I have a 2004 Ls V6 and it just has the single CD player with tape deck and one speaker for each door. I want to install a sub and I assume I have to have a new stereo for that as well. I looked online and in these forums and no one has anything posted starting from scratch. All the ones I've seen they already had subs installed and were modding. I have a great understanding audio equipment wise, outside of cars that is. But inside a car, I'm afraid I'd screw stuff up. I want to do all the work myself for the most part so I can learn as I go. Just have no idea where to start. Also money is tight as I just had my engine replaced. Can someone get me started in the right direction?
Sound system install
- Thread starter Nateff91
- Start date
Years ago in my old '00 V6 with the base radio I replaced the cassette radio with the 6-disc in-dash (non-Alpine) unit, changed the door speakers, added two speakers in the rear deck where the stock subs live and added an amp. I wanted the stock look so wasn't interested in an aftermarket radio.
ft_nox
LVC Member
Nate i bought an 02 ls8 a week ago. I had a mustang with a double din touchscreen in it. Im installing my subs and aftermarket stereo sometime next week. You can HAVE my alpine 6 disk unit if you find a way to ship it.
Very easy to install subs. I ran a pair of speaker wire from the rear door speakers.
You connect to them behind the kick panels. I soldered and shrink wrapped the connections. Next connect high input to rca output adapter in trunk. Install amp in trunk and mount free air 8" subs to rear deck. depending on amp you buy you may or maynot need a crossover. This sounds far better than factory subs, much louder and better bass. This option also allows you to switch subs out for 5X8 or 6X9 in the future if you don`t want subs. I also put in 1" tweeters up front.
You connect to them behind the kick panels. I soldered and shrink wrapped the connections. Next connect high input to rca output adapter in trunk. Install amp in trunk and mount free air 8" subs to rear deck. depending on amp you buy you may or maynot need a crossover. This sounds far better than factory subs, much louder and better bass. This option also allows you to switch subs out for 5X8 or 6X9 in the future if you don`t want subs. I also put in 1" tweeters up front.
1LoudLS
Dedicated LVC Member
adding a sub to any OEM system is as easy as it gets.
it is exactly the same as installing a sub system in to a car with an aftermarket radio, EXCEPT for you also need a Line Output Converter. install the LOC behind the radio connected to two pairs of speaker wire to give you a set of RCA connectors to plug into, then you can also grab the amp turn on signal into the radios ACC wire.
the biggest reason to put the LOC behind the radio (other that its the only place you can grab both side of speaker wire in the same place) is that is you ever do want/need to replace the OEM radio with something that is actually nice, you will already have the RCAs ran there to just plug in.
it is exactly the same as installing a sub system in to a car with an aftermarket radio, EXCEPT for you also need a Line Output Converter. install the LOC behind the radio connected to two pairs of speaker wire to give you a set of RCA connectors to plug into, then you can also grab the amp turn on signal into the radios ACC wire.
the biggest reason to put the LOC behind the radio (other that its the only place you can grab both side of speaker wire in the same place) is that is you ever do want/need to replace the OEM radio with something that is actually nice, you will already have the RCAs ran there to just plug in.
ToiletDick
Active LVC Member
if you need anything, I can get it. I'm a dealer for Skar Audio and a few other companies
Thanks guys for all the input! And thanks for your offers as well! Whats a good way to run RC cables through the car without them showing? Probably will start to look at everything more in depth this weekend!
I ran all the wiring (4 sets as the stock HU has no RCA outputs) under the console, carpet and rear seat into the trunk to the amp and back again (8 pairs total). Getting under the carpet between the rear seat and console was a little tough, but I used a pry bar to lift the rather thick carpet/insulation to run the wiring.