Need some help with my factory rockford setup

3745 Views 36 Replies 5 Participants Last post by JDTitan14, Aug 2, 2016

CokeZero

Discussion Starter · Jul 4, 2016

I have a factory rockford system and want to add in more subs but keep the factory 8" because it is great for mid bass.

I'm contemplating buying a mod harness from member mbquart but thinking long term, I'd like to have a DVD unit in so my family can watch from time to time and add more screens off of.

If I go aftermarket, what do I need to do to keep the factory sub working and what headunit will work with the factory steering controls? It can be a double din or a flip out but I would like to have a USB on the front.

Thanks for all of your help!

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PaPro4x

· #2 · Jul 4, 2016

Most aftermarket radios will have coax connections for running an amp and sub, where as the factory sub does not work on a coax system. So, pick whatever radio you choose, and IMO use the metra wiring harness/pigtails to run it. That's what I did in my Titan, and it retained the factory sub (which I also liked for what it was).

To retain factory hand controls, you'll need an adapter. There is info on the forum if you search for it, I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head. That said, only certain radios would work with the adapter, so you'll want to make sure that whichever you choose has that option.

I'm not listing any particular headunits since that's kinda like picking what shoes you like. They all have different things that different people like. I had a pioneer unit from Wal-mart that suited my needs, was touch screen, and had video capability. Most would have called it low tech and cheap, but it worked for me.

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CokeZero

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 4, 2016

So using an aftermarket headinit, it will still retain the factory sub?

PaPro4x

· #4 · Jul 4, 2016

Yes. As long as you have the metra harness for the rockford system. It should say which is the correct one. I bought my metra harness from ebay.

Again, the stock sub is not wired into the headunit using coax like a typical amp and sub system. There is a factory amp that is all wired in line along with the sub. So if you use the proper metra harness, it will be like just changing the headunit while retaining full function of all comps.

CokeZero

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 5, 2016

Well, I was watching this Car Stereo Radio Dash Kit Harness for 2004 2007 Nissan Armada Titan w O Climate | eBay then just noticed it says in the description "Provides power and 4 speakers"

Then when trying to look for a metra specific one for the rockford all i see is 08-13 2008 2013 Titan Car Stereo Dash Installation Kit w Rockford Fosgate Wire Harness | eBay

PaPro4x

· #6 · Jul 5, 2016

That second link looks like the kit that I bought. I got it all off amazon though.

mbquart1

· #7 · Jul 5, 2016

70-7551 is the harness to add an aftermarket radio.
Send me a pic of your dash so I can try to find the kit

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briano42

· #8 · Jul 5, 2016

you might be over thinking this...
the factory headunit has 4 audio channels out. the rockford amplifier takes those 4 channels and drives the 12 speakers, including the sub.
you didn't say anything about changing out the factory rockford amplifier, correct? so in that case the 4 channels out from any aftermarket head unit will go into the rockford amp. there will probably be an issue with how loud it is. if you use the coax out of the aftermarket headunit (via some adapter) the audio will be too low. if you use the 'speaker level' outputs, it will be louder, and may distort.
speaker line out to the factory amp just uses the basic harness adapter (as long as it has the 'amp on' lead). no need to get RCA (coax) involved.

if there is something missing in the post and you want to change out the factory amp, then that's "a whole 'nutha level".

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CokeZero

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 6, 2016

mbquart1 said:
70-7551 is the harness to add an aftermarket radio.
Send me a pic of your dash so I can try to find the kit

briano42 said:
you might be over thinking this...
the factory headunit has 4 audio channels out. the rockford amplifier takes those 4 channels and drives the 12 speakers, including the sub.
you didn't say anything about changing out the factory rockford amplifier, correct? so in that case the 4 channels out from any aftermarket head unit will go into the rockford amp. there will probably be an issue with how loud it is. if you use the coax out of the aftermarket headunit (via some adapter) the audio will be too low. if you use the 'speaker level' outputs, it will be louder, and may distort.
speaker line out to the factory amp just uses the basic harness adapter (as long as it has the 'amp on' lead). no need to get RCA (coax) involved.

if there is something missing in the post and you want to change out the factory amp, then that's "a whole 'nutha level".

