The days project: Amp and sub! - Page 6

S0UL_CHICKEN · #51 (**permalink**) 12-30-2012, 10:01 AM

Looking forward to it sir! Good luck!

truckin_NC · #52 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 09:04 AM

Yesterday I was set to install the new speakers but my wife has the flu and that took a chunk of time out of my day. When I finally got some time, I noticed that Polk Audio does not give you speaker connects or short lengths of wire to connect your speakers... I had just assumed all speakers came with those things so hadn't bought any. I was able to find three and could connect ONE speaker, but I have to go out and buy the rest today.

And maybe I just have a clean amp, but the stock speakers sounded a ton better than I expected off an amp! Can't wait to get all the Polks in!!

S0UL_CHICKEN · #53 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckin_NC

Yesterday I was set to install the new speakers but my wife has the flu and that took a chunk of time out of my day. When I finally got some time, I noticed that Polk Audio does not give you speaker connects or short lengths of wire to connect your speakers... I had just assumed all speakers came with those things so hadn't bought any. I was able to find three and could connect ONE speaker, but I have to go out and buy the rest today.

And maybe I just have a clean amp, but the stock speakers sounded a ton better than I expected off an amp! Can't wait to get all the Polks in!!

I hope the wife feels better today! I opened up my Alpines after reading your issue, and they came with a section of wire, plus made the negative connection smaller than the positive. I took a glance at the door conduit and it looks to be a pain to run new speaker wire through. I am half tempted to tie into the wiring harness behind the head unit if I run into time constraints. Since I don't have a garage and will be doing this at work it may be the only way to go and then wait until its much warmer outside to actually run the speaker wire to the speakers from the amp... Decisions, decisions....

truckin_NC · #54 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S0UL_CHICKEN

I hope the wife feels better today! I opened up my Alpines after reading your issue, and they came with a section of wire, plus made the negative connection smaller than the positive. I took a glance at the door conduit and it looks to be a pain to run new speaker wire through. I am half tempted to tie into the wiring harness behind the head unit if I run into time constraints. Since I don't have a garage and will be doing this at work it may be the only way to go and then wait until its much warmer outside to actually run the speaker wire to the speakers from the amp... Decisions, decisions....

Thanks, me too! I know folks say running new wire is the way to go, but after having a listen through the factory wiring I'm not convinced it's worth the hassle. Maybe it makes a difference if you're running 100 watts of power to your speakers, but 45 watts sounds pretty good.

I don't have a garage either and it's raining today. Looks like I'll have to go over to the in-law's if I'm gonna finish this afternoon.

S0UL_CHICKEN · #55 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 03:18 PM

The amp should be here tomorrow, so I am on track for this Saturday to get the install done. I will more than likely try to run wire through one of the doors to see how much of chore it will be. I also thought of taking the stock wiring and attaching the 16GA to it and pull it through the door. I am not sure how it will work though... it could be a major pain just trying to find the wiring under the dash or by the door.

Let me know how it goes sir!

**x_mods** · #56 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 06:26 PM

Every time I have gone through the doors I remove the rubber boot on both sides, then squish it into a straightish shape and stick a coat hanger through with the wires taped to it

S0UL_CHICKEN · #57 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 07:59 PM

That is a good idea X! I have electrical fish tape, but figured it would be too large to run it through there. Is there a lot of room through that boot with the existing wiring harness?

truckin_NC · #58 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 08:32 PM

That's the way to do it if you're going to!

I was able to finish my install this afternoon with a make-shift rain shelter (a huge tarp). And WOW! The speakers, sub and amps sound phenomenal!

One issue though - my SRS light is flashing, not sure what that's about. I disconnected the battery before removing the seats and reconnected the plugs under the seats before reconnecting the battery. Any ideas?

truckin_NC · #59 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 09:34 PM

Another thing - for the rear speakers, I didn't cut the factory speakers out of their brackets to make adapter plates for the new speakers. I took the whole factory unit out and drilled 4 1/8in holes for the new speakers. I ran the speaker wire to the new speakers through one of the screw holes left by the factory speaker unit. The Polks also came with a foam ring that goes between the speaker frame and mounting surface.

Also, the front speakers required little modification to install. There's a plastic lip around the front edge of the factory speaker bracket needed to be removed for the Polks to sit flush. The Polks also didn't line up with the factory holes so I drilled new holes for those, too, but reused the factory bolts.

Hope that helps!

**x_mods** · #60 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S0UL_CHICKEN

That is a good idea X! I have electrical fish tape, but figured it would be too large to run it through there. Is there a lot of room through that boot with the existing wiring harness?

There is enough room inside the rubber boot for sure, but the problem is that you always seem to tangle the fishtape or coat hanger in the wire bundle which makes it a lot harder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckin_NC

That's the way to do it if you're going to!

I was able to finish my install this afternoon with a make-shift rain shelter (a huge tarp). And WOW! The speakers, sub and amps sound phenomenal!

One issue though - my SRS light is flashing, not sure what that's about. I disconnected the battery before removing the seats and reconnected the plugs under the seats before reconnecting the battery. Any ideas?

Is that the airbag light? I know in my 2010 when I took out the factory radio I had to unplug the airbag light, and then when I put it all back together the airbag warning was on, and my VDC light stayed on. Just had to drive in a straight line for about 1/4 mile and it went away.