Amp install

[jrowland3]

I know this has been posted many times but......I will be installing 2 Elemental Design amps in rear of runner. One will be 2 or 4 channel for front and rears and other will be 1 channel for subs. Do I need to run new wires or can I just tap into old amp wiring with a harness or splice.
I will be installing a double din JVC 840 that I had in previous car, along with Elemental Design 6.5 fronts.
Doors have been sound proofed using roofing flashing from Lowes.....cheap and has the same effect as the expensive stuff.I will sound proof rear once install begins.

Thanks for your help.

 

[knightsfs4]

Well you CAN do anything, but why wouldn't you want to upgrade the wire to something that is 100% copper and high quality instead of the stock stuff? You're already buying a new amp and subs, why not replace the wire while you're at it?

 

[riceandpho]

save yourself the headache and just run new wires, leave the stock there and run new wires along it, for knightsfs4 dont go to a joke shop lol.

 

[jrowland3]

Thanks....thats my plan....just checking

 

[jimmied]

Yes you need to run new heavier gauge wire.

 

[MikeInNH]

If the original wire is Aluminum...then by all means run new wire. If they are copper...then running new wire may or may not be beneficial. Heavier gauge wire for cars in most cases aren't needed because of the short runs. The longer the run (usually over 5') the heavier gauge will be needed.

 

[knightsfs4]

save yourself the headache and just run new wires, leave the stock there and run new wires along it, for knightsfs4 dont go to a joke shop lol.

Oh dude you are hilarious!!! Ha I wouldn't take my car to any audio shop. I do all my work myself. :gun5:

 

[riceandpho]

Oh dude you are hilarious!!! Ha I wouldn't take my car to any audio shop. I do all my work myself. :gun5:

u did take your car to a audio shop, u paid for a tint job that was so bad, so jokes on you, just like the shop name.

 

[knightsfs4]

I wouldn't take my car to a car audio shop for audio...

 

[crashman]

The after market amps need allot of current and a bigger wire to carry it.
I would look at the connection on the amp to see what size it is made for, my Rockford amps have a 4 gauge wire inlet on each so I ran a 2 gauge back and used a distribution block
If you are doing it yourself I would get a wire kit from Car Audio Stereo - Car Subwoofers - Car Amplifiers and Speakers they seem to have the best prices I have found

 

[MikeInNH]

Current being used is determined by the speaker. The more efficient the speaker the less current/watts the speaker is going to draw. You may have a 1000w amp..but that doesn't mean it's putting out 1000watts ALL THE TIME. It'll peak at 1000watts sometimes. While a lower gauge wire isn't going to hurt anything......it may not be necessary.

 

[crashman]

I can see what you are saying
The amp manufacture specks out a certain gauge wire I think it is for a reason so I just blindly follow. However if you ran a smaller wire and the amp hits the 1000 watt a few times it could overheat the wire right? And possably damage something
Just my $.02

 

[wondamic]

What ever you do, DO NOT use straight flashing. If you want the real deal check out Don's site:

Sound Deadener Showdown - Your Source for Sound Deadening Products and Information


I'm going to do a complete install using Don's stuff on my ride in the next month or so--I'll post plenty of pictures.

I'll also update with new amps, wires, speakers and HU.

Regarding your wire size you can find the right gauge here:

Recommended Power and Ground Cable Sizes & Speaker Wire Size and Length

Hope these sites help...

 

[MikeInNH]

However if you ran a smaller wire and the amp hits the 1000 watt a few times it could overheat the wire right? And possably damage something
Just my $.02

Yup...but I surely wouldn't want to be in the truck when it hits 1000 watts....What will that equate to be in DB's.

 

[2uzrunner03]

You definately can't use the stock amp wiring, I think its like 10g or 12g. It's definately high quality, just not thick enough for 2 aftermarket amps. A quality 4g kit will handle about 800watts. 2g-about 1500w. 0g for anything higher. 8g won't be enough with 2 amps. Also the factory speaker wires are high quality. If you can use those I would.

 

[REDMY]

Run new and thicker wires for all speakers and amps. You're going to sound deaden the rear anyway so you might as well run new wires also. Not hard especially since you can remove the grommets. Plus it's better to just know where everything is and how things are set up in your own car.

 

[jrowland3]

Do you suggest a factory wiring harness for new head unit and if so which one??

 

[4D7]

My 0.2 cents as an installer..

Grab a harness, don't splice your factory harness for all that is holy..

Go to a best buy or any shop that stocks Metra parts and grab a harness adapter.

Non JBL Standard Metra Part # 71-1761 | Toyota wire harness | Metra Online

If you have JBL Premium http://www.metraonline.com/part/70-8117

Don't pay more than $10 for either of those.

Run new wire for the speakers and get yourself a decent 4GA amp kit that comes with a fuse holder - mount the fuse no closer than 12" from the + terminal on the battery.

Run the 4GA + down the opposite side of your vehicle that your RCA cables are on to avoid interference..

Use a distribution block to split the 4GA + into two separate runs for your two amps.. for that matter SKIP two amps and get a single 5CH!!! (4Ch for mids - 1 mono for the sub)

Make a decent ground for your amps too!! don't just drive a screw through the ring terminal on your ground wire into a surface with paint on it.. scrape away the paint first and then secure the terminal

I could go on with good advice, but I am tired..