Upgrading the sound system on your Jeep Wrangler TJ

[Lucheska]

to hook up the sub, i need to cut those terminal ends off the white/black/red/brown wires and then strip just enough to hook into the quick connect plug, right?

Yes

how do i pair them up? red and black are one positive/negative pair on one side, and brown/grey as the other positive/negative pair on the other side?

Check here: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/replacing-factory-dvc-sub-with-svc-sub.65062/

Do you know if an 8" ring that would allow a Kicker 8" RT to fit in the stock center console?

I ran across this video looking for something else. Though it might be helpful since you asked about an 8".
Seems like this guy had good luck getting one in the console with minimal fab work.

 

[SlippyFist]

ok so i got it wired up and put in the box.; instead of installing it back in the center console i took it out and plugged it in to see if it works; no dice.

i don't think there's an issue with the speaker wiring i did, or the radio harness wiring; the PO had replaced the factory sub with a pioneer speaker which has never worked the entire time i've had it; i assumed he hooked it up wrong but now i'm wondering if he blew the amp or something

what is the next troubleshooting step?

 

[Lucheska]

ok so i got it wired up and put in the box.; instead of installing it back in the center console i took it out and plugged it in to see if it works; no dice.

i don't think there's an issue with the speaker wiring i did, or the radio harness wiring; the PO had replaced the factory sub with a pioneer speaker which has never worked the entire time i've had it; i assumed he hooked it up wrong but now i'm wondering if he blew the amp or something

what is the next troubleshooting step?

Sub setting “ON” and level up on your head unit?

What’s between that and the sub?

Check those things for power and signal

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

Correct. They don't reproduce the sound waves, but you get vibration. I'm guessing it won't sound as full, but going down the road, the lower notes are usually washed out anyways.

Some theaters in Vegas and around the world use the same idea by attaching transducers to their seats to add the extra-sensory experience to audience members.

It's kind of a bass placebo, lol

I think im about to go down a rabbit hole here lol.

i had a buddy whos dad built a full custom home theater and he had "rumblers" in the couches....i wonder if that was just an old style of transducers. if so, i know exactly what you mean. i however dont go to public theaters here cuz they are absolute trash LOL

 

[SlippyFist]

Sub setting “ON” and level up on your head unit?

What’s between that and the sub?

Check those things for power and signal

yeah i turned it on and up in the dash unit. i'm assuming between the sub and head unit is whatever the stock configuration is- i don't think the PO ever installed an aftermarket amp or anything- so wherever that 12pin connector goes.

 

[Lucheska]

I think im about to go down a rabbit hole here lol.

i had a buddy whos dad built a full custom home theater and he had "rumblers" in the couches....i wonder if that was just an old style of transducers. if so, i know exactly what you mean. i however dont go to public theaters here cuz they are absolute trash LOL

Cool, man! I’d love to know how it works out

 

[Lucheska]

… but now i'm wondering if he blew the amp or something

What’s between that and the sub?

Check those things for power and signal

 

[Apparition]

I think im about to go down a rabbit hole here lol.

i had a buddy whos dad built a full custom home theater and he had "rumblers" in the couches....i wonder if that was just an old style of transducers. if so, i know exactly what you mean. i however dont go to public theaters here cuz they are absolute trash LOL

Here’s what I believe my theater ones are or similar to these.

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayto...xlGDosghredBEylRSQBn9GnUx32pJbiEaAoMVEALw_wcB

 

[Lucheska]

A sound healing school I checked out recently is using transducers in vests and chairs

I jumped on their website to look at the vests again and what do you know…

The pricing might not be for the do-it-yourselfer, but you see how they are implementing transducers in car seats

https://www.soundloungecenter.com/car-seats/

 

[SlippyFist]

Sub setting “ON” and level up on your head unit?

What’s between that and the sub?

Check those things for power and signal

i'm sorry, i'm still not clear on *how* i do that. i have access to a multimeter and whatever tools i need, i just don't know how to use it. when it comes to electrician stuff, i need instructions like i'm 12.

 

[Lucheska]

i'm sorry, i'm still not clear on *how* i do that. i have access to a multimeter and whatever tools i need, i just don't know how to use it. when it comes to electrician stuff, i need instructions like i'm 12.

I'm not sure how else to help you. Maybe another member can give guidance.

If you're struggling this much, take it to a professional.

Good luck

 

[SlippyFist]

I'm not sure how else to help you. Maybe another member can give guidance.

If you're struggling this much, take it to a professional.

Good luck

it's not really an issue of struggling, the issue is that you're giving me instructions from a 30,000 ft view. im not an electrician but i know using a multimeter isn't hard; i just need to know what setting to put it on and where to put the probes. it's really not that serious. i'm also not going to be able to take this into a shop or otherwise pay someone else to do it.

edit- this is probably a dumb question but i'll ask just to make sure all bases are covered- when i wired up the head unit, i did not attach the blue wire from the factory harness adapter to the blue/white wire from the radio adapter; from what i researched, the blue/white wire is a continuity cable for an aftermarket amp or something, while the solid blue wire is specifically for a powered antenna, and that hooking them up will do nothing. i ask because the PO had connected those wires when he wired up the old deck i just took out, though i don't suspect that is why the speaker he put in the center console never worked.

