rolex Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Hey folks I have a 12" JL Audio W7 subwoofer and JL Audio 750watt mono amp with zero gauge wiring kit that I yanked out of my old Acura MDX before buying my new Ford Fusion My question is, do I *need* to replace the head unit in order to hook up the subwoofer and amplifier, or can I add it to the factory deck that I have (the SYNC package) ? We don't want to replace the head unit really because it's a brand new car and the other drivers wan't to keep the original, stock functionality that we paid for and just add in the equipment we already had sitting around. Thank you in advance for any help!! Cheers from Toronto 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nineball Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 yes, and quite easily. you can get any old LOC (line out converter) and tap into the speaker wires for a signal, or you can go a bit more of a professional route and buy one of these, which also gives you a remote line as well. http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=548&CategoryID=28 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolex Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 Excellent, I did not want to lose the SYNC functionality at all and would be great for cutting down on costs if I could just keep the original that is already in place Are those devices readily available? for example would my local car audio shops here in Toronto (and there are PLENTY) have these ready to go? thanks again for all your help! cheers 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nineball Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 i doubt many car shops keep them in stock but they can easily be ordered online and install is almost easier than ordering. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARFusion Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 This is exactly what I'm going to be doing using a line out converter. I just ordered my PAC one from amazon. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolex Posted August 10, 2012 Author Share Posted August 10, 2012 This is exactly what I'm going to be doing using a line out converter. I just ordered my PAC one from amazon. Hey man, I see you're in the GTA just like me. I am still waiting to have this done.. Can you link me to the exact product you bought so I can order one as well? And can you tell me, are you installing it yourself or having a shop do it? If a shop, which shop? I am not too tech savvy so ideally I'd just like to go KHF Audio in Markham with all my parts in hand and just have them install it.. something tells me they won't have whatever is needed readily available and I'd have to wait for them to order it, or preferably source it myself so I won't have to wait Thanks for all the replies folks! Much appreciated! I'm loving my 2012 SE 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nineball Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Hey man, I see you're in the GTA just like me. I am still waiting to have this done.. Can you link me to the exact product you bought so I can order one as well? And can you tell me, are you installing it yourself or having a shop do it? If a shop, which shop? I am not too tech savvy so ideally I'd just like to go KHF Audio in Markham with all my parts in hand and just have them install it.. something tells me they won't have whatever is needed readily available and I'd have to wait for them to order it, or preferably source it myself so I won't have to wait Thanks for all the replies folks! Much appreciated! I'm loving my 2012 SE i posted the link for the product you need above. google it and you can find them cheaper. as far as installation, it is a snap. watch this video to see just how easy it is. additionally installing the line out converter is just as easy as installing the piece in the video - everything has factory connectors. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolex Posted August 10, 2012 Author Share Posted August 10, 2012 i posted the link for the product you need above. google it and you can find them cheaper. as far as installation, it is a snap. watch this video to see just how easy it is. additionally installing the line out converter is just as easy as installing the piece in the video - everything has factory connectors. That's awesome -- thank you, I did see the link above but was just wondering where the other guy ordered it from because we are both in Toronto and usually amazon.com won't ship to Canada. Maybe he used amazon.ca , I will google the part name tonight I am going to watch the video now Thanks again man! Much appreciated. Can't wait to get some bass in this thing. The Fusion has a massive trunk which really surprised me so it will be no problem installing my 12 & amp while still keeping a bit of room to spare Very excited cheers !! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolex Posted August 10, 2012 Author Share Posted August 10, 2012 I am not even sure where he found it on Amazon or what he paid for it.. I see them on eBay all for about $40 USD but then we get raped with shipping charges here in Canada. Just want to make sure I'm getting a good deal.. Best price I've found on eBay is $39.99 + $16.99 shipping to Canada. Is this an acceptable price? Shipping sounds awfully steep 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nineball Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 not sure about their shipping policies but sonic electronics has them for $43 w/ free shipping in the US. