Stereo Wiring

[fjfreak24]

What kind of wiring(kits) do I need to buy for a sub, new front door speakers, and a mono and 4-channel amp?

[Castle Rock FJ]

Shop around before you buy an "all-in-1" kit. Some tend to be way overpriced. However, after saying that, I usually pay a little more and buy the components individually so that I can choose the specific items (fuse holders, ground blocks, proper RCA cable lengths... etc) that I want. You will need power (long) wire, ground wire (short), engine compartment fuse holder, firewall grommet, power wire splitters or rear fuse block, ground block and/or splitter, smaller power and ground wire, RCA Cables, Turn on lead (if using the factory head unit you can use the sub wiring harness in the right rear),........

How many RMS Watts?
With 2 amps I would recommend a 4-gauge kit with at least a good 1 farad cpacitor. If you are going to push more than 1,000 watts - maybe a 2 gauge kit and a good 2-3+ farad capacitor.

Where are you installing the amps?
I would get something with at least a 20' power wire to reach about anywhere. (I am putting mine behind the rear seats and 25' is way too much.)

Will your amps take a speaker level signal? If not, and IF you are planning to use the factory head unit, you will need a speaker level to RCA level converter.

Speaker wire - You can use the factory wiring, but would have to cut the factory wiring harness - I am running 16-gauge to all of the speaker locations - Bet I have used over 100 feet - but am wasting some of that by cutting it before I run it.

You really need to give us more information............


Steve

[trainman0978]

actually, you can buy speed wire, which is four sets of speaker wire and a remote turn on wire all bundled into one shielded loom about the same size as 2 or 4 gauge wire. You run that from your 4ch amp to the deck mount area and connect it to your aftermarket wire harness ( if you use a aftermarket deck) . then all you have to cut is the ends of the factory wires next to each speaker. clip the conector on the speaker so you will have it later if you need it. This will save you at least a couple of hours if not more, and this is how just about every audio shop does installs, unless the customer requests new wire. You don't gain many improvements pulling new wire unless you are going into competition or you are setting up a system with super high end component speaker sets and multiple amps. Of course with new subs you will have to have speaker wire to get from the sub amp to subs. Also, just did mine a few days ago, you can fit a bigger amp under the drivers seat than you can the pass. seat. I put my 4ch. under the drivers seat, sub amp under the passenger seat. We used a 4 gauge wire to a splitter block under the center console, with a 4g going to each amp. I used a kac-x541 kenwood excelon 4ch. and a alpine mrd-m1005 sub woofer amp. pushing two 12" type-R subs No cap installed, no dimming headlights, no excessive amp drain on the battery or charging system. btw. if you are gonna get new door speakers you will need to either hack up your factory gear or go to tacotunes.com and get some mounting plates.

[socalboo]

trainman - funny you should mention the size difference under seats for amps...I looked at it last weekend and the drivers side did look bigger. Any idea on how much bigger. It just looked like the width (from side to side of fjammer) was an inch or so bigger. Is that what you found?

thanks

as for wiring, I've found the same as trainman...bundled is way most shops go. for most of us, that is gonna be fine.

The bundled amp wiring kits tend to give you sub-quality rca and speaker wire, in my opinion. But many do have decent power and ground wire. remote turn on (blue) isn't a pick wire, so many are thin and that presents no issues. a lot of newer rca cables have remote wire bundled. Easy way to do it.

If you end up going separate cables (I am...a bit more work, but not a ton), look out for the remote turn on bundled with rcas (saves running one wire) and look out for 2x2 rcas (for 4 channel amp) which save space and time. Just picked up a stinger 2x2 and really like the look of it. super shielded appearance...hoping performance matches.

[fjfreak24]

I am not actually installing my setup, I am having Fry's do it; however the man told me to get 50ft of 16guage monster speaker wire, 3 sets of RCA cable (6meters), a 4 guage dual amp kit, a deck kit, and a wiring harness. I guy is going to mount two amps behind the back seats to power my sub and new infinity front door speakers. I was just confused on what specifically to get in terms of the wiring harness and amp kit, etc.

[ChrisInSeattle]

fjfreak24 previously said:

I am not actually installing my setup, I am having Fry's do it; however the man told me to get 50ft of 16guage monster speaker wire, 3 sets of RCA cable (6meters), a 4 guage dual amp kit, a deck kit, and a wiring harness. I guy is going to mount two amps behind the back seats to power my sub and new infinity front door speakers. I was just confused on what specifically to get in terms of the wiring harness and amp kit, etc.

The most important question is: Are you using the factory deck, or buying a new head unit? The wiring scheme is a lot different between the two.

I don't see how you need 18 ft RCA cables. That's nearly the length of the entire truck.

The 4 guage dual amp kit you need for sure.

I agree with the people here suggesting you don't replace the factory speaker wire (I'm only running speaker wire for my sub). You won't notice the difference at all at the level you're talking about.

[fjfreak24]

Yes I am getting a new head unit

[ChrisInSeattle]

fjfreak24 previously said:

Yes I am getting a new head unit

Okay, that makes sense then.

It goes something like this:

You need 5 channels of RCA going from the head unit to the amps (so 3 pair). Then you need one speaker wire going to the sub (short). And then you might want to run speaker wire to the 2 back channels (if you're mounting amps behind the seats - back to the head unit, probably, if you're mounting amps under the front seats), and then 2 channels back up front and either jacked into the stock speaker wire or run to the front speakers.

Roughly.

[fjfreak24]

What should I do for a wiring harness?

[ChrisInSeattle]

fjfreak24 previously said:

What should I do for a wiring harness?

Your best bet would probably be Crutchfield.com. Somone around here has posted the part number for the FJ one. Or call 'em. I think it'll set you back around $20(??).

All my knowledge on this subject is second hand from other posters here.