 

[JMT]

it's not really an issue of struggling, the issue is that you're giving me instructions from a 30,000 ft view. im not an electrician but i know using a multimeter isn't hard; i just need to know what setting to put it on and where to put the probes. it's really not that serious. i'm also not going to be able to take this into a shop or otherwise pay someone else to do it.

edit- this is probably a dumb question but i'll ask just to make sure all bases are covered- when i wired up the head unit, i did not attach the blue wire from the factory harness adapter to the blue/white wire from the radio adapter; from what i researched, the blue/white wire is a continuity cable for an aftermarket amp or something, while the solid blue wire is specifically for a powered antenna, and that hooking them up will do nothing. i ask because the PO had connected those wires when he wired up the old deck i just took out, though i don't suspect that is why the speaker he put in the center console never worked.

You need to have it installed by a professional. Nobody can walk you through what you need to do. There are too many variables and we’d have to be there to help.

If you insist on DIY, get the user manual for your head unit and review what color wires do what.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

it's not really an issue of struggling, the issue is that you're giving me instructions from a 30,000 ft view. im not an electrician but i know using a multimeter isn't hard; i just need to know what setting to put it on and where to put the probes. it's really not that serious. i'm also not going to be able to take this into a shop or otherwise pay someone else to do it.

Rock and a hard place. 30,000 ft is about all anyone can give you without being there, doing it. As for the multimeter use... no, it "isn't that hard," and neither is hooking up a stereo. They key is in knowing how to do it.

For using the multimeter to install a stereo, you're probably only going to need the continuity checker and the DC voltage meter... so, two settings. Maybe resistance, if you're trying to test across a speaker. I'm hesitant to say this, but if you snap a photo of your meter, I can highlight those settings for you.

The better option is to find someone in person that knows this stuff and have them show you.

 

[SlippyFist]

so i need to clarify that the head unit is already installed and is working properly. the speakers all work, except the center console- which is the condition i received the jeep in before i changed anything. i have no idea if the PO blew the amp, or if one of the wires between the amp and sub has gone bad, or if a ground wire has come loose, etc etc.

either way i'll probably just let it go; i don't want to really invest a ton of energy or money into this. this jeep is a bad weather beater backup for my DD- it normally only gets driven a few times a year, and if you saw the condition of it you'd probably ask why i'm even bothering to do this. my main goal in all of this was to replace the head unit with a newer one which is done.

sorry if i seem argumentative, i'm just frustrated. i figured i would just drop the new stuff in and everything would work fine. life is rarely that easy huh.

 

[JMT]

so i need to clarify that the head unit is already installed and is working properly. the speakers all work, except the center console- which is the condition i received the jeep in before i changed anything. i have no idea if the PO blew the amp, or if one of the wires between the amp and sub has gone bad, or if a ground wire has come loose, etc etc.

either way i'll probably just let it go; i don't want to really invest a ton of energy or money into this. this jeep is a bad weather beater backup for my DD- it normally only gets driven a few times a year, and if you saw the condition of it you'd probably ask why i'm even bothering to do this. my main goal in all of this was to replace the head unit with a newer one which is done.

sorry if i seem argumentative, i'm just frustrated. i figured i would just drop the new stuff in and everything would work fine. life is rarely that easy huh.

Pre amp outs on the head unit go to the amp (they are RCA’s). Power to amp from battery (with inline fuse). Ground the amp to the tub. Connect remote turn on from amp to the stereo remote turn on (also called accessory power). Run speaker wires (+ and -) of adequate gauge to the sub.

 

[SlippyFist]

Pre amp outs on the head unit go to the amp (they are RCA’s). Power to amp from battery (with inline fuse). Ground the amp to the tub. Connect remote turn on from amp to the stereo remote turn on (also called accessory power). Run speaker wires (+ and -) of adequate gauge to the sub.

this all for an aftermarket amp, right? i'm still using the stock amp (as far as i know). i have no wires running out to the console except the one with the 12 pin connector.

another thing i can check is to see if a fuse behind the glove box blew- do you guys know which one it would be?

 

[JMT]

this all for an aftermarket amp, right? i'm still using the stock amp (as far as i know). i have no wires running out to the console except the one with the 12 pin connector.

another thing i can check is to see if a fuse behind the glove box blew- do you guys know which one it would be?

Yes, ditch the factory amp. It’s crap and is wired very oddly. I think it only works with the factory head unit. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

Yes, ditch the factory amp. It’s crap and is wired very oddly. I think it only works with the factory head unit. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

ive not been able to make it work with my aftermarket stereo.

 

[SlippyFist]

Yes, ditch the factory amp. It’s crap and is wired very oddly. I think it only works with the factory head unit. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

understood. i read a lot of complaints about the factory amp while researching all of this lol. one thing i saw mentioned in a topic somewhere, for someone who was pushing one of these subs on the factory amp, is that it kept throwing the amp into some sort of protection mode? i have no idea if that's what's happened or not, but even before i started all of this i drew the line at buying an amp and all that. if the PO had already done the work to install one (running the line to the battery, running the preout wires, etc) i'd be a lot more willing to entertain it, but i'm not gonna be the one lol I really don't want to spend any more money on this thing (and i still need to get the morryde tailgate kit). i'd rather spend money on my track rocket lol

thanks for all the replies, i appreciate you putting up with me

ive not been able to make it work with my aftermarket stereo.

interesting. i saw plenty of videos on youtube of people who replaced their head units and subs and didn't get an aftermarket amp and it was all working. i don't know what we're missing though.