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARFusion Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Sorry about the late reply. This is what I ordered. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EAWS3W/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 I went to a local shop to run the trigger and power wire. From there, my cousin and I connected the rest. I mounted the adapter on the roof of the trunk and tapped into the left and right subs. I'll post a pic of the setup this weekend. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangedaddy Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Nice thread. This is exactly what I want to do to my '10 SEL. I have the 12 speaker Sony but want just a bit more bass. Looking forward to the pics. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Kowalski Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 (edited) I am working on the same type of project right now. I have a 2012 Fusion, sport pack appereance with the 6 speaker system with SYNC and no NAV. I am adding an Infinity 475A amplifier and 2 pairs of Clarion speakers. I was wrongly leaded by a PAC rep telling me the AOEM-FRD24 wasn't compatible with the 2012 Fusion, but some people here succeded using that product. I was told to use the universal PAC SOEM-4. It's a 4 channel line output converter. I ordered it, received it and now working on it. I had to solder some extension to the loc wires as they are not long enough to reach the factory wires because I want to locate the loc in the compartment on top of the dash. I drilled 2 holes in there to run all the wires down to the factory radio. Just need to connect the 8 wires to send the signal to the amplifier and to connect the loc yellow wire to the 12V constant wire from the factory radio. I worked on the remote wire, ground wire and RCA cables already. I will post later to let you know how it went and comment the new sound system in the Fusion. Edited August 29, 2013 by Ben Kowalski 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Kowalski Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 I asid it on another post but my installation is done and sound is great. I plugged the universal PAC SOEM-4 (very narrow area to tap those 9 wires, no room to solder) and it works great. When I turn on the radio, the line output converter turns on and triggers the amplifier on. It works as it should. Now I have the option of a second pair of speakers or going for a sub! Since I have 2 pairs of those Clarion SRR1662 6,5 speakers, I will try 2 pairs and time will tell if I will keep them or switch to a sub. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblacksmithbutcher Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I was hoping to just pigtail into the rear speaker wires. It has been 20+ years since I have installed any speakers. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Masotti Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Here is the link to what I just posted on blue oval about my stereo overhaul. Its the same principal with any car with sync. http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/52931-2013-fusion-sub-install/?p=890089 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbroken2010 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Yes it can be done, and I installed mine alone. However, in order for me to get the full quality sound that I wanted, I also had to add a crossover because the RCA converter does not give the same output that you would normally get from an after market head unit. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botts Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 (edited) If you want to go with the affordable option: I'd avoid the PAC units guys. My preferred source for a generic LOC is InstallBay or Raptor. Great price/performance ratio IMO. Focal makes a LOC called the Hilo, but I don't feel it's worth the premium over the generics. A step up in features would be AudioControl's LC6i. It's a great piece. If you're doing speaker amps, then your decks volume would control the signal out of the LOCs. For sub amps I'd just run the amps respective Remote Bass Control knob somewhere upfront. For JL the part number is RBC-1, and your dealer should provide it free of charge if pushed. The more expensive but best option to retain your head unit and Sync. Use a signal processor. Anthony Mascotti above used the JL Audio Clean Sweep which is a great unit. It's automatic tuning works very well. It'll let you retain your factory head unit and get great quality RCA out, along with automatic EQ to clean the sound from your head unit. I used to sell these, they're a good option for sure. The JBL MS8 is a great unit too, I'd rank it slightly below the JL. My current runner-up in this range is the Audison Bit.One. It's a fantastic piece, a little hard to set up though, and doesn't have quite as many options as my first choice. A lot of installers swear by the Audison Bit.One though. My favourite by far though is the Mosconi 6to8 DSP.The 6to8 is mind-blowing from a sound quality perspective, it also has the ability to add a bluetooth board, if you're tired of the low Sync bluetooth quality. The