Stock head,want to add sub

[jwrezz]

Have a 95xlt. Head unit has a knob (no external amp?). How would I go about adding a sub? Are there pre amp outs on the stock unit? If not, what other choices do I have? Thanx, John

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John '95 XLT

 

[JTang]

There aren't any pre-outs, but don't let salesman tell you you have to buy a new head unit. For between 25-40 dollars you can get a speaker level to line out converter. It will basically tap into your speaker wires and then convert the signal to the proper voltage for amp input levels. After that just get your amp and sub, and you're all set.

 

[markhas]

Get the MTX Thunderform sub that fits in the rear passenger side compartment. It comes with a Thunder5000 woofer and puts out good bass (250W RMS). JL Audio also makes an enclosure that fits there. The MTX has a model that has the amp built in, but if you want to use an external amp, you can put it in the stock amp location infront of this compartment, or put it under the rear seat. I hung my MTX 2150X amp from the bottom of the rear seat and you can't see the amp from the outside. It has enough clearance so that you can still fold the rear seat down. If you do get an external amp, get one with a built in crossover, or you will need to buy one.

 

[Taeo]

I have a MTX powered thunderform in my '96. I have the factory amp behind the right rear panel. All I did was hook it up at speaker level and I love it. It has surprisingly good bass and best of all I don't lose any cargo space! Try crutchfield for more details on this sub.

 

[jwrezz]

Thanx for all the info, guys. Looks like I'm gonna get a powered Thunderform for the rear cargo compartment. I don't think that my stock unit has the seperate amp in the rear quarter, what would be the easiest way to get a speaker level signal to it? Do I need to feed it both the left and right signals? Front and Rear? All four? Do I need to cross over from all 4 main speakers to the sub? I would think that sending any thing below 100Hz to my four mains is a waste if I get the sub. I'm thinking that I may have to go w/ a new head w/ sub outs and built in cross over. I dunno.

 

[JTang]

I'm not exactly sure, but if what the other guys are saying is right about not needing a signal converter, then all you'll be doing is splicing into your rear right speaker wires, (+ and -) and then connect it to the powered Thunderform. Then of course, the other power wires, but for the since it's mono, probably just splicing into one speaker, not two+. You don't HAVE to buy a new head unit or HAVE to buy a crossover. The whole reason for the speaker level signal input is so you don't have to have a radio with RCA outputs. As for the crossover, see how you like the sound first. Depending on the sub, and the box, and the size/shape of your car, you may feel that a crossover is not necessary. If you don't feel like spending too much, I think you can put in some of those passive crossovers that go inline in the speaker wire. They're inexpensive, sold at Crutchfield among other places. They work satisfactory. The only prob would be that you'll be sort of "controllling" the amount of bass from the THunderform via the F/R fader control in addition to the normal basic bass/treble boost on the head unit.