Replacing stock sub

[frenetic1amnesic]

I apologize first if a thread similar to this has been made, and I'm sure it has because this seems like a common problem.

I want to replace the sub on my '96 with the JBL audio system.
I'm planning on buying this sub and this box. I'm going a bit cheap....

Would I be able to just take the wires from the current sub and lead it to my new one and get reasonable, quality bass, or is anything conflicting such as the stock amp not putting out enough power?

 

[Donner]

Not sure about this... but I think it's called bypassing. But I don't know if you have to or need to do that... Have you seen the Pioneer subs at Wal-Mart? Anyhow, hit search and put in bypass amp, see what comes up... And Polk is pretty good, not cheap. What kinda head unit ya got??

 

[92EBexplorer]

i wouldnt bother with the factory amp. youd be better off just getting a new amp. i had a single 10 box and amp lying around so i just threw them in my 92. mine has the factory sub too, didnt work though so i just left it in there and ran new wires anyway since i had to run new wires to all the speakers.

 

[frenetic1amnesic]

Hmm.
Ok well a few things. I just got the explorer from my brother, and I'm fixing a lot of things.
It still has the stock head unit that comes w/ the JBL audio system. All I'm planning on doing [for now] is getting a new sub. I'll probably get addicted to new parts soon

I guess first I'm going to just buy the sub and box and see if it sounds reasonable. If it doesn't work, I'll get an amp. And then over time I'll probably get a new HU and new speakers. It's really tempting to just go somewhere and get this professionally done, but that takes all the fun out of it.

 

[92EBexplorer]

i would just buy a new amp, you can get a 2 channel amp really cheap. if youre going to do might as well do it right. but thats just my opinion.

 

[frenetic1amnesic]

Yeah I really want to have a good quality clean install.

Right now I just went really ghetto, though. I'm in dire need of some sort of bass, so I connected a sub from a JVC stereo I have. I'm pretty sure it's 160 watts. Just disconnected the old sub and connected to the new one. Still using the stock JBL amp. It puts out pretty good, punching bass, so I'm at least gonna stick with that for a couple weeks until I can devote a weekend to redo the head unit and amp and everything else.

 

[toypaseo]

You could always carve out your OEM enclosure to fit another sub. Here is my 91-94 OEM enclosure carved out for an 8" sub...

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c4/toypaseo/explorer sub/106_0684.jpg

Here is the Alpine amp I added...

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c4/toypaseo/explorer sub/V12_mounted.jpg

Here is the sub...

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c4/toypaseo/explorer sub/th_Solobaric2.jpg

Here is the enclosure covered. Still in progress...

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c4/toypaseo/explorer sub/th_10inchmeshgrill.jpg

 

[FROADER]

After my stock sub blew, I did the same as toy. I even bought the 8" sub from him.

My screen was already broken, but it fits. It's also using the stock amp.

 

[frenetic1amnesic]

OK that's a very interesting option. Here's the deal. When my brother had this truck before, he blew out the 6.5" JBL sub. He bought an 8" Kicker Comp and carved out the OEM box like you suggested. I guess he must have done a really terrible job, because it just sounds like cr*p. When I took the sub out yesterday, I found he only had 3 screws on it, and I don't know if they were actually attached to anything. Also, surrounding the frame, between the sub and enclosure, my brother had it filled in with caulk.

I'll go and post pictures in a few minutes so I can show you what happened. Maybe you can suggest what I can do, if anything, to repair the OEM box.

Another thing I need to know. How complicated is it to just replace the sub amp with an aftermarket one? Is it a matter of just swapping cables, or do I have to run new cables all the way from HU to amp in the back, or should I get a new HU altogether. Are the cables that JBL/Ford used universal? Gah there are so many things I don't know that I need to know.

Thanks for all your help so far.

 

[frenetic1amnesic]

Here's what the enclosure area looks like.

I just re-drilled my own holes and mounted it wherever I could. It sounds a lot better than before, but on hard bass hits, it still rattles very obnoxiously. I think using that enclosure is out of the question...

 

[toypaseo]

Hmmm... if everything is tight, it should not rattle. You could get a piece of masonite that is larger than the opening, cut a hole of the desired size, and use Liquid Nails with screws/bolts to attach it to the enclosure.

Adding an amp is not too hard. I never had the OEM sub, so I just ran a high/low converter right after the OEM amp. Ran an 8 gauge power wire from a power point under the hood, with a fuse near it. Ran RCA cables from the high/low converter to the amp. Ran speaker wire from the amp to the sub. Lots of work, but nothing I have not done before.

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c4/toypaseo/explorer sub/106_0691.jpg

Since I had no idea if the amp would bake behind the rear panel near the sub, I put it under the rear seat, behind the driver.

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c4/toypaseo/explorer sub/V12_mounted.jpg

 

[frenetic1amnesic]

OK now we're getting somewhere. This is where I really need help. Right now I have 2 OEM amps. I'd just forget about the JBL sub amp, and use the Hi/Low converter to get signal from OEM amp and go from there.
How are the connections from the OEM amp to the converter? Is it pretty plug and play, or is there a lot of cutting/crimping etc?

 

[toypaseo]

I just used these connectors, since they are quick and easy, and allowed switching of wires if needed. My neighbor used to work as an installer/mechanic/glass person at a local car dealer, so he gave me some. Pic is just an example, so the correct sized ones might be different.

 

[Airplanejunkie82]

Stupid question but if i go with either the JL 8w1v2 or the Elemental Design 7Kv2 will the factory JBL speaker grille still be intact? Every time I look at user pics, they have the grille removed but i need to retain the factory look. If I have to remove the grille, I'm not going this route. Anybody have this setup?

 

[toypaseo]

Well, if you can find a later model JBL grill, you might have some luck since the metal grill is larger.

When I had the sub that I sold FROADER, I could fit it behind the OEM metal grill, with some modifications. Under excursion though, I think it would have rubbed for sure. Here is a pic of the modified grill I have...

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c4/toypaseo/explorer sub/Goldwood_covered.jpg

Here is another grill with the metal grill insert, but I know that I never ran it with the insert in.

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c4/toypaseo/explorer sub/106_0692.jpg

 

[Airplanejunkie82]

Thanks for the reply but i guess i'm back to square one. my grille looks to be the same as the one in your second pic. i just checked it out and it sticks out about a quarter inch past the quarter panel. i hope thats enough to fit either of these subs.
I wanna go with the 7Kv2 but theres no measurement for the amount of space between the mounting surface and the top of the cone. I just hope somebody with this speaker setup and factory grille can chime in before i order this speaker