aftermarket sub with stock deck?

Hey everyone, I was wondering if it was possible to wire up an aftermarket subwoofer to the factory stereo. Has anyone done it?

 

You would need a Line Output Converter to get signal for the amp.

 

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I have researched it and while it is possible and will work, stepping up to a new head unit is going to be light years ahead as compared to using the stock unit. There is a product made by JL Audio called the clean sweep. It will send a vastly improved signal to the amps.

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_cleansweep_pages.php?page_id=94

 

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you can pick them up at audio places or best buy for about 30$
-in sense you tap into your rear speaker wires then this runs the RCA's to the amp then off a aux power you run a remote wire so your amp turns off with your truck from there you've got a workin sub

 

JL Audio CleanSweep is better than a LOC but you have to use the JL's volume knob...not my cup o tea. I suggest a aftermarket deck cause they are cheap these days and most come with MP3, iPod, Bluetooth, Sirus/XM options...

 

Powering a sub off the stock deck won't sound very good. I had a friend install one in his dub cab and shortly after he just ended up buying a double din. Just do it right the first time around.

 

how bout an 09 with the jbl package? i have the amp and sub from the factory. im lookin to put in a new and anp sub but not sure if the hu would support it...and ideas??

 

I've been wondering the same thing. If you unplug the amp that is hooked to the plastic subwoofer enclosure you lose power to all speakers. With my custom box there is no room for that amp unless I could somehow get an extension adapter which I would assume is impossible to get a hold of. I will probably end up buying a new HU and just rewiring everything.

 

This is always fun...Most likely your JBL head unit already sends a low output signal to the factory amp...So adding a low pass converter wont work it just makes it really low...

Test it 1st!! but...
...One way you can do it is to cut the ends off one side of the RCA's and tag those into the the rear speaker outputs and then plug the other end directly into the amp's RCA input...
Each side of the RCA has a Single positive and a single negative... so you have to make sure to splice all 4 speaker wires into the 2 RCA wires.

I had to do this in an Explorer once that had the factory amp.

 

I have a sub running off the factory HU. Naturally not as good as the setup in my previous vehicle with an aftermarket HU, it fits my needs fine. I didn't even bother getting a LOC. I just used the speaker level inputs on my amp. Haven't had any problems yet.

 

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I had a sony headunit in my old car and even it did not have a rca low level out for an amp, but my amp had speaker level inputs (high level), and I just wired the rear speakers to that. You can also still use the rear speakers powered off the head unit.

TECHNICALLY it won't sound as good as everything aftermarket, but I'm by no means an audiophile, and when it comes to car sound systems, the road noise and car rattle is going to cover up any sound perfections anyways, IMHO.

 

I would just sacrifice for a while instead of wasting your money on the hi low converter and wait for the aftermarket deck. thats what i did. i had the converter for a few days and realized i needed more. so i just ordered my double din and returned my converter. make sure you also have aftermarket speakers. the stock ones SUCK!!!

 

I did in my old vehicle. Just get an amp that has a high level input. No convertor needed. Most sub amps have this. My alpine that I had did, so did my MTX before that. Some have the plug for it, you just have to buy the adapter which plugs into that..its cheap too.

Anyways, just splice in the high level inputs to your rear speakers. Run power, ground, and remote. Done.

Its not bad. It still sounds like the stock stereo, but with a real sub to it. You wont win an award but it sounds better without spending a lot, and if you do get a new head unit you can then wire it to that directly. No wasted money.

 

I have just done the same thing. I put the rca converter in and ran my amp wires like normal and mine sounds great. It all depends on the equipment you use. I have 1800 watt kenwood amp running at 4 ohms for my 12" Rockford Fosgate P3 slim. And also a 1 farad Fosgate capacitor. Since my dc is limited to space it doesnt give it the low thump you would get from a larger bandpass or sealed box. But for how small it is im impressed.

Just double check your wires cause if I remember correctly either the acc or power was wrong on my truck. I can also take pics of my setup if needed.

Not sure if these links will work but got them from here Best of luck


Here is a link to the wiring for a seperate amplifier.
and the one for the built in amplifer

 

The best way is to do it the right way the first time as one of our buddies had posted here. I learned the hard way first i changed my components and added an amp but the converter they installed sucks big time. i had static issues and the sound that i was looking for wasnt there.

I ended up changing the whole thing from the HU down to the amps, spkrs and subs. got a good deal for the polks. it was buy 1 take 1. and those kicker amps were on sale at fry's.

 

Never never never do a stock Hu with any aftermarket subs, amps and spkrs.
always have it changed...........

 

Well I'm gonna give it a try, I just think the stock deck looks a lot cleaner and the single din units with the space under it looks ugly.

 

Do you already have your system ready for install? Are you doing it yourself or taking it to a shop?

 

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