View Full Version : System install........
Help me out here guys/gals.... My 17 Y/O Nephew wants my help in installing a "system" in his XJ as he is a broke 17 Y/O and can't pay a professional to do the install for him. He has a brand new head unit that includes a single CD player. His plans are to make use of the speakers that are currently in his XJ, plus add an Amp, and a free standing bass box in the cargo area. I have installed radios in vehicles, but have zero experience with amps. My Nephew's XJ has had at least two separate "systems" installed in it in its prior lives so there are tons of wires everywhere, there are also separate little round tweeters are present, in addition to whatever speakers are in doors and speaker bar. My Nephew is looking for the booklet and other paperwork that came with head unit as he didn't think this stuff was important (remember he is 17 Y/O) (me shaking my head).
I'm thinking it will probably be best to simply remove all traces of wiring from these prior systems and start from zero. Is there online diagrams or tutorials that will help me install this system the correct way, or am I in over me head?
Paul E
12-21-2010, 10:53 AM
Amps actually make it easier to do, but you do have a bit of work with hiding wiring. Basically:
Clean out old wiring from previous work.
RCA jacks from head unit to amp location.
Speaker wires from speakers to amp location.
Remote power from head unit to amp to turn on when stereo turns on.
Power cable from amp to battery.
it is definitely easier in a TJ, but not hard with an XJ... just more panels to get behind.
It really isn't tough. You can PM TxSt8TJ on here if you need help. He has a side business with Jeep mods and has a LOT of experience with automobile sound systems.
Turfzilla
12-21-2010, 11:26 AM
I am sure Don needs plenty of help. This was slightly better than his first "system" he had on his first horse and buggy.
http://musicforlife.typepad.com/.a/6a01156f2df65f970c0120a5328a75970c-500pi
less the capicator and ground block, which you will be fine without - this is a simple diagram
You will get the most out of your sub and small tweeters if you use a crossover to seperate frequencies better.
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/graphics/infolib/carlib/amp_wiring2.jpg
theugly88
12-21-2010, 11:48 AM
on the XJ there is a existing hle in the firewall right beside te column that has wires running through it i ran my amp power through that and followed the floor board all the way back and ziptied the cable to the existing cables ran under the doors.. remember the power ran on one side and all the speaker and remote wire ran on the other(thin blue remote wire, and rca on opposite side than the red power wire) the power wire should have a 3-40 amp inline fuse near the battery... any issues just ask i used to install them back in high school at a audio shop.. go tot the head units manufactures website and you can DL the diagrams and paperwork form them in PDF format.. when i was 17 i never saved anything either LOL
You guys are great... I'm not sure if he has the amp yet (maybe a Christmas present from Santa), but I have seen the head unit so I know he has that. Now just to get him to provide make and model number so I can look for pdf file. You would think a know it all 17 Y/O would not need his Uncle's help in installing a system. :eek: :)
Paul E
12-21-2010, 12:31 PM
The model number is pretty much irrelevant. Hookup is the same (unless you have bluetooth, integration into car navigation, etc), regardless.
My Alpines hook up the same way as my friend's Kenwood or JVC systems - it's just a matter of the level of complexity and # of amps involved, as turf showed. But the concept is still the same.
The model number is pretty much irrelevant. Hookup is the same (unless you have bluetooth, integration into car navigation, etc), regardless.
My Alpines hook up the same way as my friend's Kenwood or JVC systems - it's just a matter of the level of complexity and # of amps involved, as turf showed. But the concept is still the same.
I'm just the dumb Uncle, but from what I understand, there will be only one AMP, it's a 1996 XJ so no navigation system, not even a Tom Tom to worry about. The head unit isn't real expensive, so I can assume no bluetooth to deal with.... so this really doesn't sound like it is that big of a deal just requires time and the correct parts, wire, inline fuses, etc.
blackcherryxj
12-21-2010, 12:53 PM
The head unit should have a wiring diagram on the label on it, telling what wire is what. I just installed one in a nissan frontier on saturday night.
The amp install is about as simple of wiring as it gets, it needs power, a low-level input from the head unit (RCA cables), and gets hooked to a speaker.
Hollar if I can be of help.
