I replaced the factory radio on a Ford explorer. ( I think it's a 99 or '00.) I put in a kenwood unit and wired it staright to the amp. The car has an oem subwoofer that is always too loud even when you turn down the bass. The other problem is that the sound just doesn't sound that great. Maybe a different HU would solve things?
you should try using an amplifier integrator with varaible output controls that way you can tune your aftermarket deck to your factory system. The orginal radio sends a low level signal to the factory amp. The aftermarket radio sends an amplified signal to the factory amp, and this is why you are getting loud bass and poor sound quality. Best Buy sells the variable output control module (PSI2) for $40.
If the Explorer has 4 speaks (I forget the layout of the recent models) then I would just wire around the factory amp. If you send the HU straight to your speaks it'll sound fine.
What the heck does oem stand for anyways? I've heard the phrase oem aftermarket rims and now an oem subwoofer?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. That means that a manufacturer makes parts (rims, stereos, wiring harnesses, you choose) intended to fit in a certain product (as a car), but it does not mean that the factory that makes that product (car) uses the mentioned parts to build it as Original Equipment (OE).
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D148L0
Does your Ford Explorer have the factory "Premium" audio system? If so, it has factory amps external to the head units and you are now sending the high level signal from your new HU to the factory amps, and probably over driving them creating distortion. If you have foacotry amps you need to bypass them. There are special wiring adapters made for this job.
An easy way to see if you have factory amps in the line (if you don't know) is to use an ohm meter and take a continuity reading from a HU speaker wire to the same (+ or -) wire on the back of the speaker. You should get a low reading like less than one ohm. If not, there is some other factory equipment in the line (or a very bad factory wiring harness.)
You will probably not be able to use the factory amps to drive the factory sub properly unless you locate the factory sub amp and create the proper wiring harness from your HU to the sub amp. It is much easier to use an after market amp to drive the sub. This will also give you level control for the sub. A low powered amp in the 75 watt range is usually perfect for this job.
If you do not have factory amps, them maybe the reason it sounds "not that great" is the factory speakers are just blown or being driven into distortion by the much higher power output from your new HU.
If all else fails, take it to a god shop and get some help!
Best of luck.
I meant, my pleasure, luxuryrules... sorry man, my mind was somewhere else....
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D148L0
u do have 1 amp for the sub only on your 99 and 2000 explorer
and u can use a ad-a-head adaptor to sole your problem
Wish they had one of those God shops near me. That would be great!
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mattwho?
As far as I know, If your Explorer / Mountaineer has the factory sub or has a power antenna, then it is an amplified system. The PSI2 from Best Buy will solve your problem as stated before. Good luck.
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I went out and bought one. i'll give it a try and let you know. Thanks.
For some reason the interface didn't work. i just disconnected the Sub and the system sounds great. Thanks for your help.