The factory amp that powers the factory sub is fine.

I want a dvd headunit with a nice sub under the rear seat (I have experience and can take care of aftermarket subs no problem) I'm just wanting the factory sub to still work along with my aftermarket one. Because honestly, the factory sub sounds great for mid bass.

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mbquart1

· #10 · Jul 6, 2016

briano42 said:
you might be over thinking this...
the factory headunit has 4 audio channels out. the rockford amplifier takes those 4 channels and drives the 12 speakers, including the sub.
you didn't say anything about changing out the factory rockford amplifier, correct? so in that case the 4 channels out from any aftermarket head unit will go into the rockford amp. there will probably be an issue with how loud it is. if you use the coax out of the aftermarket headunit (via some adapter) the audio will be too low. if you use the 'speaker level' outputs, it will be louder, and may distort.
speaker line out to the factory amp just uses the basic harness adapter (as long as it has the 'amp on' lead). no need to get RCA (coax) involved.

if there is something missing in the post and you want to change out the factory amp, then that's "a whole 'nutha level".

That will fry the Oem amp. It uses low level input. You have to use the RCAs if you use an aftermarket amp

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mbquart1

· #11 · Jul 6, 2016

95-7406 show to be the dash kit for it.

20" Black Burst Wheels, Paranha Body Kit, Airaid CAI, PRG 2" Drop Shackles, Black Dual Halo Projector Headlights, 8K HIDs, Smoked LED Tail Lights, Smoked LED Third Break Light, All LED Interior Lighting. 1 Kinetik HC2000 Pro Battery for starting 2 Kinetik HC 2000 Blue batteries for audio. Grounding Kit, Custom Battery Connections. Megillian GPS in OEM Location, OEM Rockford Head Unit, JBL MS-8,Precision Power DEQ-8, Precision Power Phantom Amps, PPI Power Class Components for Front Stage, PPI Art Components for Rear Stage, PPI Art SQ 8 Subs, Scosche EFX wiring and Fusing. AutoPage Security With Remote Start and Remote Climate Control.Green Accent Lighting. Up Rev ,Keystone Good Hood, JBA Long Tubes, JBA Catback, and Cajun Catless B-pipes

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CokeZero

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 6, 2016

mbquart1 said:
95-7406 show to be the dash kit for it.

Not sure if they have that harness you posted earlier paired up with this dash kit (on ebay, where I buy) so I guess I'll look for them separately.

briano42

· #13 · Jul 6, 2016

so as long as the head unit feeds 4 channels of audio to the factory amp, there will be no need to change that wiring.

and any extra amps+subs you install can be fed off the RCA conns from the DVD unit, and get their own power and amp-on signal regardless of what is happening with the rockford amp.

briano42

· #14 · Jul 6, 2016 (Edited)

that will not fry the amp. the titan oem rockford amp is not the same as an after market amp.

you can check the service manual circuit diagram and see that the input to the amp comes from the same speaker output pins of a head unit that does not have premium audio.
but they do drop the signal level from what is used in a 4-6 speaker base system. they keep the volume where it needs to be to avoid blowing speakers.

line level (through the RCA from an after market unit) is 2v rms, or 2.8v peak to peak.
the rockford amp takes twice that for the factory tuning, about 5.6v peak to peak.
speaker level from an after market head unit will run about 8v peak to peak.

so the best option is a speaker level adapter like
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009UHSO/
otherwise line level is too low and speaker level is too high.