Paul
Buckeye
12-21-2010, 03:32 PM
[QUOTE=Don]Help me out here guys/gals.... My 17 Y/O Nephew wants my help in installing a "system" in his XJ as he is a broke 17 Y/O and can't pay a professional to do the install for him. QUOTE]
Brother................... did he ask the wrong guy. An 8 track maybe, but post sterio reverb ...... don't think so! :rolleyes:
[quote=Don]Help me out here guys/gals.... My 17 Y/O Nephew wants my help in installing a "system" in his XJ as he is a broke 17 Y/O and can't pay a professional to do the install for him. QUOTE]
Brother................... did he ask the wrong guy. An 8 track maybe, but post sterio reverb ...... don't think so! :rolleyes:
Buckeye, you are the only person I know who still owns an 8 track....
swampdonkey
12-21-2010, 04:41 PM
[quote=Buckeye]
Buckeye, you are the only person I know who still owns an 8 track....
I still have one in the garage but it is not hooked up, It came out of my Dad's 69' Chevy
[quote=Don]
I still have one in the garage but it is not hooked up, It came out of my Dad's 69' Chevy
Okay, I'll change my comment. Buckeye is the only person I know, who lives in the promise land (what Hoosier call Kentucky), who still owns, and uses an 8 track as his primary source of music.
belltom
12-21-2010, 05:06 PM
One thought on the Head unit - Garbage in/garbage out! I do not know all the ones available these days, but Alpine and Clarion used to have the cleanest output. If the head unit is a cheap one or lower quality then all the amp is doing is amplifying distortion and poor quality.
pillford
12-21-2010, 06:41 PM
if his xj still has the factory radio in it make sure you get the wiring adapter. then all you have to do is match the lose wires colors up and then just plug the head unit in. that way if he ever sells and wants to put the factory back in he can unplug this one and plug the other one back up, no cut wires.
One thought on the Head unit - Garbage in/garbage out! I do not know all the ones available these days, but Alpine and Clarion used to have the cleanest output. If the head unit is a cheap one or lower quality then all the amp is doing is amplifying distortion and poor quality.
Factory radio long gone... had an old head unit that wasn't even part of the system when he bought XJ. Nephew says no adapter was ever used, just spliced wires.... Remember this is a 17 Y/O talking as I have never seen wiring.
Belltom, quality probably isn't a big concern... Quantity and lots of it (loud high volume) is the desire. Remember this is a 17 Y/O.
theugly88
12-22-2010, 12:01 AM
IN THE BACK OF THE HAYNES MANUAL IT WILL TELL YOU ALL THE FACTORY COLORS FOR THE WIRES. IE FOR WHICH SPEAKER IS WHICH AND ALL.. IF YOU DONT HAVE IT LET ME KNOW I CAN TYPE IT UP FOR YOU OUT OF MINE... DANG I JUST REALIZED I TYPED IN ALL CAPS LOL...dont mind it
Jeepster06
12-22-2010, 10:43 AM
I am seriously considoring changing out my Sony Xplod for something better. The sound quality is just not there and I love my music. I am thinking of going alpine.
StoneyRedneck
12-22-2010, 10:50 AM
I am seriously considoring changing out my Sony Xplod for something better. The sound quality is just not there and I love my music. I am thinking of going alpine.
I have Xplod speakers in mine. I could upgrade, but I doubt sports talk radio would really sound any better regardless what I am pushing it through.
Jeepster06
12-22-2010, 12:10 PM
I have the deck and Xplod speakers...Just not real pleased.
theugly88
12-22-2010, 01:05 PM
i prefer the blaupunkt head units and alpine all the way around^^
Paul E
12-22-2010, 05:54 PM
Kicker/Alpine here. :)
axehead
12-22-2010, 11:01 PM
I have Kenwood, Polk, Alpine, & JL Audio in mine.
roadkilgrill
12-23-2010, 08:21 PM
I've got the XPLOD Head unit, but Alpine speakers replaced the stock ones...oh yeah....two Kenwood 12's behind the seat....Good thing I got the extended cab, lol....
Well I don't have to deal with this issue. Santa left a note saying he would pay for a Professional to install Nephew's system. :) My Nephew being the typical lazy 17 Y/O, was happy to accept Santa's offer.
theugly88
12-28-2010, 11:12 AM
LOL problem solved LOL
LOL problem solved LOL
Yep...... Nothing that a little parental money can't fix :rolleyes:
blackcherryxj
12-28-2010, 04:52 PM
Yep...... Nothing that a little parental money can't fix :rolleyes:
I think you were just chicken. :D
I think you were just chicken. :D
Actually, I was looking forward to learning about how to correctly install a system, then teaching the Nephew. At moment, Nephew is only interested in whatever is the quickest & easiest so he can spend every waking moment, talking, texting, hanging out with his girl. I told him, "Marriage will cure that crap"..
grlontheblock
12-28-2010, 09:31 PM
Actually, I was looking forward to learning about how to correctly install a system, then teaching the Nephew. At moment, Nephew is only interested in whatever is the quickest & easiest so he can spend every waking moment, talking, texting, hanging out with his girl. I told him, "Marriage will cure that crap"..
