1999 Ford Expedition, Audio

OK, maybe against my better judgement, I'm going to try to do this on my own.  I know enough to know that I need some help.  What I'm doing is keeping the factory HU which is a premium sound system with 4 speakers.  I'm replacing the 4 speakers and adding an amp and subwoofer.  I've been busy gathering information, tips, and tools in preparation for my big project.  It's all coming together - I think - but I have one lingering question:  how do I connect the factory HU to the amp?  I've been told to use a hi to lo output converter like the SVEN4, but how exactly do I connect this 4 channel device to the 5-channel amp in order to get the signal to the sub?

The specific equipment I'm installing: 4 Pioneer 4-way's, an MTX 10" sub with custom-fit enclosure, and Phoenix Gold Octane R9.05 amp.

Thanks in advance for any advice or information I receive.  All will be appreciated.  Thanks.

The fifth channel of that amp should be tied in some way to the front/rear inputs, probably thru the crossover, so it shouldn't need a dedicated input from your line output converter (LOC). 

What you may want to do is make the front & rear channels of the amp run off just the front outputs from your LOC,  then run the rear LOC output to the sub input on the amp.  Then adjust the amp gains to balance the fr/rr speakers.  Once it's all dialed, your fader in the head unit will be a direct sub level control.  Make sense?

Yes, it does make sense.  Thanks alot for the advice.  I'm sure once I get started with the install, it'll all start to make even more sense.  I'm not going to rush this job.  Even though I'm clearly a rookie in this department, I've read enough bad experience stories related to the chain store installer files to give me confidence that I can do this.

Thanks again!

Do not use a basic LOC for this situation. If you want to do it correct, buy the proper interface adaptor like the Audio Control LC6 + bass remote (it is an option). This will give you a front and rear input for any type of factory system (amplified or not). It then provides you with front / rear / subwoofer preouts (use the optional remote to control the level of the subs indipendent from the master volume control). It also provides a remote on signal for the Phoenix amplifier. All in all it is a necessary item to use for a proper integration of a stereo into a factory head. You can also consider the Audio Control 6XS which is also a crossover + high voltage line driver and includes the level control. Either device will do things that a basic LOC cannot, in your case, what two items can sort of do, it can do in one chassis with far superior results.

www.audiocontrol.com

That's sound advice, but unless you've got pretty picky ears you'll do fine with a simple LOC, just get a quality one.  Try the PAC - Trunk-LOC

http://www.pac-audio.com/products/productsCatagory.asp?mmSearch=Line%20Output%20Converters  (these are all over Ebay for $20)

This will give you a signal-sensing remote, meaning when it hears music it'll turn on the amp.  This is a simpler & cheaper setup that accomplishes what you're looking for, but not as high quality or flexible as what Forbidden's suggesting.  Up to you.

Thanks to both of you for your advice.  I really do appreciate it.  I think that's the last missing component for my system and then I start digging in.  I'll post again if I need help/advice or to let you know how it went.

You guys were great help.  Appreciate it.

Ed