Do I have a factory amp?

[audionut]

Hello all,
I'm trying to figure out if I have a factory amp in my 1996 Ford Explorer XLT. Is there a way to find out without removing the rear panel to take a peek? Perhaps looking at the wiring harness under the dash for certain wires? Or maybe my stock head unit will only work with the factory amp? If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Thanks,
Carter

96 Ford Explorer XLT 4 X 4
Blaupunkt Munchen w/Thummer remote
Rockford Fosgate Fanatic FNX1514 in front doors
Infinity in rear doors
K & N air filter

 

[Nate46290]

Just tkae off your side pannel. Its not that hard plus you get to see howm much space that there is back there. I donno i found some pretty weird stuff in my side pannel.

 

[mike91]

If you have Ford's "Premium Sound," chances are that you have an amp.

 

[audionut]

Thanks for the response! When I replaced my front and rear speakers I noticed that they do have "Premium" stamped on them. So maybe I do have the amp setup. For "Premium" speakers they don't sound 1/2 as good as my Rockford Fosgate or Infinity speakers. Maybe I should just tear the panel off and take a look.

Thanks,
Carter

 

[DarkFox1]

premium=fun

I had a factory premium system.. I replaced the HU and found out that in order to do this I had to either replace the premium amp (which is really the brain, not just an amp) where it is or re-wire each speaker to the front to be powered off the HU, it was not fun.. since I didn't want to fool with it, I had an audio shop do the re-wiring.

BTW, if you replace your factory HU you will need a new power antenna also, supposedly the stock one won't work with aftermarket.

It wasn't a lot of fun, but its worth it, aftermarket HU quality made my stock premium speakers really perform