SUBS!

[Gnat5680]

im looking at getting a sub to fit in the back of my xj. i don't want to tak up to much space so i was thinking about a truck box with a 10" sub but i can settle for some thing else. here's what im trying to say without all the long drawn out specch. i need a sub and amp for under $300. if possible one that won't draw much attention from peopl that look inside. i will go for most brand but i will not get a sub from target (sadly they do sell them there. but by all means they don't sell headlights) i have a dual deck. i am not sure of the model i know it folds down. i can get the model name and # on request. if you can help that would be great.

[Gnat5680]

also, i have seen the sub that some one on here has that is consealed in his spare mount. i don't want that. as genius as that is it just not som thing i want to get into.

[Ben H]

I just got an 8'' sub tubed with internal 200watt amp. Sounds better than it did without it, especially without doors doing 70mph. I got it from a seller on ebAy for $50 with shipping. But it all depends on how loud you want?

[raypla]

I'm installing a 10" Infinity perfect sub accross from the spare, in the useless space called "cubby hole", with about 350w rms going to it per this write up, http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97186. NIce and concealed, tight sealed enclosure, about 1 cu ft or less.

[98XJSport]

I got a wal-mart 12" sub box, mounted my sub in that and attached the amp to the back of the box. Ran all the wiring from amp to sub as short as possible. Ran the power wires using all quick disconnects. Total package is around 14"-16" wide give or take, removes in a min or 2. Got it sitting next to the spare pushed back against the seat. Unobtrusive, but nice when ya want to open the rear hatch and play some tunes.

[creeperjeep]

I built a fiberglass box to fit a 10 in the cubby hole, worked alright, but i suck at carpentry so it leaked.
other than the leak it was cool and no space lost

[lazarus]

I have a 10" kicker l7 running off of a zr1000, wasnt to worried about space since the rack on top. also used it to carry/conceal second battery and oba as well as a few other little things. pm me if you want some pics!

[Gnat5680]

98XJsport: how much did it run you for that set-up? that seems like something i could afford.

if you have any pictures that would help

[KY-XJ]

I have a 10" DVC Bazooka and Sony 200w (RMS) amp that I am giong to mount under the passenger seat. I got a steal on ebay...$150 shipped and both units new in box!

I had an 8" 50w amplified Bazooka in my 96 XJ with 5.25 components in the doors and sounded quite good for an 8 and no crossover.

The 8 didn't take up all that much room. Plus you can put stuff on top of it, in front or wherever and not worry about damaging the sub and/or amp.

[Gnat5680]

what about the sealed boxes? would those be worth it? i mean you can put stuff on and right up to it and won't damage it.

[KY-XJ]

If the sub is facing the rear seat or if facing the rear, you could put a grille over the sub to protect it. Doesn't matter if the box is sealed or ported, it's just the type of box.

[foxwar71]

i made mine fit so that the front of the box is flush with the rear sit and the depth of the box goes into the area where the seat angles. then i just put the amp in the middles. all in all, i only lost about 4 inches from the top of the rear seat into the trunk area. i can snap some pics for u tmm if ur interested.

[98XJSport]

I want to say 2years ago it was something like $35 for the box, then like $150 for a 400W and $25 for a 12" 525 Jensen Sub. But this was stuff on clearance, so really only the box price is matchable. Check around, lots of middle of the road stuff you can get and drop into these boxes. I will try for pics possibly tomorrow.

Keep in mind that our vehicles tend to have a lot of junk in them, going over some very agressive terrain, or plain stupid spots. Sucks to have expensive stereo equipment lost like that. I build mine cheap cause I had it in a wrangler, so even if I lost it all, I wasn't out that much.

Edit: Remember to try and keep all components the same brand, matching ohms gives the best performance.

[nhrocker]

I'm running two MA Audio 10" subs in a sealed box. The face is at the same angle as the back of the rear seat and it's the same height as my toolbox, so when it's covered I can push it right against the back of the seat and you can't even tell it's got subs in it. I've got them running off of an MA Audio monoblock subwoofer amp with the subs wired in parallel, and it says it's rated for 1600 watts max. I can't remember what the RMS is right now. It sounds great and has more power than I even use. I got the box, subs, and amp as a package deal for $300. Since I was reusing my old wiring I had that already and I sold my old set up for about $150, so I was only out about $150 out of pocket.

[goodburbon]

i made mine fit so that the front of the box is flush with the rear sit and the depth of the box goes into the area where the seat angles. then i just put the amp in the middles. all in all, i only lost about 4 inches from the top of the rear seat into the trunk area. i can snap some pics for u tmm if ur interested.

