Until I read the string started by Richard Clark, I would probably dump the stock HU most of the time. However, for many people the ease of use is nearly impossible to beat. It's also a nice way to keep the thieves at bay.
If we could just get Visteon and the others to give us some RCA's, we would be in business (with at least a 4volt ouput). My only problem with convertors, no matter how good they maybe, is that they are still a convertor. What I mean is that the orignal signal gets amplified and we know that adds its own level of noise and distortion. The convertor can also add to this. Not that it will, but it can not take it away either without degrading the sound. Can you hear it? maybe yes, maybe no. As always your own ears must be the judge. From my own experience, the Visteon is not bad, even the Delco has its pluses, haven't messed with a dodge(why?)
I don't claim to be an expert, just very well informed. I try to respect all theories and ideas. My experience has mainly been trial and error, build it play with it, tear it apart and try something new. Its all good!


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97 F-150XL 4.2V6, 5 spd, 2wdlb, Kenwood cd, MTX 4ch amp, MTX 12"sub, MTX components in doors

Future 16x8 Daytona wheels, 265/75 tires, rhinoliner, perf stuff

 

Thats how see it also. Maybe with the stock HU's that have line outs that feed into an external factory amp, if you send it to an aftermarket amp it could work better then swapping out the HU. But your right that amplified signal is gonna add noise, and I don't know how well converters could get around it. I want to hear a stock HU run through an amp w/ one of these setups so I can decide for myself if I like the sound or not, and see if I can hear the noise or not.

They are right for things, the stock HU is hard to beat: easy to use, theft deterant, no sun glare.

 

Thats the problem. With the factory HU I had, if I turned up past half volume that signal would distort. I don't want to send that to an amp. I understand that you could keep that under control, but whose to say you don't have the famous passenger 'ooh thats my song' and all of sudden turn the radio up really loud. And we all have at least one of those friends who drive around blairing distorted music through blown speakers.

Again, I have to hear this to believe it works that well.

Silver - I don't know if you saw my other post, but I'm gonna hold off on the lcd HU, I only wanted to throw it in so I could hook up a playstation in there.

 

thanks for all the help onliners,

From what i am getting it sounds like it would be cheaper to go with the line out converter with the factory HU, but it would be a hassle to hook it up and get a good sound! then there are all the adjustments. If i go with the after market, it would cost me more to buy the HU then a Disc changer and then the amp and Speakers! instilation would be easier, and adjustments would also be easier! Lookslike i have quite a bit of resrearch to do on this subject! But because i want to keep the HU I better look into the lineout converter and someone professional to install it! any other suggestions or point of views would be greatly appreciated.!

 

bigNAnative - Listen to Silver's advice. Do everything first, and when it's done if you still don't like it, then get an aftermarket HU and all you'll have waisted would be the converter.

 

Captianoblivious,

Sounds like a plan!

All I need to know now is where can i find a converter? What stores sell them and what kinda names do they get called! What type or brand and any other special things i might need to know! Thanks for all the help!

 

bigNAnative - Listen to SilverX, I believe he posted which ones are good either in this post or another one.

 

I don't know what all this noise is about but I guess you'll have to try it to see. When I add just subs setups to a factory HU this is a setup I like to do, no matter how many subs you prefer bec usually most people are looking for or satisfied with sub fill to the rest of the stock system.

I use 1 converter (your choise of brand) then go into an Audiobahn ABD39 Bass Driver (or whatever brand floats your boat) and then to the sub amp. The bass drive will give you full control over the sub (Q-Factor,crossover,line level) and you can match you line (from the Bass Driver) upto 8v.

If I add 4 channel or 6 channel amps (kick panels etc) I use Parametric EQ, electronic crossover/line driver etc.....Enjoy your installs.

BTW: I add these things to an aftermarket radio also.

[This message has been edited by Silver X (edited 06-05-2001).]

 

A few things to point out.
There is 0 noise in a factory system ( at least in the ones I've had ) so there is no noise to be amplified with a proper install. Also ANY unit will distort if pushed to hard. While I will agree that a 4 volt pre amp out is a cleaner signal than the amplified signal from the stock HU it is strickly a matter of $, you will ALWAYS get what you pay for. If you get a good amp and decent converters an adjust the gain structure so that the head unit is not reaching distortion at your preferred listening level you will not hear any real noticable distortion. The amp only amplifies what it's fed so don't feed it distortion and it won't amplify distortion.In otherwords let the amp do the work not the HU. Just my opinion on leaving in the HU

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2001 5.4 S Cab Lariat
ORP / 3.55 L/S
Class 3 Tow Package
Gibson SweptSide
K&N Gen 2 FIPK
Superchip FLIP CHIP
LoJack
Stock HU w/ Profile CL440 Amp
Infinity Kappas Front/Infinity Reference Rears. Sub is under construction!

 

I can't speak to the quality, but I know when I was contemplating the line-out converter route, I found them at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City and any number of local radio install shops. To answer your next question - I haven't done anything to the factory sound system yet - it fell way down on my list of priorities, but that JLAudio stealthbox for the center seat sure looks tempting!

 

A good quality converter I used in my ranger is the Monster Cable FactoryLinx. It wasn't cheap but it didn't have any noise issues either. They come in full-range or with a built in sub crossover. Check out the monstercable site to get more detail on this:
http://products.monstercable.com/por...Product%20Name %20Search%20Equiv=factorylinx&-recid=32981&-find=
I am currently running an older Alpine HU in my supercrew but it skips over sharp edged bumps. Tried mounting it better with the rubber plug off the stock HU but it still skips at times. It is getting annoying enough that I may try putting the stock HU back in with the converter to see how it compares.
slowguy

 

I just got my Sony X-plod 1805GX 5 channel amp installed today with 4 Infinity Kappas and a 10" Cadence Z series subwoofer from subbox.net. I've got to say that I'm very happy with the installation. I can crank the stock HU up all the way w/out distortion and control the bass with either my bass control on the HU or the fade. I chose to keep the stock HU as I park my truck in the city daily (although in a police garage) and I don't need to give someone a reason to break into my truck. These HU's stood up well in recent tests by carsound.com against mid-level aftermarket japanese units. It works for me.... and although I'm not that big on thumping the cars next to me... I can if I want.

p.s. (link to article) http://www.carsound.com/columns/nav0007.shtml

[This message has been edited by Grumps (edited 06-06-2001).]

 

Like some of you I dont want to attract thieves. I added Boston Acoustics Components, and BA 5x7s in the rear with a JL 10' Sub powered by an Alpine amp. It sounds great. Crisp clean, and plenty loud enough.
Anyone that wants to hear it just stop by North Dallas with your favorite CD ...
Doug

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Picked up Silver 2000 Lightning 2/28/00!!
1st run 13.9 sec 1/4 !! Best Run 13.025
Silver_2000@SVTLightnings.com

www.SVTLightnings.com

2000 Lightning, FMS 3.73 gears ( Expensive ), PSP 4 Way Chip, PSP Intake, Valentine 1, Snuglid, Bedrug, Lighted Ford Logos, Superchip R9, and 3m Panther Black nickel tint, Clear corners., Boston Acoustics 5x7s and Components, Alpine v12 5 channel Amp and JL Sub, Chrome SVT Rims and G Force R1a Autocross Tires, .
Link to my profile because the UBB doesnt support semicolons any more

 

Silver_2000 - did you do the Boston 5x7 components? or did you just do 5.25 or 6.5 comps?

 

guys, where are you mounting your amps, if the subbox takes up the whole rear underseat area.