My sub-woofer has started making a crackly type vibration. I pulled the cover and didn't see any cracks in the paper portion of the speaker, but it sounds like crap. Has anyone else replaced theirs? If so, how did you get it out? I removed the 7mm screws,but the sub wouldn't pull out. I unplugged it for now, so I don't have to hear the crackling. Will an aftermarket sub work? I have a feeling the stealership will want a fortune.

 

Sorry, it's a 1998 Expy EB.

 

An aftermarket sub will work, but the depth is critical. Remove the old one, snd measure how deep the magnet protrudes into the enclosure. Make sure the new one is within this dimension. I believe the OEM sub was 8" in diameter.

 

My factory sub went out on my 97 EB. I blew a tear in it and had to replace it. I used a Kicker 8" Comp Sub as a replacement and it is great. I bought it from crutchfield.com. They have great instructions on how to replace a factory sub in the Expedition. To get the sub out, you will need to pretty much dsmantle the whole right rear area. It is not very hard to do. IT took me a little extra time the first time to do it. But when I went to take the kicker sub out for to put it in a newer EB, it took on 1/2 hr. There are a bunch of trim pieces that you will need to take out and then dismantle both the rear passenger seat belt and the thrid row seat belt( if you have it). You will need a special torx driver to remove the seat belts. After the seat belts are removed, you just pull the whole right panel off and expose both the sub enclosure and amp. You will need to remove the amp and the sub enclosure. Once you have the sub enclosure removed, you will find a screw that holds the factory sub to the enclosure in the very back. Remove it and off you go. When I put the kicker sub in, I did not put that back screw in and everything was fine. It takes more time if you put that screw back in. One recommendation would be to put some more insulation in the enclosure for better bass response. Other than that, that is pretty much it. If you would like the instructions from crutchfield, I can make a .pdf for you and send it via e-mail. Let me know. My e-mail address is william_ho@fclass.hilliard.k12.oh.us. Thanks.

WHO1975

 

Ok, I replaced the sub. It still sounds like crap! I am guessing I bought a new sub for nothing as it is probably the amp or head unit that is bad. I am checking out new stereo's, but am finding out that is going to get quite expensive. I am also looking into salvage yards for a head unit and amp from a wrecked Expy. Does anyone know of another place to get a head unit? The dealership wanted $360.00 for the sub and amp and said they are sold as one. I looked into a head unit a while back and the dealer wanted around $500. I really don't want to spend $800 plus to get a stereo in this.

 

Phi-

Have you looked into buying an aftermarket stereo for the exp. If you go onto crutchfield.com, you can put in what type of car you have and it will tell you what you can get to replace the factory equipment. They are very knowledgable at Crutchfield and can help you get a new stereo for lway ess than $500. Also, replacing the sub no matter what else happens is a good idea. The factory sub is made out of paper and that spells trouble when you want to send some serious bass through it. Like the kicker sub that I bought, I believe it is polycarbonate so it is much better at reproducing the low bass frequencies. Back to the stereo, if you get one from crutchfield, they send instructions with the unit and all of the tools you will need to take the factory one out. Even for a novice, it will take under a half an hour to do start to finish. I have done this to 4 ford trucks and suvs and it is a breeze.
Good Luck.

who1975

99 Eddie Bauer 5.4L 4x4

 

I did look, but I have been told that aftermarket units won't work with the factory wiring. Two places have told me that it would have to be rewired. Did you have to do this? BTW, thanks again for the instructions. It was pretty easy. I have taken the head unit out to hook up an aftermarket CD changer, so that doesn't bother me too much. But, I don't get along too well when it comes to wiring. I will check again with Crutchfield. Thanks!

 

Phi-

If you installed an aftermarket changer, all you would need to do is find an aftermarket stereo that would work with it. For wiring, when you order from crutchfield, they give the harness that would be required to fit the factory harness. All it takes is some sodering or crimping and you are good to go. Just match the colors when you crimp or soder. I have installed a total of 10 cd stereos and 1 cd changer in cars that we ordered with stereos from crutchfield for mysef and some friends and have done the wiring harnesses the same way. I got to the point that I almost felt like a pro. Good Luck!!

who1975

 

What kind of CD Changer did you put in?

 

who1975,
I'm on crutchfields site looking right now. I will probably call them and see what all I need. The changer I put in is an Audiovox. It works with the factory head unit. The only hard part was getting the adapter shoved in behind the head unit. I guess I need to find out what new stereo's would work with the Audiovox or get rid of it and just have the in-dash CD player,which is fine by me. I also need to find out if the new head unit will work with the stock amp and if it won't, I guess I will buy another amp. It doesn't really say if the stock amp is compatible with the stereos I've been looking at. Is this just a simple plug in?

 

Phi-

I am not sure about the factory amp and a new stereo but you could probably find a cd stereo that would work with your audiovox changer. I hope the people at crutchfield can help you out. They are very knowledgeable and have never tried to push me to buy something that I would not need. When I call I give them the specifics of what type of equipment I need and what I want to spend and they give me a list of things I can buy that would work. I would hate to see you spend money on a changer and then not use it. I would assume that anything that you will now put in your exp. should be compatible with your factroy stuff ie. amp. If you do order from crutchfield I can get you $20 off your next purchase. Good Luck!!!

PS. I refer a lot of people to crutchfield but I definitely do not work for them. I just believe in their handling of sales and technical help. They are great to work with.

 

Actually, I didn't pay for it. The guy I bought it from bought it for me. I was driving it home after buyingthe Expy and noticed the changer didn't work. I called and emailed him and he took care of it. It was nice of him to do that. I have found that the same six cd's get old rather quickly and I wouldn't mind having the extra room in the center console and just swap out cd's as needed. I listen to the radio more than cd's, so it really wouldn't be a big deal. I suppose I could always sell the changer to help offset the cost of the new stereo/amp. I think it was about $175 on ebay. I figure someone may pay $50-$75 for it. If not, oh well! Too bad there isn't a classified section on this forum.
It sounds like Crutchfield is the place to go. I am going to check a couple salvage yards today and if I can't find anything, I will get with Crutchfield. I guess I am hoping to find a unit that is the same and won't have to mess with a single din unit with an adapter. Although it sounds like it won't be that bad. Thanks for the reply!