Add sub to 2002 XLT with 3rd row

[galbre]

Hi,
I just added a new Kenwood head unit with HD tuner. I really like HD radio now that I have it.

I now want to add a subwoofer and the place that seems best for me is between the 2nd and 3rd row. I dont want to lose storage space and I rarely use the 3rd row.

My questions are:

1) Does anyone have any suggestions and photos of how to run the power cables from the battery through the firewall and then neatly back to that area? I would like to hide them as best as possible. Perhaps under the carpet or trim if possible. The power cables are going to be 10-12 gauge so they may not go under the trim
2) Same for the stereo cables coming from the head unit. I was advised not to run the power and audio cables together so I was thinking of running the power cables down the left side and perhaps the audio down the center or passenger side.

Thanks for any help!
Gregg

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

I recommend 8 gauge power wire at least. 10-12 gauge is good for hooking up speakers, but that's from the amp to speakers, not for power. 8 gauge would be a good size if you aren't looking to kill your ears but just fill in where the others speakers don't.

It's flexible enough to run, you could do it with ease. It should fit under the trim, it isn't to thick.

As for finding a spot to run it through the firewall, you just need to go up under the dash and look for for some wires coming through (preferably on the side of your battery), and see if there's enough space to push a power wire through.

Either that, or find what looks like a safe space to drill and do a little hole.

 

[jad2411]

Just went out to take these pics:
Behind this:

You'll find this:

on the inside you'll need to pull up this flap:

like so:

 

[galbre]

Thanks! The pictures help a lot. It looks like you used stranded cable. Is it special cable? I have a bunch of basic stranded 8AWG. I wonder if I could use that to run power. I assume you have the amp in the back of the Explorer. How did you run the cables to the back, down the sides? Did you hide them and if yes how so?

 

[jad2411]

I went to my friend's shop, he did most of the work, I'm yet to go again for him to finish some things, but the day of the install I had a wedding to attend to and left before he was done, I think I'll go tomorrow. The cable is meant for power and the gage depends of the lenght and the power you need, so not sure what he used.... the cable runs all along the left side in the original thing (hahaha don't know what to call it) on the other side run the rca's

My sub:

My amp:

With the panel on:

 

[galbre]

Cool, looks good. Thanks for the photos!

 

[mikejay68]

So, can I HIDE The sub somewhere on the 2002 style?

Love the way you hid the AMP.

I have a baby and another one coming . . .we love to load the truck up in the summer and punish the wimpy V6.

Anyway, I can not have a sub box, IS THERE A PLACE TO HIDE A 10 inch JL SUB??

I don't want to leave it up to the installer.

 

[BrianDye]

Thats awesome how you hid the amp, almost looks stock, make sure you seal up the rubber where the power wire went through though, otherwise when your stopped, you'll start smellin exhaust plus it made my exhaust sound louder, so i drilled a separate hole, wrapped some elec. tape on the power wire where it went through the f.wall, and then put some JB-WELD around the hole to secure, and seal it, cant hear the exhaust or anything

 

[jad2411]

The wiring was cleaned afterwards, now you can't see it, I also added a curtain to the amp, so now you have to realy peek inside to see it (a little added security) I also ran some rca's from that amp to another Punch I got, and that one is hidden under the middle seat on the 2nd row (haven't taken pics of that one).

Mike some trim levels came with a stock 8in sub, you can source one from a JY or ebay, craigslist etc and install it in the same spot I have my big amp, and install the amp below the middle seat like I did

 

[mikejay68]

Thanks Jad.

Thanks Jad . . .I'll keep looking but i guess you did not find enought depth in the side panel.

As for the amp, I'm considering a compact 'digital" Alpine PDX that should fit under the front pax seat. my 2cd row middle has some kind of bump in the floor that will not allow amp installation.

 

[jad2411]

When I installed my system I only had the big amp and 2 speakers for the front, so since there was no other hidden way to install the amp, I used that location, then I added the sub, just because I got it for 15 USD with box at a garage sale and I had 2 extra channels in my amp; but it really takes valuable space, and I too have a baby on the way so the sub might need to go.

I now have:
2 kicker speakers in the front doors
2 MA Audio speakers in the rear doors (I paid 1 six pack for my buddy in exchange for these)
All four powered by the 4CH Punch amp in the right side

and 1 10in sub behind the 3rd row seat powered by a 2CH Punch amp installed below the middle seat on the 2nd row, the only equipment you see is the sub, the HU is a stock one for a 2006+