Factory amp?

I have a 98 ford explorer and I was looking inside the rear left panel where the jack is supposed to be and found this box with two big connectors in it. Looks like a factory amp maybe?? Not really sure though cuz my truck had some "premium speakers" (thats what was printed on the magnets when I replaced them lol) So any ideas of what this could be...my truck is a 1998 Ford Explorer XLT

prob what it is. that's the common place to put them, usually along with rear window wiper fluid resiv.

Oh yeah sorry my main question is that I don't know if I have a factory amp or not and if I do I wanna bypass it

Should be the amp, though I remember them being on the passenger's side. If you look hard enough behind the radio you may find a harness with the speaker wires in it. It will be the same connector as if the car didn't have premium sound, it will look like the power connector only grey.Certified Security Specialist

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There is nothing there....but there is a little black box with a buncha wires going into it near the top of the drivers side when I pull the dash out...dunno what it is

It is a factory amp, my roomate has the same truck. On her truck I integrated using a ford integrator harness and it sounds fine. However, bypassing is a better option in my opinion if you are going for sound quality and reliability/flexability for future add ons.. depending on if its the JBL or Premium, I know sometimes it is different you might be able to get a bypass harmess and no cutting or running wires are required. On some of the JBL systems you will need to run the wires from the amp to the dash. If you need any more help or wire color codes etc. post and I will do my best.  Another tip is if the antenna cable is at the dash you can use the amp eliminator harnesses (bypass), if there is no antenna at the dash the unit in the back is also the tuner. you need to run the antenna cable if you want radio and speaker wires. good Luck.

Well I know for a fact that it is not the JBL system...I guess it was the "Premium" system but it still sounded like a goat farting underwater...lol The antennae cable is behind the dash...so which box is the factory amp?? the one behind the dash on the drivers side or the one in the jack compartment in the drivers side rear panel??? I really want to bypass the factory amp...thanks

Thanks, Master (lol sounds weird haha). So to clarify -the factory amp is in the rear drivers side carjack compartment. -I can get a simple harness to bypass the factory amp -I already removed the stock speakers as they were FAR from "premium" lol...they were HORRIBLE Also where could I get a bypass harness...I doubt my local car audio shop has a bypass harness...I wish they did as the shop is 2 blocks away from my house

Ok now this is wierd. Like I stated, I can't always remember every system from 9 years ago and especially remember harnesses for fords as there are so many and lots of mistakes with packaging and application guides. I went online to metra for the part number and it shows the 98 uses a # 70-1771. This is a single square plug and is used on non amplified systems. What this could mean is we are all WRONG and this vehicle does not have a factory amp in it, anywhere. For giggles I put in for a 97 and it shows the JBL plugs which apparently you don't have. All I can suggest at this point is not to mess with that "box" in the back until we figure out what you have. A 70-1771 harness is very poular, it is also known as a "ford 98-up" plug. Before you do anything else go to your nearest shop and ask someone if you can check if the 70-1771 fits your vehicle. You most likly have 2 plugs at the dash but the one plug is all you need unless there is a factory sub which would be on the rear right side. If not and that plug fits just wire it up and you are in business. You can also bring the factory deck into the car stereo shop to match it if they won't allow you to take it  an unpurchased harness outside to check your truck for fit. If you have a factory sub follow up here and I will tell you how to integrate it, but I highly doubt you have one, I don't even think it was available in 98 but with ford there are always surprises as I am sure you know as an owner of one. Good Luck and let us know how it works out. Late