Any body good with intalling car stereos (non-240)

[Sayre]

I've put in lots of aftermarket radios, but I've never added anything to a stock system. Got a friend of mine with a little 8 in a band-pass and a punch 100 he wants to put in the back of his 02 or 03 Ford Explorer that came stock with the Mach sumthinorother system, and he asked me to help. I'm gonna have to run a power wire, but what else? What can I tie into for the remote wire? I'm assuming that the stock system has an amp in the back for the rear speakers.

I'd like to run it low level (RCA). Can I piggy back a hi- to low-level converter to the stock wiring for one of the rear speakers? I know there can't be any RCA's on the back of the stock radio (can they?)

I always buy older cars and rip all the stock **** out, so I know nothing about the setup for the newer systems. Just spent 2 days puttin my system in my new (old) 93 SE that it took me 40 min. to pull out my 91.

Told 'em 2 wks ago I'd help 'em put that **** in today. Procrastinator-is-me

[MaineExport]

1. A remote line can be created in any number of ways. The most practical and safest (in regard to not toasting your amps) is taking a line off the fuse box (one with an ignition switch) and putting a toggle switch inline. This way the amp can be turned on and off when you want. Most importantly, if you leave it in the OFF position when the vehicle is off... it prevents the power surge that can usually be associated with starting the car. If the stock stereo happens to have an amp for the stock speakers... then obviously you should use that line. But, you'll have to find a wiring diagram to work from.

2. If you opt to use a line adapter to convert to an RCA line... I don't think it's a good idea to piggy back with another line. First of all you will end up compromising the sound quality of both the RCA and high output lines. Secondly... you have then tied the sub in with one of your sets of speakers... which drastically limits your ability to tweak the sound. Use the rear speaker lines and get a line adapter that splits into 2 RCA out puts. Then... use a small amp to push the rear speakers. The results will be MUCH better quality sound, and leave you with the ability to keep the lines separate and controlled independently.

3. BTW... your usual routine of stripping out all the factory wiring and equipment is TOTALLY the right way to go. Once you start making accommodations for the stock equipment you compromise a lot of things. If you're going to upgrade a stereo... IMHO you should start from scratch. But, you've already figured that out on your own vehicles... now convince your buddy he should shell out the coin to do it on his Ford!

[Sayre]

Use the rear speaker lines and get a line adapter that splits into 2 RCA out puts. Then... use a small amp to push the rear speakers.

now convince your buddy he should shell out the coin to do it on his Ford!

I take it you mean 2 "sets" (left and right each) of RCA outs.

The person I'm doin' this for is not that discriminating and is totally happy with the stock set-up. He had the sub and amp leftover from a Civic he owned. I don't see him shelling out any dough, even though he could. It would make my job easier. The only stock piece of audio equipment in my car is a 2' piece of wire goin' to the passenger door. Haven't felt like pullin' the dash out yet just to run a wire.And ya don't have to spend a lot of money to have a good system. Even the cheaper radios, amps, and such run so much cleaner than when I started messin' with this stuff in the mid-80's (remember the early cd players....skip...skip...skip). Good wires and enclosures make a lot of difference.