My truck currently has an old Sears/Roebuck AM/FM/Tapedeck and a Jetsound EQ/amp feeding 2 rear 6x9's and 2 5¼" fronts, I' thinking of adding a woofer or two to the system, but I don't know how to go about it.

Currently, the deck is a 2 channel output, and it feeds the eq/amp, which has a 2 channel input(either speaker level or RCA) and a 4 channel output, and it's feeding the speakers, and has my fader control. I'm talking early 80's technology here, probably installed when the truck was brand new, as it was bought without a radio. I'd like to be able to keep this old stuff, it matches the interior well and is "period"(not that I'm that concerned about restoring the truck), and if I can find a CD changer(actually anything made to be remote controled and not installed in the dash) with RCA outputs and a volume control, I can bypass the head unit, and use it for a theft deterrent, if they can't see it, they can't steal it. I was thinking I could drive the 4 current speakers with the 2 channels that are supposed to drive the front, and drive the amp for the woofers with the rear speaker output, because I have lots of high end, the current stereo has great mid and high range, and pretty decent bass for a wooferless system, but, it just doesn't have enough. If that idea sounds downright silly, I know very little about stereos, I might know the terminology, but other than that, I only know how to make my current system sound good...
As for woofer placement, I'm thinking of building a full witdh behind the seat box, with some lockable storage space in it anyway, and adding a woofer box to it wouldn't be that hard.
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide 2wd
HD 300-6 9.5:1 CR
Clifford 270H cam
Hedman Hedder
SBC valved 66 240 head
NP435(6.69 low)
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9"
31x10.50/15 Cooper Discoverer LT's

 

O.K. lets look at what you can do. You'll have to get a CD changer that returns the signal to your radio without acutally connecting to it. Look at this for example http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/CarProducts/CarProductDetails/0,1429,1475,00.html It's call FM modulated. It sends the sound through radio waves to a set station on your radio. You'll need this because your head unit does not have any place to plug into it.

The RCA's that you have from the EQ will supply the signal to your amp for the subwoofer. Run the one set of RCA's to the rear of the seat (I presume that's where you will put it). Now that you have sound to the amp, lets move on to the power supply. Find an amp wiring kit from Crutchfield/SoundDomain or Wal-Mart for that. If you are adding a small amp and sub, under 250w I *suggest 8awg wire set. Larger, I would *suggest 4awg. Run the kit from your battery, through the firewall under the floor mat to the area behind the seat.

The '82 F150 I had required me to run the remote turn on for the amp directly to the fuse box. Just find the remote fuse and wrap the wire around the fuse and presto, the amp will turn on and off with the ignition switch. As for the ground, you will have to find metal on a metal screw on cleaned metal. I used the dremmel tool and made the metal all around the hole very scratched. Clamp that down tight! Also, make sure you use the same size ground from the amp as you did power wire to the amp!! Here's another site to check out http://go.to/bcae.

Best of luck

Michael
TeamAMP
www.teamamp.com
car audio for audiophiles

 

Well, the RCA jacks on the eq are inputs, not outputs, which is the cause of my whole dillema....
I'd like to use those, that's why I need a changer witha volume control. I'd like to completly exclude the head unit if it's possible.
Would the speaker level outputs from the eq be sufficent to drive the amp?
As for the amp and powering it, I'll probably be using a 250 watt, but, in case I decide to upgrade, I will be using a 4awg kit. I've got the batteries mounted in the box, 2 yellow top Optimas, so wiring up the positive won't be a problem. And, the negative shouldn't be a problem, I could run it to the frame, or directly to the battery, whichever is best. As for the remote turn on wire, I could just hook it into the stock radio power wire under the dash, or find a switched fuse to hook it into.
I'm thinking of bolting the amp directly to the floor under the seat, is this a good idea, or should it be mounted elsewhere?
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide 2wd
HD 300-6 9.5:1 CR
Clifford 270H cam
Hedman Hedder
SBC valved 66 240 head
NP435(6.69 low)
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9"
31x10.50/15 Cooper Discoverer LT's

 

Do you have a set of RCA's coming from the head unit to the EQ? If so you can get a set of 1 male to 2 female adaptors and split the signal, one to the EQ and the other to the amp. If not you can buy an adaptor that goes from speaker level to RCA, really cheap. I ran an amp one time from speaker level (MTX Road Thunder) and I hated the sound. Have you considered spending $120 for a Pioneer CD head unit from Wal-Mart with CD changer capability. I know you wanted to keep the origional look but this is getting more difficult as you go.

As for a CD changer that runs with volume contol, bypassing the head unit, I'm not familiar with. The may exist, but I've seen nor heard of such a thing. As far as I know changers only deliver signals not produce sound to speakers.

