install problem(s)

[ajm 10+ year member]

I bought an 04 saab 9-3 with the 7 speaker set-up and seem to be having a hard time figuring stuff out about this car (audio wise). So far ive figured out it has a factory amp and the speaker sizes which is why im comming to you guys. I have also figured out that there is no dash kit/harness so I guess im just sticking w/ the factory radio. On the other hand I am totally lost when it comes to hooking up a LOC on a system that has a factory amp. Is there a how-to floating around or could someone give a quick explanation? As far as I know the LOC would have to be connected before the amp wouldnt it? Also is it possible to use a LOC for the component amps or are they mainly used for sub-amps?

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[funkyab 10+ year member]

hmmmmm... very messy... but not as much as you think.... I have been dealing with swedish cars for years.... BUT NOT with the new technology..... do you have a wiring diagram??? there are of course perfect (or near perfect) ways to use your stock system to power your system. First,,,, why are you even considering the factory amp??? Bypass that shit in a second, unless it is ABSLOUTELY critical... dont think it will be ...

7 Speakers,,,,,,, well.... we need a diagram.... most likely,,, in a swedish car,,, 1 or 2 of those speakers have little if any functional capability on an audio system. Some may be dedicated to gps. phones or other systems... If you could get a GOOD diagram,,,, we can arrange things and make a map.

 

[ajm 10+ year member]

I will get a wiring diagram asap and let you know. As for the amps I did plan on bypassing one of them heres what I had in mind. The car has 3 speakers in the dash, 2 in the front doors, and 2 in the rear deck.

I plan on swapping out the dash and rear deck speakers with some decent coax's and runing them on the factory amp considering they dont require much power and it would be the simplest. For the door speakers which I believe are just woofers I was going to run a set of kicker ss's with mtx ta7402 amp which are in my other vehicle right now. But bypassing the amp and adding the loc is where I got lost and as for the sub amp I was hoping I could just hook a LOC up somewhere along the line.

Ill definetly try to find a wiring diagram though. So far anything about this car has been pretty complicated, im guessing because most people leave the audio stock?

 

[funkyab 10+ year member]

I will get a wiring diagram asap and let you know. As for the amps I did plan on bypassing one of them heres what I had in mind. The car has 3 speakers in the dash, 2 in the front doors, and 2 in the rear deck.
I plan on swapping out the dash and rear deck speakers with some decent coax's and runing them on the factory amp considering they dont require much power and it would be the simplest. For the door speakers which I believe are just woofers I was going to run a set of kicker ss's with mtx ta7402 amp which are in my other vehicle right now. But bypassing the amp and adding the loc is where I got lost and as for the sub amp I was hoping I could just hook a LOC up somewhere along the line.

Ill definetly try to find a wiring diagram though. So far anything about this car has been pretty complicated, im guessing because most people leave the audio stock?

WELL... Maybe "MOST PEOPLE" have as this is a car that is a bit "more uncommon" but you have many directions to go in. YES...Because of the complicated integration of the audio system with other functions of the car,,, personally i would integrate your aftermarket ideas with your stock system... I know it might be frustrating, but i am sure if you search and/or ask around enougn you can find out how to do this in the right way. Unfortunatelly, In situations like yours, i have seen "certifed techs" not being capable of even the most basic aftermarket/custom integration. Please, look around and try yourself.... but otherwise... i have a friend a few hours away (stockholm/goteborg) that might be able to sort me with a diagram.... but remember,,, this is just a diagram.. He has not personal experience with your system... Looks like you are gonna need some specialized help on this one if you find a brick wall.. BUT believe me and others... it can be done and when done right.... QUITE NICE!!!!

 

[sdmtnbiker420 10+ year member]

You will lose features like "Weather report". My sister has that in her 97 Saab.

Personally, I had a Bose system in my Infiniti which I thought was OK. I hooked up a sub and amp with LOC converter hooked to a rear speaker, after the amp. Eventually, I got frustrated with the lack of power and I bypassed the stock amp as well as replaced all the speakers, and it's about twice as loud now, and much more crisp.

It sucks to lose stock features which you paid for, but it all depends on how much you like your music.

 

[ajm 10+ year member]

No wiring diagram yet but I did post on a saab forum and was told by a guy that only the door speakers which are basicly just 6.5" woofers are ran off an amp and the other 4/5 speakers are ran off of the HU. This should make hooking up a LOC a lot simpler shouldnt it? As I can just hook up the LOC to the speaker wires that are not amped and get a signal straight from the HU. Another thing I thought of is how would I get it to where I can adjust the bass using the bass knob on the HU or will I lose that feature as well?

overall im lookin to do the following

3.5" eclipse speakers in the front dash

6.5" kicker ss components in the door

4", 6.5", or 6x9 speakers in the back dash (it has the option of eitheir of the 3)

2 15" L7's unless i can find something that will get just as loud and still sound good and they fit

mtx ta7402 amp on the components

a lower power (roughly 60x4) amp on the front and rear speakers

not sure on subamp still