Have some audio questions

[MzdaspdDrvr]

Ok, im new and did some searching but need to clear some things up. My little brother has a 99 Explorer Sport and wants me to install a new HU and speakers. Im used to working on my mazdas and havent worked on his car yet.

I took a look around in the Explorer and found all the speaker loacations and pulled the radio surround to see what kind of task this would be... The radio is a CD/CASSETTE/AM/FM and had these 2 wiring harnesses coming from the back PIC

Could you please explain what the 2 harnesses are for?


will I just need to use a basic wire adapter and 1 of the old harnesses not get used?

I read that it sounds like this year/model has the amplifier built in so I wont need to wire around that correct?

Any other viable info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[nssj2]

welcome! does it have the premium audio package? you can tell because it has a factory sub back in the passenger rear panel in the cargo area. does it have a cd changer in the arm rest? if you answered yes to any of these, then that should be what the other harness is for. been a while since i did mine so i could be mistaken.....

 

[oplitic]

It could also be that he has the rear radio option.(not sure the real name) but it's between the seats on the back of the center console. That's my second wiring harness.

If it's either, it won't matter unless you want the factory amp and sub to work, if so, then you'll need to get the other harness. Not sure of the part number but I know Metra carries it.

 

[MzdaspdDrvr]

ah yes, it does have the rear radio option, so thats gotta be what its for. It has the stoage bin in the back so no amp so its gotta be the other. Thanks guys

 

[oplitic]

ah yes, it does have the rear radio option, so thats gotta be what its for. It has the stoage bin in the back so no amp so its gotta be the other. Thanks guys

No problem. It sucks, cause it just sits there, and everyone asks me what it is. lol

 

[MzdaspdDrvr]

Ok, new question...

is there a how to on wiring an aftermarket amp kit in this? i need to know the best way through the fire wall etc...

 

[MzdaspdDrvr]

ok, i read some...it seems as if i just look i'll find a place near the pedals etc to put the wire through

 

[oplitic]

Yeah, in a lot of cars they will have a punch out for where the clutch would go, so if you have an automatic you're in luck. There are also grommets around that you can cut a little slit in. If all else fails you can drill a hole, put a grommet in and after the wires through throw a little sealant on it so there's no chance of any water coming in. Then I usually run the power and remote down the driver side under the carpet or sill trim, depending on the size wire you have(I have zero gauge so I needed to go under the carpet in a few areas, not noticable). Then I run the RCA's down the passenger side under the sill trim. Com out between or on the sides of the flaps behind the seats.

 

[MzdaspdDrvr]

sweet, thanks again

 

[oplitic]

sweet, thanks again

no problem

 

[MzdaspdDrvr]

Hello again.

Well, I've got everything together for the install and will be going ahead w/ it this weekend. Before then I was going to solder the wiring harness from the new JVC HU to the wire harness I got from crutchfield for the stock harness.

I remember seeing a wire on the crutchfield harness for a "signal ground" or something along those lines. Im guessing this wouldnt actually get used since I'll be doing an aftermarket amp for the new sub woofer right?

I just want to make sure that since this is a 99 sport w/ a cd/cassette deck that it doesnt have an external amp and that it is built into the old Hu so i dont have to worry about that right?

 

[MzdaspdDrvr]

myeh, nevermind...I think I've decided to just run new speaker wiring. Its going to be better since everything is getting upgraded. This way, amp or not, it wont matter lol

 

[aznboi3644]

Mine had those two plugs...the factory amp should be in the rear right panel

 

[MzdaspdDrvr]

ok, got everything installed...twas a ***** but all is kosher, etc for 1 thing...

the antenna plug was a right angle and didnt fit into the new HU so i tried bending it (as i was rushing and not thinking) and broke it off.... Is there a way to fix this easily or do i need to replace the whole antenna wiring?

 

[toypaseo]

Radio Shack used to sell a repair kit for that.

I think this is the one:

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-solderless-motorola-type-plug--pi-2102835.html