Amp w/ factory head unit

05blkFx4 · #1 10-20-2005, 10:35 PM

I have an 05 FX4 w/ the 6 disc mp3 player in my truck and i was wondering if i could put in a sound system that i had laying around without changing the factory head unit because i don't want to buy a new one and i actually like this one. Does it have the RCA connection in the back of the head unit so i can put an amp an 2 subs in?

Thanks alot.

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ericd · #2 10-20-2005, 11:23 PM

The factory HU does not have any RCA connections on it. In order to run an amp, you'll need to either get an amp that has high level inputs, or purchase a line out converter. I'm running an amp for my front channel with an LOC and it's been working fine so far.

E...

05blkFx4 · #3 10-20-2005, 11:29 PM

Thanks for the reply. What kind of LOC did you get and where can i find one?

worland · #4 10-21-2005, 08:32 PM

The easiest thing to do is get an amp with "speaker level" inputs. You can tap off of the front or rear speaker wires. I did it in my 05 FX4 and it sounds great.

snookerf150 · #5 10-21-2005, 09:31 PM

the line out converter is easy and we have them here at bestbuy for $25....i sell them all the time to people who dont want to change to an aftermarket stereo...

05blkFx4 · #6 10-21-2005, 11:35 PM

yeah actually tonight i went and talked to a guy at best buy about getting one and asked how suitable it would be with the power that i want to run and he said it would be no problem. thanks for the relpies

05blkFx4 · #7 10-25-2005, 01:32 AM

When i hook up the line output converter which wires go where? I want to hook it up to the two front speakers and which wires are those in the wiring harness in the back of the HU. Also when I run the remote turn on which is the power wire in the back of the HU? Thanks

dragonman · #8 10-25-2005, 06:38 PM

Walmart sells a 4-channel Scosche LOC for $17

The '05 does not have a remote turn-on output unless your's is an audiophile headunit. You'll have to grab a switched 12V line from somewhere else :-(

ericd · #9 10-26-2005, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05blkFx4

When i hook up the line output converter which wires go where? I want to hook it up to the two front speakers and which wires are those in the wiring harness in the back of the HU. Also when I run the remote turn on which is the power wire in the back of the HU? Thanks

My LOC just had 4 wires in. L+, L-, R+, R- . Let me look up the connection diagram and I'll post it here so you can see what wires to grab.

EDIT:

OK - Here's a connection face diagram:

You'll be able to see from this what wires you need for the front L & R speakers.

As for the remote turn-on, I grabbed 12v from pin 2. Pin 2 has 12v running off of the acc delay circuit. Only issue is, with the key on, even if you turn off the head unit, your amp will still be on. Since I rarely ever have my truck on without the radio on, I felt it wasn't an issue.

You could always take a meter and check out the pins that are "unused" above, and see if any of them are 12v out when the radio is on (Like for a power antenna). I was too lazy to do the research when I installed mine, but I may look into it in the near future, just for ****s and giggles. Hell, another one of our fine members here may already have the info handy. Anybody?

Hope this helps.

E...

ericd · #10 10-26-2005, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonman

Walmart sells a 4-channel Scosche LOC for $17

The '05 does not have a remote turn-on output unless your's is an audiophile headunit. You'll have to grab a switched 12V line from somewhere else :-(

IMO, I'd stay away from the Scosche LOC. The old "you get what you pay for" rings loud and clear. I tried a cheap Scosche in the beginning and it introduced so much noise to the system I couldn't stand it. I ended up with this:

Since it's properly shielded, there's next to no noise whatsoever.

Just my $.02.

E...

05blkFx4 · #11 10-27-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericd

My LOC just had 4 wires in. L+, L-, R+, R- . Let me look up the connection diagram and I'll post it here so you can see what wires to grab.

EDIT:

OK - Here's a connection face diagram:

You'll be able to see from this what wires you need for the front L & R speakers.

As for the remote turn-on, I grabbed 12v from pin 2. Pin 2 has 12v running off of the acc delay circuit. Only issue is, with the key on, even if you turn off the head unit, your amp will still be on. Since I rarely ever have my truck on without the radio on, I felt it wasn't an issue.

You could always take a meter and check out the pins that are "unused" above, and see if any of them are 12v out when the radio is on (Like for a power antenna). I was too lazy to do the research when I installed mine, but I may look into it in the near future, just for ****s and giggles. Hell, another one of our fine members here may already have the info handy. Anybody?

Hope this helps.

E...

With our trucks the radio stays on when you take the key out and until you open the door. Since you used pin 2, does your amp stay on all the time? If so is there any problem I could run into in the future or is this ok to do and will this potentially drain the battery? I thought about running it to the ignition hot wire so I know it would be off when i take the key out. But if there is no harm with running it to pin 2 I would rather to that. Thanks

ericd · #12 10-27-2005, 11:40 PM

There's no problem. Since pin 2 is the accessory delay circuit, it loses power when you open the door. Amp(s) will shut off when the radio does.

E...

05blkFx4 · #13 10-29-2005, 02:50 PM

Thanks alot for all your information. Everyone has been very helpful.

SSpiro · #14 11-02-2005, 11:27 PM

Some great posts in here..