Subwoofer Ford Factory Amplifier Wiring Diagram

Adding an aftermarket subwoofer to your Ford truck can dramatically improve the bass without needing to replace the whole factory stereo system. But how do you tap into the stock amp to power a new aftermarket sub? What extra equipment and wiring do you need? And will it work with your specific Ford model year?

Let’s answer the key question:

Is It Possible to Wire an Aftermarket Subwoofer to a Ford Factory Amplifier?

Yes, you can connect an aftermarket subwoofer enclosure and sub to the rear speaker outputs from the factory amplifier in most modern Ford vehicles. This provides an amplified signal to drive the sub, while allowing you to reuse the factory head unit and installed speakers for an easier and cheaper audio upgrade.

In this DIY guide, we cover:

Subwoofer Ford Factory Amplifier Wiring Diagram Details
What gear you need
How to access the right speaker wires
Step-by-step wiring instructions
Advice for clean installation
Troubleshooting help

Follow along as we show how to tap into your Ford’s stock stereo to add some powerful bass on a budget!

Subwoofer Ford Factory Amplifier Wiring Diagrams

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Subwoofer Ford Factory Amplifier Wiring Diagram Details

When wiring up an aftermarket subwoofer to a Ford factory amplifier, having the correct vehicle-specific wiring diagram is crucial for locating the proper speaker wires to tap into.

For most modern Ford vehicles like the F-150, Mustang, or Focus, you’ll find amplifier wiring diagrams in repair manuals that show the factory stereo head unit connections. This reveals the rear speaker output wires you need to extend back to your new powered subwoofer location.

Diagrams will specify wire colors and pin connector locations coming off the back of the OEM Ford radio, along with labeling left/right rear speaker outputs to tap. Unfortunately, Ford doesn’t openly publish these diagrams, but you can often find them in third-party service manuals.

Some key specifics to take note of on Ford amplifier wiring diagrams when installing your sub:

The wire color and pin position for the left rear + and – speakers
The remote antenna turn-on lead (usually blue/white stripe)
Any signals already converted to RCA lines outs

Having the correct diagram for your vehicle ensures you identify the proper amplified signal now driving your rear speakers in newer Ford trucks. Tapping into incorrect wires can result in weak or missing signals to your aftermarket equipment.

So access the right diagram specific to your truck’s make, model and year before making connections. While it takes some research work, it guarantees subwoofer integration success by utilizing your Ford’s built-in amp rather than complex aftermarket stereo swaps.

What You Need to Install an Aftermarket Subwoofer in a Ford?

First, let’s go over the key items you’ll need for this project:

Aftermarket Subwoofer + Enclosure

You can’t add bass without a sub! Choose a powered subwoofer or get a separate subwoofer + amplifier, along with a fitting sub box enclosure for your truck’s rear cargo space. Match the sub impedance and wattage to your amp wattage.

Amplifier Connection Wires

You’ll tap into wires behind the Ford factory radio to get the amplifier turn-on signal and rear speaker output to feed your new sub amp. This usually requires:

10-20 ft primary amp signal wire
Ground wire
Inline fuse holder
A few wiring adapters

Hand Tools

Gather some basic hand tools like trim panel removal tools, crimpers, wire strippers, etc. to access wires and make clean connections.

(Optional) Signal Converter

Some installs need a speaker-level to line-out converter to drop amplified signals down to standard voltage RCA jacks.

Now let’s look at how to locate the correct wires in popular Ford models.

Finding the Factory Amp Speaker Wires in Your Ford Vehicle

Here are some tips for gaining access to amplifier wires in common Ford models to feed your new aftermarket sub:

Ford F-150

The Ford F150 offers a few options for integrating a subwoofer:

For 2009 and later models, use the rear speaker wires. These are driven by the built-in amp accessible behind the head unit.
2004 – 2008 trucks still have rear speakers amplified by the factory radio. Tap into wires under the center console.
Older legacy systems have rear speakers wired to the rear doors. You’ll need to run new speaker wires through the doors back to the sub location.

