So I call this stage 1 because it's all i can afford for now. Later in life I'll make this a competition grade car, but for now I have is a Line out converter and a 10" sub.
I'll apologize in advance for the cellphone pictures...
So to start, we take stuff apart! its way easier with the seat out, and I eventually got the center console etc apart.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0536.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0536.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
This is the PAC audio LOC, I bought the fancier version with adjustable levels. I deemed this better than stinger, and so far so good. Even came with extra wires, and a useless instruction manual.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0526.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0526.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Peeled back the carpet in the passenger footwell, nice little hole in the firewall to run a 4ga through.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0528.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0528.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
And out the other side, then routed around the engine bay. Still have to secure the wire in these pics.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0532.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0532.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0544.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0544.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The plan is to have the amp under the seat, and the sub in the hatch area. I though I'd have to cut a slit in the carpet to get the wires where i wanted them, but nope
.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0535.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0535.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
My ground, sanded and secure to the chassis
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0534.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0534.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
now getting the radio out threw for a minute. I had the Ford OEM keys from another build for a friend but, I didn't see the holes for them. Oh wait a mintute, theres covers there! and easy.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0537.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0537.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0538.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0538.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0539.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0539.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Look at all the space under the radio! I know where I'm putting that Grom audio unit when I get it.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0540.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0540.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Wired the bad boy in, and this is about the point where I broke something... something important too. Trying to get the PAC to sit behind the radio pulled out the speaker connector. But those spare wires/connector saved me, and on it goes.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0543.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0543.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Run the cables through the console, plug it all in. BAM subwoofer.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0545.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0545.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0546.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0546.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0548.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0548.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
So I tried to build a custom remote for the amp, It went so poorly I'm not even going to show everyone the build, just how it came out. (I broke it twice, used the wrong stuff, and oversanded etc. but I learned)
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0498.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0498.jpg" border="0" alt="sub remote custom protege 5"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0569.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0569.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I'm going to have to find a way to darken the LED, its waaay to bright at night.
Gave it a good cleaning while it was apart, and then i sat down to set gains and crossovers. It sounded like s***, it was inconstant and poppy (like punchy but maxing out). I sat there thinking I had just wasted $60 on that PAC. I tried for like 1 hour to get it right, but according to the google machine you can't wire LOC left and right. I had wired the 2 channels off the rear speakers, so i pulled and RCA out and it sounded proper. Not great, I blame that on the headunit's factory tune, but better than before.
Lesson here is kids that you wire LOC to one side Left or right (not both).
Then later that week I got a free old school 12" phoenix gold sub! sounds better than the JBL, I think. eh, time will tell.
I have to say, these cars are really easy to take apart and put back together. only difficulty i had was getting the radio in properly.
Thanx for reading
I'll apologize in advance for the cellphone pictures...
So to start, we take stuff apart! its way easier with the seat out, and I eventually got the center console etc apart.

<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0536.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0536.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
This is the PAC audio LOC, I bought the fancier version with adjustable levels. I deemed this better than stinger, and so far so good. Even came with extra wires, and a useless instruction manual.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0526.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0526.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Peeled back the carpet in the passenger footwell, nice little hole in the firewall to run a 4ga through.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0528.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0528.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
And out the other side, then routed around the engine bay. Still have to secure the wire in these pics.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0532.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0532.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0544.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0544.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The plan is to have the amp under the seat, and the sub in the hatch area. I though I'd have to cut a slit in the carpet to get the wires where i wanted them, but nope

<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0535.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0535.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
My ground, sanded and secure to the chassis
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0534.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0534.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
now getting the radio out threw for a minute. I had the Ford OEM keys from another build for a friend but, I didn't see the holes for them. Oh wait a mintute, theres covers there! and easy.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0537.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0537.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0538.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0538.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0539.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0539.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Look at all the space under the radio! I know where I'm putting that Grom audio unit when I get it.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0540.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0540.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Wired the bad boy in, and this is about the point where I broke something... something important too. Trying to get the PAC to sit behind the radio pulled out the speaker connector. But those spare wires/connector saved me, and on it goes.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0543.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0543.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Run the cables through the console, plug it all in. BAM subwoofer.
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0545.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0545.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0546.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0546.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0548.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0548.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
So I tried to build a custom remote for the amp, It went so poorly I'm not even going to show everyone the build, just how it came out. (I broke it twice, used the wrong stuff, and oversanded etc. but I learned)
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0498.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0498.jpg" border="0" alt="sub remote custom protege 5"></a>
<a href="http://s1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/?action=view¤t=IMG_0569.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z474/Tyson_Floris/IMG_0569.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I'm going to have to find a way to darken the LED, its waaay to bright at night.
Gave it a good cleaning while it was apart, and then i sat down to set gains and crossovers. It sounded like s***, it was inconstant and poppy (like punchy but maxing out). I sat there thinking I had just wasted $60 on that PAC. I tried for like 1 hour to get it right, but according to the google machine you can't wire LOC left and right. I had wired the 2 channels off the rear speakers, so i pulled and RCA out and it sounded proper. Not great, I blame that on the headunit's factory tune, but better than before.
Lesson here is kids that you wire LOC to one side Left or right (not both).
Then later that week I got a free old school 12" phoenix gold sub! sounds better than the JBL, I think. eh, time will tell.
I have to say, these cars are really easy to take apart and put back together. only difficulty i had was getting the radio in properly.
Thanx for reading