Super Crew Amp
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 298
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From: Memphis, TN
Super Crew Amp
I've searched the site for info but couldn't find detail on the premium sound system amplifier/ connections. Can anyone tell me how to connect an amp to the OEM premium head unit/ amplifier? I pulled my head unit today, but couldn't follow the wiring cable to the factory amp ... or, is the amp inside the head unit?
I have an old Sony XM-250, 2 channel bridgeable amp (mosfet) ... a cast off from my youngest. Would like to find a low level signal from the head unit to drive an 8 inch sub, but obviously, a factory amp complicates things. Does anyone have any ideas ? My youngest sez ... trash the factory head unit/ amp and start from scratch !! What do you think ?...I'd like to keep my OEM head unit.
BTW, the front Fosgate components sound SUPER and the rear Pioneer coax complement too. Thanks ....
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2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat 4x4
I have an old Sony XM-250, 2 channel bridgeable amp (mosfet) ... a cast off from my youngest. Would like to find a low level signal from the head unit to drive an 8 inch sub, but obviously, a factory amp complicates things. Does anyone have any ideas ? My youngest sez ... trash the factory head unit/ amp and start from scratch !! What do you think ?...I'd like to keep my OEM head unit.
BTW, the front Fosgate components sound SUPER and the rear Pioneer coax complement too. Thanks ....
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2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat 4x4
- 5.4 engine
- Chestnut w/ gold trim
- Captain's Chairs
- Ford/ Duraliner bed insert
- Six disc cd changer (in center console)
- Fosgate FNP1614 component speakers (front)
- Pioneer TS-A6855 speakers (rear)
- Moon roof
- 98/99 Expedition center console
- Bed extender
- Class 3 trailer hitch
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 218
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From: Pompano Beach, FL
Easiest way to do it is get a low level converter that you can connect into the nearest speaker wire to where you will be mounting your amp. From this converter you can run a normal patch cord to your amp. You won't be getting as clear of sound as with a head unit that already has low level outputs, but it's really the only way that I know of to do this without replacing the head unit.
You have to remember, whenever you amplify a signal it gains some distortion. With the converter, you are reducing an amplified signal with distortion back to low level and then amplifying it again. It will never be as clear as pure low level signal into a quality amp. But then again, most people aren't as picky as I am. If it sounds good to you, that is all that matters.
My opinion is that you will be much happier to get a new head unit that already has pre-outs. You can install it with a wire harness kit that any shop sells for about $10 that will connect to all your factory wire harness and speakers. Then run a pre-out from the head unit to the amp and your in business. If you get a better head unit, it will have a built in cross-over and that sub will kick.
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Boss™
Ordered June 29th: 2001 F-150 Lariat, Oxford White/Silver 4x4, SC, SB, SS, 99L 5.4L, 44E tran, 7700# payload, Class III Tow, 3.73LS, Skids, Leather Captains, 4W disc ABS, shift-on-fly, keyless, HD everything
Planned Mods:
"Protected by the Owner and his 2 friends, Smith & Wesson" sticker, Westin Chromed Stainless Nerf Bars, ARE LS II bed cover, Bedrug™, Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter w/airbox mods, headers, Superchip, 3" body lift with at least 33's, alarm/pager/auto start system, stereo system
[This message has been edited by Boss96Hog (edited 08-29-2000).]
You have to remember, whenever you amplify a signal it gains some distortion. With the converter, you are reducing an amplified signal with distortion back to low level and then amplifying it again. It will never be as clear as pure low level signal into a quality amp. But then again, most people aren't as picky as I am. If it sounds good to you, that is all that matters.
My opinion is that you will be much happier to get a new head unit that already has pre-outs. You can install it with a wire harness kit that any shop sells for about $10 that will connect to all your factory wire harness and speakers. Then run a pre-out from the head unit to the amp and your in business. If you get a better head unit, it will have a built in cross-over and that sub will kick.