Ford Mustang

2005 and later Mustangs come with a factory amp, making it easier to access rear speaker outputs under the passenger seat to feed your aftermarket sub amp.

Ford Focus

The Focus has rear deck speakers you can harness for a sub signal. Check under the interior panels in sedan models or behind the side panels in hatchbacks.

As you can see, the wiring location varies, but most modern Fords have accessible rear speaker wires you can utilize.

Next, let’s look at how to physically wire up the connections.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Wiring an Aftermarket Sub to Ford Factory Amp

Follow these key steps to complete the wiring for your new sub:

1. Tap Into the Factory Amp Turn-On Wire

The aftermarket amp needs an activated remote turn-on signal to power on whenever your head unit turns on.

Locate the factory amplifier behind the Ford radio/climate controls. Identify the remote turn-on wire (typically blue with white stripe). Solder and cover an adapter to extend this wire back to your new sub amp mounting location.

2. Connect the Ground Wire Properly

Secure the aftermarket amp’s ground wire terminal ring under any metal body bolt or factory grounding point. Scrape away paint first to ensure a clean metal contact.

3. Access the Rear Speaker Wires

Splice into the Left Rear + and Left Rear – speaker wires from the factory radio harness behind the dash. Extend these to your new amp installing location.

4. Adjust Signal with a Converter (If Needed)

Some factory systems have amplified signals too hot for aftermarket gear. Use a speaker-to-RCA converter to convert speaker wires to standard low voltage RCA jacks if your amp lacks speaker-level inputs.

5. Plug In Your RCAs + Power

Connect the factory speaker wires converted to RCA to the sub amp inputs. Also wire up the aftermarket amp’s power from your truck’s battery +12V and ground. Install an inline fuse holder on the +12V wire.

That covers the key wiring steps for tapping into your Ford factory stereo to enable an aftermarket powered sub. But there are some other best practices to ensure a clean, reliable install.

Tips for Professional Subwoofer Installation Results

Follow these guidelines to integrate your new gear into your truck seamlessly:

Use quality CCA speaker wire or oxygen-free copper for optimal conductivity and minimize signal loss over longer wiring runs from dash to sub box.
Take time to properly mount the amp to metal for good heat dissipation. Don’t let it shift around; this could loosen connections over bumps.
Carefully wrap + cover any extended runs of 12V or signal wiring with quality loom. This prevents damage from pinching or moisture shorts.
Install removable trim panels cautiously or consider custom sub box mounts that don’t require cutting vehicle panels. This allows clean restoration to stock.
Match your woofer impedance rating and wiring accordingly – Many aftermarket subs allow wiring to certain impedances (i.e dual 2 or single 4 ohm loads). Wire your amp + sub properly.
Inspect all ground points, wire splices, and connections for integrity. Check twice so stray strands or loose connections don’t cause problems when you power up.

And don’t crank that new woofer up full volume right away! Let your speakers break in for a bit before really cranking up the jams.

Now let’s look at some troubleshooting tips in case you run into any wiring issues.

Troubleshooting Your Factory Amp Subwoofer Integration

If your new powered sub doesn’t turn on or you hear problems like crackling distortion from the enclosure, try this:

Use a multimeter to test amp remote turn-on wire for proper 12V signal. If missing, check head unit activation wiring.
Inspect all connections matching outputs to inputs for mistakes. Verify RCA left/right is correct between source unit and amp signal inputs.
Test for speaker wire ground faults. If speakers grounds are shorting to vehicle chassis this can cause noise or malfunction.
Evaluate whether bass signals overwhelm your factory speakers. If so, adjust LPF/HPF crossovers settings on amp or install speaker line converters to reduce voltage from factory amp speaker outputs.
Assess heat buildup on factory amp and clear space if required. Also check your mounting to allow airflow behind new amp. Overheating can cause shutoff.

