Factory Stereo
The factory stereo and head unit was utilized to integrate a new aftermarket 5 channel amplifier for the basic 6 speaker system and we added a rear subwoofer. Because it’s a Bronco, all chosen components are marine grade (just in case).
Aftermarket Parts
Utilizing:
- NVX VADM5 v2 amplifier
- Polk DB+ 4″ speakers
- Polk DB 6501 (woofers and crossovers only)
- Polk DB 842 8″ 4 ohm dual voice coil Subwoofer
- Custom 3d printed parts
- Mini Molex Connectors
- Forscan connector
Methodology
I wanted to maintain the factory unit look, feel, function, and have better sound quality. I identified the speaker wires out of the ACM and ran these straight into the NVX amp as a high side input. The amp didn’t require anything in particular to achieve this, just ran the wires straight into the line in. I did utilize a micro-molex connector to create a new harness for the inputs to avoid the RCA connections. The amp is smart enough to take all 4 channels of input and utilize this for the 5th channel subwoofer out. The outputs were plumbed right back into the factory speaker wires, again using mini-molex connectors.
The factory Audio Control Module is kept mostly stock or ability to go back to stock through the use of these connectors, if for any reason I wanted to remove the Amplifier, I just need to reconnect the connectors for the factory stereo.
Mounting was a bit of an issues, I utilized a 4ga power cable from the factory battery location through a Breaker into the cabin where a 4ga to 8ga splitter is located on a custom 3d printed mount. The 8ga is required to use the VADM5. I 3d printed a mount to go above the glove box where i learned quickly i had to use zip ties to get it to work properly, and later learned its very difficult to adjust and tune the amplifier if you ever need to make changes.
Subwoofer mounting was a bit tricky, i did not want to take up any interior space and considered modifying a factory subwoofer box, but instead chose the “Gearshade” subwoofer box. I got the 8″ subwoofer box that fits behind the interior panel. I paired it with the nice subwoofer grill (more on this later) and it fit perfectly with my polk DB+ 842. I did ask them to add hardware and sent them my mounting bolt circle to complete the process. It was delivered pretty quickly and was about to pack it full of polyfill and rout the wiring, but to complete the installation, You need to mount the box without the sub installed then install the subwoofer. I ran the wires down from the glove box through the trim at the bottom of the doors up to the box, it was one of the easier cable routings I have ever done.
Installation
I
Problems
I got everything hooked up and it sounded really good. but the amp ended up blowing the sub channel out in the first month. This was a huge bummer, I sent the amp for warranty repair (here is where NVX takes a turn for the worse) The amp sounds great, it is perfect size, power, and features but the customer service post sale is definitely lacking. Through my installation, I had a lot of problems with NVX parts on amazon. I got a line output converter from them that never worked, just ended up doing high level inputs to the amplifier and this worked out great. My NVX experience is certainly lacking at this moment in life. The worst part of the story, The NVX amplifier is the hear of the system and despite my research and work, I never found a replacement I just had to wait the many months for my repaired amplifier to come back.
All that work that i did with quick disconnects came in handy, I was able to remove the Amplifier easily go back to a completely factory stereo in less than 30 minutes. But I wish I didn’t have to do it at all, but the several months to get my amp back, new amplifiers where on back order, and i was just kind of stuck. All that work to haul around a dummy subwoofer for a few months was a bit frustrating.
The amplifier returned from warranty repair, i quickly plugged it all up (quick disconnects) and the tunes were back! it has been many months now and everything seems to be working fine. I need to do a lot more sound deadening on the interior rear panel where the subwoofer is.
