Wiring a subwoofer

I have wired plenty of amps but never a subwoofer in a vehicle. For a powered sub where do get the 12v? Do you have to run a separate wire to the battery? The wire kit I see would subs on ********* has like 24" wires so not sure if the power comes off the amp or you junction off the battery feed to the amp.

 

Is it a self contained sub-woofer, enclosure and amp in one unit?
Do not tap off any factory wiring for an aftermarket amp, you risk blowing fuses or causing an electrical fire.

In a traditional setup - you would run a new power cable from the battery to the amp (likely 4 gauge wire) with an inline fuse, then from the amp to the sub box run 12 gauge speaker wire. You still have to get the audio signal to amp, a line output converter (LOC) is used.

 

I had not plans to tap in to vehicle wiring. I will be running a 5 channel amp. I know how to wire the audio signal just was not sure where to get power to the sub from. Running 8 ga. off battery to separate amp. Amp is not a monster so 8ga will be fine. I already have a heavy duty cable to run the audio from amp to the sub.

 

go with 4ga power to the amp.

 

Ok, looks like 4ga is what is recommended for most all amps. Lots of kits on using 8. Now back to my original ?. Looking at wiring diagrams for subs I don't see any showing 12v to sub. All I am seeing is the audio connectors for left and right. I know there are passive and powered subs. I figured on a powered sub you have to run power cable and ground. When I do this I want to do all in one shot.

 

What is the powered sub make and model?

 

Have not bought one yet. Just planning the install

 

I'm still not quite sure what you are asking, post up which ones you are looking at and it will better.

Here's the cliff notes on wiring a loaded sub enclosure while keeping the stock head unit:
Run a power wire from the battery into the cab, along the door channel to behind the rear passenger seat
Tap into a speaker wire to get your high level input for the amp
Find a good close by ground point (probably a rear seat bolt hole would be good, make sure to prep it)
wire up signal power and ground....good to go.

 

Now I know I need 12v to the sub. So I will clarify ?. I would like to avoid running 2 wires all the way to the battery. I have decided that 4ga is way to go for the amp. Keep in mind I am not talking a big amp or sub. Amp will be maybe 700 watts and a 12" single compact sub. Not sure what wattage is on the sub but maybe 300. Now for ?. Can I just junction off the 4ga that runs to the amp to power the sub. Seems to be a cleaner way to go. I would just run power to sub under carpet along with audio cables.

 

What type of sub do you have that requires 12volts???
Here is a picture of my sub box, it has speaker wire terminals on it, NOT 12volt power terminals.
Power the amp and run speaker wire to the sub box from the amp if you have this type for sub

 

Powered sub is what I was looking at. If I run powered sub I found my solution. It is called a power distribution box. How wide is that sub at the bottom?

 

You only need one power wire to go to the amplifier that is built into the sub box. You still need to pull a signal from somewhere (probably the closest door to the box).

Why do you think you need to run 2 power wires from the battery????

 

You keep saying "powered subwoofer" that would mean the amplifier is integrated with the sub enclosure - an all-in-one like this
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_575P30012/Rockford-Fosgate-Punch-P300-12.html?tp=114

If that is what you are buying, then what are you using the 750 watt amplifier for??? An separate amp is not needed if you are installing a powered sub system.

Be aware there is not much room behind the rear seats of a crewmax, you may have issues fitting a powered sub system if that is the route you are going.
If you are not going that route and doing a traditional amp and sub setup, make sure the box is designed to fit a tundra crewmax, the seat frame of the double seat sticks back further and most all boxes have a notch on the face because of this - see the photo above that I posted of the sub box, there is a recess between the 2 subs

If you could list out the audio pieces you have, we could better assist.
Both @Danimal86 and I have replaced the complete stereo system in our trucks with the exception of the head unit. Many others on here have as well and there are multiple good write ups.

 

Not going with the sub that has built in amp. I am planning on keeping the stock head unit Looking at the ********* 5 channel amp. The Taco tunes sub is 7.25" at the bottom. Hoping that a 7.5" will fit behind the seat. I know all about the limited room there. I have had the seats out to install my Clazzios. Just doing a little planning right now but I believe I have settled on what I want until I comes time for speakers.

 

********* makes stuff specifically for the tundra, so if they make the box it will fit.

 

They do but they are full width boxes. I need to retain some of the little bit of storage space that I have. Not trying to vibrate my windows.

 

Install the 12v power with correct wire size directly from the battery to the amp, it will burn your vehicle to the ground if you do it from the fuse box. Also put an in-line fuse based on amp in there. Also, you need to install a good ground as to prevent ground loop. Post a link to the equipment you are looking to install so we can drool and help.

 

Yep, got that. I am running 4ga to battery to power amp with fuse. I have decided on the 5 channel amp from Taco tunes and harnesses. Want something that is PNP. Probably a Kicker 10" shallow box sub. Like I said I don't want to lose all storage space.

 

I know I tap into the rear two speakers for an LOC, do you know what colors the wires are?

 

Okay guys, I cannot find any answers for my problem. I have a 2008 tundra crewmax with premium audio. With that said, I have a stock jbl sub and a box. I just got a skar IX-8 to replace the 13 year old factory one. I have an aftermarket hu (jvc) but I don’t think that interferes with anything because I have a factory amp. This is where the problem comes in, I have no clue how to wire this thing up (I’m an audio noob). It has the four little things under it that have springs in them. Any help would be tremendously helpful. Thanks.

 

Not sure the ohm rating on your sub, but I would wire it like this: Run a jumper wire from black terminal on one side to red terminal on other. Will have two terminals left over: red and black. Red goes to positive from amp and black to ground.

 

@Cfincke i also want to ask you about your 5.29 gears. They make a huge difference?

 

So two of the little hookups will be unused? Also it is a 2 ohm with 2 voice coils.

 

Also hoping it fits in the stock box lol. If bad goes to worse I guess I can get a spacer. Luckily my seats push forward and recline/fold from the top.

 

And where do I need to start the jumper wire? From the factory amp? Also where would one get this jumper wire that is spoke of? Is it a certain kind of wire?

 

Here’s a diagram. I would go with the top example (what i described in my first post) and wire to 4ohms. If you go with the second example, you might want to make sure the factory amp is stable at 1ohm. I would say it probably isn’t. Let us know if you have any more questions. Good luck!

 

Thank you, I will!

 

I actually just thought of a question, you may be in bed already so it isn’t urgent but do you think that something that deep will fit in the stock box? It’s not a shallow. Like I said, I might be able to do a spacer but I’d prefer not to. Thanks.