audio / sub woofer help needed

[sidneyhop]

I recently bought a 2000 limited and discovered that not only does the sub in the rear not work, but some wires that apparently powered an aftermarket sub / amp? had been put in and then just cut when the aftermarket sub was removed. Theyre still powered, but I have no idea how they're hooked up as I have yet to remove the stock radio and check.

Im guessing that the original stock wires that drove the original stock sub and amp have been removed or compromised or whatever and are not useable. Id love to just put in another amp and sub using the existing wires and ideally put them behind the side panel where the stock one is/was, but I dont have much knowhow on how to set this up, or about audio/amps/subs in general.

Ive included a pic of whats there and the volts with the key and radio turned on. With the radio turned off the blue wire has 0 volts.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[sidneyhop]

Moderator - could you move this to the audio section? thanks.

 

[flipside]

the blue with white stripe should be the power antenna some amps use this wire for a power switch to turn the amp on

 

[fordkid417]

that blue is the power antenna, which is hooked up to the reciever,[headunit]. when the reviever turns on, it sends power through that wire and turns the amp on.

that red wire is your power cable to the amp. it is connected to the battery on your car, and runs through the fire wall to the amp. the reason for that blue wire is so the amp doesnt stay on 24/7 and kill your battery. if you need any help with audio on your explorer or any car let me know

 

[sidneyhop]

that blue is the power antenna, which is hooked up to the reciever,[headunit]. when the reviever turns on, it sends power through that wire and turns the amp on.

that red wire is your power cable to the amp. it is connected to the battery on your car, and runs through the fire wall to the amp. the reason for that blue wire is so the amp doesnt stay on 24/7 and kill your battery. if you need any help with audio on your explorer or any car let me know

Great, thanks! Ive been doing a some more research and gained a little ground, but need a lot more info to set things up correctly.


This is what I currently have:

Loose (hot) wires from where the previous owner just cut n ran with whatever he had in there earlier.

Ford/Mach 4X15 Watt Premium radio (AM/FM/Cassette/CD)

Premium System speakers "Full-Range" with whizzer cones (4.0" mid-range, and a 1.0" tweeter) in a sealed enclosure in the front. (sound like ****, but could be because interference of some sort)

Premium 6x8 Full-Range speakers in the rear. (sound like ****, but could be because interference of some sort)

1X85W from the SW Amp 8.0" driver and a 15 liter sealed enclosure. (currently not hooked up and not sure of condition)


I also bought a JBL grand touring series GT800 8" subwoofer (93dN, 4 ohms, 18w-200w) to replace what I presume to be the dead woofer currently installed


I want to max out the potential of the stock HU thats in there (so I can keep the steering wheel controls), and use the sub box thats still in the side panel (why I bought the 8" to fit).

But I dont know what amp to get to give this sub everything it needs? If you think I could make a much better system with a different sub / amp combo, and still use the same box, then Im definitely open to it.

Another thing I read and something I should change? is that who ever had install the aftermarket amp/sub, they routed the wires all together under the door sill. Should I route the power wires separately, or is that black tubing enough to insulate it?

Also those other two red wires with the blue wire appear to be just speaker wires. Will I need to re route RCA cables?

Once I pull the HU Ill snap some pics to show how they wired things and to see if I should re wire anything coming out of there.

 

[sidneyhop]

Another question. Will I have to run new power/antenna/speaker wire or can I just bridge onto whats already there without too much interference?

 

[fordkid417]

this is what im running for audio

Head unit- Pioneer Super Tuner-from walmart. 109.99

Amp- rockford fosgate 2 channel 250w- i run this amp for my highs and mids
Pionner 760watt for my subs.

Subs- 2 rockford fosgate P2's. in a dual box with a divider in the middle. my door speakers are also rockfords. [they are hooked up to my rockford amp]

if i were you, i would just forget about the stock sh*t and get a new system. you can do for realitevly cheap. i got all my stuff from sonic electronix. minus the head unit.

you can buy a 12in box already built from walmart, slap a sub in there, hook up the amp, and the hadunit and your good to go! if your looking to buy a new amp, ill sell my rockford. its still in new condition. cost was like 325 new. PM me if your intrested. ill let it go for a good price

 

[sidneyhop]

if i were you, i would just forget about the stock sh*t and get a new system. you can do for realitevly cheap. i got all my stuff from sonic electronix. minus the head unit.

you can buy a 12in box already built from walmart, slap a sub in there, hook up the amp, and the hadunit and your good to go! if your looking to buy a new amp, ill sell my rockford. its still in new condition. cost was like 325 new. PM me if your intrested. ill let it go for a good price

Id love to just go all out and install a bunch of new stuff, but funds are tight, plus I dont have room in the back for a sub box. Id be perfectly happy to have the stock system or its equivalent (seeing how Im already committed to an aftermarket amp thanks to the previous owner).

What kind of amp should I get (specs, brand, etc.) that would mate well with the new subwoofer I already have?

Thanks

 

[sidneyhop]

I got a new amp off craigslist at a good price, its this one:

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache...4282f851+"KAC-PS150"&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Im obviously no audio expert by any means, but thought it would drive the JBL grand touring series GT800 8" subwoofer (93dN, 4 ohms, 18w-200w) sub nicely. Or maybe even have it drive the sub and the rear 6x8's also. Anyone know if this is a good or bad way to approach this??? Whats the best way to set it up?

Also I noticed that this amp only has RCA in's, but all I have running from the HU are speaker wires. Can I solder speaker and RCA wires together without there being a problem? or should I just pull them all out and put in RCA's from the HU?

Any insight would be much appreciated!