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May 11th, 11:29 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 12,372
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How to: Wire a Subwoofer
This is the basic way to wire your subwoofer(s).
Items needed:
- Subwoofer
- Amplifier
- Power wire
- Ground wire
- RCA Cables
- Remote wire
- Speaker wire
- Crimps
- Fuse
1. Figure out where you want to mount everything.
2. Take your headunit out.
3. Plug in and route the RCA cables to the amp.
4. Cut the connector off the remote wire *blue wire*, twist wire, and twist remote wire to it. Route to amp.
5. Put your headunit back in.
6. Plug ground wire in.
7. Using a circle crimp on the other end, find a place on the body, trunk, anything metal to attach it to. You might get lucky and already have a good sized hole to put a screw through. But most of the time you have to drill a hole.
8. Once it's grounded, start running your power cable. This could either be the hardest part, or an easy part. Look under your carpet on the passanger side for a plug of some sort or any hole for that matter. This is called the firewall, and the power cable must run through the firewall to get to the battery on the car. If there is a hole or plug, unplug it and run the cable through. It's best to have someone help you do this. If there is no hole or plug, you will have to drill one. Go about 1 1/2 the size of the wire. When drilling a hole in the firewall, be careful to NOT drill through anything important. Be sure to check both sides CAREFULLY.
9. Once the wire is routed to the battery, cut off or use any extra power cord. Should be about 6 inches. Strip both ends and strip the end you just cut off or just ran through the firewall. Attach the wite from the firewall to one side of the fuse.
10. Attach the shorter wire to the other side of the fuse and use an oval crimp to attach it to the POSITIVE side of the battery. You will need to take the nut off.
11. Turn the radio on and check the amp for power. If you have power, then move onto the next step. If not, double check everything.
12. Plug the speaker wire in. R+ and L- or vice versa on the channel. Plug the other ends on the subwoofer. Remember, Red/Copper = Positive, Black/Silver = Negative.
13. If it hits, you're in good shape. As far as tuning the amp, just make the screw on the back about in the middle, do not go past 3/4. Depending on your headunit, most adjustments should be made there.
This is just a basic writeup. Just a tip, mount the amp on the back of your box. Other than that, under the passanger seat is one of the next best places.
I'll probably edit this later. If you have any questions or input, feel free to post. Just figure I would put a basic write-up out there because "professionals" can charge a lotta dough to do something so simple..
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May 11th, 11:54 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Allen
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Frierson, Louisiana
Posts: 5,187
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nicely done.
just want to add a few things though
when making your ground connection take a file or some sand paper and scape any paint off from the section you are making your ground at this ensures you get a good ground
if you have to drill holes to run your wire besure to put a rubber grommet in the hole to keep the metal from damaging your wire and causing lot of problems later on down the line
and be sure to select power wire that fits your needs if your wire is too small you can overwork the amp and damage it and you will get better performance from your amp if you use the proper wire
and to set your "level/gain" on the amp is to turn level all the way down then turn your HU up to a pretty loud setting and slowly increase you gain till it starts to distort a little then turn it back about an 1/8th of a turn and your level is now set
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dooms
That little XD is so cute. 
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May 12th, 12:19 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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PbF Supporter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Yelm/Olympia/Lakewood, Washington (state)
Posts: 10,216
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i might use this down the line...pictures would be a great help

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May 12th, 12:32 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 12,372
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by flowbob
i might use this down the line...pictures would be a great help

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I just wired a truck today, should have taken pictures.
Next car I wire up I'll get some pictures. 
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May 12th, 12:34 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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PbF Supporter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Yelm/Olympia/Lakewood, Washington (state)
Posts: 10,216
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by 1337PAINTBALLER
I just wired a truck today, should have taken pictures.
Next car I wire up I'll get some pictures. 
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awesome, ill be taking some intro to automotive classes here in probably the next year or so, so maybe doing this with someone who knows some about cars will help me gain more knowledge before i start the class, making it that much easier.
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May 12th, 12:46 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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Allen
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Frierson, Louisiana
Posts: 5,187
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i am putting in an a flip screen in my blazer this weekend i will get some pics of it going in
__________________
AIM = xI am Piercedx
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dooms
That little XD is so cute. 
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July 28th, 01:01 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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I'm.... BACK!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 3,794
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I also noticed that 1337 didn't say that make sure you run your power and signal wires on OPPOSITE sides of the vehical.. The power cabel emmits signals that will distort your signal and can give you bad sound quality.
