A couple questions from the a new guy

[Twist3d]

Hey guys, Im nick. New to the forum and the world of car audio. After recently showing an interest in car audio my uncle gave me a 12 inch Kicker Sub and an MTX amp. I built a box for the sub and covered it. I plan to install this in my 2003 Dodge Dakota. I have a few questions...First, How do I go about Installing the amplifier in to my truck's stock head unit (will that head unit suffice?) Next what is required to connect the amp to the sub? Third, my friend told me that if I do not drill a vent hole in my sub box my sub will over heat? Any truth to this? Again guys, I apologize for being so green, but I really want to get into sound systems and I hope you guys can help me out.

Thanks,

Nick

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[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Your friend is an idiot!

Ok now that thats out of the way lol... Stock headunits are not that great when adding a sub so I would look into adding a new one...

Just wire the sub to the amp you need some speaker wire...

And as far as the hole no dont do it unless its a tuned port...

 

[bgowdy 5,000+ posts]

1st off your friend lied to you about the sub over heating. The sub can get hot weather the box is all sealed up or you have a custom vented box. the only difference is if one box you can smell it heat up and the other box you cant

 

[Twist3d]

I agree about the friend being an idiot haha. Now slow down speed racer, how would I wire the amp to the head unit? I'm REALLY new with electronics, I'm much more mechanically inclined

 

[bgowdy 5,000+ posts]

Your friend is an idiot!...

enough said....LMAO

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Hey guys, Im nick. New to the forum and the world of car audio. After recently showing an interest in car audio my uncle gave me a 12 inch Kicker Sub and an MTX amp. I built a box for the sub and covered it. I plan to install this in my 2003 Dodge Dakota. I have a few questions...First, How do I go about Installing the amplifier in to my truck's stock head unit (will that head unit suffice?) Next what is required to connect the amp to the sub? Third, my friend told me that if I do not drill a vent hole in my sub box my sub will over heat? Any truth to this? Again guys, I apologize for being so green, but I really want to get into sound systems and I hope you guys can help me out. Thanks,

Nick

Some amplifiers accept high level inputs. Low level inputs are RCA cables (like your xbox, television, etc, use). High level inputs are running the speaker wires from the h/u directly to the amplifier. But, many/most modern amps do not accept high level inputs (there are no connection terminals to hook up speaker wires, only RCA inputs) in which case a LOC (Line Out Converter) would be necessary. Yes, generally speaking, low level signal systems using RCA's will produce better performance. This is because using the speaker wires outputted from your h/u means the h/u's internal amplifier is driving the signal, and h/u amplifiers are notoriously 'dirty'. Much of the reason people buy external amps is to get away from the heavy distortion h/u amplifiers produce, so keeping that dirty amp in your signal chain defeats a lot fo the purpose of running an external amp.

You also will have the problem of, if you run two of your h/u's speaker wires to your amp, what speakers do you plan on disconnecting? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif It would also present the problem of not having a built-in crossover for the subwoofer. Another option would be to buy a product like the JL Cleansweep, or RF 3.sixty series of processors, that are much like an LOC, but also have processor functions like a crossover built in. Unfortunately, the added expense of these types of units usually means it defeats the purpose of trying to save a few bucks by retaining your stock h/u. In short, Id recommend picking up a reasonably pricewd aftermarket deck that will give you the subwoofer RCA outputs you need. IN the long run, this will be a more cost effective method.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Oh, and yes, there is absolutely no reason your enclosure requires a 'hole' in it to keep your subwoofer from overheating. I wouldn't call your friend an idiot, there is a lot of misunderstanding about such things out there... but I would say he is incorrect.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

With an after market you just need to plug in the RCA's and splice the memory wire into the harness when you put in the new unit... with the stock one you will need something like this VVV

Stinger SGN11 20W Fixed Line Out Converter - Sonic Electronix

 

---------- Post added at 08:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:36 AM ----------

 

Oh, and yes, there is absolutely no reason your enclosure requires a 'hole' in it to keep your subwoofer from overheating. I wouldn't call your friend an idiot, there is a lot of misunderstanding about such things out there... but I would say he is incorrect.

BS hahaha

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

What can I say, Im a nicer guy than you are. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[Twist3d]

Alright thanks man, I guess an aftermarket HU would be my best bet here, that way I can use the RCA type cables. What Kinda deck do you recommend for this application? I really don't want to spend more than $100

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

What can I say, Im a nicer guy than you are. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

Ya what can I say Im an @sshole hahaha

Alright thanks man, I guess an aftermarket HU would be my best bet here, that way I can use the RCA type cables. What Kinda deck do you recommend for this application? I really don't want to spend more than $100

I had one pretty close to this and they are a nice basic deck

Kenwood KDC-248U (KDC248U) CD, MP3 Car Stereo w/ Front AUX & USB

Or a cheaper one without the USB

Kenwood KDC-148 (KDC148) CD, MP3, WMA Car Stereo w/ Front AUX

 

[grandam888 10+ year member]

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