Amp hookup w/ stock HU

[Sethro]

Hey guys, I have a '97 with the tape deck/6 disk combo. I want to keep it stock because of the disk changer. I also have a decent amp and a couple different subs lying around so I thought I might as well hook them up. I bought a basic amp wiring kit, but I not sure what to do with the RCA's since I don't have pre-outs on the stock HU. I may have a line level convertor or whatever you call it lying around also, but I think they are cheap and it's got adjustments for each speaker which are cheap and you can never get the speakers to hit perfectly in phase. The amp doesn't have line levels either. Do I have any other options. I don't want to spend any money, the only reason I am installing is because I already own the equipment.

Thoughts...

 

[leenjen]

look at your cd changer and look for the manufacuter.
i've heard that 99s are made by clarion, so a clarion headunit that has cd changer controls will work. if yours is clarion, you can do the same thing and keep your stock cd changer. then you will get much better performance and clarity from your amp, by using the rca leads.

 

[98greyxlt]

seth -

let us know if you find out anything about the changer compatibility. i too, heard that they were made by clarion, but was under the impression that the changer could not be adapted to work with an aftermarket HU, clarion or not.

as for not spending any money, the only way you can get something to work with what you've got is to go with the line level converters. since you don't have speaker level inputs on your amp or preouts on the stock HU, you pretty much can't avoid the line level converters. sucks, i know.

i was in the same situation as you, but decided to start with a new HU since mine is suffering from the infamous display burn out disease.

 

[Sethro]

Thanks for the input guys, I may try the convertor, but I'm not going to get a new HU at this point in time.

 

[98greyxlt]

might as well try it, since you have all the stuff laying around your house anyway, right?

sure it's not going to challenge anyone in the sq or spl departments, but it'll sound a heck of a lot better than stock.

and in terms of minimal cost, you can always look at some aftermarket 6x8s for the doors. i think 97 takes 6x8 as well. pioneer makes some affordable 2 and 3 ways... you can get last year's models for a little more than $100 for 4 speakers if you look around. TS-6855 for the 2 way and TS-6865 for the 3 way, if i remember correctly.

 

[Sethro]

In my experience, aftermarket speakers don't provide that much improvement without an amp. What do you think. I am going to try and find that convertor, where do you think that best place to find out the wire codes are...

 

[aldive]

Everyone hears music differently and different people listen to different types of music; therefore different people "hear" different speakers differently. The aftermarket speakers "should" definately sound better than any factory ones.

Each person must decide what sounds best to hi/her.

Good luck....

 

[Sethro]

Okay, does anyone know what color codes the wires are. I need to splice into the positive and negative wires of right and left speakers????

 

[JTang]

Either of these should work. The one below is a lot cooler, but very pic intensive. If you're on a slower connection, use the top link.

Dead Link Removed

http://www.3drant.com/about/jay/Mountaineer/

Jon

 

[Sethro]

Perfect, thanks Jon!

 

[Sethro]

Okay guys, neither of those wiring codes are the same as mine. Any other sources online where I can cross reference the colors?

 

[Brian's98XLT]

Do not try to plug the factory changer into a Clarion head unit. The plugs is different if it is a factory changer. The aftermarket manufactures change the protocall laguage fron there OEM stuff and pin cofigurations to there retail product. If the plug would plug in you would probably damage the changer or the radio. This is why when I do this at work a adapter is needed to get a factory radio to work with a certain aftermarket changer. Nobody makes a adaptor to plug a factory changer to a aftermarket radio except for Hondas.
Here is listing that might help
Left Front Orange/L Green + L Blue/White -
Right Front White/ L Green + D Green/Orange -
Left Rear Tan/Yellow + Gray/L Blue -
Right Rear Brown/Pink + Orange/Red -
If this is not right I ave more Ford listing at work that i can post. Ford is great for changing colors all the time and having different colors for the same year.

 

[Sethro]

Thanks Brian, but I don't have any of those color combos. Also, I have one plug w/ 6 wires that are a little thicker gage, and then another with 14 wires. If you have any more info I would appreciate it.

 

[Brian's98XLT]

Seeing you have 2 seperate plug yomy have the premium sound system.Is one of the plug gray and have 8 pin locations and does the second one have 16 pin locations. All of the locations my not have a wire in it.

 

[Brian's98XLT]

I am going to guess that the 6 pin is for the changer. If the other plug is a 16 pin plug with wires in only 14 locations try this.
The following is going by the pin numbers on the plug. If you look close there should be number on the plug that go with each wire or if you are looking at the plug with the side that plugs into the radio facing you with the release clip up.
The top row would be 1 through 8 left to right and the bottom row would be 9 through 16 left to right.
Pin 2 Right Rear +
Pin 3 Right Rear -
Pin 4 Right Front +
Pin 5 Right Front -
Pin 10 Left Rear +
Pin 11 Left Rear -
Pin 12 Left Front +
Pin 13 Left Front -
If you have a Fax Number I could also send you a copy.
All the color codes I have given are for the system without the subwoofer. That system is a completely different wire colors and plug configuration

 

[bigtigexplorer]

Brian's98xlt, I'm interested in the wiring layout of my X. Its a 99 xlt with the subwoofer, rear controls, and factory changer. You you mind faxing them to me, the number is (520)-458-3013

Thanks alot

 

[Sethro]

Do you know which ones are the power and ground?

 

[Sethro]

I do not have the factory subwoofer either.

 

[Brian's98XLT]

Well guy I got out of work 2 hours late. I had to install a Alpine 800 fold out monitor and a Alpine 5 channel so I left work in a hurry. I left everything on my desk so if you can wait till Monday I will get this out.

 

[Sethro]

Brian,

If you can fax anything you have to 616-565-1228 I would greatly appreciate it.