factory sub

[tabezic]

wats the output (wattage) of the factory sub?

 

[jrford]

45wx45w dual voice coil, but only one set of inputs (no L/R) . . .

 

[tabezic]

thanks. now what do u think a good replacement sub would be? i want to stick with the 8" factory location cuz i actualy use the truck when i go hunting and i need the space.

 

[CALDWELL]

i dont have a factory sub...

do you need a regular 8'' sub or a shallow mount ?

 

[jtbuck92]

There really wouldn't be that great of an advantage of replacing the stock subwoofer unless it is blown.

 

[JoetheCarGuy]

I have a 2004 Lincoln Aviator that DID NOT come with the factory sub, but still had all the bolts of course for the enclosure. So I picked up the black plastic enclosure from Pull-a-Part for $10, and dropped in an 8 inch sub.
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/prod...ly_id=9&item_id=108265&locale=en_US&p_status=
I had to cut a 3/4 inch baffle out of wood to mount between the sub and enclosure to keep it from hitting the back of the enclosure.

Also, ANY aftermarket sub will sound better than the stock sub Ford drops in. Lots more power, excursion, and range. Therefore there would be quite a good advantage to installing an aftermarket sub, even if you have the stock one.

Let me know if you'd like anymore details, especially regarding my amplifier installation.

 

[tabezic]

can i see some pics of the set up. if you have any.(i dont want you to pull everything apart if you dont) can you still use the stock sub woofer grille? and what amp do you have with it? and how much did it all cost? thanks

 

[jrford]

some post where i did something similar:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246610
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204211

 

[tabezic]

That's a sweet set up. I would love to do
sumthin like that but I don't have the cash. I realy wanted to stick with an 8" sub. I don't want to cut things up. What 8" sub would u recomend

 

[suzukigod308]

would doing something like this work on my 03 xlt?

 

[JoetheCarGuy]

I would highly recommend the 8 in. Rockford that I provided a link for above. You could almost mistake it for a 12 inch!

I have a few pictures during the process and one after, but haven't taken one of the finishing trim I added. I'd add them but can't figure out how...

 

[tabezic]

Email the pix to me if u can. I'm realy interested in that 8". I'll pm u

 

[sweatmark]

Aviator subwoofer

I have a 2004 Lincoln Aviator that DID NOT come with the factory sub, but still had all the bolts of course for the enclosure. So I picked up the black plastic enclosure from Pull-a-Part for $10, and dropped in an 8 inch sub.... I had to cut a 3/4 inch baffle out of wood to mount between the sub and enclosure to keep it from hitting the back of the enclosure.... Let me know if you'd like anymore details, especially regarding my amplifier installation.

Joe - thanks for the tip & info. Just picked up our own Aviator, which like yours was not equipped with factory subwoofer - at least there's nothing evident on either side of the rear section.

Which side of rear compartment has the OE subwoofer mounts?

Would be very interested in more info about your sub install.

Thanks!

 

[JoetheCarGuy]

Congrats on getting yourself an Aviator. What a great vehicle! The factory sub is supposed to be located in the passenger side rear quarter panel. It is currently the location of the rectangular storage cubby with the netting over the front. The entire plastic panel has to be removed, all the way from the second row seatbelt anchor to the tailgate. Then the plastic welds that attach the storage cubby to the panel must be broken in order to remove the cubby and reveal a rectangular hole. Please feel free to ask for more details. Don't want to throw too much at you at once.

 

[sweatmark]

Installing Lincoln Aviator subwoofer

Joe - thanks for the comeback.

Yes, our RHS/passenger-side rear panel is as you describe, with rectangular cutout and gear net available to store the endless pile of junk that teenagers somehow pull out of their pockets.

And the following is how I believe the factory subwoofer install appears in same location:

I googled a bit and found a couple sources of used Ford subwoofer take-outs:

Also checked the specs on that Rockford 8" sub and agree it's a good start... maybe not the numbing hip-hop thump that my kid wants to feel, but more than adequate for my 70s album rock.

So how did you finish the sub install? Custom speaker cover for the opening? Buy the OE cover?

 

[JoetheCarGuy]

I'm 19, so I wish the sub bumped at bit more, but at least my parents don't mind riding with me! If I were you, I would try and find an OE cover. However, you'd have to figure out a way to attach it or just buy a whole new panel. I made my own cover out of thin MDF wrapped in gray vinyl that matches the interior trim and reused the plastic trim that surrounded the cubby. I had to make some really awkward cuts in the wood, and cut my hand open requiring 3 stitches while trimming the plastic border piece. Before I bought the aluminum grill from Rockford, I was just using the trim piece provided. I also had to cut small pieces out of the panel in order to keep it away from the foam of the sub. I didn't want to have to use screws, but the fit and finish was too bad to leave them out. I still ended up caulking around the trim too. I hope I don't have to remove the sub for a very, very long time! The final product looks great, but it took forever and there are plenty of easier solutions.

 

[sweatmark]

Joe, thanks again for the sub install tips.

LOL - Guessed you might have been an old fart like me, but I was wrong!

Sounds like you took a good approach towards getting a factory look. And choosing the OE subwoofer location makes sense, even if it means the sub's "box" is much smaller than the 10 cu.ft. monsters I've seen online that fill the entire car's back end and render cargo hauling useless.

I'll go on the hunt for the OE sub cover and see if I can make that strategy work, depending on the aftermarket sub's mounting dimensions. Will be interested in the mounting depth of subwoofer when compared to the Ford sub-tub's shallow dims (at least that how it looks in pics I've found). Maybe the factory sub cover could be mounted on standoffs to provide extra clearance?

Will get to work and post some pics when the project's completed.

 

[dkmcclelland]

The final product looks great, but it took forever and there are plenty of easier solutions.

Could you post some pictures? I just bought a '04 Limited with Audiophile 6 CD with factory woofer and rear DVD... All I want to do is replace the factory woofer... I've got a Rockford Fosgate amp, not sure of the RMS output right now, it's at home and I'm on campus all day...

Trying to get more bass than the stock puts out...

 

[JoetheCarGuy]

I'm not sure how to post pictures. Do I hav to have a Photobucket? I'm also on campus all day and live in a dorm, but if I get a chance to go over to the parking lot, I'll try to shoot some photos. You would be in good shape with your Explorer though since you already have the enclosure and cover. From my signature, you can see I used to have an Explorer myself.

 

[dkmcclelland]

If you would rather e-mail them I can PM my e-mail...

Yeah, I think it will be pretty simple to replace the stock woofer since everything is already there...

My only concern is where to get the signal for the aftermarket amp... Wondering if tapping into the factory inputs, maybe?