Eactly what I did, I have to tie mine down though, it tips over if I accelerate quickly.

[Gnat5680]

all great ideas. the other reson why i wanted a sealed box is for sound quality. it has a different sound that i like. another question. did you guys wire it yourself? i also don't want to pay $50 for beset buy to install it. they installed my friends sub and hooked the back speakers up to the sub and they blew within an hour. so if any one can find a write or has a write up on this that would be great!

Thanks for all the posts!

[KY-XJ]

Check this link out. It has alot of helpful information.

Crutchfield Advisor (http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-zDrVJGNz6Np/learningcenter/car/)

[Gnat5680]

THANK YOU!!!!!! THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR. I HAVE NOT HAD THAT MUCH INFORMATION BEFORE!!! I EVEN FOUND THE SUB I WILL BE BUYING. I WILL BE ORDERING IT WITH MY NEXT PAYCHECK. AGAIN......

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[herreraxto]

THANK YOU!!!!!! THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR. I HAVE NOT HAD THAT MUCH INFORMATION BEFORE!!! I EVEN FOUND THE SUB I WILL BE BUYING. I WILL BE ORDERING IT WITH MY NEXT PAYCHECK. AGAIN......

THANK YOU!!!!!!!



First of all you need to ask to the experts http://www.caraudio.com/forum/

[KY-XJ]

THANK YOU!!!!!! THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR. I HAVE NOT HAD THAT MUCH INFORMATION BEFORE!!! I EVEN FOUND THE SUB I WILL BE BUYING. I WILL BE ORDERING IT WITH MY NEXT PAYCHECK. AGAIN......

THANK YOU!!!!!!!


Anytime! :wave1:

[Gnat5680]

i decided to order them last night. heres what i got. a good deal for the money in my opinion.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-i5jAhJWCfFh/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=208250&I=700VBPXT

now all i need is the wiring, which i already have the sub power cable, thanks to a friend of mine.


while i am talking about my friend i might just throw this in there. the reson why i have his cables is his car started on fire because he wiried the power through the hood hindge and into the door. the insulation rubbed off and touched the hood whitch caued a short and then a fire. thankfully some one was near by and threw some snow on it (i still don't get how putting snow on a short put out an electrical fire) and then he called the fire dept. anyways long story short he gave me the good part of the wires.

oh and the A piliar and part of the door are completely torched.


(http://www.crutchfield.com/S-39db0CGUTXs/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=208250&id=morephotos&i=700VBPXT&pi=11&display=L#Tab)

[Gnat5680]

also i will need help from somebody on how to installed this amp. i have the dual deck with the fold out front. what will i need? there is a spot for "high input" what is that for? othere wise i can figure out the rest.

[Gnat5680]

i will also need to know what gauge speaker wire to use. i just ran the power cable i got and it is a perfect fit. the only problem i have is that at the end of the power cable it goes through a reduction. it goes from a thick wire to two thiner wires. i have maybe $10 left to get this done. i will have the sub in a few days. i have enough power cable to go to the back seat and then it splits to the thin wires. what else do i need? i think i will ned a ground cable and the sending cables and the speaker wire. if you can think of anything else let me know.

[KY-XJ]

also i will need help from somebody on how to installed this amp. i have the dual deck with the fold out front. what will i need? there is a spot for "high input" what is that for? othere wise i can figure out the rest.

You should have at least one set of RCA Pre-Outs on your deck. This is where you plug in your RCA patch cables. You will need to run a Turn-on Lead from your deck to your amp, usually a blue wire. I would use a 16ga. wire for this. If you have your instructions for your deck it will tell you what is what. It may also be labeled on your wiring harness.

[KY-XJ]

i will also need to know what gauge speaker wire to use. i just ran the power cable i got and it is a perfect fit. the only problem i have is that at the end of the power cable it goes through a reduction. it goes from a thick wire to two thiner wires. i have maybe $10 left to get this done. i will have the sub in a few days. i have enough power cable to go to the back seat and then it splits to the thin wires. what else do i need? i think i will ned a ground cable and the sending cables and the speaker wire. if you can think of anything else let me know.
I would use 14ga. speaker wire, minimum 16ga. What gauge is your power wire? I would use a min. of 8ga. from battery to amp with a 60 amp fuse in between. You can get a connector to attach to the power wire to connect it directly to the amp. As for ground, I would use 8ga. with a minimum of 10ga. The ground wire needs to be as short as possible and connected bare metal, prefferably the chassis.

