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Running Wire for microphone behind A pillar

ROBinGa

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February 16, 2014
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City, State
Ga
Year, Model & Trim Level
2003 Explorer XLT 4x4 4.6
I have searched but not finding clear instructions for my issue -which is to be able to run a wire for microphone to Bluetooth from behind stereo head unit in dash , up the driver side A pillar and mount it at corner of A pillar and headliner junction. Is it necessary or possible to remove the A pillar or do you just tuck the wire in behind it? I want it to be as hidden as possible and have the microphone just peek out over the top of the A pillar there when it joins the roof line. I did see somewhat of this concept in the Audio forum here but not understanding how to get wire behind A pillar. Any suggestions?
 



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When I mounted a satellite radio I drilled a hole behind the radio mount. If you're trying to hide the wire and look as professional as possible then I'd suggest you do the same. Since your mounting at the roofline, running the wire to the top of the pillar shouldn't be visable. You'll still want to remove the a-pillar, it's easy though. Just clips holding it on I believe
 






I have searched but not finding clear instructions for my issue -which is to be able to run a wire for microphone to Bluetooth from behind stereo head unit in dash , up the driver side A pillar and mount it at corner of A pillar and headliner junction. Is it necessary or possible to remove the A pillar or do you just tuck the wire in behind it? I want it to be as hidden as possible and have the microphone just peek out over the top of the A pillar there when it joins the roof line. I did see somewhat of this concept in the Audio forum here but not understanding how to get wire behind A pillar. Any suggestions?

I installed mine right behind the ignition cylinder, you know if you have adjustable pedals, there is a little vent looking thing next to that switch if you have it, but I've seen that little vent on all explorers, anyways I just put some jb weld on the little microphone and poped it in there you can't even tell it's in there, very clean install and no problems with people hearing you since it has 3 or 4 of the little cutouts.
 






I installed mine right behind the ignition cylinder, you know if you have adjustable pedals, there is a little vent looking thing next to that switch if you have it, but I've seen that little vent on all explorers, anyways I just put some jb weld on the little microphone and poped it in there you can't even tell it's in there, very clean install and no problems with people hearing you since it has 3 or 4 of the little cutouts.

I like this idea.
 






I like this idea.

Yes, not to hard to install it, took about 20 minutes, 30 minutes start to finish, the little wire ran perfectly fine though the inside of the dash, nothing is showing or pinched.
 






I installed a new Kenwood DPX501BT double din HU today in my 2003 XLT. I ended up running my microphone wire along the underside of dash over to where the rubber door gasket and A pillar trim meet. Then I was able to pull back the rubber gasket slightly just enough to start tucking the mic wire behind it and then worked my way up the A pillar trim tucking the wire behind it. I had it come out at the very top of A pillar and also clipped the microphone base over the top of the A pillar where it meets headliner. Very easy and wire is completely hidden!

The factory unit was Ford part number 3L2T-18C815-FB and it has factory sub woofer. I bought it from Crutchfield and they supplied a wiring harness along with subwoofer connection and also a regulator/converter that is supposed to stop the sub woofer popping but it did not stop it in my case. The Metra part is AFDI-5V and shows its purpose is to stop the popping and came with instructions on which wires to connect. What I noticed is that when I removed the stock HU that I had an extra square connector that plugged into it that is not accounted for in the Metra harness nor the harness from Kenwood unit. So I have a square connector in the dash that isn't connected to anything and has two wires going to it. Have to think there is some related there to my popping. But all the features work on Kenwood and my subwoofer and the sound is great! Just the popping and forgot to mention that the popping is only when source is selected to tuner. It doesn't pop on CD or Bluetooth. Ideas?
 






I just discover the error of my ways in the wiring of that AFDI-5V sub harness. I wired it wrong such that it negates the effect. Will take it apart and reform and report back.
 






I was looking at that stereo as well. My Ex came with a single DIN in it and I can't stand how it looks. As the stereo I do want isn't in the cards at the moment, the DPX series seems nice.

Post a pic when you can.

Your next items need to be a sub and amp, don't need anything big. Makes a huge difference.
 






Success!! I redid my connections with the Metra part AFDI-5V properly and no pop from subwoofer at all now. Stoked!
 






Number4 , the factory subwoofer is plenty for me and in fact I had to scale it back a bit in the Kenwood settings since it was very much more powerful with the Kenwood than the stock unit. The sound is a vast improvement over the Ford sound even with the stock speakers. I was thinking I would have to upgrade them and still may but this thing sounds great now. Very happy with it so far. The variable colors have like three shades of green then the next shade is called yellowgreen1 and I think it's a perfect match for rest of the dash lights.
 






Never mind...I got it
 






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