hooking up subs

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Aug 23, 2004 | 01:14 AM

diesel demond

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Joined: Jan 2003

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From: Texas

hooking up subs

I recently got an 01' f150 and was wanting to put the subs from my old truck into it... i have no clue on how to do this... i know that i need rca jacks to hook up the amp with, and idk if it has premium sound or not, and if that makes a difference.

Aug 23, 2004 | 01:27 AM

RomerB2

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From: Bixby, OK

premium sound might make a difference due to an internal amp that the truck would already have in it, to see if you have premium sound you could always take out a speaker and look on the back, it might say premium or something like that on there, or if it's made by BOSE or Infinity then it's probably good, but what you are going to have to do is run the RCA cables from the deck to where your amp is going to sit, if you have installed a new head unit, it might come with preamp outlets in the back or RCA output's if not, your probably going to have to splice into your rear left and right wires and buy one of those things that converts it into RCA outputs, but then you should probably buy an amp kit and hook everything up and you're good to go, just post here if you have any more questions

Aug 23, 2004 | 06:00 AM

ieee_raider

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Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Paris, TX

Even if your truck has premium sound, it won't have sub pre-outs.
It might have ouputs to a factory amp, but I don't think those meet specs for what you'd need for an aftermarket amp.
So, unless you have or put in an aftermarket amp, you'll have to use a line-out converter. Best thing is to just remove your rear speakers and use that wiring to your line converter. Run it into your amp.

Aug 23, 2004 | 03:34 PM

RomerB2

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From: Bixby, OK

all i was saying about the premium sound was on the speakers, and it didnt really matter if he had it, but if he had a new head unit he most likely wouldnt need to splice into wires

Aug 24, 2004 | 08:22 PM

Smokem'

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Joined: Sep 2003

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From: Missouri

If you are like me then you pitched the old radio. If you get a new headunit be sure it has gain and seperate subwoofer outputs.

As for signal to amps there are two methods,
1. taking the rca sub outputs from a new headunit and running them to the amp for signal. Be sure to run a remote wire as well. 18ga. unless one is provided in the kit or installer.
2. Tapping into the line level output from either a new headunit or your OEM requires buying a line out converter. this is a box that taps into your rear speaker and it will take the speaker level voltage and drop it down to a level that will allow you to connect the rca's to it and be able to run your amplifier. You can still use the rear speakers.

Hopefully that helps. It's really not that hard. If you need wiring diagrams to wire the power side of the amp I can send you some pics and info on how i did my 2002.

Edit: It makes no difference weither it has premium sound or not. just be sure to turn the bass down on the headunit/OEM before adjusting the gain on the amp. There is no longer any need for the factory speakers to try to produce those 125hz and lower notes. It saves the money of having to replace them in the near future.