YACAT: Install subs in 2000 Maxima

[DrumminBoy]

My friend wants me to install his subs in the Maxima he just got, but I've never installed subs with a factory system before. Basically I just need to know how to get the audio input and the remote connection to the amp with the factory HU. Also, is there a good way to run the power wire from the battery, all the other install jobs ive done were on sh!tty cars, so i just ran it in through the door and back to the trunk. His car is nice so I need somethin thats not going to be noticeable. Any help would be great.

 

[SuperTool]

Does your friend have Bose or just the regular sound system? Try www.maxima.org

 

[Shawn]

The amp needs to either have high level imputs (I think that's the correct term) or a box which will convert them to RCA.

 

[DrumminBoy]

I believe its just the regular sound system, and if his amp does have low level inputs, where do I connect them from? Would there put outputs on the HU or do i need to run them from the rears?

 

[KEV1N]

Is it in his budget to upgrade his HU?

 

[SuperTool]

I think you need to drill a hole in the firewall for the power.

 

[DrumminBoy]

Originally posted by: KEV1N
Is it in his budget to upgrade his HU?

not really, we're just taking the subs out of his old jimmy and putting them in his new car.

 

[stev0]

you need a line out converter. it splices into the factory harness, either to the front or rear speakers, whichever channel you want your subs to be on, and adds two rca outputs. i've seen two different versions, one for about $25 the other for about $50.. sound quality and the way it hooks up to the exsisting speaker wire are the only things that are different.


as for running cables, there should be a hole in the firewall, possibly were the spedo meter cable goes through, just cut a little hole in the rubber grommet there and stuff the power wire through. pull up the kick panels on the driver side, stuff the cable under the edge of the carpet, use some tape to hold it down in a couple of spots.. run it all the way back to the back seat, assuming it has a fold down back seat to the trunk just run it behind the seat and into the trunk. repeat on the other side of the car (passenger) with rca and remote. and it should be pretty easy to find a peice of metal to hook a ground to in the trunk, just make sure that if there is any paint on the surface to sand it off (ensuring a good connection between the amp and it's ground).

 

[chasem]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I think you need to drill a hole in the firewall for the power.

but remeber you have to even off metal edges, if the wire got rubbed and grounded out on the frame on the highway, phew

 

[NutBucket]

You missed. The amp needs speaker level inputs. Low level inputs are RCA's. And the best way to run power cables is still under the door sills. Getting it through the firewall requires you either finding a suitable opening or carefully drilling a hole.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: chasem

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I think you need to drill a hole in the firewall for the power.

but remeber you have to even off metal edges, if the wire got rubbed and grounded out on the frame on the highway, phew

Thats what fuses are for, the fuse saved me from burning down my car when I accidentally shorted the power to the frame. Place the fuse as close to the battery as possible.

Personally, I don't like drilling the car when you don't have to. You can look for an existing grommet or hole to route the power through.

 

[DrumminBoy]

Originally posted by: stev0
you need a line out converter. it splices into the factory harness, either to the front or rear speakers, whichever channel you want your subs to be on, and adds two rca outputs. i've seen two different versions, one for about $25 the other for about $50.. sound quality and the way it hooks up to the exsisting speaker wire are the only things that are different.


as for running cables, there should be a hole in the firewall, possibly were the spedo meter cable goes through, just cut a little hole in the rubber grommet there and stuff the power wire through. pull up the kick panels on the driver side, stuff the cable under the edge of the carpet, use some tape to hold it down in a couple of spots.. run it all the way back to the back seat, assuming it has a fold down back seat to the trunk just run it behind the seat and into the trunk. repeat on the other side of the car (passenger) with rca and remote. and it should be pretty easy to find a peice of metal to hook a ground to in the trunk, just make sure that if there is any paint on the surface to sand it off (ensuring a good connection between the amp and it's ground).

thanks, i think ive got everything covered now except the remote wire. Any help there?

 

[IamElectro]

Being a Maxima it most likely has a power antenna. Use a volt meter and check the wires comming out the back of the radio for one that goes hot "12-14.4v" when the radio is switched on. Or check the fuse panel for a fuse that goes hot when the ignition is turned on "remeber the amp will turn on with the car and not the radio so if the car is running the amp is powered up"