Installing amp/subs keep factory head unit

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

What is the best way to go about this?

i want to keep my factory head unit because im not sure if i can keep my bluetooth without it. Not to mention the steering wheel controls are nice.

i think i can buy this rca cord from radio shack, that had speaker wire on one end, and rca on the other. i can tie the speaker wire into the rear speaker wire, and run the rca into my amp. not sure if thats 100%, or how it would sound. perhaps i will lose quality, or output?

i know i can buy a line output converter, but thats less easy since i would have to take apart my dash and deal with all of that. also dont know how that would affect quality or output.

also, i bought a wiring kit, it came with an 80 amp fuse, if its a cheapy, will it hurt my setup if i use it? just figure if its not a bad thing, why not use it instead of wasting it.

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[x1le 10+ year member]

what kind of car?

using a line output converter is the best option. If you simply splice in a pair of rca's, more than likely the output will be barely audible. Just because you're using a line out converter does not mean you have to take apart your dash - in fact, that's usually my last resort. it's all dependent on the vehicle.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

its a 2006 mitsubishi raider, also known as a dodge dakota

do u have any suggestions on which brand or model of line output converter to use, or are they all generally the same? i just dont want to lose any quality or output if possible

 

[Toxic_Acoustiks 10+ year member]

quality tends to depreciate when using line converters

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

If I were to be stuck using a factory head unit, I would more than likely go for a Zapco DSP6, JL Audio Cleansweep, Audison BitOne, Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty, etc.

The only way I would go for LOCs is if I was 100% certain that the factory head unit didn’t perform any type of processing. For example, some factory head units significantly reduce frequency response below 100 Hz as one cranks the volume. So unless you’ve put your HU on a RTA, be extremely leery of using straight up LOCs because you could run into issues.

 

[x1le 10+ year member]

The only way I would go for LOCs is if I was 100% certain that the factory head unit didn’t perform any type of processing. For example, some factory head units significantly reduce frequency response below 100 Hz as one cranks the volume. So unless you’ve put your HU on a RTA, be extremely leery of using straight up LOCs because you could run into issues.

I've run into that problem on some fords, where as the volume increases the bass actually decreases. However, I've thrown in a bunch of line out converters into a pretty broad range of cars with no problems for the most part. I suppose the quality will not be as "clean", but it's not going to be anything audible.

I would just go with any $20 brand LOC, personally.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

is there a way i can use my blue tooth with an aftermarket stereo? i have my old one that has rca outputs, aux, and usb, which are all nice. but with a girlfriend i just really enjoy the blue tooth.

im sure the rockford fosgate 3sixty is nice, im a fan of rockford, but i would rather install an aftermarket stereo with rca outputs, have no blue tooth, than pay that much money for that.

 

[x1le 10+ year member]

you can always purchase the bluetooth module for your headunit if it's "ready".

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

you can always purchase the bluetooth module for your headunit if it's "ready".

not sure what u mean

 

[robertoyoung08 10+ year member]

id go with a jl cleansweep or req or some kind of processo. but those are usually more. if your not looking for some crazy set up, than aloc is good. i had a loc, prior to my current req sound processor, and it worked great. i never had any problems with it.

OR you could really just buy a new hu. that would be the absolute best thing. a lot of hu now come with bluetooth.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

i could buy a new head unit that has blue tooth, but i already have 3 head units that are not in use right now. i guess i could try and sell them, would probably pay for a new head unit. thanks didnt even really think about that, because i forgot they are starting to have blue tooth now as well.

 

[robertoyoung08 10+ year member]

yup. try and sell them. even some ofthe cheapest hu now come with blutooth.

 

[robertoyoung08 10+ year member]

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