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mbquart1

· #15 · Jul 6, 2016

briano42 said:
that will not fry the amp. the titan oem rockford amp is not the same as an after market amp.

you can check the service manual circuit diagram and see that the input to the amp comes from the same speaker output pins of a head unit that does not have premium audio.
but they do drop the signal level from what is used in a 4-6 speaker base system. they keep the volume where it needs to be to avoid blowing speakers.

line level (through the RCA from an after market unit) is 2v rms, or 2.8v peak to peak.
the rockford amp takes twice that for the factory tuning, about 5.6v peak to peak.
speaker level from an after market head unit will run about 8v peak to peak.

so the best option is a speaker level adapter like
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009UHSO/
otherwise line level is too low and speaker level is too high.

Dead wrong The OEM head has a low level balanced output. It uses the same pin out as the non Rockford head but it doesn't use that head. An after head has anywhere from 1v to 9v on their RCA outputs. My Clarion HXD3 is rated at 9v on its RCAs. Speaker level is different and will toast the amp. Trust me. I have the tech docs from Rockford. The engineer that designed the amp helped me design the bypass harness..

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CokeZero

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 7, 2016

briano42 said:
so as long as the head unit feeds 4 channels of audio to the factory amp, there will be no need to change that wiring.

and any extra amps+subs you install can be fed off the RCA conns from the DVD unit, and get their own power and amp-on signal regardless of what is happening with the rockford amp.

This is what I was thinking,

I bought the 70-7551. I'm a little confused though, what do the male RCA's go to that is in that harness?

mbquart1

· #17 · Jul 7, 2016

They will go to the RCAs on the aftermarket radio

20" Black Burst Wheels, Paranha Body Kit, Airaid CAI, PRG 2" Drop Shackles, Black Dual Halo Projector Headlights, 8K HIDs, Smoked LED Tail Lights, Smoked LED Third Break Light, All LED Interior Lighting. 1 Kinetik HC2000 Pro Battery for starting 2 Kinetik HC 2000 Blue batteries for audio. Grounding Kit, Custom Battery Connections. Megillian GPS in OEM Location, OEM Rockford Head Unit, JBL MS-8,Precision Power DEQ-8, Precision Power Phantom Amps, PPI Power Class Components for Front Stage, PPI Art Components for Rear Stage, PPI Art SQ 8 Subs, Scosche EFX wiring and Fusing. AutoPage Security With Remote Start and Remote Climate Control.Green Accent Lighting. Up Rev ,Keystone Good Hood, JBA Long Tubes, JBA Catback, and Cajun Catless B-pipes

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CokeZero

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 7, 2016

rca outputs? what is it supplying? the factory amp? if so, I need to plug them in the sub out? Where will I plug the rca's from my aftermarket amp?

mbquart1

· #19 · Jul 7, 2016

Most aftermarket head units have RCA outputs for the subs. 3 sets total. Front rear and sub. If it doesn't just use a set of RCA y adaptors

20" Black Burst Wheels, Paranha Body Kit, Airaid CAI, PRG 2" Drop Shackles, Black Dual Halo Projector Headlights, 8K HIDs, Smoked LED Tail Lights, Smoked LED Third Break Light, All LED Interior Lighting. 1 Kinetik HC2000 Pro Battery for starting 2 Kinetik HC 2000 Blue batteries for audio. Grounding Kit, Custom Battery Connections. Megillian GPS in OEM Location, OEM Rockford Head Unit, JBL MS-8,Precision Power DEQ-8, Precision Power Phantom Amps, PPI Power Class Components for Front Stage, PPI Art Components for Rear Stage, PPI Art SQ 8 Subs, Scosche EFX wiring and Fusing. AutoPage Security With Remote Start and Remote Climate Control.Green Accent Lighting. Up Rev ,Keystone Good Hood, JBA Long Tubes, JBA Catback, and Cajun Catless B-pipes

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CokeZero

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 7, 2016

So it's okay to plug those into the rcas for the front or rear? Then I'll just use the sub out for my amp.

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