The two thinner wires are coming out of a distribution block. It allows for you to hook up on larger gauge wire and split it into two smaller wires so you can hook up two amps. Like stated above, I would run your power wire straight to the amp if it's 8ga., but if it's 4ga. or bigger then I would use the distribution block (step down) the wire gauge to 8 ga.

[Gnat5680]

i just got back from wal mart and picked up there wireing kit for 26 bucks. it cam with the power cable(8 ga.) ground cable(8 ga.) a turn on cable(who knows the ga.) and the RCA cables. it came with a rca cable with stereo cables (2 cables) i have one RCA input and right next to it i have the RCA output. i belive that is the preamp out. what do i do about that? also is there a special RCA connector in the back of my deck?

[Gnat5680]

i just looked at my manual and found the RCA outs. the problem is that the RCA goes to the following:

Rear preamp out
Front preamp out
Aux input(already being used)
XM Audio input

i only have one input for amp. where do i plug the amp in?

if needed i can take a pic of the diagram

[Gnat5680]

i have an idea. i could hook the sub amp up to the rear speaker preamp outputs and then that should solve the problem of where to hook it up. i will be takeing the dash apart and hooking up the wires tomorrow and will have more info then but if i don't get any other reponses tonight i will just hook it up to the rear speaker preamp output. so somebody post and let me know if i should or shuold not do that

[KY-XJ]

i have an idea. i could hook the sub amp up to the rear speaker preamp outputs and then that should solve the problem of where to hook it up. i will be takeing the dash apart and hooking up the wires tomorrow and will have more info then but if i don't get any other reponses tonight i will just hook it up to the rear speaker preamp output. so somebody post and let me know if i should or shuold not do that

I would use the rear outputs. You can then use the front if/when you decide to add an amp to your other speakers.

[creeperjeep]

rear preamp from the deck to the amp, make sure the fuse is close to the battery

[Gnat5680]

thank you for the quick response. are you positive that i can hook up my mono bass amp to the rear outs? will it cut out my rear speakers?(not that it matters, they are both blown)

[Gnat5680]

can i put a connector at the end of the cable an hook the 2 RCA's together? just like a sterio to mono connector?

[XJCasper]

I have a sub build into my spare space in the back. I need to uninstall it and sell before I start drilling my shelf into the face. I will probably head out next week to find a replacement panel.

As much space as I originally wanted to use, is not sufficient for the sound I want. I now have a 12" Kappa installed into a Prefab enclosure.

Jason

[goodburbon]

can i put a connector at the end of the cable an hook the 2 RCA's together? just like a sterio to mono connector?

No, don't do that.



http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2006/028/h028V108XT-L.jpeg

This amp is apparently designed for you to have one amp on each channel if it is wired as it is labeled.

[jsk2052]

Hey i just got a JL 12" and a jensen amp, I searched for how to take the dash apart but didnt find anything. Could someone link me to a write-up or maybe just explain if it isnt that difficult. thanks.

[Gnat5680]

How do i wire it up than???


to take apar the dash is somewhat tricky but because i have done it about 5 time already i will be glad to help.

what i like to do first is take off the shell around the steering colum. that is connected with 3 T20 torx bolts. then once you have thoses out remove the tilt ajustment by unscrewing it, then carefully separate the box and try not to break the little clips in the back. after you have the shell off then look into the gauge cluster. at the top there should be 2 phillips screws. remove thoese. after that there is one more screw. on the right there is that "fake" light gauge. under that is the ciggarete lighter. there should be a screw on the top of one of thoses.


after you take those screws out you may start CAREFULLY pulling the dash forwards. it will take alot of pulling power. it is mostly held in there with little clips but be gentle as it is only plastic. once you have it mostly taken apart you will notive that the area where the gauges were is stuck behind the steering colum. for that i just am very carefull and try to pull as hard and gentle as possible. that piece is the hardest to get out. DO NOT JERK IT OUT!!! just gently pull and wigle.

after yo uhave that out you are free to do what ever you like. to reinstall repeat the steps backwards.

like i have said before. BE CAREFULL!!!!!!! it is only plastic and it can break.

[Gnat5680]

No, don't do that.



http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2006/028/h028V108XT-L.jpeg

This amp is apparently designed for you to have one amp on each channel if it is wired as it is labeled.

if I tie the two channels together then i would have a mono input like i need. this is only going to be hooked up to a single 10" sub so i don't need dual channels

[jsk2052]

Thanks a lot man, hopefully all goes well.

[Gnat5680]

no problem just post up here if you have trouble and i will post back as soon as i can.

i have taken my dash fully apart like i said about 5 times now. i will be taking it apart later today. it is just starting to become secound nature to me.

if anyone has an answer to how i should hook up my amp that would help alot! i am about to leave to go over to my "shop"(really my dad's garage) and work on it. so i need any answer within an hour.

