Stock amp/subs...thinking of upgrading

myfirstlincoln

myfirstlincoln

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I'm interested in the specs of the stock amp in an 03 LS w the two rear deck "subs." Also, has anyone used the stock wiring and used it to add an amp/subs or has anyone used the stock amp and just added aftermarket sub(s). I don't know much about audio but I am interested in putting a simple 10 or 12" and small amp in the trunk- just something w more bump than stock but I need a lot of trunk space for golf clubs and soccer equipment.
 
Trust me it's not powerful enough to push aftermarket subs. How much do you want to spend?
 
Yea I was going to suggest looking on Sonic's website. They usually have good deals. Also try onlinecarstereo.com. They have a wide variety of stuff too.
 
Check overstock.com

I bought my subs and box combo from there. 3 10" mtx's in a ported box. Looks great and sounds great, but no space in the trunk. I actually had "alter" the trunk to.
 
I believe if you want the most bang for your buck, you'd buy an amp and sub that are in your price range. I've had no problems with my Image Dynamics ID 12's. I believe this amp will work, Kicker DX250.1. I'm not sure but I'm pretty positive that I'm feeding them well over their RMS value.

Then build your own box for them to get the most space out of your trunk. My box right now coincidentally allows me to put a golf bag in there. I have two and at 4.0 cu. ft. total these things pound.

Suggest making it out of 3/4" MDF that is found at most hardware stores. Port it and you're good to go. With this speaker/amp combo, MDF, lineout converter (assuming you have the stock hu) and wires you're probably right around $350. A little over but it's a starting point.
 
With stock electrical I was running 2 type r's. A total of 1k watts. I had dimming headlight at full tilt. I didn't have a voltmeter hooked up back then but I'm sure it wasn't pretty.
 
FrankLS said:
With stock electrical I was running 2 type r's. A total of 1k watts. I had dimming headlight at full tilt. I didn't have a voltmeter hooked up back then but I'm sure it wasn't pretty.
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My lights dim too. I've noticed the HID's don't but the interior lights, high beams, fogs and everything else does. Assuming that the voltmeter through my radar detector is correct, while my lights dim its still getting around 14 volts, normally it reads in the 14.0-14.4 range. Of course this is all at the full tilt, head throbbing, trunk rattling level.
 
You could run 2 orion hcca 15.2 for your car to be a beast, ill be puttin them in my next mountaineer. But theres a little size difference between a ls and a mountaineer. Lol.
 
I'm assuming from all the replies, no one has simply tried to replace the factory subs with another speaker?

I'm not looking to upgrade, (just bought the car last week) my subs are blown. I need replacements that don't rattle... better than factory.
 
6x9 is not a common size for a mid-woofer/woofer. They're are few, if any, that will drop right in. You're not going to want to put a pair of speakers back there, it's not going to be the same. The amp, although not completely useless, does not have the power to push anything more than what comes from the factory. Also, the ones I've come across cost a pretty penny.

Best bet is to leave them unplugged for now, no "rattle" but you'll lose what little bit was left in them. I think you can get the replacements through Ford still but I can only imagine what that costs. If I wasn't looking to upgrade I'd unplug them and save a little bit for a small sub.
 
I have the THX system in my 03 that I bought with blown subs. I replaced them with the updated OEM design which looked much higher quality than the ones in there from factory and they sound absolutely superb. Cost me around $100 with shipping for both from Max. The stock amp was built specifically to power these subs and does so marvelously but isnt really meant for powering aftermarket equipment.
 
Would someone be willing to measure the outline of the faceplate?

I know it would be easier to measure the box faceplate then measuring the trunks dimensions itself.

2420177_IMG-0431.jpg



I want to make a custom faceplate like that. Pardon the crappy paint skills. The front of the box will be flat and have a Lincoln logo license plate built into it. The back of the box is going to have 2 separate boxes, one for each sub and the amp mounted on the back of the faceplate in the middle of the 2 boxes.

box.jpg
 
jmtiseo said:
6x9 is not a common size for a mid-woofer/woofer. They're are few, if any, that will drop right in. You're not going to want to put a pair of speakers back there, it's not going to be the same. The amp, although not completely useless, does not have the power to push anything more than what comes from the factory. Also, the ones I've come across cost a pretty penny.

Best bet is to leave them unplugged for now, no "rattle" but you'll lose what little bit was left in them. I think you can get the replacements through Ford still but I can only imagine what that costs. If I wasn't looking to upgrade I'd unplug them and save a little bit for a small sub.
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Adding a sub woofer and amp is out of the question. While I feel like this is my new toy, its also the second family vehicle. Even in my Navigator I'm replacing the factory subwoofer with an equivalent that will fit the factory box... though I will use an amp in its case (the truck is much bigger than the LS).

Are you sure they're 6x9? I assumed they were 6x8 since Ford uses that size so much. I found a set of 6x8" components by Infinity on ebay for just over $100. I'm thinking I may just get those, sell the tweeters and crossovers, and just live with the results.
 
AVEY10 said:
You could run 2 orion hcca 15.2 for your car to be a beast, ill be puttin them in my next mountaineer. But theres a little size difference between a ls and a mountaineer. Lol.
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You won't be able to breathe if you set them up correctly with a tuned box and an amp that will give them the needed juice. Those subs will pull some major current. A guy at work has two in his Jeep, and you can't sit in the car for more than 10 seconds without gasping for air at full tilt.. Given, he has an upgraded alternator and an extra battery.
 
Door speakers are 6x8's I'm running Infinity Reference 6x8's in my doors. I'm positive the rear deck subs are 6x9. I attempted to put 6x9 Infinity Reference speakers back there and it didn't fit. It was the correct size but the basket for the speaker was larger than the basket for the sub. It will fit with a spacer or some other modification.
 
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Elemino said:
Are you sure they're 6x9? I assumed they were 6x8 since Ford uses that size so much. I found a set of 6x8" components by Infinity on ebay for just over $100. I'm thinking I may just get those, sell the tweeters and crossovers, and just live with the results.
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The stock door speakers are 5X7/6X8.
 
jmtiseo said:
Door speakers are 6x8's I'm running Infinity Reference 6x8's in my doors. I'm positive the rear deck subs are 6x9. I attempted to put 6x9 Infinity Reference speakers back there and it didn't fit. It was the correct size but the basket for the speaker was larger than the basket for the sub. It will fit with a spacer or some other modification.
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Thanks for the info. Luckily I know a few great car installers in the DFW area. Maybe one of them can make spacers for me. One of them recommends I use 6.5's instead, which may be easier to find.
 
I just bought a 2000 LS with the Apline 6 disc changer. There is no sub or amp in the trunk but there is a wiring harness on the driver side in the top corner I am guessing for the stock amp and subs. Can you buy an aftermarket harness to hook to that harness so you can run after market subs and amp? If so where.. if not how do you go about hooking up aftermarket subs or does anyone have the stock subs and amp for sale??
 
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