Marriage made me start texting more...to look busy... its does exactly that..cures crap
ricewt
12-29-2010, 07:30 AM
When I had my XJ, I had a place here in Bowling Green make a box for around $125 for 2 (x) 12" JBLs and mounted the amp on the back of the box. Put the whole thing behind the back seat and it stretched accross the width of the back seat. Takes up cargo area, but at 18 I didn't care. I ran the wires along the rocker and they were just "tucked" up and zip tied if I recall and they were barely noticeable.
Shop around, custom boxes shouldn't be that hight if that is what you are wanting. Good luck!
Paul E
12-29-2010, 07:38 AM
If you have to look busy to be happy in marriage, I'd venture to suggest that you're doing it wrong.
There are times to get busy. ;)
When I had my XJ, I had a place here in Bowling Green make a box for around $125 for 2 (x) 12" JBLs and mounted the amp on the back of the box. Put the whole thing behind the back seat and it stretched accross the width of the back seat. Takes up cargo area, but at 18 I didn't care. I ran the wires along the rocker and they were just "tucked" up and zip tied if I recall and they were barely noticeable.
Shop around, custom boxes shouldn't be that hight if that is what you are wanting. Good luck!
Not my money, so how much it cost isn't an issue for me :) Hopefully, my Newphew has a dollar limit on what he can spend. If not, this could be an expensive Christmas gift for his parents :eek: :)
Paul E
12-29-2010, 08:53 AM
Personally, I'd make him either learn how to do it or save and pay for it himself...
Cost of installation? $150.00
Value of doing it yourself? priceless
Personally, I'd make him either learn how to do it or save and pay for it himself...
Cost of installation? $150.00
Value of doing it yourself? priceless
I agree with you 100%, but this is my Nephew, not my child, so Don has zero say so in the matter. :)
ky_ace
01-10-2011, 02:40 PM
so.. did he get the system and get it installed? I put a couple 12s in my Jetta and built the box back when I was 18... it was a great time! I thought about putting something in the TJ, then realized unless I install it in the tire, there really isn't much room for it :)
so.. did he get the system and get it installed? I put a couple 12s in my Jetta and built the box back when I was 18... it was a great time! I thought about putting something in the TJ, then realized unless I install it in the tire, there really isn't much room for it :)
You know, I don't know if he did or not. Last Friday night, I made a Midnight run to pull him out of a ditch, but never asked about the system.
so.. did he get the system and get it installed? I put a couple 12s in my Jetta and built the box back when I was 18... it was a great time! I thought about putting something in the TJ, then realized unless I install it in the tire, there really isn't much room for it :)
I asked Nephew via text if he had gotten the system installed yet, and his response was "NO".........
ky_ace
01-11-2011, 10:50 AM
haha so does he have it and not know how to install it? i have a square 15 and a round 12 i may part with if he is still looking.. the 15 is a "brotha" speaker.. it's awesome!! the 12 is more for rock with a hint of rap...
haha so does he have it and not know how to install it? i have a square 15 and a round 12 i may part with if he is still looking.. the 15 is a "brotha" speaker.. it's awesome!! the 12 is more for rock with a hint of rap...
He had a system installed in the past that I think the prior owner had installed, plus the prior owner had at least one or more other systems installed in the Jeeps history as when we bought the Jeep, PO told us that he basically swapped a real nice head unit that he wanted to keep for a cheaper one that was part of the Jeep deal. However, my Nephew had to replace this Head unit. When he did, he discovered quick connect was not used, so instead of learning how to wire this head unit without the quick connect, he prefers to let Santa pay to install it. System parts come and go like water, so I'm not sure if he will be making more changes, or if he is simply going to use the bass box, tweeters, and all the other million items he already has installed. I'll ask him about you speakers.
ky_ace
01-11-2011, 12:06 PM
ahhh... yeah there is an installation group around here called "Audio Kingdom" that uses those $2 splice connectors instead of the $15 instant plug ones. I hate having to splice all that BS and then try and cram it back in the DIN slot. if he changes stuff in and out a lot, a quick connect would be a good idea!! The two i have are Kicker CVR12 and a Kicker L7-15. Both are about a 2006 model and have been in storage since about July 2007.
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