How can I tell if it should have a subwoofer

[fitzmotor]

On my 97 it has the amp under the RR trim panel, does the premium system mean it should have a subwoofer? or is it a additional option?
It does not have the premium radio anymore, so I am trying to figure out what this thing came with originally.

Thanks for any input.

 

[R1dd1cK]

If you have a sub-woofer there will be a speaker grill in the rear right side of your explorer. If there is a cubby hole there then you don't have a sub-woofer.

 

[koda2000]

you can have just the amp w/out the sub woofer.

 

[fitzmotor]

I looks like it may have been swapped out, if the amp is there can the sub be added?

 

[IAmTodd]

There would be two amps if there should have been a sub.

The premium system did not include the sub. The JBL system did.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

The Factory sub is not that great in my honest opinion. you can just as easily get a factory sub box, buy in a decent aftermarket sub, and get a small D class amp, and have a hidden setup, that is significantly better then stock. Also JBL system had the sub, not the premium systems. A cheap upgrade is to but the JBL door speakers out of a Explorer out of the Junk yard, and swap those into your truck, they actually sound really good, when powered right.

 

[fitzmotor]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[SoNic67]

The radio that had connections for the subwoofer amplifier didn't have any bass trough rear doors speakers. That radio had a 'RDS/clock' button on it. Usually the displays where failing often on that model of radio.
When that radio got replaced with normal radios (just 'clock' button), the sub connection was lost, but the rear doors got bass in the speakers.

 

[Joe Dirt]

HERE is the writeup on how to install the first half of BLKBauer's post...

Some of the pictures I used are my 97 with premium sound, so no worries on getting it to work in yours...

 

[IAmTodd]

The radio that had connections for the subwoofer amplifier didn't have any bass trough rear doors speakers. That radio had a 'RDS/clock' button on it. Usually the displays where failing often on that model of radio.
When that radio got replaced with normal radios (just 'clock' button), the sub connection was lost, but the rear doors got bass in the speakers.

In '98 the radio setup changed. All headunits 98+ had the amp integrated to power the door speakers and the only external amp was the one for the sub. It is true that the Mach units had a built in crossover for the door speakers. I went through this with my 2000 after the dealer just swapped it out.

 

[SoNic67]

Well, that's what I meant too, maybe I didn't explain it in the best way.
My Mach radio was swapped out too to a normal one and the subwoofer is silent. But now I got the bass in the rear doors.