Help figuring out my setup

[MrMatt]

Hello All,

Okay here is my problem/questions maybe you can help me out.

I have a 91 Explorer XLT 4x4 4 Door. About 6 months ago the stock deck went out so my dad had it taken in and had a new Sony HU put in. It has 50x4 and 1 RCA preout.

He took it to Circuit City and had it installed. He said they used some other type of wiring harnes so they did not have to rewire everything and it sounds like im still using my stock amp. I'm not sure he is completly sure of what he is talking about but anyway.

I want to know if its possible this "harness" my dad speaks of was them using my RCA preout to my existing amp maybe?

See I want to buy a new amp (friend has a 220w amp for cheap) and hook it up to 2 x 10" subs. But I dont want to mess with my other speakers, just hook up the RCA preouts to my new amp. I just figured I would post here before I go to rip my entire dash apart to get to my HU. Any other way I can tell for sure without taking it out? Maybe look at my amp?

Okay if I do find out my RCA Preout is UNUSED then I'm looking for any info on the installation of Car audio stuff in an explorer and maybe a guide to taking the dash and HU out.

If I find out my RCA preout is used what are my next steps? How do I go about wiring up my existing speakers directly to the head unit and bypass the stock amp all together?

Any other help you guys can give me would be great.

Thanks so much
Matt

 

[aldive]

The wiring harness is probably one that allows the use of stock wiring ( to speakers, etc. ) and bypasses the stock amp.

 

[MrMatt]

Hmm,

I thought my dad said he thought it was still using the stock amp, maybe i remember wrong or maybe he is wrong, ill ask when he gets home. I hope thats what it is

 

[aldive]

There would be no reason to use the stock amp with an aftermarket HU; not sure it is even possible.

 

[ChuckyD]

I think your going through your stock amp. All the harness does is use the factory HU plug and make it work with the Sony. Chances are, if he didnt go under the kick panels on the passenger side to bypass the the factory wires and go right to the speakers, your prob running off the amp.

Aside from that, just hook up that Amp to the set of outputs you have in the back.

 

[MrMatt]

How can I tell for sure if im running thru my stock amp?

Take the passenger side kick panal off in back and look at the amp or what?

I dont have my X here its getting a new oil pan seal put in

Thanks again for da help
Matt

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by ChuckyD
I think your going through your stock amp. All the harness does is use the factory HU plug and make it work with the Sony..

The bypass harness will take the factory amp[ out of the loop.

 

[MrMatt]

So are you guys pretty sure its been bypassed? Again is there a easy way to tell like by looking at the amp?

Also im sure they did the easiest / cheapest thing to do when installing it so whatever that would be

Anyway thanks
Matt

 

[ChuckyD]

If aldive feels strongly about his opinon im not going to argue and say mines right, just ask someone else, leenjen is great at this stuff, ask him.

 

[Brian's98XLT]

If the hooked up to new radio to the factory amp they would or should have used a interface for this. These thing normally run about $50 - $60. If you pull the radio and there is a box hooked to yuor speaker output from your radio they probably used a interface. Do yourself a favor and get the bypass harness.

 

[zensius]

Here's a novel way to see if your factory amp is in line. I think it will work anyway. Hook you HU up to the battery directly (use some extra wire) Then run it. Does it sound different? That's because the Ford amp is not powered up. If you think it sounds the same try turning the key to accessory and see if it changes any. If now your factory amp was bypassed. if the sound changes in any of these situations then you're using you factory amp. Simple as 123.

 

[Mike 92 XLT]

First question is: do you have the JBL system (sub in the back - I'm guessing not). Next, if you find out that the factory amp isn't bypassed, you need to get the Metra kit for the Explorer which has the amp bypass harness in it. The amp is located behind the passenger side quarter panel trim in the cargo area. Once you get to the amp, hook up the bypass harness. Now you can run your door speakers off your head unit using the factory wiring. Now, use those RCAs to hook up a sub amp.

Taking the dash panel off is relatively easy. Pull the ashtray out and remove the bolts on either side. Now, carefully pry up around the edges of the dash. The dash trim is held on with snap-in clips. Once you have the entire thing lose, lift it up over the steering column (put the gearshift in first if you have an auto, and it's a little tricky to get it over the hazard switch). Of course, take a look and see how they installed your Sony. It may be possible to just pull it out from the front if they didn't flush mount it into the dash.

peace

Mike

 

[Joshua]

Matt I can tell you anything you want about car audio

Hi Matt Just wanted to help you. I us to work for a car audio shop called Mickey Shorr here in Michigan. Anyway if what they told your dad is true, that they used the factor harness, you are using the factor amp. That is if you have one. If you have the JBL system in your explorer you have the amp. If you dont I dont think there is a amp, but I am not sure because I never worked on a explorer with out the JBL system. Anyway if there is a amp in the explorer and they used the factor harness you are using the amp. Also the RCA preouts on the back of the radio are not being used and you can use it for your amp for your subs. If you need any other help you can ask me about any question on this subject. I love car auido. I installed a whole new system in my explorer. New head unit, front and rear speakers, add speaker in the hatch, put in a 7" moinitor with a dvd player, a cd changer in the center console, and have 2 12" subs. All ran on amps. This was one heck a job. Still not all done. Anyway I hope I helped you.

P.S. anyone can ask me for help if they need it!!

 

[MrMatt]

Alright, I dont think I have the JBL stero system, No sub in the back, just the stock HU was in there with the toggle volume control. I replaced that with a Sony HU.

So regardless of wheather my amp is bypassed or not there shouldn't be anything on my preout right? Cuz thats all I care about right now anyway

Thanks again Guys your a HUGE help

Matt

 

[ChuckyD]

No there shouldn't, by the way most new HU put out at least 40 per channel, if you were bypassing the amp you would def hear a difference, did you notice a diff in loudness when you cranked it up when you first got it?

 

[MrMatt]

Well it sounded quite a bit better when I got it back than it did before. Now again I'm not positive they bypassed it, but so long as my Preout is free im happy because im okay with how the sound is now I just want to add a couple subs because I am getting the subs/amp dirt cheap from a friend.


Anyway im going to see if i can get to my deck when I get my X back ( getting rear main seal replaced and oil pan gasket replaced ICKY )

Thanks again

Matt

 

[Byrd91]

Almost everything that everyone has said is true.

1) Your RCA is not being used an will run an amp for your subs.

2) You do have a factory amp, even without JBL. Your amp is probably not bypassed because I would be surprised if the guys at Circuit City know it exists. At least in Maine I know more than the Best Buy/Circuit City guys and I've picked up everything from this board and sound domain. I would also be surprised if they converted to line level instead of speaker level.

3) Read this: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=36335&highlight=bypass+amp

This explains my experience and why I would not bypass the amp. If you are curious you can always get in the cargo area, take off the passenger panel and connect a couple of the channels together using some extra wire(just stick it in the factory harness). Here is a link to the wiring diagram. Dead Link Removed
just scroll down to 91-94

Give it a shot, see which you like. Don't spend the money on the bypass harness, I think its like $50 bucks. If you try it and like it better than spend the money, but you can test without spending first.