can I add a sub, with a premium head unit?

[techieman33]

I've tried to search, but it's mostly a foreign language to me. I have a 2000 Mountaineer with what I believe to be the premium Head Unit and I'm wanting to add a sub to it, does it have an output for the sub? Will I need a dongle/adapter? Or a new head unit? Thanks

 

[mattferkey]

I've tried to search, but it's mostly a foreign language to me. I have a 2000 Mountaineer with what I believe to be the premium Head Unit and I'm wanting to add a sub to it, does it have an output for the sub? Will I need a dongle/adapter? Or a new head unit? Thanks

do you have the jbl system or the premium...

matt

 

[mattferkey]

if you have the premium i would splice in a line level converter behind the factory radio and run rca cables to the rear.... if you have the jbl splice in a line level converter next to the factory amps in the rear behind the trim panel

 

[techieman33]

It's the premium, I have no sub in the rear

 

[dreaminbig]

I'm getting ready to do the same thing to mine. I've already got the converter to convert to RCA outputs but I need to figure out which wire is which. Do any of you have a color coded diagram that tells me which wire is which. I hate to have to pull the door panels just to figure out which wire goes where. Thanks

 

[CDW6212R]

I'm not familier with the wiring in the Premium trucks, check to see if you have the same wiring as those with Mach radios. There need to be three connectors, the tiny one with four wires I believe. That is the sub out and changer wiring, some of it that is. If you have all of the dash wiring, then you may only need the sub wiring harness. That runs from the right kick panel to the quarter panel, I even may have that as a spare.

If you can do that, use the Mach radio, then you might as well send off yours to someone who will trade you the Mach, and repair the display issue. Both of those Pioneer HU's have the same display issue, so you need to make the repair anyway. I sent my Mach away for a CD repair, the display, and he added 5 RCA outputs, mine now has true line outputs. Good luck,

 

[IAmTodd]

A simple line converter attached to the speaker wires will work just fine. This will allow you to attach RCA cable to the stock system and to an amp.

My amp has the ability for line level inputs. So my wiring goes from the stock system directly into the amp. Works well and the stock premium units does a very good job.

In a non-mach truck there is not wiring for the sub. There are only two connectors. I believe changer controls are contained within the two larger connectors as well.

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes, I suspected that. Ford mixed the speaker out wires between the main rectangular connector, and the large square one. A basic adapter isn't enough to add an aftermarket HU to a Mach truck.

The consoles with rear radio controls makes it more complicated, because the rear speaker wires lead directly from the speakers to the console, not the radio. I had to tap into those wires for my 99, at the console connector.

 

[IAmTodd]

You can still put in a unit using only the main plug(rectangle one) The square one is optional. I've had both a Ranger and an aftermarket unit in mine with not wiring difficulties.