Amp Pro install

[GladiatorGuy96]

Hey guys I’m new to the forum but I’m doing a full stereo system install tomorrow Rockford 6.5” components front and back, subwoofer, 5 channel amp, the works. I’m running into 1 roadblock before i dive into it. I’m wanting to use the factory speaker wire option to power my speakers. The kicker is the amp pro harness has 8 wires (4 speakers) to send power to but my JT has a 8 speaker system. Can anyone explain to me how this will work? I’ll be going to a 4 channel system with crossovers branching off to feed the 6.5 and tweeter.

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[AzRob]

Sorry this is long but........

First question is....Have you ever done this kind of thing before?

Because if not, first I would recommend finding out if this new equipment you purchased will even work with your existing jeep stereo before you start..
If you are unsure about anything i say below you might want to think about taking your stuff to a professional, specific car stereo shop to install. Yes they charge decent money because it’s not as easy as some people might think.

Here’s why there could be problems to consider before you start.......

First problem... using the factory wiring is probably not going to happen. Why, because in your stock factory radio is probably sending the signal, powered, directly to the speakers. What you want to do is send the signal... to the amp, then the amp takes that signal out to the speakers. So my best guess is unless you have figured a way to mount the amp up near the radio, being able to use the factory wires can’t happen. Another major concern is that the factory wires are way to thin for the output the amp will be putting out and could potentially melt the wires if too much current is pushed thru them.

Have you checked how the amp takes the signal in? There should be inputs and outputs on the amp. The outputs are where you would connect the speaker wire out to your five speakers. The problem will be the inputs. Many amps are RCA inputs only, meaning your factory radio would have to have a specific RCA output and you would have to run an RCA cable to wherever you decided to install the amp. Does the factory radio have a dedicated RCA signal output... i haven’t checked but I’m guessing not because most factory radios don’t . Those outputs come on aftermarket radios like Alpine, Kenwood or Pioneer.

Some amps have a different way to input the signal called “line level inputs” which translates to you needing to run speaker wire from your radio, to the amp as the sound signal into the amp, then the output from the amp using different speaker wire out to your new speakers. If the amp has 2 sets line level inputs, you could wire it to have front to back fader or side to side balance.... but you won’t have both. Important note, line level inputs are “low-fi” meaning you will not get cd quality sound no mater how good the equipment is using this as your signal to the amp.

Next have you ever installed an amp? You will probably need between a 6 gauge and 10 gauge wire with in line fuse depending on the power output on the amp. You will need to get the correct thickness of wire... this is VERY important. If the wire is too thin for the amp it could melt and short the wire.... at worst, start a fire. This wire needs to be directly connected to the battery and this thick cable would have be run from the battery, thru the firewall, then the dash, and again thru the vehicle to where the amp will be mounted. By the way have you given any thought to where is the amp mounted? I ask because they get REALLY hot and can melt plastic and burn fabrics.. many times amps are mounted to metal or a panel with heat shield away from flammable materials. Also you will need to find or probably make a clean ground for the amp grinding away paint to clean bare metal. This wire should be near the same thickness of the positive wire to the battery. And remember, run your power wire down one side of the car and speaker wire down the other because if the power wire is near or touching any of the speaker wires you can possibly get an electrical feedback sound humming out your speakers.

To try to at least help with your question, how is the crossover wired? Im going to guess without seeing or knowing what the equipment is, that the speaker wire will go from the amp out to the crossover then separate wires from the crossover out to the 6.5 and another separate wire out to the tweeter. But this is just a guess because lots of different systems and crossovers. You didn’t mention a specific crossover dedicated for your subwoofer. You will need one if not one built into the amp.
I’m not even going to address other things about your subwoofer like the box, impedance, series vs parallel wiring, because that could be a whole separate discussion.
Im not trying to scare you but if you are not familiar with all the things that are involved with installation you can damage your car, your factory radio, this new equipment, or even start a fire.

Hope this helps you with your installation.

 

[GladiatorGuy96]

Sorry this is long but........

