Ford Explorer 2002 XLT and amp location?

Hi Guys,

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT.  I did not do any sound upgrade options....so the standard factory cd/cassette combo is what I appear to have.  It looks alot like the model dm100i that I found on some websites who sell OEM stereos.

I would like to get some better sound in vehicle by starting with one of the following :  1.  replace head unit 2. try to intercept existing head unit and route to new 4ch amp.  3.  replace speakers with component so tweeter is up near ear-level on door sail panel.

I am having trouble finding out and where amp is located (if this vehicle has a separate Ford amplifier that the Ford head unit gets routed thru).

If a new head unit is recommended...I would hate to have its signal be passed thru any separate Ford amp (if exists).....so can I bypass.

Any help appreciated,
Thx,
Jon

Hey Jon... I emailed you dierectly about this, what do you think ?

Thanks for your response Jeff,

I really appreciate the help......I followed up with this:

What you can do is take the OEM deck out and use a battery ( C or D cell ) and attach a wire on each side of the battery and test the pair of target wires and see if they scratch when you tap the ends of the wires from the battery. This will temporarily give the speakers power and the tapping will make a scratching sound when toy touch the two wires together. If you have a OEM amp then the two target wires for the speakers will not make any sound. If the speakers do make a sound then you have no OEM amp.

Hi Jeff,

Once again you've helped me out.....I didn't see you reply right away or I would have thanked you right away.

I will give this a shot and see what happens...

Thanks again,

Jon

Hi Guys,

I finally got a chance to pull out my XLT stock radio and found that I do

NOT have any amp.

I was able to hook the new pioneer receiver directly up and it sounds GREAT....it makes me not so ready to worry about replacing factory speakers at this time.

I may still throw in a sub and leave thedeck powering the front/rear speakers.

Anyone know where good place to get thru firewall is on the 2002 explorer??

Thx,

JK

Hey JK,

I had a '94 XLT Explorer with a separate OEM amp.  That car was totalled and I just got a '99 XLT Explorer.  To my surprise, there was no OEM amp in the new vehicle.  I took a small flashlight and looked through the rear right-side seat belt opening in the plastic molding.  I saw the wires, but no amp.  Apparently Ford prewires all vehicles for an amp to make it easier to do a premium stereo upgrade.

As far as the firewall is concerned, there should be a few oversized rubber grommets that existing wires come through (on the driver's side).  I drilled a hole through one of the grommets and got a 4 and 8 gauge wire through.  There should be plenty of room, but be careful not to slice any existing wires in the process.  Good luck.

Thanks for the info.....I will check it out and see if I can view any wires thru the seat belt area.  That would be nice if I could tap into some pre-existing power.

Thx,

Jon