Installing a Subwoofer in my Mountaineer

[Jbf333]

Hello explorer/mountaineer fans. I am looking to install a subwoofer in my stock mountaineer. I reailize that I will need: Sub, Sub Box, Wires, Wiring Plan, and Amp. How would I install it to my Mountaineer. I still have the factory sterio. It has a bass button on it so I figure it could be used with it. I dont want to spend a fortune installing all these parts and having to buy new stuff. If someone could just tell me how its setup then that would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Justin

 

[97_Explorer_XLT]

You have to get an input box. Scosche makes one you can get at WalMart, then you have to splice in your back factory speakers into it. Then wire that into your amp.

 

[Jbf333]

How much do input boxes run? and when I splice the back speakers, what do I wire those to?

 

[97_Explorer_XLT]

I think they are $10 or so. Splice INTO your back speaker wires. Basically since your factory deck doesn't have RCA outs to get the signal from, so you're getting the signal from the speaker wires.

 

[Jbf333]

Oh okay sorry for asking so many questions but what goes into the input box?

 

[jad2411]

it's a hi-lo converter, search for it here in the forum, you'll find everything you need to know
Basically, you connect the speaker wires to it on one side, the other side has rca outputs, you hook your amp there

 

[Jbf333]

so an amp does have rca wire ports? all of them do right?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yes. For speaker signal, you will have in order:

Rear speaker > Speaker wire > input of line level converter (input box) > Output of line level converter > RCA cable > to amp.

Similar to this:

 

[Jbf333]

does it need to be one of the speakers or both?

 

[Joe Dirt]

One

 

[Jbf333]

thanks for all the help guys! hopefully installing it all next week. Thanks to joe dirt especially for going into great detail and answering questions over private messages!

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Yep He is the Best!! Lifesaver for my install too.

 

[SoNic67]

I have a question related to the sub-woofer: In my 2001 Eddie Bower Explorer, in the back, right side I have already something that looks like a sub-woofer, but it doesn't look like it is working. Does anybody know more about this? It is hooked to the radio amp or it has it's own amp?

 

[Jbf333]

Wow thats neat looking. Dont have that on my mountaineer.

 

[Dsquared513]

I have a 97 mountaineer with a jbl sub in the same location. I have been looking and there are vehicle specific enclosures you can purchase that should fit right in. You can buy them with or without the subs in them, most that I've seen will fit a 10' sub. The only problem is that you must remove the entire rear interior panel to install. However, the faceplate in your picture should be removable, use trim removal tools or just a flathead screwdriver, just be careful not to break the plastic. Once off you should have a good view of the amp and speaker and you can see what your working with

 

[colintrax]

I don't know why everyone is saying to get the high-low converter. My amp can came with its own wires to tap into the speakers, and then plugs into the amp w/o RCAs.

 

[Jbf333]

I don't know why everyone is saying to get the high-low converter. My amp can came with its own wires to tap into the speakers, and then plugs into the amp w/o RCAs.

where will those wires you tap into the speaker wires plug in on the amp?

 

[tayblak]

i installed a sub into my 99 explorer just a month ago. the stock radio head (cd/tape player/radio) had to be upgraded to accomidate the sub output wires. there is another wire that has to run from the radio head to the amp called p conn which lets the amp know when to turn on when the car turns on. on the stock head, there is no wire outputs for these. so in addition to your sub wires, amp, sub, and sub box, you also need a new radio head. these are relativley inexpensive and do not have to be top of the line. i spent around 100 bucks on one. hope this helps

Taylor

 

[ThePhoenix]

best way is to tap into rear speaker on same side as you will run your power to the battery. That way you dont have to run wires down both sides of interior. you can remove the sill plate and run cables

I ran my power wire thru the clutch cable hole behind the pedals and to the battery (remember to put an inline fuse)

luckily, the radio already had the orange wire (on when radio on) tapped into

when I did my subs (before I sold them) I used a speaker box since I wanted more than one sub

the hi-lo converter worked for me as my amp didnt have speaker level inputs

I ran 2 kicker comp vr 10's in a sub box with an MTX amp powering it...man THAT SLAMMED

 

[Joe Dirt]

That is the factory sub. Behind that grille is the black enclosure that lots (including me) mounted the JL Audio 8" sub into, and I can still use the cover shown so it doesn't look out of place, or use a bunch of space for a sub box.

If it doesn't work and you're going to replace it and want to upgrade, you can go with the line-level converter (or new head unit and run your signal wires from there) a separate amp, rewire, and it sounds great...