Bypassing amp in a 97

[617ricky]

Wait a second... I totally missed that you said hooking them up as rear speakers,not as subs with an amp. That would work if it sounded ok, it would just mess up your fade controls. Im not sure if that would risk blowing the stock amp, if it does then just get the bypass harness or i will sell you my old stock amp:

Yea, what I'd rather do is use the stereo and stock amp separately - ie. 1 for the speakers and 1 for subs, but that will be more work than I'm willing to do.. So I figure if I just run 1/2 the stereo power to the amp for amplification, they'll sound better.. Then with the remaining 1/2 of the stereo power, run it to 2 additional speakers.. It'll be really easy compared to the other options, cuz I'll just have to do a little splicing.. When I do it, I'll post results..

 

[Jothcra]

617- I used one of those big (idk wtf the name is) wrenches, that you can like screw them tighter with the screw at the bottom of the handle...heres a pic, and I just got it tight enough that I had to use all my strength to get it to lock, then just twist it like a bolt.

it kinda looks like this, but theres a screw at the bottom of the handle, and its beefier
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/knipex/DSC03757.jpg

I believe you're referring to a tool called a locking plier - more famously known as a Vise-Grip.

 

[Garretthomas]

dont buy a jumper do it off the wiring harness take the blue wire on the aftermarket harness and jump it to ur switched power wire on the same harness and ur speakers should fire right up

 

[ozmedia]

Wiring splice

To regurgitate an old thread, I had a quick look and didn't see it listed already.

Simply splice the amp wires and BYPASS it, the splice is as follows:

Locate the amp in the right rear of the Explorer under the right side rear window. Unplug the two connections and connect the following wire colors together. If you are color blind you will need help here.

Orange/Light Green to Light Green
Light Blue/White to White/Orange
White/Light Green to White/Red
Dark Green/Orange to Brown
Gray/Light Blue to Light Blue/Black
Tan/Yellow to Yellow
Orange/Red to Purple/White
Brown/Pink to Light Blue

The following colors are the ones in the dash that you will need to connect to the head unit.

Left Front (+) to Light Green
Left Front (-) to White/Orange
Right Front (+) to White/Red
Right Front (-) to Brown
Left Rear (+) to Light Blue/Black
Left Rear (-) to Yellow
Right Rear (+) to Purple/White
Right Rear (-) to Light Blue

Taken from http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/935112-the-real-amplifier-bypass.html

Worked perfectly for my 97 limited with JBL system. I ran an aftermarket sub to a different amp, which is connected to a new deck via RCA's. the old sub area converted nicely into an emergency toolbox storage.