98 ford escort zx2 build log

[blong4life 10+ year member]

hello folks,

i am going to be doing a complete system upgrade on my 98 ford escort zx2.

first will be a 4 channel amp and a new radio and then I will be throwing some subs in this biotch.

i haven't ordered anything yet, so I am using my pre-existing stuff and some things I got for free to do what i have today. within the next week I will be ordering a new HU and a 4-channel amp for my main speakers.

then after that within the next month i hope to be getting 2 12" subs and another amp to add some bass to this. since it is my first build I will be using cheap stuff but after I get this done i hope in spring i can do something better.

did this stuff thisafternoon, it was raining so i didn't get much done but i took some pics.

here i got my rca's going into my crappy jvc HU, soon to be repalced gonna see what they got

here i got my pre-existing upgraded battery terminals, and yes the negative was loose in this photo it's now fixed.

this was after i put the positive cable on

i switched the direction after

here i got the passenger side framerail, i put the 4-guage wire along the pre-existing wires for the factory key-less and whatever else. i would have done the drivers side but i have my remote start/alarm wiring over there so it's already tight enough.

i cleaned my truck out for the install of the amp, probley gonna mount it on the backside of the passenger side seat ... with excess wire so i can still move it up/down for servicing

i used the pre-existing firewall grommet to run the 4-guage through, i just cut a slit in it and put er through...works for me

here is a picture of the fuse holder connection (yes the fuse is missing, it will be installed last)

finally the engine bay all tighted up

all that stuff took me about an hour or so...was getting dark so i put my interior back together until i get time another day.

let me know if ya got any questions

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[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

holy huge pictures batman

 

[blong4life 10+ year member]

holy huge pictures batman

my bad homie it's all good now

 

[Chris Z 10+ year member]

Lookin good, son. Looking forward to the rest of the build. *Subscribed*

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

looks good...i used to have a 99 escort...

basscort on here has a 99 escort too...im sure he'll chime in and could hook ya up with some pointers man

 

[blong4life 10+ year member]

looks good...i used to have a 99 escort...
basscort on here has a 99 escort too...im sure he'll chime in and could hook ya up with some pointers man

there not bad little cars so i mean i am trying to keep a stock appeal to it, nothing crazy it's my first car and stuff just learning right now.

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

i couldnt complain about my escort...186k miles, ran great but the ****** had issues.

basscort's escort does 150's out of the trunk with one 15" dc lvl 5. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[blong4life 10+ year member]

yeah this thing runs top 181k; starter just died so i replaced that also the coil pack was arcing out so i did a tuneup (coil pack, plugs, wires), coolant flush / thermostat and serviced the ******, flushed with high mileage crap and i threw a thing of lucas slip-stop in it shifs like a champ now...it's a rust bucket though but i plan on running it to the ground

yeah i am thinking of 2 12's prob we'll see though

 

[DSGBazemore 10+ year member]

my sister has a 2000 zx2 them units are tough! and pretty fast for a four banger lol //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

 

[blong4life 10+ year member]

my sister has a 2000 zx2 them units are tough! and pretty fast for a four banger lol //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

yeah there pretty good; i've raced mine a few times no luck though lol

 

[blong4life 10+ year member]

here is what i will probley be running in here.

HU: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17354_Sony+CDX-GT730UI.html

4-Channel Amp: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_10299_Jensen+Power+760.html

Sub (x2): http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_18045_Kenwood+KFC-W3012.html

Amp: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11795_Kenwood+KAC-9104D.html

HU/4-channel will be ordered next week, subs and amps after that...need to save some money at the same time it is getting close to christmas lol

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

i would suggest different equipment...jensen is not good, neither is kenwood...nor sony...lol

 

[blong4life 10+ year member]

i just want to throw something in there for now, this car will be a secondary car come summer time next year. i will get fancy stuff for the next vehicle i get.

 

[94Mazda626 10+ year member]

If you're open to suggestions, consider this HU, http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17639_JVC+KD-R900.html

It's only $20 more has built in blue tooth, and some other options the Sony lacks. I have a JVC KD-G820 head unit that has never given me a lick of trouble, never skipped once. I even had it in my old truck and used to get air a fair bit while running trails in the truck and never skipped then.

 

[blong4life 10+ year member]

If you're open to suggestions, consider this HU, http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17639_JVC+KD-R900.html
It's only $20 more has built in blue tooth, and some other options the Sony lacks. I have a JVC KD-G820 head unit that has never given me a lick of trouble, never skipped once. I even had it in my old truck and used to get air a fair bit while running trails in the truck and never skipped then.

That does look nicer and it's in stock!