If you methodically test wiring paths and connections, you can isolate the root cause. But don’t hesitate to consult a professional installer if the problem is unclear. Pro car audio techs can quickly diagnose tricky vehicle-specific issues.

Picking Premium Gear for Best Sound

Now that you know how to install a powered sub in your Ford truck properly, let’s briefly discuss what equipment to choose. Here are some top options:

Rockford Fosgate Punch Series Loaded Enclosures

This respected brand offers affordable powered enclosure combos with 10-12″ subs rated at 400 to 600 watts RMS. The Punch P300x1bd hides the amp built into a custom-tuned sub box for simple clean install.

Kicker 46CXA8001T Solo Classic Subwoofer

This 8″ sub works well for smaller trucks with 350 watts RMS power handling. The integrated 450 watt Class D amp saves space.

JL Audio CP110 Twist & Lock Subs

For those seeking compact bass, JL Audio offers shallow subwoofers with twising lock mounts to fit tight spots and custom truck boxes.

Any aftermarket speakers you add will balance out the new full-range bass impact. But it’s worth looking at reasonably-priced upgrades to really make all your music shine.

Enhancing Sound With New Ford Door Speakers

Since you have interior panels removed already for subwoofer installation, it’s the ideal time to upgrade your factory door speakers as well. More drivers never hurts!

Look for 6 3/4″ to 6 x 8″ aftermarket woofers and tweeters. Brands like Kicker, Alpine, JBL offer direct fit options with better frequency response and power handing than most worn-out stock speakers.

Be sure to match your speaker impedance properly to the total load – It’s easy, just stick to either 4 ohm or 8 ohm models to avoid overloading factory stereo or audio quality issues.

And while the doors are open, consider adding sound deadening like Dynamat to interior metal panels. This can drastically reduce road noise and rattling which enhances music clarity immensely.

Let’s wrap this up with answers to common questions on installing aftermarket subs in Ford vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common FAQs on wiring up an aftermarket subwoofer with a Ford factory amp:

Do I need to keep the Ford factory head unit?

No, you can install an aftermarket radio. But retaining the OEM source lets you reuse all existing speakers easily.

What if my truck doesn’t have a factory amplifier?

If your speakers run directly off the radio outputs, you can still tap into signals but will need to use RCA splitter adapters or converter boxes to provide unamplified line-level outputs for new amps.

Can I adjust bass levels if subs overwhelm factory door speakers?

Yes! Many powered underseat subs or standalone amps provide crossover filters allowing you to customize the frequency bass range going to the subwoofers. This prevents overpowering your other speakers.

How do I determine peak power ratings for subs?

A good general rule of thumb is have your total sub woofer power handling match or even slightly exceed your source unit amplifier’s power output at half the rated impedance load.

Is this easier on newer Ford models?

Yes, usually the newer the Ford vehicle, the easier making wiring connections to interface with factory amp signals. Even base trim head units in modern trucks provide clean, amplified signals making aftermarket install simpler.

Conclusion

As you’ve learned, adding an aftermarket powered subwoofer to your Ford truck utilizing the factory radio and amp signal is very doable for enhancement bass.

The key steps are:

Tapping into rear speaker output wires
Extending amp turn-on signal
Adjusting signal levels as needed
Powering your new gear properly

Completing customized installations does require some technical skill and time investment. But you can save considerable money compared to swapping high-end aftermarket stereos all at once.

So start with beefing up your bass first to appreciate the impact of a well-tuned enclosure. Then upgrade other speakers down the road as funds allow.

Just take care when accessing the wiring paths in your specific Ford model. Using vehicle-specific wiring diagrams ensures you locate the correct wires reliably. This guarantees signal and power hookup success powering your new sub setup without headaches!

Did you find this DIY subwoofer install tutorial helpful? Have experience wiring up custom sub boxes in Ford trucks? Share any tips or comments below!