Adding 4-channel amp to base 4.2" Sync

[Keith_PDX]

Yes I searched but it was hopeless.

I would like to add an Alpine KTP-445U to my stock 4.2" Sync system under the dash (near where the stock amp is, when so equipped) when I upgrade the stock speakers to Polk Db units to add more power to the system. Question: Is there a singular place under the dash that I can grab all four channels to splice the Apline unit in? Was hoping to do this without pulling out the center console and stock unit to get behind it.

If I do have to pull the OEM radio out to get to the harness, is there a harness adapter available that will allow me to tie this in without splicing the factory wires? I looked on Metra and Crutchfield but didn't find anything. Most information in the sticky up top appears to be for the 9 Speaker and Shaker system when it references connectors from Mouser.

Thanks!
Keith

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[mikes2017gt]

As the stock HU has no preamp outs, by default, the only way to get a signal for an amp is to splice into the factory wiring harness, somehow.

I don't know what the back of the factory HU looks like. I.E. if it has a Molex connector only for the speaker outputs. If it does, Metra or someone else might make a harness that plugs into that output and has pigtails that you splice (SOLDER) your own wires onto for the input to the amp (or to a line output converter...your amp has two LOCs built in). Then you would need another harness that you soldered to the outputs of your amp, to interface back with the other Molex plug that goes to all the speakers. Makes sense, I hope? :lol:

If there is no harnesses available, you are here: -->

The base system has no separate amp, so there are only three places you can grab the speaker level outputs for each channel:

1. Behind the HU (most logical place)
2. The wiring harness before it goes into each door and each rear deck speaker (too stupid to even mention, but there it is)
3. The wiring harness somewhere behind the dash, before it splits in all different directions (possible to do but darn near impossible, most probably, w/o disassembling the dashboard)

So that leaves pulling the HU out of the dash and splicing 8 wires for the inputs of that amp, into the speaker outs of the factory HU. You want to put any amp where it has room to breathe. Have you measured to see if that amp will fit near the clutch, where the amp is located in the Shaker system? It's pretty small overall, but the 8" length (plus wiring harnesses sticking out) may get in the way. But it's narrow/short enough that you might be able to zip tie it under the dash somewhere.

For those curious, here's the manual for the amp. http://support.alpine-usa.com/products/documents/OM_KTP-445U.pdf

Your initial thoughts on "how to best do this" (get more power without changing the HU) are on the right track. That's a pretty well-featured amp for being so small.

*edit*
First post of this thread states that Mouser carries Molex connectors for the various radio outputs. Worth looking into. http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25501&highlight=center+speaker

 

[Keith_PDX]

The wiring harness somewhere behind the dash, before it splits in all different directions (possible to do but darn near impossible, most probably, w/o disassembling the dashboard)

*edit*
First post of this thread states that Mouser carries Molex connectors for the various radio outputs. Worth looking into. http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25501&highlight=center+speaker

Thanks for taking the time to write such a thorough reply.

The third option is what I was hoping, perhaps there was a plug near where the shaker amp usually is. I don't have my car yet so I can't really dig into it myself. I am just planning and ordering parts. I am an electrical engineer by trade and previously an electronics technician, so I'll figure it out at some point! Solder is the only way! ;)

I had read later in that thread that those Mouser connectors were not for the base Sync system, it was a Sync 2/3 thing. Someone feel free to correct me if I read it wrong.

 

[mikes2017gt]

Good to hear you're an EE and have been an electronics tech; I know you understood everything I said, and you can do the work needed.

There's a lot of info on this forum on the wiring harnesses....a lot of it in the thread I linked to. The catch(s) is that the wiring harnesses in the cars are different depending on if it's a base model GT, a GT Premium or if it has the 12-speaker Shaker system.

For example, I have a Premium with the 9-speaker Shaker system, which does not come from the factory with a subwoofer. Therefore, the wiring harness for the subwoofer is not even present in the trunk; you have to run all new power and signal wires. All for Ford to save probably $2 on the wiring harness...which they could've just passed on to the consumer. Personally, I would've appreciated having the signal wires present already. Would've saved $10 on the LOC and an hour upside down in the trunk.

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