Bypassing amp in a 97

[617ricky]

What's up guys? I pulled my deck out earlier and put a new one in, and was happy when I saw it power up.. But then 2 seconds later when I heard nothing coming from the speakers I was like ughhh.. So after scouring the internet I found my way here..

So the deal is, I now realize there's a frigging amp buried under the wheel well which I want to bypass.. Now I did my reading on here, and I know that there's 2 options - getting the bypass jumper cable, or trying to just splice the 8 wires myself..

But the thing is, I'm currently away for a week, and I also realize that Ford used different amps during that time period, which would require different jumpers.. So basically what I'd hope to find out, is if someone knows for sure if I'd need the most common jumper cable, so I can order it now, and have it ready for a quick install when I get back..

I'd honestly splice em myself, but I'm a bit skeptical after also finding out Ford used different wire color arrangements during that time period..
I find that 1 thread about the guy who successfully did it in a 96, and gave the color matchups, but I'd hate to get home and see that my 97 has different colors..

So the specs on the truck are 1997, "premium" non-JBL sound system, NON-eddie bauer (unfortunately I can't think of the exact model, but I'm nearly positive there's no letter combo on the back).. It does have leather, but it's definitely not the top model.. So yea, if anyone can give me any tips that'd be great.. And if anyone is feeling really helpful, maybe a quick walk-through of removing the damn rear-passenger-quarter-panel - THANKS!

 

[617ricky]

Nobody knows? To make my original question a hell of a lot shorter - does anyone know which amp bypass cable would be necessary for a 97 "premium sound system" explorer?

 

[617ricky]

OK I just got home and was all looking forward to getting to this amp, and I'm in need of some instruction BADLY! I read all about these "christmas tree clips", which I'm now guessing are the plastic circles which have a cross shaped connector inside.. Well I tried popping 1 off from every which way, with a phillips and flat head, and the things won't pop out!! They budge a little, but I know for sure if I really yank it, it'll snap, cuz I could see the plastic bending with increased pressure..

It's unreal, I can't use the new stereo cuz of this **** amp that I CAN'T get to - and for the hell of it I tried seeing if I could quickly pop a door panel off, and that appears to be another pain in the ass... I got the 2 screws out and protective cover off obviously, but the thing just didn't wanna pop off... It also felt like it was gonna snap if I budged too hard..

This is just insane to me, cuz at this point if I could at least get these speakers out, I'd run frigging wire right along the floor to them from the stereo - just temporarily - but I can't even do that, unless they're OTHER speakers just sitting on the seat!!! lol

So guys, please try and give me some pointers.. It's not like I'm some total noob when it comes to this stuff, I can use tools and whatnot, but this is just really irking me... I did a switch like this in my old honda (acura), and the job was tit! And I don't feel like giving in and spending $50-100 for some highschool drop out at an install place to do it for me, lol.

 

[BrianDye]

You can just buy the wire harness from Meijers, Schoshe part FDK-106 I believe, I bought one and cant use it, its like 11$ (I cant use it cus I have the stock sub)


And you really just gonna YANK the hell outta those plugs, I yank the whole panel and they come out.

 

[corkey]

hmmm seems to me the wiring used in all of these things are modular, and therefore identical from 95 to 2001
the harness i got from another member said fro 95 to 01,

 

[BrianDye]

Yea but the actual wire colors of the stock wires do change I think lol

 

[617ricky]

You can just buy the wire harness from Meijers, Schoshe part FDK-106 I believe, I bought one and cant use it, its like 11$ (I cant use it cus I have the stock sub)


And you really just gonna YANK the hell outta those plugs, I yank the whole panel and they come out.

But with that harness, don't you still need to get to the amp? Like I said, at this point I would just run new wire along the floor, but I wanted it to be a simple thing.. Pulling door panels off, I'm guessing is a solid couple hrs, and it would still be half ass cuz if it would take probably double the time to run the new speaker wire properly thru the inside (which I've never done either).. I was hoping I could just get to the amp, and either splice the wires together if it looks easy, or better yet go to an install place to buy the amp bypass jumper cable..

