New radio and sub install help.

[1Paladin]

Hey guys, first post here!

I have an EB edition 2000 AWD Explorer with the Mach audio.

I bought a sub woofer with amp at Circuit City since it was cheap.
Then I got the bright idea to buy a new radio to go with it so I ordered (not here yet) a Pioneer Avic F700BT with the ipod and steering wheel controller.

I guess I need to know exactly what wiring harness I will need. I did a search and there are so damn many

I just want to do this myself if I can.

Will I also need any type of bracket or will it just fit in the double DIN slot where the old one was?

Then do I disconnect my old Sub or just use both?

Do I run the sub amp power from the battery directly to it? I did buy that wiring kit.

I would like to make this removable since the sub is in a stand alone cabinet.

I guess I just need power to it then the two RCA cables coming from the back of the radio?

Has anyone done something like this?

Do you guys recommend another amp and new speakers for the doors?

The new radio has 15 RMS amps...

I searched around but did not get any specifics, sorry.

 

[jad2411]

Hi welcome to the forum!
You'll need to run 1 wire (fused) from the batt to the amp
1 from the HU remote to the amp
1 ground from the amp to a suited location near it
1 rca cable from the HU to the amp

The wiring harness depends on the stereo you have, take it off and look at the plugs and model so you can match it up

Yes, if you're already upgrading, another amp (4ch maybe?) and door speakers is recommended (If you go this route you won't need to get a wiring harness for the stereo)

There's an audio subforum here, you can read in there or use the search function to get ideas on what others have done

Enjoy your new system!

 

[1Paladin]

Oh sorry! Can an admin move this to the audio section. Sorry I typed this really fast

 

[calmac06]

Try Crutchfield.com -- you can put in your vehicle and the head unit that you want and it should be able to show you what wiring harness/adapter that you need.

 

[TheJackal]

When your HU arrives, you'll need to get your vehicle-specific wiring harness. The harness is spliced into the HU's wires, then you can plug it straight into the vehicle's wiring. You can get the harness anywhere, Best Buy has them as well as any car install shop. You will also need the fit kit; the new HU won't fit in the opening without it.

For your new sub, you'll need to get a Subwoofer Installation Kit. The kit has the heavy-gauge wiring you need to go from the amp to the battery for power. It'll also have the RCA cable you'll need to run from the HU to the amp along with a blue control wire. You'll also need wiring for connecting the amp to the sub.

Oh, and if you have a factory amp/sub, you'll need an Amplifier Bypass Harness.

As far as making it removable goes, what I would suggest is mounting the amp on top of the box, I know not a lot of people would agree with me on that, but it does make removal & storage easier. You will need to find a way to secure the box when it's in the car, tho, or it'll slide around and the sub might get damaged.

 

[1Paladin]

When your HU arrives, you'll need to get your vehicle-specific wiring harness. The harness is spliced into the HU's wires, then you can plug it straight into the vehicle's wiring. You can get the harness anywhere, Best Buy has them as well as any car install shop. You will also need the fit kit; the new HU won't fit in the opening without it.

I was shopping to find a connector that would allow me to plug and play so to speak. I wanted to be able to put the original radio back in easily when I upgrade the SUV in the next 5 years... then again I guess I would want a nicer newer radio at that time anyway so...

I hate splicing, it is never as nice.

Okay so this will need a "fit kit?" Can you point me to what I need on this one or will best Buy carry something like this? I want to get anything I need before it arrives.

For your new sub, you'll need to get a Subwoofer Installation Kit. The kit has the heavy-gauge wiring you need to go from the amp to the battery for power. It'll also have the RCA cable you'll need to run from the HU to the amp along with a blue control wire. You'll also need wiring for connecting the amp to the sub.

I did get one of these and had a fairly good idea on this. I just wanted to double check. It does seem like common sense. I am just not sure where to run the wires from the front to the rear. Do I have the power and RCA come from under the seat etc...

Oh, and if you have a factory amp/sub, you'll need an Amplifier Bypass Harness.

Can't I just leave it connected? I am confused on what harness I would need etc...

As far as making it removable goes, what I would suggest is mounting the amp on top of the box, I know not a lot of people would agree with me on that, but it does make removal & storage easier. You will need to find a way to secure the box when it's in the car, tho, or it'll slide around and the sub might get damaged.

That is what the guys at the store said to do, just mount it on the sub.
As long as the base doesn't shake anything in the amp loose I will do it that way.

Do you guys recommend the sub face the rear of the SUV? Toward the driver or pointing to the roof? I was going to lay it down toward the roof but was not sure...

I am going to stick with the factory front and rear speakers for now. If I do get a 4 channel amp for the front/rear where in the heck do you guys mount that thing?

Thanks for all your help guys....