Installing Amp
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
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From: Central Florida
Not really. However if you're not in SQ competition, then Line Out converters (LOCs) will take the stock speaker level outputs down to RCA. You can get a pair of them for under $75 and have all four channels, most LOCs are two channel so you will need two of them for the four channels. I would also recommend some kind of EQ or processor, run the four channels to it and then use the front/rear full range output for the front/rear speaker channels on the amp, and the Sub/Sum channel for the Sub amp. Set the amps to full pass and use the EQ/processor to tune it all.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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I have been trying to decide on the LOC or new HU. The LOC's at Best Buy are $25 a piece. I am trying to do this on a budget. I have been looking at the double din HU's, many choices there. I was told that there was an adapter that plugged in line with the factory harness which didn't require cutting the speaker wires. My intention is to amplify the front, rear, and sub seperately. I was considering a new head unit and then build from there. I have two Rockford amps as of right now. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you for the replies. I would consider used pieces if they come from FTE members. I thought I saw a Kenwood deck on here a couple of weeks ago??
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 616
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From: Farms of Duplin County
I have been trying to decide on the LOC or new HU. The LOC's at Best Buy are $25 a piece. I am trying to do this on a budget. I have been looking at the double din HU's, many choices there. I was told that there was an adapter that plugged in line with the factory harness which didn't require cutting the speaker wires. My intention is to amplify the front, rear, and sub seperately. I was considering a new head unit and then build from there. I have two Rockford amps as of right now. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you for the replies. I would consider used pieces if they come from FTE members. I thought I saw a Kenwood deck on here a couple of weeks ago??
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
It's how I did my truck. I have for now a LOC going to the stock 6disc HU, then to a Symetry processor into my sub amp. When the money is available, I plan on adding one more LOC for the front channel, so I have the four channels from the headunit going into the processor. From the processor, I'll split out front/rear to an amp and the sub channels to an amp just for the sub.
I built a harness to make the LOC plug and play, it's pretty simple. Get the 70-xxxx and the 71-xxxx harness from metra. Pull the channel pairs on the radio harness into an LOC and connect the rest to the vehicle harness. Plug this into the truck and then the radio and you have RCAs without cutting the OE wires.
I built a harness to make the LOC plug and play, it's pretty simple. Get the 70-xxxx and the 71-xxxx harness from metra. Pull the channel pairs on the radio harness into an LOC and connect the rest to the vehicle harness. Plug this into the truck and then the radio and you have RCAs without cutting the OE wires.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Farms of Duplin County
That's an impressive work around, something I would have done 20+ years ago but with the options and cost nowadays I still recommend a new HU for the non-audiophile do-it yourself types. A $10 harness kit that is plug and play and your in business with the inexpensive HU of your choice without cutting wires either. Under $200 gets you a HU with 3 pre-outs, USB, bluetooth, sirius or xm ready etc. Then when $$$ become available you can add improved speakers, amps, etc.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
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From: Central Florida
Styling was always my issue. Marine headunits are "cleanest" looking to me, the aftermarket industry isn't geared towards me, so I make do with the decent looking OE until the industry comes around to my way. Options are one thing, but if I'm not happy with the looks, I'm not completely happy.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Farms of Duplin County
Styling was always my issue. Marine headunits are "cleanest" looking to me, the aftermarket industry isn't geared towards me, so I make do with the decent looking OE until the industry comes around to my way. Options are one thing, but if I'm not happy with the looks, I'm not completely happy.
Last edited by Rugby3; Jan 1, 2010 at 08:25 PM. Reason: Spelling Edit
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