Now Brian - you said you really do have to YANK those christmas tree things, but jeez, it would literally be like pulling teeth.. You're saying you just yanked the whole panel off, but what did you use - a crowbar? lol..

I'm thinking of raising the white flag at this point and I'm not happy! ha, well any other tips would be greatly appreciated.. thanks

 

[nbarrera_013]

I had the same problem on my 1997 ford explorer the best thing to do is just run new wire from the stereo to each speaker TRUST ME is thats the easy way to do it there is harness but it cost 25 dollars and you have to run from the amp to the front if you interesting the website is http://www.crutchfield.com/app/product/search/searchresults.aspx?search=Harness+&ssi=0

 

[corkey]

taking off the panel is not that hard, and the amp plugs have small tabs to depress making them easy to unplug, but taking off 1 panel is alot easier than taking off 4 door panels, and trying to figure out how to run wiring in the door jambs,,
our door jambs in the front have them big wirings connectors in that round thing, you can't just pull a wire through it,
take your pick, one panel, or 4 , ???

 

[617ricky]

OK I went back outside a little while ago after reading the replies, but conveniently it was already getting dark.. Anyway I realize now that you gotta pry those christmas tree things from the BACK, and they pop out.. When I was trying to do it from the front, I knew something was wrong..

So I did the 4 closest ones that I saw, that were most accessible - but the other ones, like below the window, and up at the ceiling level - how the hell do you get those? I was using a screwdriver for the others, and they were easy.. But the screwdriver I was using, there was no way I could fit it to get to the other ones..

What exactly do you guys use for a tool for these *$@#%* things?

 

[corkey]

there is a tool for them,like a screwdriver but it has a bent end, and a notch they fit into,,

 

[scucci]

What exactly do you guys use for a tool for these *$@#%* things?[/QUOTE]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=67021

 

[toypaseo]

This is the tool my ex-Ford mechanic neighbor recommended, and let me borrow his. It worked great. ZERO broken panel "Christmas trees" It worked so great that I got my own set of PC Snap On trim tools off eBay for a bargain price

 

[BrianDye]

Ive never used a tool in my life to get one out. Well I did use a flathead and stuck it behind the panel like a crowbar.


I was gonna run my own wires, but the doors would be so hard, I only have 2, my rear speakers would be easy as cake, but like the one member said, getting them through the doorjambs would be a B***H!

Heres the harness we need: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120705008/Ford-Mazda-Receiver-Wire-Harness.html?tp=736

Conveniently SOLD OUT I was gonna say F it and order it right now, but of course its sold out.

 

[corkey]

okay other problem he posed the question over, another amp,,
answer to that one is easy, if you put in an aftermarket head unit it has it's own built in amp, usually 20 wats to 50 watts, depending on the brand,

 

[BrianDye]

Does anyone happen to have a wiring diagram for a 95' with the SUB and changer?

 

[617ricky]

That tool would definitely be perfect, but I'm trying to figure out if I can use something else... You guys think the claw end of a hammer would work? Some of them are a pain to get at, but I bet if I get most, I can try and pry off the rest by just pulling the panel itself..

Now as far as doing the job thorough, what else should I do - definitely pull the carpet all way up, right? And what about the seat belt mechanism, is that necessary? I looked at it real quick before, but I didn't really see how it would come off.. What's even necessary for that, an allen wrench?

 

[corkey]

the seat belt is a really big torx bolt,
and you should be able to move the panel around enough to get to the amp,

 

[BrianDye]

Big allen wrench, and yes, otherwise you cant get the panel off....bad design if you ask me lol

 

[617ricky]

bad design if you ask me lol

Seriously. I dunno what was up with Ford during that time period. My uncle had a 99 Taurus and he had a real pain in the ass getting the heat to work with an aftermarket stereo .. My last Integra, a stereo swap couldn't have been any easier..