Help with component set installation

[bigtigexplorer]

Dead Link Removed

I just purchased 2 sets of these 6.5" component sets. They will be delivered on the the 30th, so I plan on installing them over New Year's weekend. They come with mounting plates to drop right into the factory location. My question is, what is the best way to run the speaker wires from the amp into each of the four doors?

Is it possible to run the speaker wires from the amp and connect them to the speaker factory wiring that would usually be connected to the deck, to avoid having to run wires to each of the doors?

Thanks

 

[Cartman]

Could you tape stock speakers wires to new wiring and pull it through to the doors, i'm just thinking that new speaker wire would probalby be a better quality, heavier gauge then the stock wire.

 

[bigtigexplorer]

That won't work. I know for at least the front doors there is that black junction box to deal with. Plus I don't want to damage the factory wiring, incase I ever sell it.

 

[5.0 Mountaineer]

I would run 14 or 16 gauge wire to the components. You'll get the best sound quality this way. The stock wiring is very thin. I think that wiring it to the stock harness would be more of a pain than it is worth.

 

[FrankRizzo]

I'd use the stock wiring as the input to the crossover, and mount the crossover inside the door, and feed your separates from there.

 

[bigtigexplorer]

5.0 Mountaineer: I agree that using 14-16 gauge wire will provide better sound quality, but how do I get the speaker wires from the amp (mounted underneath the rear passenger seat) to inside each of the for doors???

FrankRizzo: Are you saying that I should connect the amp to the stock wiring. Then connect the crosssover to the stock speaker wiring for each door?

 

[FrankRizzo]

Yeah, that's what I'd do. Make sure you don't have any other devices hooked up to the factory wires (i.e.: factory amp). or find a way to bypass them (crutchfield used to sell an "amp bypsss kit"), and hook the crossover up inside the dor. Secure it somewhere out of the way where it will not hit the window. Then run your own wires from the crossover to the component speakers.

I dunno how you'll get new wires thru the factory wiring harness without hacking it all up. Or you drill new holes in the door and the body and run you own wires....(j/k).

 

[bigtigexplorer]

I just went out and really looked at the doors and how the factory wiring is run. All the doors execpt the drivers, have a simple rubber conduit between the body and the door which all the wires run through. I think I can easily run new 14 gauge wire from the amp straight into the doors through this conduit. The drivers door on the other hand has the rubber conduit running into a plastic junction box, which I'm sure will be a problem.

Originally posted by FrankRizzo:
Or you drill new holes in the door and the body and run you own wires....(j/k).

I think I might have too for the drivers door, unless you guys can help me find another way.

 

[hrbib21]

Originally posted by FrankRizzo
I'd use the stock wiring as the input to the crossover, and mount the crossover inside the door, and feed your separates from there.

That's the best way I can think of.

 

[M.Scott]

I have successfully used the stock wiring for my components...like Frank suggested. I'm running 75 RMS through it and all is OK. From 4 channel amp under back seat, under carpet to center console, inside center console to metra harness behind radio, through stock wiring, into door, to crossover mounted behind door panel up near rear view mirror.

 

[bigtigexplorer]

Is the sound quality going to suffer, If I use the thin stock wiring? What are the power limitations of the stock wiring, I plan on pushing 80-100 watts RMS to each of the componets?

 

[aldive]

Are you planning on using components in the rear also? If so why?

 

[bigtigexplorer]

Yes, I'll be installing two sets of components. One set up front and on in the rear. To answer your question in all honesty, because I can and the quality of the sound produced with the component set over the factory speakers should be very nice.

 

[aldive]

Most audio pros ( which I am definately not ) say do not use components in the rear; something about messing up the sound stage.

 

[diablo5969]

I have components front and rear, it sounds great.

 

[Black Magic]

I love components in the rear.

 

[bigtigexplorer]

Their in!!

Well I've finished the install, and must say it sounds amazing. The woofers are mounted in the stock speaker locations. I had to make a half inch adapter for the front doors, and do a little trimming of the factory plastic mount for the rear doors. The tweeters are all flush mounted in the doors, I did have to cut the sheet metal behind the tweeters to fit them properly.

 

[Black Magic]

PICS!

 

[bigtigexplorer]

Finaly got some pics

Sorry it took so long to get the pics up. I was preparing to get deployed to Kuwait. Turns out I'm not going the project was cancled at the last minuet. But anyway, here are the pics:

All then tweeters are flush mounted in the same place on each of the foor doors.

I had to cut the sheet metal of each door (upper left of picture) to clear tweeters, I also had to make a spacer to mount the woofer in the factory location for both front doors.

For the front door panels the crossovers are mounted under the armrest, I couldn't find a suitable location on the door it self. The rear doors have the crossover mounted directly to the sheet metal.

Another pic of the woofer.

I'm using 500x4 @ 4ohms amp to push both componet sets. It sounds amazing. I did have to up the gains on the subs so they weren't be over powered.

 

[stretch]

Looks good! I'm hoping to do something similar in the near future.