Regards,
Michael
TeamAMP #256
www.teamamp.com
car audio for audiophiles

 

No, I don't have RCA's coming from the head unit, but, I could convert the speaker level to RCA, I currently use the RCA's that are there to hook up my Discman, and I'd like to be able to keep em free so I can do that until I can afford a changer.. I could convert the rear speaker level outputs from the EQ to RCA's and use them to drive the amp for the woofer, and drive the existing speakers with the speaker level output that's for the front speakers.
I have thought about a CD head unit, but, that $120 is nearly $200 Canadian, then add in 2 new dash panels, I'd need an 85-86 radio panel to use a DIN chassis easily and those panels are slightly different than my 82's, mine are black, but the later ones have a little bit of grey on 'em, and it'd look like crap.

I put a noise filter in the power line for the eq today, and found some corroded connections in the stereo to amp wiring, so, I straightened that out, and the head unit actually has decent sound quality, so the FM modulated changer would be an option.

I see alot of changers with a variable output level control, but I'll bet that that adjustment isn't a user friendly operation.

Any reccomendations on an amp? I'm going to go and see what I can get locally on Monday, I'm thinking something between 250 and 300 watt, as for woofers, I'm thinking I might go with 2 10" Jensen woofers from Wal-Mart, are they alright, or should I see what else I can get? I'd like to be able to put in a complete Pioneer system, but, I don't have the money to do so.
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide 2wd
HD 300-6 9.5:1 CR
Clifford 270H cam
Hedman Hedder
SBC valved 66 240 head
NP435(6.69 low)
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9"
31x10.50/15 Cooper Discoverer LT's

 

The RCA's that you have, split them with a 1 female to 2 male adaptor (a pair). That way you can save your speaker level inputs. As for a HU DIN kit, I didn't even use one in my 82 (Canadian made, sold with 152,000 miles and still going). With a litte enginuity you can bolt it down without much problem, I guess how much time and energy is up to you.

Too bad you don't live in the US, I have a bunch of mid grade stuff I have never unloaded. Shipping would not make it worth your $$$. If you can find a small MTX amp, you'll enjoy it so much more than anything you'll find at Wal-Mart. As for the subs, it's up to you. It sound like cash is the concern over sound. Stay clear of Jensen, MA Audio, Power Acoustic, Profile, Boss etc... Suggestions for a sub that you may enjoy. Kenwood, Pioneer, DEI, Sony, Infinity and Polk. Most of these you can have relatively low power to push them. My first set of subs were 2 Infinity Refrence 10's on a MTX 502 amp. $90 subs(new), $45 amp(used) american $ of course.

I would highly suggest that you look to buy used. It's the best way to get into the hobby. Save a few bucks and if you destroy anything, it will be a lot cheaper. Find a website to research prices and buy used *around half that price. Or, find a large chain electronics store, Best Buy or Circuit City and look for discontinued or returned items to save $.

We're going to have to move this to email before the entire board is taken over.

Regards,
Michael
TeamAMP #256
www.teamamp.com
car audio for audiophiles

 

Ok, check your email eh.
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide 2wd
HD 300-6 9.5:1 CR
Clifford 270H cam
Hedman Hedder
SBC valved 66 240 head
NP435(6.69 low)
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9"
31x10.50/15 Cooper Discoverer LT's

 

Michael, I'd appreciate some help from you or any of the other knowlegable people on this board. I just bought a 98
Ford E-150 van with a factory AM/FM cassette. The factory unit does have CD controls but the Van has no CD changer. Can I hook up the SONY 10 CD changer from my old van to the Ford factory head? Do I need a conversion harness? Are they available? Where can I get one?

Thanks in advance.

wmcnally

 

wmcnally,

In your case to get a CD changer, you'll need an FM modulated changer. What this does is sends the music from the changer to your head unit through an FM radio station that you designate. No wires to connect to the head unit. Although, you'll need power, ground and a remote wired to the CD changer. It's not hard at all to do. As for your Sony changer, I'm not sure they make a FM modulated??? Don't hold me to that, send me your model number.

I have only found a few places that you can purchase from without any problems AND save money. Email me and I'll give you those that I deal with. You can always use the popular and expensive www.crutchfield.com or www.sounddomain.com. If you need more help, just ask.

Michael
TeamAMP #256
www.teamamp.com
car audio for audiophiles

 

Michael,

Thanks for your response. The Sony changer I have was originally set up in my old truck through the FM radio. The sound was NOT CD quality so I went out and bought the Sony head to match. When it was wired to the Sony head the sound quality was excellent! I guess I'll shop around for a 6 CD changer that's compatible with my Ford radio or maybe check out that MP3 player, I read about on this board, that fits into the Ford dashboard.