Audio Questions (Mod Thread)

[Pathfinder3.5]

*Scroll down for my Powered Subwoofer install!*

I've come to the realization that the stock Bose headunit in my '02 is just absolute garbage. The RDS is terrible, It maxxes out at 31 (wtf) and the bass is nearly non existent.

I can get a stellar deal on some Audio equipment thorough my work and am seriously thinking about getting a system installed. As of now it's going to be just a headunit and a Sub setup. Speakers will come at a different time.

I need to know what Adapter I need to use the stock Bose speakers with an aftermarket Audio system. I know it's a PAC adapter but not sure which one. I also am going to need my steering wheel controls to work. Not sure which PAC adapter that is. If anyone has this information please reply!

Thanks!

[Towncivilian]

When I had my Bose system, I was using this line output converter:





I'm not sure which PAC adapter you'll need to retain steering wheel audio controls. Plug your Pathfinder into Cructhfield and it should give you options.

[fueler]

The best is to bypass the bose amps and replace the speakers. I used a LOC for a bit before I decided to rip all the bose stuff out.... the LOC is like a band-aid

[Pathfinder3.5]

Change of plans. Won't be changing the headunit unfortunately. Don't really want earth shattering bass anyways.

I'm going to pick up a pre-amplified MTX RT8PT. From what ive heard, it's one of the best plug and play subs you can buy. They arent too expensive either.

If anyone who has run a similar setup before can give me information on what I exactly need, it would be greatly appreciated! As of now I am aware that I will be needing that Scoshe line output converter.

[Towncivilian]

I don't think you'd need to do anything other than tap into the rear speaker wiring in the driver side cargo trim to hook up to the sub's unamplified inputs, and obviously supply power and ground to the sub.

[Pathfinder3.5]

I don't think you'd need to do anything other than tap into the rear speaker wiring in the driver side cargo trim to hook up to the sub's unamplified inputs, and obviously supply power and ground to the sub.

Can you or someone else confirm what wires in the rear I need to tap into? I know they're colour coded, just not sure which ones.

[Pathfinder3.5]

I know i know...not top quality but I trust the reviews on this site. Seems to be the best bang for the buck. The MTX I was looking at is about $40 more. Might aswell keep this within my budget.

Going to go ahead and order this and a Scosche Line output converter. Hopefully someone can give me some insight on which wires Im splicing into by the time it gets here!

Super excited since this is my first Audio adjustment to the Pathy. I know its not much, im not looking for much, but its a start!

Hats off to Crutchfield for having a US and Canadian site!

http://www.crutchfield.ca/sound_ordnanc ... 777b8p.htm

[Towncivilian]

If you're retaining the stock Bose head unit and speakers, you don't need a line output converter. I will look at the FSM when I get home to tell you the correct wires to tap into for input for a subwoofer.

[Pathfinder3.5]

If you're retaining the stock Bose head unit and speakers, you don't need a line output converter. I will look at the FSM when I get home to tell you the correct wires to tap into for input for a subwoofer.

Yeah just finished doing a litte research. Seems all I gotta do is splice the correct cables and hook em right into the sub. Very easy!

[Towncivilian]

See page EL-192. Looks like you'll need to tap into either the light green and purple wires, or the pink and blue wires. The rear Bose amp is located in the trunk area behind the driver's side trim cover. Be careful not to break any clips during removal. You'll want to run a wire of appropriate gauge from the battery to power the subwoofer. You can probably ground the subwoofer on some chassis ground, perhaps run a wire into the cargo trim area and bolt it onto something there.

[Pathfinder3.5]

See page EL-192. Looks like you'll need to tap into either the light green and purple wires, or the pink and blue wires. The rear Bose amp is located in the trunk area behind the driver's side trim cover. Be careful not to break any clips during removal. You'll want to run a wire of appropriate gauge from the battery to power the subwoofer. You can probably ground the subwoofer on some chassis ground, perhaps run a wire into the cargo trim area and bolt it onto something there.

What would this forum do without you! Ordered that Sound Ordnance sub. Should be here tomorrow or Monday!

On the diagram I guess I should be tapping into the:

RR SP RH (+) IN
RR SP RH (-) IN

and

RR SP LH (+) IN
RR SP LH (-) IN

I understand the colour coding of the first two (LG= Light Green & PU=Purple) but what does P and L mean on the last two?

[Towncivilian]

Pink and blue.

Your subwoofer is mono, why should you need to tap into four wires?

[Pathfinder3.5]

Pink and blue.

Your subwoofer is mono, why should you need to tap into four wires?

