I've been researching different threads for adding a sub. under the rear seat of my '04 Screw and need some advice.

To set this up, I'm just looking for something to add some extra bass. I'm not worried about a loud thump. With two kids in college, I'm not looking to spend a ton of money on this project. From what I've read, it seems my options are to add either 1) a powered sub. such as the Bazooka brand, etc. or 2) an amplifier, custom box enclosure and either an 8" or 10" sub.

I plan on leaving my existing factory head unit and stock door speakers (for now). However, I want to leave open the option of upgrading in the next year or so (new head unit, door speakers, etc.). May add an amp. at that time as well.

Input?

 

If you want to keep things really simple you could always install the factory audiophile sub. As far as OEM units go it is pretty decent.
I just ordered a loaded MTX Thunderform from eBay for $125 shipped, that may be another way to go. It will not be installed for a couple of weeks, but if you are still interested I will let you know what I think of it.
I will probably end up selling my factory sub on eBay if I like the new setup.

 

Most powered subs are too big to fit under the rear seat in a SCrew. The one powered sub I typically use in SCrews is the Kenwood KSC-SW1. It fits nicely under the rear seat right behind the driver and it has plenty of thump. It offers speaker level inputs, so you can just tap into the factory speaker lines. The F-150 stereo power line has a 25 AMP fuse, so it's plenty of power to handle both the factory stereo and the sub (no need to wire the sub to the battery or fuse box).

I typically make a plug-n-play harness from 1 connector that goes to the factory stereo and 1 connector that goes to the truck's wiring. You just splice the sub inputs into that plug-n-play harness so you don't damage any factory wiring. Total cost for the plug-n-play harness is less than $15 and it allows you to add & remove extra components at will.

Shop around, and you can usually find powered subs pretty cheap. And, there's always guys like me that have used ones laying around.

 

The factory sub is useless to him unless he has an Audiophile head unit.

 

Guys, thanks for the prompt responses!

I do not have the Audiophile head unit.

Dinlong - the MTX Thunderform looks like a nice setup. However, I didn't see one that would work with the Screw fold-down rear seats.

Worland - the Kenwood KSC-SW1 looks like a nice unit. Etronics has it for $149. Not a bad price at all. I'm a little confused as to making a plug-n-play harness. Where can I get info. on this (where to buy, etc.)? Is a plug-n-play the same as a line level converter I've read about?

 

I have an EL8 Bazooka tube in my truck. It sounds great and I kept the factory HU. I did however upgrade the door speakers. It will definitely give you all the bass you want..... it might even give you a bit too much. There is a gain on the tube so you can adjust it. I have mine set so if I want a little more all I have to do is turn up the bass on the HU. If I want less, I can just leave it flat on the HU. It fits under the rear drivers side seat perfectly. There are pics in my gallery. I ran it through a LLC in the rear speaker outputs.

 

Ok guys, time for an update. I purchased the Kenwood KSC-SW1 powered sub.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7Zkk82W...W1&i=113KSCSW1

Need a little help. I've been wiring up 'simple' car stereo systems ever since putting an 8-track in my old VW Beetle! I'm a little confused with speaker level inputs, etc.

I'm planning on mounting it under the rear fold down seat in my Screw. There is a wired remote control which looks simple to hook up. As I understand it, I would tie into the rear speaker wires. Where do I tie into them? At the speakers behind the door panel or is there a better location? Also, someone mentioned not running the power cable directly to the battery or fuse box but instead somehow tapping into the existing head unit's power wire. Where?

I'm sure this is a simple install so I appreciate your patience with me. From what I've read, a lot of ya'll are really off into this stuff. Thanks.

 

check out www.proboxrocks.com great stuff

 

I got my Kenwood from Amazon for $145. Check them out if you can send it back to crutchfield.....Sounds just fine too! Mounted it under the 40% seat in my Screw. Occupies no real-estate back there since it's between the seat mounts. The case is very durable too!

 

[QUOTE=rms8]I got my Kenwood from Amazon for $145. Check them out if you can send it back to crutchfield.....Sounds just fine too! Mounted it under the 40% seat in my Screw. Occupies no real-estate back there since it's between the seat mounts. The case is very durable too!QUOTE]

Yeah, sorry, I was just using the link to Crutchfield for illustration purposes only. I actually ordered from Etronics, $149. Very happy with their customer service, prompt shipping.

RMS8 - thats for the pics. That is exactly where I'm planning on installing mine. Back to the installation question. Where did you tie into the rear door speakers (I assume that was the installation) with the speaker level inputs? Where did you get your power source?

Thanks.

 

Interesting... How does that thing sound?

 

I dont see any sub in your gallary?

 

[QUOTE=rcknrbn]For the signal, I tapped into the rear speaker outputs from the leads coming out of the head unit. For power, I tapped into the 12V wire for the cig lighter (NOT the aux 12V). The cig lighter has a much thicker gauge wire (12awg) to handle the juice the ciglighter consumes (the cig lighter is basically a controlled short). The Kenwood doesn’t require much power anyway since it isnt very powerful. If you search on the model number in the stereo forum and/or here there will be threads which will identify the wire color codes you need.

Sounds fantastic for what it is! It's not going to rattle your windows, but I can definitely feel it in the drivers seat. It just fills in the low end, nothing to brag about. I do have an ear for audio (check out my gallery !!) so I highly recommend this unit for anyone that just wants some additional bottom end (beyond the factory 6x8's) but doesn't want to spend a lot or more importantly loose floor space in the rear!!

FYI, i did install some Pioneer 6x8 3ways in the front doors. Sounds great. Again, not earth shaterring, but amazing for the few $$ invested.