Sound System Installation Questions

[usurp]

I installed the head unit myself which was really easy to do and would now like to install my speakers, amp and subwoofer myself.

1) Where can I find a step by step guide on how to do this for my Wrangler? The reason installing the HU was easy was because of the step by step guide.

2) The amp and subwoofer are going to be drilled into the floor. ANything special I need to do here? Do I just drill a hole and run the screws through or is there a special technique to this. Do I need to do something from the underside of my car?

3) From the battery to the amp and from the battery to the powered subwoofer, how do I go around doing that?

I would prefer installing everything myself because (a) using tips from people who actually own wranglers I think I could do a better job then someone who just wants to install the radio for me in the car easiest way he can. (b) I want to learn how to do this. (c) I like LEGO

[mylt1]

1) try crutchfield
2) check for wires and hoses under where you plan on running screws to make sure you dont drill through something.
3) 4awg wiring kit with a 4awg to 2 8awg splitter for power and the ground near the amp. sand down to bare metal then secure with a self tapping screw. the amp kit should come with the ring terminals needed.

[PJL]

The internet is a vast resource. This is what I did:

1) Pick out the amp mounting location. This will let you know how much of everything you need. I installed mine under my rear seat. All you need is a drill to tap some holes and screw it right into the floor - just be careful you don't hit something you didn't want to. I also cut small slits in the carpet so that I could run the wires under it and have them come up right next to the amp.

2) Disconnect the negative terminal to the battery then run the power cable to the amp. As mylt said, you should go with a splitter, but I'm going to describe it as the installation for one amp (the wiring kit will have exact instructions on what to do with their product). The best way through the firewall is the rubber grommet that's behind your brake pedal that has nothing going through it. I just cut a hole in the middle of it with an x-acto knife and ran the wire through there to the battery. The end with the fuse should the one attached to the battery. The power wire I ran along the driver's side underneath the carpet. At this point, leave the inline fuse out of the holder in the power wire. That should be inserted after everything else is finished.

This is the grommet I'm talking about:


This is what the power and speaker side of my amp looks like after everything is done. The wires are virtually invisible looking down from the top at it.


3) Run your RCA cables and your remote power wire from your head unit to your amp. They should be on the opposite side from your power wire to avoid noise. For this step, I found it useful to label my RCA cable with medical tape, so I could keep my front and rear sound sources separate. Again, I hid these under the carpet and brought them up behind the glove box.

4) Run the speaker wires from the amp. For the dash, I took the same route as the RCA cables and just ran the wire for the driver's side dash across the inside of the dash. The wire for the soundbar speakers I ran the same path as the factory wires. This requires removing the cover from the soundbar. The medical tape trick works well here, too, just so you don't end up confused when you've got a fist full of wires.

5) Remove your factory speakers, do all your hookups and install the new speakers in their locations. I stuffed the soundbar with polyfil (100% polyester pillow stuffing) which improved the bass response and reduced the resonance noticeably.

This is my soundbar with the new speaker wire, mounting bracket installed and stuffed with polyfil ready for my 6.5" Alpine:


6) Find a spot to ground your amp. I just chiseled some paint away from the wheel well and installed a screw that holds the ring end of the ground cable down.

7) Do the same things for the powered sub, except for steps 4 and 5 (in other words, it'll be powered exactly like the amp).

7) Reconnect the negative terminal to the battery. Install the fuses for the power cable. You're ready to go.

[usurp]

Wow thanks thats exactly I was looking for specially the tip on the grommet.

For the subwoofer I need the splitter and just run another cable through the grommet right?

For the speakers, do I use regular home stereo cables or are there special ones for the cars? Also the RCA ones, these are regular RCA cables like the ones behind the TV right? How important is cable quality?

If I drill a hole into the floor, what will keep the screw held in? With the AMP I am not to worried about but the subwoofer which will probably be the BassLink is big and heavy so if I just drill a hole and put some screws in would that be enough to hold it?


Seriously thanks for the step by step, I was worried I wasn't going to be able to do it myself but now I can.

[PJL]

Originally Posted by usurp

Wow thanks thats exactly I was looking for specially the tip on the grommet.

For the subwoofer I need the splitter and just run another cable through the grommet right?

Yeah, you can probably fit both through. Also, try to use the same ground point for the sub and the amp.

For the speakers, do I use regular home stereo cables or are there special ones for the cars? Also the RCA ones, these are regular RCA cables like the ones behind the TV right? How important is cable quality?

The RCA cable is what carries your sound from the HU to the amp, so getting a good quality cable is important. Don't worry about getting Monster or a really expensive brand, but I wouldn't get lowest price, either. As for speaker wire, I'd use car audio wire, but I don't think it makes a different in the end. Your speaker may come with a length of wire. My Alpines did but my Infinities didn't.

If I drill a hole into the floor, what will keep the screw held in? With the AMP I am not to worried about but the subwoofer which will probably be the BassLink is big and heavy so if I just drill a hole and put some screws in would that be enough to hold it?

I just use a self-tapping screw and it holds itself in place. Just make sure you use a small enough screw bit that the screw actually screws into the hole. If you're really worried, try some blue loc-tite.

Seriously thanks for the step by step, I was worried I wasn't going to be able to do it myself but now I can.

No problem Got any questions, let us know. It should take you a couple hours; it's very simple, just a bit time consuming.

[usurp]

is this the 4 awg wiring kit i need?
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=128900&i=211PSK04BM&tp=1469
StreetWires PSK04BM Multi-amp Wiring Kit

[PJL]

^ Yep, that's it. But if you can find one cheaper, go for it. I get fine results with a $30 Walmart kit.

[usurp]

I checked amazon, found it for $74
Will check my local stores here in Kuwait and see what I can find.

[JWitt333]

just take your time and it will come out nice, the better it looks the better it sounds....haha

[usurp]

Ok just an update. Went to a local sound system place here in Kuwait, one of the best. I found Stinger cables but the wiring kit was expensive. 4awg multichannel wiring kit for $183, 5 meter RCA cables for $22 and 16awg stinger speaker cables for $1.5 a meter while the 12awg for $4.5 a meter.

I think I will order everything from amazon, cheaper even with shipping to Kuwait. For speaker cable though which should I go for, is the 16awg enough?

[PJL]

Car speaker wire should have wattage ratings on it. Just go by that.

Where are you mounting your amp? An 18 foot RCA cable may be overkill. One of mine is 18 feet and has a LOT of slack.

[usurp]

Well I was planning on mounting the amp under the seat since someone was able to do it. Now I don't know. I can't put it in the trunk cuz it will show and I don't want it to show and also the fact my dog would drool all over it.

I am now considering passenger side, up near the firewall under the carpet. But I am not happy with that location plus the heat from the engine and all..

[usurp]

I just checked, mcbuck has a 03 TJ and mine is a 04 so maybe it would fit under my seat? I guess I need to remove the seat and try it once the amp arrives.

[usurp]

OK I just did an outline of how I am going to wire my jeep up. One thing I can't figure, is it better to mount the BassLink facing the rear seat or facing the trunk door?

[bman9089]

rear seat for sure.