I did do a search on this and went through the FAQ but did not really find an answer to my question.

Is it possible to ad an amp to the stock head unit? I want to leave the stock radio in and hook up a 4 channel amp and bridge another one for a sub. Is this going to be possible?

I have heard of high level converters but have no idea where to get them or how much they cost. Any know where I can get such a thing?

Thanks for any help

John


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93 Teal Cobra #4656
95 White Lightning #153 (sold)
2000 Silver Lightning

 

High-level convertors would be it. I'm told they run around $35 or so and you can grab some at Circuit City or the like.

I believe one can run 2 channels (l/r), so 4 channels would need two.

Daniel

 

I would *not* recommend adding an amp to the factory unit. The sound quality definitely suffers.

 

LHOUND-

I disagree with you completely.

Both myself and Noelvm have gone this route and the problem is not with the head unit. The head unit is actually pretty nice. What is needed is a nice amp (at least 50 watts per channel) and some better speakers. I have installed several after market head units in my last few vehicles. This factory head unit can sound great. I found a converter that was good for four channels at a walmart, used a 200 watt JBL amp and went with a combination of Bose and JBL speakers (12 total) and the sound is awesome! It also looks good because I don't have any odd looking cutouts or plastic pieces in my dash.

Alex

 

I added a 4 channel amp. 50 wt per channel and speakers. You need two RCA to line adapters. The sound does NOT SUFFER. Its awsome. The stock head unit is fine.
I took out that worthless tool box in the back (three nuts) and mounted it on the back firewall. Had a stereo shop hook it up, labor and parts was 50.00 plus the two RCA connectors which were 15 each. With a four channel amp all the radio functions work just as before, left, right, front, rear. The factory speakers suck. I put new 3 way pioneers in the front and bose 3 way 301 series IV box speakers behind the seat which fitted fine after tool box was removed. I relocated the cd under the center hump which makes changing disk easy and it relocated easily. Remove brackets, pullup right side floor plate and route cable over to middle and cut a hole in the carpet. I hold it in place with the hook piece of velcro which graps the carpet. Easy to do, works great. The player skips more in this position when compared to the vertical position, but not so much I can't live with a skip every now and then. The sound is really great.
noelvm


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99.5 Red Ligntning, Mobil 1, PRO-M 80 MM MAF/filter, R2 Superchip, Eldebrock 5512 muffler, MT ET Streets, best time (1/8) 8.44, Bugflector II, G&H Lens covers head & fog, 200 WT Pioneer 4 CH AMP, BOSE 301 SERIES IV SPEAKERS (IN BACK)
70 Vette LS-6 454 (gathering dust in the garage)


[This message has been edited by noelvm (edited 10-10-2000).]

[This message has been edited by noelvm (edited 10-10-2000).]

 

Sound quality suffers a little bit IMO. This is due more to the converting from high to low level than from the stock head unit. I have a system in my truck running over 800 watts. I would not using the stock head if I thought it compromises quality to any extent. Sure I'd like to put in an aftermarket unit (to gain flexiblity), but prefer to keep my system low profile due to crime. The very small tradoff I make in SQ I more than make up in stealth.

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Silver 00L: Retrax, Bassani Catback, Pro-M, Level 10 Shift Kit, 4x4 Trans Pan, R9 SuperChip, G-Tech, Clear Corners, SRP Racing Pedals, Line-x....

 

Why doesn't SVT offer a better Stereo upgrade -like the Mach sound system? Who needs an in dash tape player anyway -and with the odd size, every head unit swap looks too cut up.

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93 Broncho XLT
70 Mustang Mach 1
69 Mustang Sportsroof
00 KX250

 

Man, this is an upgrade. You should have seen that piece of junk in my 93 lightning. Made in Brazil, piece of junk.
noelvm

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99.5 Red Ligntning, Mobil 1, PRO-M 80 MM MAF/filter, R2 Superchip, Eldebrock 5512 muffler, MT ET Streets, best time (1/8) 8.44, Bugflector II, G&H Lens covers head & fog, 200 WT Pioneer 4 CH AMP, BOSE 301 SERIES IV SPEAKERS (IN BACK)
70 Vette LS-6 454 (gathering dust in the garage)

 

What about mating a new CD player with the existing changer? I have a Sony CDX-7850 in my Bronco (still VERY new) that cost me about $500. I don't want to "give it away" with the Bronco when I sell it. Will my factory changer (Clarion in 2K?) work with the new head unit?

DUCK

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November 18, 1999 We will not forget.
The fallen 12 will live in our hearts forever.
Fightin' Texas Aggie Bonfire 1999

 

Yes, can do it. I did it to a factory CD player. I only used one converter, a PAC SNI-45 (I think that was the model number). Get a test tone CD with a 1000 HZ tone. Hook up converter to front channels. Get a good multimeter. I used an o'scope, but you more than likely won't have access to one. Fade to front. Set bass and treble to middle. Play tone. Turn up volume **** to 75% of max. Adjust converter to 2 volts on each channel. I don't recommend the use of speed controled volume. Test CD and converter are available a Circuit City.

E-mail if have ?'s or need more info.
nasprouse@aol.com
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Silver 00L: Retrax, Bassani Catback, Pro-M, Level 10 Shift Kit, 4x4 Trans Pan, R9 SuperChip, G-Tech, Clear Corners, SRP Racing Pedals, Line-x....


[This message has been edited by nasprouse (edited 10-10-2000).]