Added Sub/Amp/Bass-knob to Boston Acoustics

[blackpepper]

Here is my setup if you have any questions feel free to ask away. It taps into the stock rear speakers with a line out converter. I would have had the connection in the front speakers but the UConnect lady and Nav lady plays through the front four speakers and I didn't want the extra bass interfering with my phone conversations. The sub and box is completely removable in case I need the extra room.

Boston Acoustics REC
One Phoenix Gold 12" Subwoofer
Alpine PDX 1.600 mono-channel amplifier
Bass control knob in center console

Videos - The second one is for the resident Elvis fiend :D
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/th_MOV03898.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/?action=view&current=MOV03898.flv)
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/th_MOV03964.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/?action=view&current=MOV03964.flv)

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/soundsystem_wk4.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/soundsystem_wk5.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/soundsystem_wk7.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/soundsystem_wk9.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/soundsystem_wk12.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/DSC03782.jpg

[Matt]

Sweet set-up bro!!!!

[tcm glx]

I did the same but used a JL Amp and a JL Stealthbox, and it really wakes up the BA system, I love it.

[White WK Swagga]

:kewl:Nice setup!!! Thats exactly what I'm looking to do.:thumbsup:

[B.P.O.D]

nice setup ryan!!!

[blackpepper]

Thanks, guys.. I'll get a side profile of the box.. it's angled perfectly to slide behind the back seat. I had the box in my ZJ and the angle still works perfectly!

[08Hemi]

That is clean...can you talk me through it a little Ryan. I installed a system in my old Dakota and it was pretty involved, but the easy thing was it was ALL aftermarket so the RCA's. amp power and remote turn-on was all easy to set-up...I do not know how toy "tap" into our stock system...can you explain about this proces? Also, did you still have to run a power line from battery to amp (it looks like it, or can you piggy-back some other source?). And, again help stupid out: do we have an amp if we have the BA stock set-up? I really want to do a system but do not want to replace everything and spend a lot of $$$...any guidance is needed

[Matt]

That is clean...can you talk me through it a little Ryan. I installed a system in my old Dakota and it was pretty involved, but the easy thing was it was ALL aftermarket so the RCA's. amp power and remote turn-on was all easy to set-up...I do not know how toy "tap" into our stock system...can you explain about this proces? Also, did you still have to run a power line from battery to amp (it looks like it, or can you piggy-back some other source?). And, again help stupid out: do we have an amp if we have the BA stock set-up? I really want to do a system but do not want to replace everything and spend a lot of $$$...any guidance is needed

I'll help ya out (I'm sure Ryan won't mind)

To install an amp you'll need to run;

Power wire: battery to amp
Ground wire: sanded, solid ground to amp
Remote turn on wire: you can use the cigarette lighter (+) or any speaker wire - you can tap into one where the factory amp is located.
Source wiring: 3 ways to do this...

Solution 1
The cheapest solution to get an audio signal from the factory radio to an aftermarket amplifier is a using high-level signal. This can only be done if your aftermarket amplifier has high-level signal inputs.
Solution 2
The next cheapest solution is to purchase a line output converter, commonly referred to as a LOC, that will convert a high-level signal to a low-level, RCA signal that every amplifier has an input for.
Solution 3
The most expensive, but easiest solution is to purchase a wiring adapter that will produce a pair of low-level, RCA pigtails located behind the factory radio.





The factory Boston system is very good in my opinion. The factory Boston amplifier uses a crossover network to create a very good factory sound stage. Simply adding a small sub/amp combo is a perfect addition and will make for a nice stereo. Definitely go for it!!

[Robert Palmer]

"Go special go, blow whistle blow, Frankfurt special's got a special way to go. Woah!" :D


:lol:

[blackpepper]

What Matt said :cool:
I used a LOC

[scottsjeep05]

nice job! i like it. i kind of wish my set up was as concealed and removable like yours!

[08Hemi]

Awesome Matt, thank you. I am familiar with the RCA piggyback method but I do not want to have to take the dash apart if I dont have to...sounds like the LOC is the way to go. Where is the stock amp?

[Matt]

Awesome Matt, thank you. I am familiar with the RCA piggyback method but I do not want to have to take the dash apart if I dont have to...sounds like the LOC is the way to go. Where is the stock amp?

Yup, use a LOC and there's no need to pull the dash.

Our Boston amp is located behind the driver side rear quarter panel.

http://wkjeeps.com/interior_trim.htm

http://wkjeeps.com/wk_audio_pinouts.htm

[08Hemi]

Can you provide the product/model#/price for the LOC you utilized...

also check this out:
http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=CHRY-AMP-01

would that work well? I want the best quality sound possible without breaking the bank

[Matt]

Can you provide the product/model#/price for the LOC you utilized...

also check this out:
http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=CHRY-AMP-01

would that work well? I want the best quality sound possible without breaking the bank

That's the harness I described in "solution 3" above. It involves no splicing or cutting; simply connecting.

A decent LOC = PAC Trunk LOC (click here (http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_5285_PAC+TRUNK-LOC.html))

[Matt]

^^ fawk, that's discontinued there, but they're like 20 bucks on eBay.

[NHWK05]

Shifter Knob. Where did you get it. I WANT ONE LIKE THAT. I hate the new style jeep ones and i have been looking for sumtin that matches the interior wood grain look.

[Matt]

Shifter Knob. Where did you get it. I WANT ONE LIKE THAT. I hate the new style jeep ones and i have been looking for sumtin that matches the interior wood grain look.

I think he bought a Mercedes knob from eBay.

[blackpepper]

I got it from ebay but good luck finding one like it! It was a tough find. I ended up selling it b/c it was too small of all reasons.

[NHWK05]

Ok thanks, What was it listed for? Jeep? Mercedes? etc.

[blackpepper]

It was listed for the benz. Make sure it's a threaded knob with no button... I think early to late 90s but I can't remember.

[TimmyB]

They have Scosche high/low converters at walmart, the same ones sold on crutchfield.com. I think they would work fine for just splicing into the speaker wires getting a signal to the amps.

[NHWK05]

It was listed for the benz. Make sure it's a threaded knob with no button... I think early to late 90s but I can't remember.

Threaded? how does it fit on the stock setup then? Set screw?

[blackpepper]

Ehhh (lol) check this link out you'll see what I'm talking about. As long as it's not a mechanical shift knob you should be ok; the stock knobs pop off with a quarter turn while the high end benz knobs are a little more refined. Either way they have the same function. Sorry for the confusion lol
http://www.wkjeeps.com/interior/wk_shift_knob_remove_01.jpg

[NHWK05]

OK cool, i prolly wont do one for a while but i will keep my eyes open on ebay for one. thanks