Stereo Install, ’ 97 Ford Expedition

Hello eveybody in Cyberland. First time poster here.

I've got a 1997 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer with the Mach Audio System( aka Premium system.)  and a stock 6-disc cd changer in the center console that I'd like to keep. I wanted to bypass the stock amp and run two line convertors from my stock radio into a kenwood 4-channel amp and then run another set of rca's from the 4-channel amp's output to a seperate Kicker monoblock amp for my subwoofer. Anyone know how the SQ is with this approach.

If the SQ is really shotty then I would just cut my losses and get a new head unit and just disconnect my cd-changer...unless theres anyway of hooking up my existing cd changer to a new head unit.

Anyone have any thoughts on this pain-in-the-arse Mach Audio System?

Oh... and I'm assuming regaurdless of which install I go with that they would both end up disconnecting the stock subwoofer in the back panel. (Which I'm completely fine with.)

And one last question. Anybody have trouble installing new coaxle speakers and retain the trucks stock appearance.

what kind of sound are you looking to get out of a new system?

for speaker install you can get a 5X7 plate and put coaxs in them all behind the door panel.

the easiest solution new hu speakers amp sub you can get all the door speaker wires at factory amp in back rear quarter panel and run to new amp.

The better solution for you is to buy the Audio Control 6XS and find the factory amp. Next find the front and rear speaker leads coming from it or find the front and rear preamp lines from the factory head unit to the factory amp. Once these are found and you have verified the + lead from the - lead on each pair of speaker wires, cut the wires about 3" away from the molex where they plug into the factory amp. Next extend these lines to the area where your amp will be mounted. On the end of these lines, solder on rca ends and plug them into the 6XS's front and rear inputs. Done and done, it takes care of the rest. It then gives you front / rear / sub outputs with level control, ground isolation, line driving, crossover control and master gain setting.

For the speakers any 5x7" speakers will fit with no modifications or with minor work a oversize 6.5" speaker will fit like a glove as well.

All 4 of your speakers are 6x8 also known as 5x7. I would replace the stock head unit and all new speakers. All you have to do is take off your door panels to replace the speakers, and the door panels cover up the speakers.