Jeep Wrangler Subwoofer/Amplifiers Installation
After three years of Jeep ownership, I became fed up with the on going battle between wind and word-music, more specifically. Every trip down the highway with the top down was dominated by wind. As a employee at Circuit City, I figured I could change that.
The itch to purchase a subwoofer became a nagging thing. It was so much cheaper to buy one while employed than when not. Thinking about the finances, and knowing that I always wanted to round out my tunes, I went for it. I purchased all my equipment on the twenty-seventh of July and hoped that it would all get to me before college (which is where I am when I'm writing this).
All my stuff did arrive before I left. You probably could've guessed that considering this article is being submitted as a write up for procedure. What you might not have been able to guess is the contents of the boxes. For my setup I finally decided on driving a subwoofer and my speakers with amps. I even convinced my dad to put a sub in the back of the 1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon. Fake wood paneling. It's a beast.
Here is a shot of everything the wonderful UPS man brought, in addition to what I purchased at Circuit City. The subwoofers and amps were purchased factory direct from Stillwater Designs, Inc.-a partner.
Talk about excitement and anticipation.
My aim in this write-up is to provide information pertaining to my installation so that others can use it as they see fit. When I read articles and write-ups, I appreciate all the details and wording--so I'm trying to return the favor. If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to contact me.
Materials List (Retail Prices)
Tools List
There are 4 aspects in which I'll try to summarize the installation. I will try to separate these aspects into headings so that most information pertinent to the topics stays there. However, understand that topics overlap. Here's how I chose to look at it.
Tips:
After three years of Jeep ownership, I became fed up with the on going battle between wind and word-music, more specifically. Every trip down the highway with the top down was dominated by wind. As a employee at Circuit City, I figured I could change that.
The itch to purchase a subwoofer became a nagging thing. It was so much cheaper to buy one while employed than when not. Thinking about the finances, and knowing that I always wanted to round out my tunes, I went for it. I purchased all my equipment on the twenty-seventh of July and hoped that it would all get to me before college (which is where I am when I'm writing this).
All my stuff did arrive before I left. You probably could've guessed that considering this article is being submitted as a write up for procedure. What you might not have been able to guess is the contents of the boxes. For my setup I finally decided on driving a subwoofer and my speakers with amps. I even convinced my dad to put a sub in the back of the 1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon. Fake wood paneling. It's a beast.
Here is a shot of everything the wonderful UPS man brought, in addition to what I purchased at Circuit City. The subwoofers and amps were purchased factory direct from Stillwater Designs, Inc.-a partner.
Talk about excitement and anticipation.
My aim in this write-up is to provide information pertaining to my installation so that others can use it as they see fit. When I read articles and write-ups, I appreciate all the details and wording--so I'm trying to return the favor. If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to contact me.
Materials List (Retail Prices)
- Sony CDX-GT300 or Compatible Head Unit (Make sure you have RCA outputs on your head unit. You need at least 2, preferably 3.) ($130)
- Kicker ZX500 x 1 Channel Amplifier (1) ($300)
- Kicker ZX350 x 4 Channel Amplifier (1) ($300)
- Kicker Solobaric L5 Slim Subwoofer Enclosure at 2 ohms (1) ($300)
- Roll of 16 AWG Cable(1) ($16)
- Extra 20 AWG Cable (As necessary. A couple feet will do it if it's needed.) ($5)
- RCA Cables (3) ($25 each)
- 1000 Watt Wiring Kit (1) ($90)
- Power Distribution block with fuses (1) ($20)
- Cable Tie Downs (As needed. Box of ten will work.) ($6 a box)
- Extra Eye-lit crimps (As needed. Probably 2.) ($2)
- Crimp Tubes / Caps / Extender pieces (Varies, depending on how good you are at crimping, etc.)
- ¾" Plywood (Optional)
- Paint (Optional)
Tools List
- Drill
- Drill bit set-larger the better. A 5/8" bit would be perfect.
- Dremmel Tool
- Vice
- Socket wrenches
- Screwdrivers
- Allen Wrenches
- Sheet metal sheers
- Wire cutters
- Wire strippers
- Utility knife
- Rat tail file (or equivalent fine-grinding tool)
- Hole Cutter (Optional)
There are 4 aspects in which I'll try to summarize the installation. I will try to separate these aspects into headings so that most information pertinent to the topics stays there. However, understand that topics overlap. Here's how I chose to look at it.
- Power
- The Head Unit
- The Amplifiers
- Additional
Tips:
- Leave slack in the wires whenever possible.
- Do not strip ends of wires until connections are about to be made.
- Double check everything before you power on.