Also.. Most vehicals have a large hole already in the fire wall for all your eletrical to pass through. Look for this hole. It's usualy on the same side of the car as your battery. What most ppl do is find a hole with a wire already going through it in the wire, carefully englare the hole a tiny bit, and slip your power cable through it.
and for alot of Newer vehicals, your head unit will be iso-mounted. meaning that it is bolted in the back and you must dis-assemble the dash to remove the head unit. If you can't dissasemble the dash or don't want to, most audio shops will charg ytou like $20 (usualy the shop min.) to remove your head unit and plug your wires in. If you are uncomfortable removing your dash, i sugject this, b/c if you break something, ur ****ed. If they break something, they must replace it.
__________________
 she's a virgin if u don't count anal
Quote:
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Originally Posted by D_Smalls
they were pretty big, but i was pretty drunk..
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•••
BT Football - #65
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November 5th, 12:11 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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i play for keeps
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: seattle
Posts: 6,802
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My subwoofer installation instructions:
1. Have friends that install car audio at Circuit City.
2. Buy some beer and watch them install.
But seriously...good thread.
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November 5th, 01:40 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 12,372
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I've done about 10-15 subwoofer installs since I made this and I usually only charge about $20. It's not the most "professional" job but it sure does beat paying Best Buy or Circuit City $80+ for this simple job. My stereo installs have been the best at my school, noone else has done a better job then me.
Just a way to earn some extra bucks if you have some free time on your hands. Also my buddy works at the Pawn Shop, so I always bring my friends up there and get them a good deal. I bring them customers, I get great deals. 
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November 5th, 07:16 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tejas
Posts: 3,648
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My cousin is just happy to help someone out.
Sometimes he gets a meal out of it, but that's definetly not why he does it.
__________________
John
Don't give up, don't ever give up.
-Jimmy V
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November 5th, 10:47 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 12,372
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I usually install to my friends for free.
Hell one kid traded me a handle of vodka for his install. I made that last about 2 weekends and had my fun.
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November 5th, 11:39 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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big man on campus
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: jersey
Posts: 1,183
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November 5th, 11:46 PM
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#13 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 12,372
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Hahaha
Thats how I do.
Nah usually if theres no hole in the firewall, I'll run it through the fender. Also I use electrical tape instead of crimps and it holds off fine. I still hide the wires and everything though.
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October 7th, 09:50 PM
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#14 (permalink)
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Elite Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ct
Posts: 3,940
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Can someone link me to materials I will need to complete this setup? I selected my amp, my subs, my box, and my head-unit already. My headunit has a sub-out. How do I wire everything and what wires do I need? best buy charges 100 bucks for a wiring kit that I can't afford right now. I would like to buy the wires myself and install it myself.
What wires do I need specifically?
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October 7th, 10:15 PM
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#15 (permalink)
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Xplicit Eg06
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Omaha, NE *402*
Posts: 4,485
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Walmart sells Schosche branded stuff. Not that great, but it gets the job done, especially if your not doing a huge system.
You'll need
-A power wire WITH A MAIN FUSE
-RCA cables
-A Remote wire (Small diameter speaker wire works)
-A ground wire (SHOULD to be at least the same size as power wire)
-Speaker wire to run from the amp to the subs.
-Crimps
Just plug the RCA wires in the back of the headunit, and match the colors into the input of the amp. Then crimp the remote wire to either a blue, or a blue with a white stripe wire out of the back of the radio harness. This will go to the REM (+) hookup on your amp. The ground wire will be the most tricky, but in a jeep you should be able to find a spot in the firewall to run it through. Find a good ground back in your cargo compartment, and make sure your ground connection is tight and very low resistance.
Like stated above, run your RCA's and Power on different sides, or as far away as possible.
And the last step,
-Profit.
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October 7th, 10:17 PM
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#16 (permalink)
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Allen
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Frierson, Louisiana
Posts: 5,187
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/\
Yup.
I had the same thing typed out lol
__________________
AIM = xI am Piercedx
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dooms
That little XD is so cute. 
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October 7th, 10:38 PM
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#17 (permalink)
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Elite Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ct
Posts: 3,940
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Is there a chart for the right size of power wire? I am looking to get a 1000W MAX, (500RMS) amp and I don't know if there is different guage wire I should look for. Also, I have some speaker wire laying around from my home audio setup, is this the same stuff? IO am guessing yes.
How much should this cost when I am done, if I buy it all?
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October 7th, 10:49 PM
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#18 (permalink)
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Xplicit Eg06
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Omaha, NE *402*
Posts: 4,485
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4 gauge should work alright. The home audio stuff would work OK, but only for the wires from the amp to subs. Not the power and ground.
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