bluetooth adapter AMAS and associated microphone adds very good quality bluetooth audio streaming from your smart phone or iPod/iPad. It also lets you avoid Sync for bluetooth calling. The AMAS supports lossless audio over bluetooth!!! If you want to save some money, there is a 4to6 available as well. My best friend just added a 6to8 DSP along with bluetooth adapter and a fully amplified setup to his 2014 F-150, and it has been great. A marked increase in bluetooth call and music streaming quality. If you have any questions about specific install stuff, please PM me or reply here! ------ Woah, just realized how old OP's post was. Guess he figured out what to do with that W7 and amp. My Original Post Below: ------ What year of Fusion are you buying? "New" Fusion could be 2014, or simply new to you. I am an ex Car Audio Distributor, so I know the product line, and install techniques inside out and backwards. You spent quite likely a solid amount of cash on that W7 and 750/1. Like likely over a grand. It deserves better than a LOC. There are some great options available. I just need to know which Fusion you're buying to recommend one. Edited April 2, 2014 by Botts 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolex Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share Posted April 2, 2014 (edited) Actually my gear is still sitting in the garage , I needed my trunk space for a cross-Canada drive this summer so I held off until THIS summer to reinstall it. I am still all ears -- do you know if there are any installers in the GTA that are capable of correctly installing these devices while still retaining SYNC functionality? I still need to get this done, and have the money to now do it any time Thanks again. It is a 2012 Edited April 2, 2014 by rolex 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botts Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Actually my gear is still sitting in the garage , I needed my trunk space for a cross-Canada drive this summer so I held off until THIS summer to reinstall it. I am still all ears -- do you know if there are any installers in the GTA that are capable of correctly installing these devices while still retaining SYNC functionality? I still need to get this done, and have the money to now do it any time Thanks again. It is a 2012 Which JL amp is it? Some have speaker level inputs built in already, which would mean you only have to run power to the amps which is *relatively* easy. You could then just splice into your rear speaker wires for the signal. I'll check with a colleague on which installers in Toronto might be the best today. My focus area was on western Canada. There will for sure be quite a few qualified installers. I'd avoid Best Buy and Future Shop for sure though. Finally, is it a 2.5L, 3.0L, or 3.5L, and is it 4, 6, or 12 speakers? If it's a 12 speaker it will clearly be Sony branded, the easiest way to tell if it's a 6 speaker is to see if there is a tweeter pod on your A-pillar above your window sills. If there is a tweeter pod, you should be able to tell if there is a tweeter installed in there by putting your ear next to it and covering and uncovering it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisdieingdream1 Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 I have the same blue box... but it's with a alpine head unit and the display on the fusion lcd says dvd and won't go away... smh. How can I get it to stop that? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Saddoris Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 yes, and quite easily. you can get any old LOC (line out converter) and tap into the speaker wires for a signal, or you can go a bit more of a professional route and buy one of these, which also gives you a remote line as well. http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=548&CategoryID=28 Do you know or does anyone else know if this will work on a 2014 fusion SE? I just want an amp and sub but retain everything factory without using LOC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cicily Gray Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I just purchased the 2014 fusion se... I am really disappointed with the sound system. It comes with speakers in the door but thats it. Will a sub with an amp be enough? Right now that is almost NO base.. the highs and mids are fine for me but not having any base is killing me! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrac0860 Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Standard sound system leaves something to be desired, and, yes, you can swap out the speakers for better ones. Adding a subwoofer requires more patience and wiring know-how. I have the upgraded Sony system in my Fusion Titanium and enjoy it very much -- it isn't as good as the top of the line systems offered by BMW, etc ..., but it is a very good system that I would leave as is and not upgrade further. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad0wguy Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Speaking of adding a sub, I have a Bazooka tube that wires into the existing harness. I used it in my last car and want to install in in my Fusion. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the stock head unit of my 2011 Fusion w/ 6-speakers? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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