When installing a new sub/amp, is it necessary to reroute the front/rear speaker wiring to the new amp?

Question

Question con't - Is it necessary to reroute the current speaker wiring from the stock car amp, to a new Lightning Audio amp or to leave it as is?

Car - 1999 Ford Taurus LX

Aftermarket Stereo - Sony Xplod CDX-GT510

Front Speakers (5.25") - Stock

Rear Speakers (6 x 8") - Sony Xplod XS-V680HP

Possible Sub/amp - Lightning Audio Bass Package (from crutchfield.com)

- On a side note... how hard is it to run a power cable from a new subwoofer amp, to the car battery? (depending upon what kind of car is involved)

Answer 1

The answer to your main question is dependent on the amp you are looking to purchase.  Assuming this one then the answer is no, you don't need to wire your other 4 speakers to it:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-iOEjb3JfjS6...

If you're fine with you're existing setup and just want to add thump to it, this 2-channel amp would be an OK way to go.  Your installation would entail running a a power wire directly from the battery to the amp, running a small remote wire from the back of the radio to tell the amp to turn on/off with the radio, and a set of RCA audio cables from the back of the radio to the amp to transmit the audio.   Finally you ground the amp to somewhere metal on the car.  That type of setup would not affect your existing system at all, but would add the thump in the trunk.

If you opt to power boost the whole system to make it louder, then a 4-channel amplier would be used for the interior speakers, and then an additional amp for the sub(s).  Another option is a 5-channel amp which will run all 4 inside along with a single sub, but generally these setups are not as good as they could be using 2 separate amps, and are way more complicated to setup, wire, and tweak.

Bottom line, if you're looking to just add some thump to your existing setup and you were capable of installing the current radio and speakers yourself, then installing that setup should be a piece of cake.

The answer to the second question depends on the car and thickness (gauge) of the power wire used. 8 and 10 gauge cables are generally not difficult to use and can be typically be squeezed through existing holes in the firewall used for other wiring.  With bigger wires or more difficult vehicles, drilling a hole in the firewall may be necessary.  Once past the firewall, the problem will lie in routing and concealing the wire under body panels and carpet, and then into the trunk.

Answer 2

i just got done doing mine today (the reason im on here). My first install. I had to drill a hole through the firewall and run the wire from the batter to the amp. But there may be a rubber grommet you can punch through that makes running the wire though the firewall a cinch! Check for the rubber for sure before drilling! I used 20 ft of 4 gauge wire for a 200 watt rms. Im sure thats a little excessive gauge wise, but i wanted it.

I had no problems running it under the carpet and making a clean install. Took me about 5 hours. I couldve done it quicker, but alot of the work is making the install look very neat and clean. Youll be ok.

sorry, your original question....no you shouldnt have to reroute those wires that are powering your stock speakers. unless you plan on running them through an amp other than the one thats on your sony head unit. im guessing its about 17x4 rms, which is plenty loud enough. the bass should sound very nice with those speakers. But you should probably try to upgrade the stock fronts at some point. just a suggestion.

yeah, what boone said about those rca and remote is exactly right! also run the rca and remote on the opposite side that you run your power wire or you will get signal interference.

Answer 3

if your front and rear speakers are working off of the factory amp you dont need to work on them. the sub will work off a seperate amp from them. unless you buy a multi channel amp that will support the entire system. generally drilling a hole in the firewall and installing a grommet is the most complicated part of running a power cable to the battery. be careful where you drill as to not drill into anything on the other side of the firewall.

also be sure to install the RCA cables and remote acc wires at the same time as the power cable.