KickerCS Upgrade with Kicker Key amp Install Assistance

First off thank you to all members of this forum! Your contributions have been my entertainment for the past few years. With that said, I am needing help with installing my Kicker Key. I bought the suggested Metra Harnesses. Now where do I start? What should my process be? I’ve googled and watched the videos on this specific amp. None of them show the specifics I need. Can anyone with the know how share some wisdom on how I can wire this up?

 

Thanks to @destin_meeks and @Mrmarv for the help. I’m going to prep my harness and start crimping cuz crimpin’ ain’t easy! Lol

Does anyone know what to set the head unit equalizer to?

 

Set it flat. All settings in the middle. Let the Key's auto-eq do the work

 

Here is my first attempt at the T harness. If anyone sees something I did wrong (other than the fact I didn’t solder it) please let me know. I will Tesa tape it if I can find any here in Hawaii. If not electric tape if I get the thumbs up that everything is good to go. I’ll try install it tomorrow.

 

Where and how'd you mount the Kicker Key Amp?

 

Most have just let it rest in the bundles of wiring behind the radio. It sits pretty snug

 

Is there a schematic that you followed to make the T harness?

 

Not really. It’s best to have a good understanding of what the t-harness does and how everything connects if you want to do this project.

 

I was in the same boat as you about a month ago. Very little experience with car audio but good with tools and the sort so I gave it a shot. Let me tell you that if you have you tube and TW you can accomplish anything! @destin_meeks and @Mr Marv helped me a ton during the install. A big MAHALO goes out to those two for their knowledge, expertise, willingness to help, and patience.

I ended up moving the amp from behind the dash to above the glove box. There is a perfect spot for it as long as your wires are long enough. Mine just made it.

 

How did you get it above the glovebox?

 

Open glove box and remove the screws, then I gently pulled the plastic above the box back enough to where I could squeeze my hands in and slide the amp in. I did disconnect the clip that was holding a bundle of wires to be able to get the amp in. The space back there is perfect.

 

If you can't find test tape, use zip ties instead of electrical tape. Only decent electrical tape is the one Tesa make and its about $5-7 a roll.

 

Was this the correct wiring for you?

 

Yes, the only change I did was I ended up connecting the key blue wire (the one that is coiled up and capped off) to the metra red.

 

Are you using the stock tweeters and the cs door speakers?

 

Would you happen to have a picture of it in place?

Is it still easily accessible if I needed to get to it to make any adjustments on the key?

 

I put mine above the glove box also. I have to get back in there to adjust so I’ll snap some pics when I do. Maybe this evening if I have time.

 

You have to remove the plastics on the side of the glove box to get to the screw for the padded panel then you can pull it right out.

 

How hot does it get inside there? You might want to leave a thermometer in that little area to see what the ambient temperature is over time.

 

Well I live I Florida so it’s gonna be hot most of the time. The ac ducts are right next to it on both sides so I figured it would be ok. The manual says it has built in protection from overheating so I’m assuming it will just shut off if it overheats. Right now it’s sitting on a piece of pipe insulation so it doesn’t rattle around. When I finalize the install I will remove that and zip tie it in place.