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installing 4 channel amp

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MonsterEnergy

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City, State
Detroit
Year, Model & Trim Level
'98 XLT and '03 XLT
I've never installed a 4 channel amp before, and so im new to doing it. However i've installed a amp/sub combo. Ive also swapped my door speakers. I have a wire harness, and aftermarket HU.

If i've never installed one before, is it worth it to spend the 75$ and have some ****ty place isntall it? or should i just attempt it myself?
thanks
 



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persornally i wouldnt pay 75 dollars when i could do it my self. all it consists of is running the wires to the speakers if you have installed an amp sub combo you should be skilled enough to do it your self
 






it is cake.
Do it your self and feel the pride :)
 






do it yourself, just make sure to ground it good! and try and keep the rca cable away from the power cable when your running the lines. Not to big a deal with a sub as the lpf will get rid of motor whine. But now that your installing it on your mids and highs you'll be able to hear the littliest motor whine.
 






another couple tips, set aside a little more time than you think is needed - you never know what you'll encounter. And lay/mock everything out before hand, driving back and forth just for a little connector that you're missing in a half stripped out vehicle is a pain in the arse.

Do it yourself :)
 






alright, looks like im doing it myself. Does anyone know of any tutorials on how to do this? Theres like 20ish wires in the wire harness, and i can account for about 12 of them, 8 for the speakers, 1 for the rem, 1 for the ground, and some for the headunit power. Other than that, i dont know what to do with them.
Also when im connecting the wires to the harness, should i solder them, and then use heatshrink tubing? theres like 20 wires, any other suggestions on how to connect them?
 






MonsterEnergy said:
alright, looks like im doing it myself. Does anyone know of any tutorials on how to do this? Theres like 20ish wires in the wire harness, and i can account for about 12 of them, 8 for the speakers, 1 for the rem, 1 for the ground, and some for the headunit power. Other than that, i dont know what to do with them.
Also when im connecting the wires to the harness, should i solder them, and then use heatshrink tubing? theres like 20 wires, any other suggestions on how to connect them?
Click to expand...

Hey ME,

Always use solder and heat shrink tubing. I can help you with the diagram and identification of the wires. What model HU do you have? Actually, I just looked back and saw that you have an AM HU. Do you know what the factory installed HU was, which model I mean? If you can let me know what that is, I can help you ID the wires in the harness. maybe even get you a diagram.

Honestly though, if you have an AM HU and AM speakers currently, I do not see the need for you to identify the wires in the factory harness. You can run RCA's from the HU to the amp, then route you own, better speaker wire to the speakers. The factory wiring does not so too good with high out put amps. Using an AM wire would be better for you.

But if you need the wiring diag let me know I will see if I can dig it up and I'll send it to you if you give me an address.

One other thing, DavesExplorer, has a great point about time alloted for the task, give you self at least half again what you think it will take. You will thank yourself in the end.

Todd
 






thats a very good idea, the reason i wanted to run the wires from the harness to the amp/speakers, is because i reversed the polarity on one of the speakers. But the idea of running rcas from the hu to the amp is a much better idea. So thats taken care of, i still need to run two RCAs. How would i do that ? Also any suggestions on where i could find a 1 gauge input distribution block with a 4 gauge and 8 (or less) guage output ? Thanks!

Also does the HU control the voltage on the RCA outputs to the amp?
 






MonsterEnergy said:
thats a very good idea, the reason i wanted to run the wires from the harness to the amp/speakers, is because i reversed the polarity on one of the speakers. But the idea of running rcas from the hu to the amp is a much better idea. So thats taken care of, i still need to run two RCAs. How would i do that ? Also any suggestions on where i could find a 1 gauge input distribution block with a 4 gauge and 8 (or less) guage output ? Thanks!

Also does the HU control the voltage on the RCA outputs to the amp?
Click to expand...

As far as the distro block goes, just about any sound shop should have one. I do not know what part of Det you live in, but if your are near the Downriver area, the Mickey Shorr on Fort Street should have it. The guy who manages the place is a good guy, just let him know someone from the SCCOA boards directed you there.

The RCA is a low voltage signal. Your amp should have RCA inputs on it, as well as a sensitivity adjustment. When setting the input sensativity, put the HU at a comfortable listening volume (not loud though) and adjust the I/S until you get the sound (volume you want), find a happy medium, maxing them out doesn't make for a good sound quality.

If you know that you reversed the polarity to one of the speakers, just get the speaker out and get it right. When you wire the speakers to the amp make certain you keep it straight. I typically use the indexed wire as the negative, if that helps.
 






sorry, double posted by inattention.....
 






arlight ill check out mikey shorrs for the distro block. as far as simply pulling the door panel off, that was something i preferably didnt want to do, but i suppose i'll just have to. Thanks

Oh by anychance do you know how to fiberglass?
 






I think expo5.0 has the fiberglassin down... that's just a guess tho.
 






MonsterEnergy said:
arlight ill check out mikey shorrs for the distro block. as far as simply pulling the door panel off, that was something i preferably didnt want to do, but i suppose i'll just have to. Thanks

Oh by anychance do you know how to fiberglass?
Click to expand...

Yep, but design is a little rough for me still. 'Glassin' is pretty easy really, just smelly and sticky if you are not careful. What are you looking to make with 'glass?
 






davesexplorer said:
I think expo5.0 has the fiberglassin down... that's just a guess tho.
Click to expand...

I would agree if I remember some of his picture posts.
 






obviously hes godly at fiberglassin, how ever hes not in michigan. I wanted to glass a headunit, monitor and dvd drive in my center console. but ill wait for a smaller project to start
 






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