Installing a Subwoofer
From "Car Care & Repair"
episode CCR-104 -- More Projects »
If you like listening to music with booming bass that you can literally feel, consider adding a subwoofer. These dedicated low-end drivers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they usually tend to be large and difficult to conceal. Some are mounted in the trunk, but for our demonstration we installed a fairly compact model that fits in the existing cargo tray (figure A) in the rear panel of a 2000-model Ford Explorer XLS. This arrangement allows for the unit to be covered with a grille keeping it out of sight and out of the way. Installation requires removing one of the rear passenger seat belts and the rear interior panel.
Materials for installation:
Subwoofer and mounting hardware
Pry tool
Socket wrench with torx attachment
Cordless drill
Soldering iron and solder
Bin or container for keeping up with small parts
- Using a socket wrench with a torx attachment, remove the rear passenger-side seat-belt attachment (figure B).
- Using a pry tool, gently lift and remove the pins holding the interior body-panel in place (figure C).
- With all of the pins removed, remove the entire rear body panel (figure D), being careful not to scuff or scratch it.
- Place the subwoofer in its mounting position (figure E). This model is designed specifically to fit snugly behind the rear wheel well.
- The unit is held in position by three metal brackets -- two above and one below. Position the brackets and mark the positions to predrill mounting holes (figure F).
- Drill the holes and mount the speaker in position.
- With the subwoofer mounted, run the wire connections to the front of the vehicle. The wires will be partially concealed by the interior panel once it is reinstalled. For the remainder of the span, run the wires beneath the door sill on the rocker panel (figure G), then beneath the front carpet on the passenger side, and up behind the dash.
- The red power wire will need to run up through the engine compartment and connect to the battery so that it can power the subwoofer's onboard amp. In this vehicle, we were able to run the power cable through a grommet in the firewall (figure H) that accommodates the hood-release cable.
- The remaining subwoofer cables will tap into the leads for the right-rear and left-rear speakers. Once you've located those speaker leads, you may want to mark them with tape for identification (figure I). For a reliable connection, it will be best to solder these.
- With the red power line running up through the firewall, disconnect the battery as well as the built-in fuse on the subwoofer, then hook the power line up to the battery connection according to the manufacturer's instructions (figure J).
- Connect the subwoofer's ground wire to a suitable grounding location. We simply attached it with a screw to an interior body panel (figure K). If it's a painted metal surface, sand off a spot to the bare metal to make a good ground connection.
- Connect the power source and speaker connections on the subwoofer's speaker panel (figure L).
- Install the subwoofer grill in the interior panel according to manufacturer's instructions and re-install the panel . If you want to make things even less conspicuous, you can purchase interior paint from an auto shop and paint your grill to match the color of your interior panels.
- Important: Follow the wiring and installation instructions that come with your subwoofer exactly. There is likely to be some variation between installations depending on the unit that you are installing and your specific vehicle.
RESOURCES :
Crutchfield Car Audio
Crutchfield is not only a catalog retailer specializing in a wide array of popular audio equipment, they excel at providing information and resources for audio-system installation by car owners. Their Crutchfield Guide: Car Stereo Installation offers valuable information on installation of components in most vehicles. Their free catalog offers advice on selecting the best type of system for your tastes and the most suitable equipment for your vehicle.
Crutchfield Corporation
Website: www.crutchfield.com
Vehicles provided by McNelly-Whaley Ford Lincoln Mercury
750 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865-453-2833
Web site: www.ford4u.com
How to Design and Install High Performance Car Stereo: A Beginners Guide
Author: Joe Pettitt
Publisher: Car Tech, Inc. (1996)
ISBN: 1884089178
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Auto Audio
Model: 0071346899
Author: Andrew Yoder
Publisher: Tab Books
Order this title from Amazon.com.
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)