First question is....Have you ever done this kind of thing before?

Because if not, first I would recommend finding out if this new equipment you purchased will even work with your existing jeep stereo before you start..
If you are unsure about anything i say below you might want to think about taking your stuff to a professional, specific car stereo shop to install. Yes they charge decent money because it’s not as easy as some people might think.

Here’s why there could be problems to consider before you start.......

First problem... using the factory wiring is probably not going to happen. Why, because in your stock factory radio is probably sending the signal, powered, directly to the speakers. What you want to do is send the signal... to the amp, then the amp takes that signal out to the speakers. So my best guess is unless you have figured a way to mount the amp up near the radio, being able to use the factory wires can’t happen. Another major concern is that the factory wires are way to thin for the output the amp will be putting out and could potentially melt the wires if too much current is pushed thru them.

Have you checked how the amp takes the signal in? There should be inputs and outputs on the amp. The outputs are where you would connect the speaker wire out to your five speakers. The problem will be the inputs. Many amps are RCA inputs only, meaning your factory radio would have to have a specific RCA output and you would have to run an RCA cable to wherever you decided to install the amp. Does the factory radio have a dedicated RCA signal output... i haven’t checked but I’m guessing not because most factory radios don’t . Those outputs come on aftermarket radios like Alpine, Kenwood or Pioneer.

Some amps have a different way to input the signal called “line level inputs” which translates to you needing to run speaker wire from your radio, to the amp as the sound signal into the amp, then the output from the amp using different speaker wire out to your new speakers. If the amp has 2 sets line level inputs, you could wire it to have front to back fader or side to side balance.... but you won’t have both. Important note, line level inputs are “low-fi” meaning you will not get cd quality sound no mater how good the equipment is using this as your signal to the amp.

Next have you ever installed an amp? You will probably need between a 6 gauge and 10 gauge wire with in line fuse depending on the power output on the amp. You will need to get the correct thickness of wire... this is VERY important. If the wire is too thin for the amp it could melt and short the wire.... at worst, start a fire. This wire needs to be directly connected to the battery and this thick cable would have be run from the battery, thru the firewall, then the dash, and again thru the vehicle to where the amp will be mounted. By the way have you given any thought to where is the amp mounted? I ask because they get REALLY hot and can melt plastic and burn fabrics.. many times amps are mounted to metal or a panel with heat shield away from flammable materials. Also you will need to find or probably make a clean ground for the amp grinding away paint to clean bare metal. This wire should be near the same thickness of the positive wire to the battery. And remember, run your power wire down one side of the car and speaker wire down the other because if the power wire is near or touching any of the speaker wires you can possibly get an electrical feedback sound humming out your speakers.

To try to at least help with your question, how is the crossover wired? Im going to guess without seeing or knowing what the equipment is, that the speaker wire will go from the amp out to the crossover then separate wires from the crossover out to the 6.5 and another separate wire out to the tweeter. But this is just a guess because lots of different systems and crossovers. You didn’t mention a specific crossover dedicated for your subwoofer. You will need one if not one built into the amp.
I’m not even going to address other things about your subwoofer like the box, impedance, series vs parallel wiring, because that could be a whole separate discussion.
Im not trying to scare you but if you are not familiar with all the things that are involved with installation you can damage your car, your factory radio, this new equipment, or even start a fire.

Hope this helps you with your installation.

Yes I actually do boat audio installations as a side business. I’ve done about 10 car audio installs and am very knowledgeable on the aftermarket installs. The oem integration is a little tricky with vague instructions. Maybe I’ll just call the company that makes the harness. Thanks for the information.

 

[Armyman247]

Yes I actually do boat audio installations as a side business. I’ve done about 10 car audio installs and am very knowledgeable on the aftermarket installs. The oem integration is a little tricky with vague instructions. Maybe I’ll just call the company that makes the harness. Thanks for the information.

i just had a shop do a full install to include the JL audio stealthbox.. they used the kenwood P-XR600-6DSP amp package to totally intergrate with the stock system.. no wire cutting or splicing

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