Upgrading audio 2003 Expedition
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: CORONA
Upgrading audio 2003 Expedition
Hello,
Just purchased 2003 Expe XLT . Overall very happy with it ,except in the audio dept. I want to upgrade but want to leave the stock head unit in place(6 disc). Upgraded speakers to phoenix gold 6 1/2 separates. Big improvement . My problem is that i wanted to add a sub woofer and amps too , but since head unit does not have RCA jacks whats the best way to make this happen? Has any one done this or have any knowledge on how to do this? Any help would be appreciated.
Just purchased 2003 Expe XLT . Overall very happy with it ,except in the audio dept. I want to upgrade but want to leave the stock head unit in place(6 disc). Upgraded speakers to phoenix gold 6 1/2 separates. Big improvement . My problem is that i wanted to add a sub woofer and amps too , but since head unit does not have RCA jacks whats the best way to make this happen? Has any one done this or have any knowledge on how to do this? Any help would be appreciated.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Couldn't you just wire in the new amp where the old one used to be? There has to be an input to the amp, so all you would have to do is figure out which wires are the input and power wires. Otherwise, I think I remember reading that there is some kind of an adapter what you can plug into the back of the radio that will get you RCA inputs or outputs, I can't remember. I could be talking out my **** on that one, but I would try figuring out the wires going to the factory amp.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 108
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they make adapters that will take your voltage coming out of your head unit speaker wires and reduce it to rca preamp out kenwood made them i know and i have seen others who have made them but i have only tried the kenwoods version they work pretty good and you can adjust the input with two screws on it the part was a kvda something i cant remeber the whole part number
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 263
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it will sound fine but if it doesn't have a sub you have to drop one of your rear speakers (which isn't ALL too bad) but beyond that you'll lose a lot of volume range of your subs and you'll be sending a full range signal to your sub amp, which, while most have crossovers, most are cheap and are designed to be used with the crossover built into an aftermarket head unit.
After you to it, you'll be dissatisfied with the sound quality and have spent a few hours wiring it all, just to spend another couple hours taking the wire out and re-wiring it correctly.
I went through the same thing - wanted to keep the factory look of the head unit and didn't want to lose the cd changer. Not worth the poor control of the sub and greatly-reduced frequency range.
After you to it, you'll be dissatisfied with the sound quality and have spent a few hours wiring it all, just to spend another couple hours taking the wire out and re-wiring it correctly.
I went through the same thing - wanted to keep the factory look of the head unit and didn't want to lose the cd changer. Not worth the poor control of the sub and greatly-reduced frequency range.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 61
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From: The Island of Long
I added a stand alone kenwood 8 inch powered tube. It sounds great, it has a seperate crossover and volume remote. It is all quick connect, so if I need the room in the back, two straps, two wires and its out.