------------------
Boss™
Ordered June 29th: 2001 F-150 Lariat, Oxford White/Silver 4x4, SC, SB, SS, 99L 5.4L, 44E tran, 7700# payload, Class III Tow, 3.73LS, Skids, Leather Captains, 4W disc ABS, shift-on-fly, keyless, HD everything
Planned Mods:
"Protected by the Owner and his 2 friends, Smith & Wesson" sticker, Westin Chromed Stainless Nerf Bars, ARE LS II bed cover, Bedrug™, Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter w/airbox mods, headers, Superchip, 3" body lift with at least 33's, alarm/pager/auto start system, stereo system
[This message has been edited by Boss96Hog (edited 08-29-2000).]
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 298
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From: Memphis, TN
Boss96Hog:
Thanks for the reply. Have read several of your posts -- lot's of good info.
Do replacement head units with low level outputs all have rca connections ... is that how I can tell that there is a low level output? I was hoping that there would be low level outputs from the "premium" head unit in my Screw... but I didn't see any rca connections on the back of the box. Wonder how OKCrew and company have connected their subs to the factory system .... ???
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2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat 4x4
Thanks for the reply. Have read several of your posts -- lot's of good info.
Do replacement head units with low level outputs all have rca connections ... is that how I can tell that there is a low level output? I was hoping that there would be low level outputs from the "premium" head unit in my Screw... but I didn't see any rca connections on the back of the box. Wonder how OKCrew and company have connected their subs to the factory system .... ???
------------------
2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat 4x4
- 5.4 engine
- Chestnut w/ gold trim
- Captain's Chairs
- Ford/ Duraliner bed insert
- Six disc cd changer (in center console)
- Fosgate FNP1614 component speakers (front)
- Pioneer TS-A6855 speakers (rear)
- Moon roof
- 98/99 Expedition center console
- Bed extender
- Class 3 trailer hitch
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Memphis, TN
Boss;
Thanks again ... that's just what I needed. I guess my son was right ... "trash the factory head unit and start from scratch" ... how do they get soooo smart ?
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2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat 4x4
Thanks again ... that's just what I needed. I guess my son was right ... "trash the factory head unit and start from scratch" ... how do they get soooo smart ?
------------------
2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat 4x4
- 5.4 engine
- Chestnut w/ gold trim
- Captain's Chairs
- Ford/ Duraliner bed insert
- Six disc cd changer (in center console)
- Fosgate FNP1614 component speakers (front)
- Pioneer TS-A6855 speakers (rear)
- Moon roof
- 98/99 Expedition center console
- Bed extender
- Class 3 trailer hitch
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Pompano Beach, FL
FEDEX,
Yes, there will be RCA cables coming out of the back of the head unit if it has low level outputs. Your better head units will have up to 3 sets, 1 set for front speakers, 1 set for rear speakers, and 1 set for subs.
I just bought the Pioneer DEH-P8200R and it has 3 sets of RCA cables. The front and rear sets have a high pass crossover and the sub out has a low pass crossover built right into the head unit. This is a real nice feature because you don't have to add and mount a crossover in your truck which is already tight on space.
Ford radios don't use RCA cables. If the system does have an external amp, they just run a factory wire harness to it. They may be low level going to the amp, but it won't be RCA cables.
If they connected subs to the factory system, they did it one of 2 ways. Either used a line converter like I explained before or they used an amp that had the converter built into. Either way, they had to tap into the factory speaker wires.
Yes, there will be RCA cables coming out of the back of the head unit if it has low level outputs. Your better head units will have up to 3 sets, 1 set for front speakers, 1 set for rear speakers, and 1 set for subs.
I just bought the Pioneer DEH-P8200R and it has 3 sets of RCA cables. The front and rear sets have a high pass crossover and the sub out has a low pass crossover built right into the head unit. This is a real nice feature because you don't have to add and mount a crossover in your truck which is already tight on space.
Ford radios don't use RCA cables. If the system does have an external amp, they just run a factory wire harness to it. They may be low level going to the amp, but it won't be RCA cables.
If they connected subs to the factory system, they did it one of 2 ways. Either used a line converter like I explained before or they used an amp that had the converter built into. Either way, they had to tap into the factory speaker wires.