Hoping someone can give me a yay or nay on this. Plan is to keep the old dash stock, so I want to install the HU in the trunk and simply rely on the remote for controls. I am looking to run a constant 12V to the dash from battery, and pigtail it with 3 leads coming off, two of which will be illum/switched, controlled by a simple DPDT switch mounted somewhere in the interior. Than run all three leads to the HU in the trunk. Will this work the same as a normal switched wire or am I overlooking something? Anyone with ideas on how to wire a HU elsewhere other than the dash? Thanks
Replies (3)
ttocs on 03/15/2009 19:45:48
classic car? There are options starting in the glove box, going to under the seats, in a center consol. What kind of car and what are you wanting to do as far as the system goes?
grendel on 03/15/2009 23:03:11
Unfortunately its only a 5th gen cougar...old but winter-beater old, not classic. Some reason though, I still enjoy leaving the dash as is. Biggest problem is that it came with a ford premium system, the amp crapped out on me, and its cheaper for me to install a new HU. The connectors that are to the original deck do not lead directly to the speakers though, and since for some reason (researched over the net and still no answers) I don't have a 12V constant @ the deck (possibly run through the amp?) So after hours of di**ing around with it, I've come to the conclusion of mounting the HU in the trunk, that way my speakers are all right there.
As for more to the system...possibly an amp and subs, but I've got a strange feeling that an SC and performance mods might come first.
If I run a 12V from the battery, back to the HU, splitting it to a 12/3 at a dash mounted switch, out of the HU to a true ground, is that going to cause a series or parrallel circuit to be created? I think its still going to be parallel and 12V to all, but I can't picture it for some reason.
swez on 03/16/2009 05:31:53
Seems to me that you would be better off with a good Aftermarket HU and run all new wires for power, speakers and antenna. Just leave the dash unit alone and it will look OEM, but non-functional. (No power to it at all)
Depending on the vintage of this Cougar, it may employ common body grounds to each speaker. Todays' aftermarket HU's need a 2-wire system to each speaker. Check the trunk deck speakers to see if the ground line is attached to the rear deck. (Most US car stopped that practice in the early/mid 80's)
If you really want good sound, this project will be considerable as you will need to run new wires all around and amping both interior speaker and a sub makes sense. A good 5-6 channel amp will cover everything with fresh speakers. (50 RMS x 4 for speakers and a sub channel would do well)
Comments?
Swez
Replies (3)
ttocs on 03/15/2009 19:45:48
classic car? There are options starting in the glove box, going to under the seats, in a center consol. What kind of car and what are you wanting to do as far as the system goes?
grendel on 03/15/2009 23:03:11
Unfortunately its only a 5th gen cougar...old but winter-beater old, not classic. Some reason though, I still enjoy leaving the dash as is. Biggest problem is that it came with a ford premium system, the amp crapped out on me, and its cheaper for me to install a new HU. The connectors that are to the original deck do not lead directly to the speakers though, and since for some reason (researched over the net and still no answers) I don't have a 12V constant @ the deck (possibly run through the amp?) So after hours of di**ing around with it, I've come to the conclusion of mounting the HU in the trunk, that way my speakers are all right there.
As for more to the system...possibly an amp and subs, but I've got a strange feeling that an SC and performance mods might come first.
If I run a 12V from the battery, back to the HU, splitting it to a 12/3 at a dash mounted switch, out of the HU to a true ground, is that going to cause a series or parrallel circuit to be created? I think its still going to be parallel and 12V to all, but I can't picture it for some reason.
swez on 03/16/2009 05:31:53
Seems to me that you would be better off with a good Aftermarket HU and run all new wires for power, speakers and antenna. Just leave the dash unit alone and it will look OEM, but non-functional. (No power to it at all)
Depending on the vintage of this Cougar, it may employ common body grounds to each speaker. Todays' aftermarket HU's need a 2-wire system to each speaker. Check the trunk deck speakers to see if the ground line is attached to the rear deck. (Most US car stopped that practice in the early/mid 80's)
If you really want good sound, this project will be considerable as you will need to run new wires all around and amping both interior speaker and a sub makes sense. A good 5-6 channel amp will cover everything with fresh speakers. (50 RMS x 4 for speakers and a sub channel would do well)
Comments?
Swez
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