so I've become a little short on cash and i would like to install my system myself this upcoming sat.

heres what i have.

dual headunit with i-plug, front preamp output, rear preamp output.

4 infinity 6022's already installed (but hooked up to the factory h/u

a kicker zx 200.4 4channel amp

kicker kx 200.2 4channel amp (200Wx4 ohms bridged)

2 kicker 10"cvr's in the kicker comp ported box.

2 8-gauge kicker amp wiring kits

scosche wiring harness

so i have a couple questions concerning the upcoming install.

My plan:

1) Install dual headunit with the antenna and controls using the wiring harness

1)install the dual headunit to the zx200.4 using the front preamp inputs (fader allows use of only one rca input) to power the infinity speakers

2)install the kx200.2 to the rear preamp inputs, then running the kicker cvrs off the amp

My questions

1)what would be the easiest way to connect the infinity speakers to the kicker zx200.4??? would i be able to just disconnect them from the factory amp locations, extend the wires, and plug them up to the kicker amp, or would i need some 12-16 gauge wires? (amp is rated at 40Wx4)

2) how would i be able to still incorporate the factory subwoofer?? could i run the speakers and everything off the kicker amp and then somehow use the factory amp to still incorporate the stock subwoofer???

3) i did a search but could not find exactly what i was looking for, are there any detailed threads or posts that show how to hook up a 4-channel amp up properly in the element????:-?:-?


i know it's long and stupid, but any help is appreciated.:neutral:

hopefully with y'alls help i can install the system myself and soon have enough money for the kicker zx750.1 for my cvrs.:evil:

I would say that your best bet would be to run new wires for the speakers. I will say running new wires to the rear doors was a complete pain in the booty. I really regret cutting up my factory plug to the factory amp. You could just cut and extend the wires, but if you're not careful, you may make it impossible to revert the wiring to factory.

If you want to run the factory sub along with the 10's, you'll have to get a splitter and extra set of rca's. for the extra set of rca's i actually got a stereo rca' plug on one end and a 1/8" mono on the other end. It makes it easier. I wouldn't recommend this because you'll lose independent control of the other subs. But, if you want to all you have to do is split the non fader out via rca's, then cut the 1/8" plug off the rca's, splice the sheathing/ground to the negative on the subinput and the center/positive to the sub positive on the factory amp.

any advice or route on running the new speaker wire???

I don't really need the factory sub, i just wanted it temporarily since i have such a small amp for my subs as of this moment.

also, since i'm using the rca's to the amps and such what should i do with the extra wires that would go from the H/U's amp to the speakers??? just leave them or insulate them?

also, would you recommend 12 gauge or 16 gauge wires for the speakers?

I would either go with 14 or 16awg for the wires. 12awg is overkill. If it were me, and money isn't a big deal, i'd go with the 14 if you think you might ever upgrade to a higher power application. If you think that you're just gonna stick with what you've got 16 is plenty. Are you mounting your amps under your seats? If not where are you mounting them? As far as running wires, i didn't have any problems with a coathanger and my front doors. You can run the wires under the door sill trim piece. The back doors were a bit of a pain until i got them figured out. The best thing to do (i did this with my door panel off, but if you have the speaker cup cut out you could do it with the door panel on) is to pop out the rubber gasket to the door. Then take off the rubber flap piece on the door hinge. Then pop out the other rubber gasket in that hole. If i can get some pics of what i'm talking about i'll post them. Then take the coat hanger (with wire attached on one end and run it through each gasket. After running it through the second gasket, you should be able to run it straight back and make it come out the back in one of the holes the rear seat hinge cover. then feed it back towards the front of the car where the door sill meets the other panel. I know that's not very clear and its kinda hard to understand. If you go out and look at it and still have some questions i'd be more than happy to try and clarify.

thanks j, i kinda understand what you mean now and it seems like it's not that much work. i cancelled my appointment with the local audio shop so i can install the stuff myself (and a couple of friends):D. im pretty confident in the install of the amplifiers since the rca outputs on my h/u are pretty self-explanatory. the h/u seems like it will be the most difficult part for now. thank you for all the help and if you could get some pics than that would be great.

edit: forgot to answer you questions, i am mounting the 4-channel under the front seat and waiting a couple of paychecks for a new kicker 750w amp for the subwoofers. Until then i guess i'll just hook up my kenwood self amplified 10" subwoofer. The amp is nice on that unit, but the sub feels cheap.

So did you get this stuff installed? any problems?

NOT YET!!!:mad:

MY buddy and i have both been busy with school and such that we just haven't gotten around to it, but soon though, most likely in a week. I have also realized that the stock amp seems to be fading. I have to turn the treble up to 3 on the stock head unit just to hear the vocals on most songs, then it gets quieter with more distortion. None of my speakers are blown or anything, it sounds horrible. So changing it out is a must at this point. At least i'm motivated at this point.:D

when hooking up my wiring harness to the aftermarket head unit do i connect all the wires that run to the speakers if i'm running a four channel amp through the rca lines???

also, i was thinkin of just installing the new headunit to the speakers for now and hooking up my subs, then next weekend just install the four channel amp (due to all the wiring to the doors.) would i have to go through and disconnect all the wires from the harness that originally connect to the speakers? or just run the rca line to my four channel and be done with it?:confused:

also, last question. can somebody explain to me how to connect the power wires to the battery?

If you're running rca's to a 4 channel amp and then speaker wire from the 4 channel amp to the speakers, no you don't need to hook up the speaker wires to the factory harness. If you want to run the door speakers off the factory deck power you need to hook up the stuff at the wiring harness and then you'll need to bypass the factory amp. There should be instructions in one of the sticky's at the top of the mobile electronics?