[herreraxto]

heres a link on how to install them


http://www.caraudiohelp.com/how_to_install_a_car_amp/how_to_install_a_car_amp.htm

[Gnat5680]

heres a link on how to install them


http://www.caraudiohelp.com/how_to_install_a_car_amp/how_to_install_a_car_amp.htm
not to much help there. what i need to know is how to hook up my RCA cables. i have ,as said before, a rear preamp out put and a front preamp output. i need to know where to plug the RCA cables in to run them back to the amp. the amp only has 1 low input. i have 2 outputs. what can i do in this situation?

[goodburbon]

Pick a channel on the rear RCA output and hook it up. you'll only have one side of bass, but it's better than nothing.

If I am installing only one sub I usually get a 2 channel amp and bridge it to run mono. Decks aren't designed to be bridged. So I think you may be SOL, next time pay closer attention to what you're buying.

[Gnat5680]

thank you!

i dont care about having two channel bass. i will be putting together a costom system in the future and will definetaly get the 2 channel amp. but for now this is better than nothing. i have blown 3 rear speakers and decided that it was time to get a sub.

thankfull my $150 Alpine fronts have not blown.

the best part about the Alpines is that i only paid 47 bucks!! i guess it helps to have someone that works at Best buy.

[Gnat5680]

i got the wires installed and every thing is fine. so i dont need any more help.

Thank you all for your help

[Gnat5680]

Last Request: If you don't have an all in one system, where did you mount you amp? i was thinking about mounting it on the back of the enclosure. but i also was thinking about puting it on the side of the wheel well. what did you do?

[KY-XJ]

Last Request: If you don't have an all in one system, where did you mount you amp? i was thinking about mounting it on the back of the enclosure. but i also was thinking about puting it on the side of the wheel well. what did you do?

You could mount it under the rear seat (if it will fit) and hook up a computer case fan to keep the air circulating around it. To power it, hook it up to the remote turn on lead (blue wire). It will get enough power to work and will come on and off with your deck.

[goodburbon]

I have mounted them on the back of the rear seat, and on the enclosure. The best way so far was on the enclosure, and wiring the power, ground, and on switch through a twist lock plug, this makes removal easy for when you need to load the back up with gear or luggage, or when you will be parking in questionable area.

[Beej]

Gnat, I might have misinterpreted your question about the combining of the two rca outputs on your stereo into a single rca input on your amp, but:

If you have one input on your amp, then its a mono amplifier (or single-channel amplifier) designed to supply a signal to a single output channel, for example, your single subwoofer.

If there are two rca outputs on the back of the stereo deck, then the deck is designed to be able to run either a stereo amplifier (ie two-channel amplifier) or two single-channel amplifiers. There is nothing wrong with bridging the two stereo RCA outputs together into a single rca cable to connect to your mono-channel amplifier. You can use a two-female to single-male adapter. This will not damage your stereo or your amplifier. RCA cables only carry a cold signal, there is no "heat" to the signal like there is in speaker wires. You can't bridge speaker wires together into a mono signal the same way.

Hopefully this makes sense...

[XJCasper]

Mounted my amps under the rear seat. Just have to make sure the amps you pick out are the correct dimentions.

I have a 4 channel Zapco and a mono Memphis Audio amp.

Jason

[Gnat5680]

Gnat, I might have misinterpreted your question about the combining of the two rca outputs on your stereo into a single rca input on your amp, but:

If you have one input on your amp, then its a mono amplifier (or single-channel amplifier) designed to supply a signal to a single output channel, for example, your single subwoofer.

If there are two rca outputs on the back of the stereo deck, then the deck is designed to be able to run either a stereo amplifier (ie two-channel amplifier) or two single-channel amplifiers. There is nothing wrong with bridging the two stereo RCA outputs together into a single rca cable to connect to your mono-channel amplifier. You can use a two-female to single-male adapter. This will not damage your stereo or your amplifier. RCA cables only carry a cold signal, there is no "heat" to the signal like there is in speaker wires. You can't bridge speaker wires together into a mono signal the same way.

Hopefully this makes sense...

ok i was thinking it would not hurt it but was not sure. i was looking for a way to get rid of my 100's of adapters i have for audio equipment. i will hook those together later. i will be posting a write up for this in the near future. i got it all hooked up today and it works like a dream. i just have to go back behide the deck to hook up the i-pod cable that came disconnected.

Thank You Everybody!
i can't tell you how much you helped me!

[isenegger]

here is mine

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/isenegger/000_0189.jpg