Adding sub and amp from rear audio?!

[Cbegnaud]

Hey new member just purchased 2000 Explorer XLT 4 Dr, 4.0 SOHC.I do not have premium sound just cd / tape deck head unit, i have rear audio controls and was woundering if i could draw from the headphone jack too RCA's and then too an amp . i would like to do this for a couple of reasons one i like the factory look and head unit. yes i know i would get better sound with an aftermarket but , I want to keep the factory headunit. the second reason to tap into the rear controles is so that when my kids are in the vehicle i can turn the rear audio controles off ? Anyone do this before or see any problems i might have with this.

 

[96ExplorerXLT]

you can do this, but it is not recommended. you should get a line out converter and use the signal off of one of your rear speakers, this would yeild you the best results. also, i was not aware that you could turn the rear controlls off? my 96XLT has the rear audio controlls as well and have never been able to turn them off. if you need anymore help, PM me and i will help you further, i can give you pictures and such. Good Luck!

 

[monkeypothrower]

Hey new member just purchased 2000 Explorer XLT 4 Dr, 4.0 SOHC.I do not have premium sound just cd / tape deck head unit, i have rear audio controls and was woundering if i could draw from the headphone jack too RCA's and then too an amp . i would like to do this for a couple of reasons one i like the factory look and head unit. yes i know i would get better sound with an aftermarket but , I want to keep the factory headunit. the second reason to tap into the rear controles is so that when my kids are in the vehicle i can turn the rear audio controles off ? Anyone do this before or see any problems i might have with this.

If you run the RCA's to the amp, how are you going to get power, you still need a remote, power and ground wire for the amp. I have never heard of turning them off either. If you want better sound and want to keep the factory look you can always add a equalizer. Have different options with that and control your audio. Kinda depends on what kind of quality of sound you want. Family man i am guessing just good sound is what you want. Just get a good amp for you doors and wire it up. depending on the amp will depend on how much you can adjust your speakers. Just my .02. -TJ

 

[n3m3s1s]

if you guys want to disable the rear controls, push the preset buttons 3 and 5 together.
you will see the lil headphones icon disappear.

 

[Cbegnaud]

Yes pressing 3 &5 at the same time disables the rear controles ie.. The little headphone on the display dissapears. yeah i know i have to run power and remote wires , this does not bother me i just like the integrity of the factory stereo and the looks of it. and i am quite happy with the sound from the factory speakers , i will eventually hook up a small quality amp to the door speakers and upgrade to some higher qualitty brand speakers. but i have a small amp and a few subs laying around and i just wanted to add a little deeper bass to the system , and i do understand about the factory headunit lowering the bass as the volume goes up , but i can overcome this by setting my gains correctly. I guess my question was if anyone has done this and if they were pleased with the results.

 

[Cbegnaud]

Oh on a side note i just ran my first tank of gas throughit this week and i got 421 miles off of the 21 gallon tank.I have been averaging 21 miles per gallon. I am very pleased with it so far and find it more economical on gas than my oldsmobile Achieva 2.3Quad i was driving around. I also drive " like an old man" Well i am 30 , does that make me an old man?

 

[96ExplorerXLT]

hmm....good thing that i know this after i put an aftermarket cd player and such in. haha oh well. i really wouldnt use your headphone jacks though, you can wear them out, i did on one of my tvs that i did that with. just use a line out from your speakers, if you plan on using an aftermarket sometime in the future, run all your wires and such that you will need for it (ie: remote and rcas) now, and run the line out converter from behind your stock headunit. it will make everything easier in the future.