how much the set up cost? and how long it take for you to install?
Making the ML sub sound better
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 8
From: ID
Thanks, guys, for the nice comments.
The amp was $230 and the wiring kit was $30. Since the ML sub is 14 ohms instead of 4 ohms, the Kicker amp can only actually deliver about half its rated power--but that's no problem--250W is still more than the ML amp could do. So you don't need to go nuts getting a 4GA power lead installed. 8GA is plenty hefty. 40 or 50 amp fuse is enough, too.
The complete install can be done in a weekend. It's not too hard to do. I did not remove the battery to reach the grommet where the power lead passes through the firewall, but it was tight to reach in there with my fish wire. I also did not remove the rear seats at all. I pushed a fish wire between the upper side of the rear seat next to the door jamb, and it found the hole leading into the trunk.
It’s a 10” driver. Not sure how many watts it can take, but since I am not really playing the system any louder, or driving more bass into the car (just shaping the bass to sound better), the stress on the driver ought to be the same as before. The Kicker amp I’m using claims 2x225W which is a 30Vrms swing into 4 ohms. In bridged mode that’s 250W into the 14 ohm sub, below clipping. I suspect that’s about double what the ML amp provided for the sub, but I don’t really know.
The complete install can be done in a weekend. It's not too hard to do. I did not remove the battery to reach the grommet where the power lead passes through the firewall, but it was tight to reach in there with my fish wire. I also did not remove the rear seats at all. I pushed a fish wire between the upper side of the rear seat next to the door jamb, and it found the hole leading into the trunk.
It’s a 10” driver. Not sure how many watts it can take, but since I am not really playing the system any louder, or driving more bass into the car (just shaping the bass to sound better), the stress on the driver ought to be the same as before. The Kicker amp I’m using claims 2x225W which is a 30Vrms swing into 4 ohms. In bridged mode that’s 250W into the 14 ohm sub, below clipping. I suspect that’s about double what the ML amp provided for the sub, but I don’t really know.
Last edited by DrexLex; Mar 28, 2007 at 04:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 8
From: ID
I ran the ground lead up inside the trunk’s side cover just next to the amplifier, pulled it out the top, and screwed it to the underside of metalwork right in that area. There were already some holes, so I found a screw that fit. Then replaced the dress panels, so it’s not visible. Absolutely zero engine noise/whine.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 3
From: CA, Bay Area
I like your work and absolutely agree with on the taste of music thing... My non-ML OEM stereo is a mediocre system but I hesitated to modifiy it like I have done to my other cars. Anyway...
When mounting the amplifier on the trunk floor, does it getting into the way of the other uses of the trunk? or any inconvenience (say you want to put two golf bags)?
When mounting the amplifier on the trunk floor, does it getting into the way of the other uses of the trunk? or any inconvenience (say you want to put two golf bags)?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 8
From: ID
I like your work and absolutely agree with on the taste of music thing... My non-ML OEM stereo is a mediocre system but I hesitated to modifiy it like I have done to my other cars. Anyway...
When mounting the amplifier on the trunk floor, does it getting into the way of the other uses of the trunk? or any inconvenience (say you want to put two golf bags)?
When mounting the amplifier on the trunk floor, does it getting into the way of the other uses of the trunk? or any inconvenience (say you want to put two golf bags)?
Last edited by DrexLex; Apr 12, 2007 at 12:16 AM.
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: WEST PALM BEACH, FL
hey drex thanks alot.. and one more question, did you use the factory sub out line to connect to the amp or did you use your mids line? There two rca input did you put it together to connect?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 8
From: ID
So I'm not actually using RCA inputs on the Kicker amp, as this model has both RCAs and speaker level inputs. If your amp only has RCA line level inputs, you'll need to drop the signals at least 20 dB (10:1) to keep from clipping the amp's input stage.
Last edited by DrexLex; May 11, 2014 at 01:31 AM.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 8
From: ID
Hmm, I'm wondering--do those batteries in the trunk deep discharge while driving, as opposed to the "normal" battery, which pretty much sits at 12-14v all the time? Might want to put a voltmeter on it--or ask a Hybrid expert what voltage range they normally experience. If the voltage drops below, say, 8v, you might not only starve the amp (limit the power output), but it might cause the internal regulators to fall out, thus inducing some noise or unstable operation. I'm not certain it will be a problem, but it depends on the amp's design. Might want to check it out.
