2009 Ford Fusion SEL Big 3 Questions

[st0n3r 10+ year member]

As the title says, ive got an 09 Fusion SEL 4 dr 4cylinder. I looked a little over the weekend at planning my big 3 upgrade.

Questions:

1. Where on the alternator do i add the wire? It appears mine is simply a "plug" that plugs in and runs to a box and the box to the battery? The alternator is on the passenger side back of the motor, so i have not gotten a very good look to see anything else.

2. Is 4 guage wiring fine for the big 3 along with 4 guage wiring the amp and such?

If anyone with a Ford Fusion has done a big 3, can you please shoot me some photos or a place that has some? Id like to complete my big 3 in the next 2 days while work is slow and weather is awesome.

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[nateberrier 10+ year member]

There is usually only one post on that alternator that has a big beefy cable connected to it. Just look around and get familiar with it once the car is cooled. That plug is the connector for the ECU, there will be another wire bolted on.

If you are going through the pain of doing the big three just do 1/0, it is not that expensive.

Also congrats on owning a Ford. Every last bit of stereo installation will be a nightmare for you.

 

[st0n3r 10+ year member]

Actually this is my 1st Ford vehicle and i absolutely love it. I already replaced the factory head-unit. It wasn't the NAV unit but it had the Sync and satellite radio. It was EASY, pulled the radio out and plugged in the new Clarion unit i bought. It honestly took about 15 minutes including the time to wire up the adapter to my new harness. The hard part was locating the factory satellite unit which is behind the back side passenger seat even though Ford told me it was in the Dash.

I just have a LOT of 4awg laying around and no where locally sells 1/0 and ive already got the 4awg run from the battery to my trunk and id like to not tear all that crap back out lol.

Ill check around on the alternator a bit later when it cools off, may have to jack up the car to get under it.

 

[THATpurpleKUSH 5,000+ posts]

There is usually only one post on that alternator that has a big beefy cable connected to it. Just look around and get familiar with it once the car is cooled. That plug is the connector for the ECU, there will be another wire bolted on.
If you are going through the pain of doing the big three just do 1/0, it is not that expensive.

Also congrats on owning a Ford. Every last bit of stereo installation will be a nightmare for you.

My Contour has been very easy to work on for stereo related stuff, with the exception of getting to the alt.