires marked, so its just a matter of matching tags (RR with RR, 12+ remote with 12+ remote, etc.)

Thats my 2 cents...

With all respect, I had the same question when I installed my Clarion Joyride in my SC. I will try to sum up what I was told: "you do not want to reverse the polarity on speakers. The main reason being that it will make them sound like crap, because when the speaker is supposed to move outward on it's driver, to reproduce a certain frequency, it will move backwards when the polarity is reversed, making the frequency sound off, if not totally different at times. "


You are correct however, about the harness. ALL aftermarket units / harnesses follow the same color code. I can't remember what the standard is called just now, but it is a Japanese deal.

 

[jbserra]

I didn't think the comments about ignoring polarity were the best solution. I agree. You want the positive voltage to move the driver out, not in.

The install is still in progress. Everything has been torn out. Now to find time to put the new stuff back in...

 

[Ferendon]

If you wanna be **** about it, when I put the stereo in my friend's Ranger he wanted it to be "bad ***". I ran down to Fry's, picked up a 3"x1 1/2" piece of silicon board. Took a dremel and a silicone bit, shot the holes through it, and striped the board. Couple shots of solder for each wire, and it looked nice. Took some liquid plastic, gave it a real nice coating, and it looks like something you'd see in a spaceship. Really impressive looking and really easy, although I don't understand why he wanted it to look nice... it's in his dash. But you can't really ask for a more solid connection.