In the future, I plan on doing a major stereo overhaul in my '89 vert. However, for now I'd just like to easily some add some lower end bass on a budget. I figure with this approach, I'll get some more bass without dropping a lot of coin, doing too much wiring or building a custom enclosure. Since it's an interim solution, bang for the buck and easy install/uninstall are my objectives. I think I can put in a 100-200 watt subwoofer for less than $100, then upgrade the front speakers and really improve my sound for peanuts - this is my theory anyhow...

I'm looking at picking up a self-amped 8" tube and am planning on throwing it (OK, bolting it down) under the rear deck without removing the spare.

The tube is 9.5" dia, 20" length

So, here are my questions:

1) This should fit under the rear deck without any problems, right?

2) Best place to get power? Can I tap into the power for the headrest amp or do I have to go get some real power from up front? (I assume I'd want to add a few amps to the correct fuse in the fuse panel if I tap into the headrest power.)

3) Tapping into source signal: What are my options for hooking up the input to the sub? Can I tap into the headrest amp wires somehow?

4) For a single channel sub, do I generlly tap into only one channel for input or both sides? (I've installed about 10 or twelve stereos in my life in varous cars, but those were all pre-subwoofer days...my age is showing)

5) I think it should be pretty simple to do this. Am I missing anything critical here?

Thanks in advance...

 

1. id pull the deck up and measure... there are some funny bends back there (im planning on making a fiberglass enclosure to fit back there)

2. run a wire (fused right near the battery)... (if you plan on amping later, may as well run as big a wire as you can) id recomend either 8 or 4 gauge

3. there are a few stereo wiring diagrams around, find one and you should be set as far as signal wires

4. one channel would work but it wouldnt be ideal... hopefully the sub you get will have high level inputs for both channels, and it will mix them for you

 

id suggest this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3291 i personally have it in my car and it bumps better than alot of other subs with all the crazy stuff and its fairly easy to hook up all u need is a ground,power, and some speaker wire just going to a speaker

 

Thanks a lot for the input so far...

To which speaker wire should I hook it up? My inclination is to hook it up to the door-mounted speaker(s) as it's my understanding there's a crossover that sends the lower frequencies to the door speakers and the higher freq's to the under-dash speakers.

Earlier I wanted to hook it up the headrest amp (so I wouldn't have to run wiress to the doors but since I'll have to run power anyhow...) but it seems as though hooking it to the door speaker wires would provide the low freq's for a sub as well as volume control in synch with the overall stereo. Anyone disagree with my theory here?

 

best sound = only use rockford fosgate

 

Rockford Fosgate, agreed. Know anybody who'd want to buy the wires, box, amp (rockford 700s 880watt amp and 2 12'' HE2s? (400w a piece)??

 

eh, never been a rockford fan personaly... but thats just me, im kinda picky with my audio

if you are going ahead and upgrading speakers, why not upgrade the head unit as well... i know my stock one would barely play cds (it would, but it would skip on every bump), so it had to go

ive had preety good results with my setup so far in my vert

focal polykevlar 165k2's in the doors (tweeters flush mounted between the handle and the vent, 6.5's in the stock door locations) powered by a 90x2 ppi amp... sounds really nice, and almost has enough bass as it is... but ill prolly be filling it in with a 11 inch focal polykevlar sub (in custom fiberglass enclosure) when i have the time / money

 

i have a fairly new sony deck and it has the plugs for just a sub so i just connected the red and white wires do that. or you can just hook the low freq wires to any wires and it will work just as good