either list all the details of the amp and speakers you want to hook up, or you'll learn alot reading all the threads in the amplifier section.
you will need to run a cable from the battery through the firewall of your car to wherever you place your amp. the gauge of cable depends on the current (or power) rating of the amp. you'll need an inline fuse less than a foot or so from the battery that matches the fuse(s) on your amp, less is OK, more is not OK on the inline fuse.
you'll need to run one or more sets of rca cables from the head unit to the amp, depending on how many speakers you'll be hooking up (fronts only, fronts and rear, fr and rear plus sub, etc.).
most factory head units only have one set of rca outs, so if you want to amp front and rears and keep the ability to use the fader control, you'll need to buy a new head unit. there may be other options I don't remember the details tho.
then, you'll need to run speaker cable from the amp to each speaker, or usually much easier, splice this cable into the existing speaker wiring at the back of the head unit.
lastly, i think, you'll run the remote amp turn on lead from the head unit to the amp, 18g is fine.
also, make sure you cut, or disconnect the speaker leads from the head unit going into the wiring harness that runs to each speaker. you'll have done this when splicing the speaker cables from the amp into the existing car wiring for the speakers.
good luck and don't forget to disconnect the negative battery cable before starting the job.
oh, i'm a fan of wal-mart amp kits, scosche (sp?) brand. they have all gauges 10g down to 4g and come with all you need except speaker wire, sold separately. others can suggest similarly priced ones online, but I had good experience with the wal-mart kit.
actually your stock hu doesnt have rca pre-outs on its so you will need to buy an rca adapter. you can hook it up to your rear speaker wires. if you have never done anything like this then i would recommend having a professional do it.
or do some research and do it yourself if you're technically inclined.
better yet, spend $150-250 for a really nice head unit, alpine or eclipse seem to be the best. there may be cheaper places, but crutchfield online includes everything you need in the price plus excellent tech support. it'll fit flush with the dash and look good when you're done.
if your amp has speaker level inputs, then hook the speakerwire from the head unit into those, it's the same as using rca's. then you can follow the instructions that came with your amp to finish the rest of the installation.
Anonymous
Posted on
Where would you put the speakerwire to your stock head unit??