Advice on Subwoofer installation
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Advice on Subwoofer installation
Hey guys, I just bought a nice JL 12W7 sub, and am thinking about putting it in my 03' ML320. The problem is, I have no experience in car audio, or much less cars.. In an effort to save money, I want to try to install it myself. I'm wondering if anyone has ever done this with such a minimal amount of experience? I need to find wiring diagrams as well as the technical layouts of the car; where should I get these materials? Any input is greatly appreciated!
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 512
Likes: 2
04 S500, 05 Jeep GC, 06 Acura TL, 04 BMW 530i, 98 Jag xk8,
If your in NY I would send you to the shop where I got my setup done.
It was like cheap and if I ever had a problem he would take care of it for me.
He ran a fuse from the batt along the passengers side of the car under the door sills to the rear bench. thats where my amp is. he also ran some wires for the head unit. for audio. Not to sure exactly what went on there but that w7 is going to bump HARD..
It was like cheap and if I ever had a problem he would take care of it for me.
He ran a fuse from the batt along the passengers side of the car under the door sills to the rear bench. thats where my amp is. he also ran some wires for the head unit. for audio. Not to sure exactly what went on there but that w7 is going to bump HARD..
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Hey guys, I just bought a nice JL 12W7 sub, and am thinking about putting it in my 03' ML320. The problem is, I have no experience in car audio, or much less cars.. In an effort to save money, I want to try to install it myself. I'm wondering if anyone has ever done this with such a minimal amount of experience? I need to find wiring diagrams as well as the technical layouts of the car; where should I get these materials? Any input is greatly appreciated!
Also where are you located?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
If it was a toyota or something where parts are easy to come by and CHEAP I would say go for it... you dont want to F up something in you ML... If you already have an amp and the sub mounted in a box, just bring it somewhere... should spend about $200 on the install maybe 3 depending on the parts... otherwise you just need to drill a hole in your firewall, run the power cable(4gauge recomended if you have an amp that will appropriately drive that W7) Tap the signal off the sub amp(which in your car should be located under drivers seat) then disconnect factory sub install the amp, and connect all the wires...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
you have no amp? oi vey... JL 1000.1 is what you need for that sub, dont skimp.
a line drop? please explain what you mean...
a line drop? please explain what you mean...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Or hold on till you can pick up the 1000.1 used/ demo/ new...
Like I said, thats a pretty BEEFY sub, and if you starve it for power, its not really gonna sound all that well
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
if I were you... I would try and sell or trade that sub you have for a combo that would work in your vehicle. Something with an AMP and Sub...
Or hold on till you can pick up the 1000.1 used/ demo/ new...
Like I said, thats a pretty BEEFY sub, and if you starve it for power, its not really gonna sound all that well
Or hold on till you can pick up the 1000.1 used/ demo/ new...
Like I said, thats a pretty BEEFY sub, and if you starve it for power, its not really gonna sound all that well
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
thanks, that is good advice. the 1000.1 is pretty expensive, so i'm thinking about picking up a 500.1. in the meantime, my friend has a couple of amps that he is not using, and is gonna let me use them temporarily. one of them is a kenwood 800W amp, and the other is some no name brand.. (crutch or soething like that) which is well over 1000W. not exactly sure on the ohms ratings on those 2, but they should suffice for the time being?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
make sure you test for ignition correctly and you dont blow anything... 22gauge wire sounds a little small, I have some wire in my tool box, Ill check it out and tell you what it is
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
so you're saying I shouldn't opt for anything less than 1000.1? I'm not trying to enter any competitions... some others have told me that the difference due to underpowering the sub will not be that noticeable. ??
the kenwood is out of the question.. the other one is a POS, crunch.
would my safest bet be just to get 4gauge wire for all of my wiring?
the kenwood is out of the question.. the other one is a POS, crunch.
would my safest bet be just to get 4gauge wire for all of my wiring?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
no no... the 22Gauge might be fine, I think I have always used a 16g for remote turn on(ignition)
You can do what you would like with the sub... I would just wait for the 1000.1
If you hook it up to a 500watt amp and Crank the gains way up high your going to be feeding the sub distorted signal, the distorted signal will do more damage to the sub then under powering it, if you cant go for a 1000.1 go with another amp that can continuously drive 1000 watts(RMS)that isnt a junk brand.
You can do what you would like with the sub... I would just wait for the 1000.1
If you hook it up to a 500watt amp and Crank the gains way up high your going to be feeding the sub distorted signal, the distorted signal will do more damage to the sub then under powering it, if you cant go for a 1000.1 go with another amp that can continuously drive 1000 watts(RMS)that isnt a junk brand.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
10001i, amp, bose, crunch, disconnecting, install, installation, installing, ml55, seats, subwoofer, w163
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
