02 Taurus install

[drbrown 10+ year member]

My 2002 Taurus stereo is tolerable but I want more clarity. I wont be going with subs because I already have enough bass for my tastes. I need some advice on how to implement the parts I have into my setup. I will be keeping the factory CD deck since its an expensive chore to change the HU. The stock setup uses 6x8's front and rear. I want to put a comp set up front and maybe just upgrade the 6x8's in the trunk. I have a 2-channel amp (75x2) and a cheap LOC. I was considering a 5x7 comp set for the fronts or I may just go with good 2-way 5x7s all around. Im not sure what to use to achieve the level of clarity I want. But bottom line I need help on understanding how to wire the amp into this setup.

Should I leave the rear speakers powered by just the stock HU and use the amp for the front channels? And if I get components do the tweeters require 2 more channels? Ive seen they come with a crossover usually but Im still a newb so I dont know how to power them. I need all the help I can get heh. All suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

~Dan

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[tez4life Premium Member]

If it was me, I would not even bother with the rear speakers, just either run them off the HU or disconnect them all together. I would invest in a good comp set up front, and you dont have to limit yourself to just 5x7 comps. You can either make a bracket that will hold a 6.5 woofer, or order a bracket online.

Your 2 channel amp will push the comps fine, as long as you match the RMS of each together somewhat close. You wont need another set of channels to push the tweeters, the comp crossovers splits the single input to both sets on speakers (tweeter and woofer).

And swaping out that HU is not as bad as you think, the kit you will need is the problem, usually going for 50 to 70 bucks on Ebay.

 

[drbrown 10+ year member]

Thanks for the info, its what I needed to hear. So I would just run the signal wires to the comps and splice the tweeters into the same line fo the crossover?

I wasnt worried about swapping out the HU, it was just buying the big honkin face plate kit and it really makes it kinda ugly. Not to mention its $70 usually.

And the reason I wanted to stick with the 5x7 is the door setup is very nice. The speaker hole is kinda molded into the door and its a nice tight seal. Granted a plate would work as well but I figured I would lose all bass with a 5-1/4" door speaker with a tweeter. In my previous experience it seems paper stock speakers have more bass than aftermarket door woofers. The 6.5 wont fit even with an adpater plate, I think that would require grinding from what I was told. Otherwise that would be the hot deal!

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

Ugh, I thought there were going to be pictures...

 

[tez4life Premium Member]

Thanks for the info, its what I needed to hear. So I would just run the signal wires to the comps and splice the tweeters into the same line fo the crossover?
I wasnt worried about swapping out the HU, it was just buying the big honkin face plate kit and it really makes it kinda ugly. Not to mention its $70 usually.

And the reason I wanted to stick with the 5x7 is the door setup is very nice. The speaker hole is kinda molded into the door and its a nice tight seal. Granted a plate would work as well but I figured I would lose all bass with a 5-1/4" door speaker with a tweeter. In my previous experience it seems paper stock speakers have more bass than aftermarket door woofers. The 6.5 wont fit even with an adpater plate, I think that would require grinding from what I was told. Otherwise that would be the hot deal!

I got ya now, the comps have a passive crossover with a single input (- +) from the amp, and a output for the tweeters as well as the 5x7 or whatever size comp you go with. You just put the tweeters where ever your going to mount them, and run the wire back to the crossover.

Sounds like you pretty much know what you want. My cousin had a 01 Taurus, and the stocks were nice we just added a pair of Kicker ND13 tweeter and keep the stock HU in place since his had the 6 disc changer in the armrest.

 

[meh 10+ year member]

I think you can find those faceplates for a little cheaper, just make shure if you get one ( for the aftermarket hu) you get the kit with the wiring harness in it.

 

[tRidiot 10+ year member]

Aftermarket dashkits for that car **** ***. My wife has this same car, and I'm just gonna do 4 6x8s, a couple LOCs, and a small 8 or 10" sub. The aftermarket shit I've seen for it looks sooo bad, it's worth just keeping the factory radio, to me.

UGH.

 

[meh 10+ year member]

nomatter what, you cannot get a aftermarket cd player to look to good I think.

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

Is this what the dash kit looks like?

If so, I don't think it looks too bad. I would either sand and paint the whole thing gloss black, or get a HU that has flat black on it (probably hard to find, so the other way would look better). I would do the gloss black and then paint a few other parts to tie it in, then get a used HU that has buttons that can change color to match your interior (like my Alpine 9835) so it all matches the interior. There are ways around making aftermarket stuff look "stock" or at least blend in better. Also, it is REALLY easy to make 6.5 adapters for 5x7s. I would really recommend getting at least a small 8" sub. Just save up for a bit and do everything right the first time. If you get a decent set of comps and run them off that amp, then you're just going to want more soon...so you might as well do it all at once.

 

[drbrown 10+ year member]

Is this what the dash kit looks like?

Thats the dash kit alright! I think its tolerable but Im not sure its worth $70 or I would paint it and do some trim work. The main stereo is in the trunk so all I'd have to do is tap the wires with LOC's in the trunk to set it all up versus paying $70 for the dash kit, $20 for the wire harness and going thru the pain of the install. I bought universal speaker adapter plates that fit the 6x8 hole and fit 6.5 or 5-1/4 speakers. I own a pair of brand new kenwood 5-1/4" 3-ways so Im going to try amping those to start.

Ive never had externally amped components so this will be new to me. If the mix doesnt sound good I'll consider an 8" sub mounted between the 6x8's in the trunk ledge. I carry my drumset around and cant lose 1" of trunk space since my bass drum is 22x22". So a closed box is out of the question. And if Im still not happy I can upgrade the kenwoods of course as they are just a midgrade speaker.

Thanks for the replies folks!!

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

No problem. You can also consider the shallow mount subs for the rear deck, or a tiny box. I don't remember what a Taurus trunk looks like off the top of my head, or I would give you more ideas...Definitely try what you have though, since it is basically free. Check out this thread for some cheap recommendations: http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298797.

 

[Famous_78]

Honestly i wouldnt even waste your time changing speakers if your not going to put a amp on then or atleast a new headunit.

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

He said he has a cheap 75x2 for the speakers...