Just assuming since its got 4 inputs
http://images.craigslist.org/5G25Fb5Je3 ... ce1859.jpg

[Towncivilian]

I think you might be able to get by with just supplying one side of wiring - after all it is just one woofer. If for some reason you need both sides, it wouldn't be too difficult to tap into the other wires.

[Pathfinder3.5]

I think you might be able to get by with just supplying one side of wiring - after all it is just one woofer. If for some reason you need both sides, it wouldn't be too difficult to tap into the other wires.

Your the brains, Im the

Ill keep you guys posted on the install. Might aswell make a how-to since there isnt one for us guys who do not want a whole system

[Pathfinder3.5]

All installed and setup! Sounds absolutely perfect. Just the amount of bass I was looking for it's almost too much sometimes.

Had to be the easiest thing I've ever done to this thing.

Here is how to install a powered subwoofer in a Nissan Pathfinder with a BOSE headunit. *Note that I kept my stock headunit and everything that goes along with it. All I basically did was add a Sub.

Anyways, the sub I used is the Sound Ordnance B-8P. Very very nice unit. Build quality is definitely on par with the higher grade units. As is sound quality. This thing POUNDS. At $171 Shipped to my door in literally 24 hours, how could I go wrong. So far I have no regrets.

It has four white LED's built in that illuminate the inside of the box. They are controlled by a tiny little on/off switch.

I purchased a $29 8 Gauge wiring kit. Came with all the essentials for wiring an amp. Although i didnt use the RCA jacks, all the other cables that come in those Kits are definitely handy.

Wiring and routing the Mian Power cable was very easy. Just simply remove the two nuts holding the clutch plate cover on. This little doo hickey is located underhood on the driverside of the firewall right beside the brake booster. You cant miss it, there are two little bolts holding it on.

Anyways remove that, drill the appropriate sized hole and pass your power cable through there.

Routing the cables is very easy aswell. Remove the kickplates on the driverside front and rear doors. Make sure you lift up evenly so you dont break the clips. Route the cable underneith the carpet so they are out of sight.

Thats the easy part. Wiring the sub to the existing speaker wire is also easy, just a tad more difficult. Remove the driverside trunk trim. To do this lift odd the weatherstripping near the tailgate and rear driverside door. You will see where the trim piece is that you are removing. Be careful not to break that small little white tabs holding it on. It is a very large trim piece.

Once you have remove the trim, go ahead and unplug the main harness that goes into the Bose amplifier. The two wires you will be splicing into are the Light Blue and Pink wires.

Once you have tapped into those wires, route the two wires to where you will need them to be so that they can reach your sub, but still have a little bit of slack.

The remote turn on cable is very easy. Simply find the fuse for your rear wiper motor. It is located under that little coin holder underneith the dimmer switch. Give it a good yank and it will come out and expose the fuse panel underneath.

Adding the ground cable is also very easy. Underneath the cargo carpet there are a bunch of bolts. Remove whichever one is best for your situation and voila, you have a ground.

Sorry if this writeup is all over the place, not too good at this whole tutorial thing yet. I will post much better pictures tomorrow!

[Camelfilter]

Nice write up, thanks for sharing!

How do you secure the speaker box, or is it not bolted down?

[Pathfinder3.5]

Nice write up, thanks for sharing!

How do you secure the speaker box, or is it not bolted down?

I didn't even bother bolting or mounting it down. Its fairly heavy and the material they used makes it difficult for it to slide around

[ferrariowner123]

Nice write up, thanks for sharing!

How do you secure the speaker box, or is it not bolted down?

Those big sound ordnance boxes are very well built and VERY heavy, i have the 1.5cf for my Type R 10, and it sound great, and it stays in place, unless i go off roading, or do a little hooning, lol

Generally you don't need to bolt down boxes. I had a 10 inch kennwood in my families go fast boat. (Sweet little 21footer with a 7.0 liter in it) and even in really rough stuff and being mounted towards the front, it didn't move much.

[Pathfinder3.5]

Got some tint done today! My rear driverside cargo window was smashed in and the replacement was not tinted. Went to get just a single window dont and came out with all three done! Looks absolutely killer! First pic is with the sunroof shade closed, second is with it open. Definitely makes a big difference in the appearance of the tint.





Also, The owner of the tint shop happened to have possibly one of the cleanest QX4's I have ever seen!

[Pathy66]

I'm thinking about installing the same sub into my pathfinder, but I'd like to know if it can be easily removed for a temporary amount of time so that I can clear up cargo space when I need it? Thanks.