2003 Expedition Sub hook-up help

[02explorer]

Hey guys,

I was planning to install my subwoofer in my 2003 expedition and was wondering if anybody could help me with the following issues:

1) Does anybody have a wiring diagram or know wire color codes for a 2003 expedition stereo system?

2) How do you remove the head unit? Must you remove the entire large black dash panel piece? If so, does it just pop out?

3) In the past when I have hooked up my subs, I have used a hi/low converter, tapped into the +/- speaker wires at the headunit and plugged in the RCA's . . . However, one my friends was telling me that with the new expeditions, they come with factory amps and that if I tapped into the speaker wires at the head unit, rather than before the amp, I could potentially burn some wires . . . does anybody know anything about this?


Thanks for any help, I really appreciate it !

 

[bmacd]

I would still go with Line Output Converters (your hi/lo converter) and run RCAs to an aftermarket amp. I would stay clear of trying to power anything off of the factory amp, if one exists at all.

Do you plan on picking up and aftermarket headunit? The wires on the harness that plug into your radio should be (but not guaranteed to be) labeled. At a worst case scenario, you'll have to pick up a Haynes or Clymer manual, but it's probably the best $20 investment you can make for your Expo.

Good luck

-=bmacd=-

 

[02explorer]

bmacd:

Thank you very much for the response.


Do you know anything about the possible burning of wires if I tap into the speaker wires at the headunit, rather than tapping in before the stock amp (my friend was referring that at the headunit, the wires are 'output wires' where before the stock amp the are 'input wires' - or something along those lines) - I wasn't planning to power my sub off of the stock amp, I was just concerned with where I tapped into the speaker wires for my hi/low converter (sorry if this was confusing) which in turn I would plug the RCA cables into my aftermarket amp.

I just never knew this was really an issue, as I have always hooked up my systems tapping in at the speaker wires right at the headunit.

Also - I do not plan on picking up an aftermarket headunit. I haven't removed the headunit yet in my 03 expedition (part of the reason being I'm not sure how to yet), but I was under the impression that the wires were just color coded, but not labeled otherwise. In my previous 2000 explorer, the wires were not labelled.

Lastly, I wanted to pick up one of the manuals for my expedition, but do they already have one for the 2003 expedition? I went to Borders bookstore to look the other day, but they didn't have one for the 03's yet.


Thanks again for any help!