Help with wiring amp

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
I have never wired an amp in a vehicle before. I want to put one in my TJ and need some how to and pointers. I am not adding a sub, just upgrading all the speakers and an aftermarket head unit. Teach me oh wise ones haha.
 
If you are putting an aftermarket head unit in, make sure it's one with pre-amp outputs and not just speaker outputs. That way, it's purely plug-and-play. (Without the pre-amp outputs on the head unit, you need to install a line level converter in between the head unit and the amp to reduce the input) You connect RCA cables between the pre-amp outputs and the inputs on the amplifier and run the speaker wires from out of the amp. There is also a positive and a negative wire for the amp and a switched lead that you can connect to the antenna circuit on the head unit to turn it on when the radio comes on. Not a lot to them if you aren't running a sub.
 
you're hardest thing since you're running factory speakers off the amp and not a sub will be running all the speakers wires to the amp so be "mindful" of where you mount the amp so your wires won't have to be as long. otherwise, what ^^said. pretty much every aftermarket head unit comes with rca outputs so you're good there and one hot wire to battery, ground to ground, blue remote wire goes to blue wire on the back of the new head unit (they all have a blue wire for the amp hook up and will say "amp remote" or just remote, or 12+remote). the Schoshe wiring kits at wall-mart are the best bang for the buck and very easy to install. ask away, i've been doing car stereos since high school and even used to compete once! enjoy
 
ManglerYJ said:
If you are putting an aftermarket head unit in, make sure it's one with pre-amp outputs and not just speaker outputs. That way, it's purely plug-and-play. (Without the pre-amp outputs on the head unit, you need to install a line level converter in between the head unit and the amp to reduce the input) You connect RCA cables between the pre-amp outputs and the inputs on the amplifier and run the speaker wires from out of the amp. There is also a positive and a negative wire for the amp and a switched lead that you can connect to the antenna circuit on the head unit to turn it on when the radio comes on. Not a lot to them if you aren't running a sub.
Click to expand...

See now you are showing your age!!! Lol I don't think you can even buy a head unit that doesn't have rca on it! Its ok the early 90's were interesting for car stereo systems! Remember those dam tape players we could pull out and carry around the mall like a fawkng lunch box!!! Yea we were cool!!! Hahahahah.....and you weren't cool if you didn't have to MTX road thunders in a 5th order box!! Lol ...good times!!
 
How big of an amp and why? A good head unit like a Pioneer has a good enough amp built in to drive about any speaker you'd throw in a TJ, and you don't have to worry about extra wiring and mounting it out of harm's way.
 
I think I heard clay mention using waterproof boat speakers that you may see on the bars of wake boats. So he is looking at making the speakers larger and waterproof perhaps.
 
John Fuller said:
you're hardest thing since you're running factory speakers off the amp and not a sub will be running all the speakers wires to the amp so be "mindful" of where you mount the amp so your wires won't have to be as long. otherwise, what ^^said. pretty much every aftermarket head unit comes with rca outputs so you're good there and one hot wire to battery, ground to ground, blue remote wire goes to blue wire on the back of the new head unit (they all have a blue wire for the amp hook up and will say "amp remote" or just remote, or 12+remote). the Schoshe wiring kits at wall-mart are the best bang for the buck and very easy to install. ask away, i've been doing car stereos since high school and even used to compete once! enjoy
Click to expand...
Loop the speaker leads in the aftermarket harness(jeep side) left front to left rear etc etc. Cut the wires that come down the tube from the overhead speaker pods, then you have your front speakers and rear speaker leads right there and only have to run from the amp to there( I always mounts amps under the rear seat but be careful not to run screws into the gas tank) I would use a piece of 1/8 wood under the carpet and screw through the carpet into it......
 
2x on what @catfishblues said but if you do want to run an amp just be sure you run your power by its self and your RCA with speaker wires if not you will pick up road noise
 
krehel24 said:
See now you are showing your age!!! Lol I don't think you can even buy a head unit that doesn't have rca on it! Its ok the early 90's were interesting for car stereo systems! Remember those dam tape players we could pull out and carry around the mall like a fawkng lunch box!!! Yea we were cool!!! Hahahahah.....and you weren't cool if you didn't have to MTX road thunders in a 5th order box!! Lol ...good times!!
Click to expand...


Guilty as charged...... I thought I was bad-ass with my first car's factory 8 track.
 
Thanks guys. I removed the sound bar when I had the cage put in, so now I am using two 6.5" wake board marine grade can speakers on the tube and replacing the front speakers with marine grade 4x6" speakers. I have a small waterproof marine amp I was going to install, but do you think that is even necessary if I am running an aftermarket head unit?
 
BigClay said:
Thanks guys. I removed the sound bar when I had the cage put in, so now I am using two 6.5" wake board marine grade can speakers on the tube and replacing the front speakers with marine grade 4x6" speakers. I have a small waterproof marine amp I was going to install, but do you think that is even necessary if I am running an aftermarket head unit?
Click to expand...
I would not install the The amp the aftermarket head unit is more than capable to push for 4 speakers it would be a lot of work for really no gain
 
Alternately, skip the head and run your phone as the source direct to the amp. Less to steal, less to fail. I've got some decent ways to handle that.
 
Back
Top