Replacing Factory Sub/Amp?

[JamesRam]

I have done a lot of browsing online, I am having a hard time finding a clear answer to what I would like to do. I am thinking about replacing the factory sub/amp in the Alpine system, and tying it into the factory touch screen head unit. I've been thinking about going with 2 10" subs with an amp (no idea which ones yet). I am curious what people have done that they are happy with? I don't need anything insane, I would just like some nicer bass. Also what is the easiest/cleanest way to tie this in to the factory head unit?

 

[MAJ_Charlie]

I happened to get the harness plug for the factory sub and ran it as a high input on my Alpine amp. This eliminated the need for a "remote" line to the amp. Currently running a single 10" Sundown Audio. Thumps pretty darn good!

 

[JamesRam]

I'm just trying to wrap my head around that, I don't know a lot about car audio. So with the factory sub plug, are you taking the signal from the head unit that would be fed to the factory sub and feeding it into the amp instead, which would send it to the new sub?

 

[Cableman]

Im gonna get that amp pro ap4 ch41 harness that plugs between the hu and factory amp and run RCA's to a new sub amp. I have a custom fiberglass/mdf sub encloser with a 12" sub im thinking of taking out of my 08.
From reading around here just the short time since ive joined it seems most aren't happy with using the signal from the factory sub.

 

[ErnieBoling]

@JamesRam I used the factory subs wires under the rear seat to feed a LC2i line out converter, ran that to a Kicker CXA600.1 amp feeding 2 Kicker C10 subs. Remote bass knob for adjustments on the fly. All in, about $500 in cash and about 3 hours of labor. Plenty of bump. I highly recommend replacing the factory speakers in the dash corners, rear doors, headliner, front doors, in that order.

 

[TomT]

Check out this unit from Net Audio. It's pretty much plug and play to add an amp and sub. They know what they're doing so I trust that it works.
https://www.netaudiowf.com/product/dodge-ram-alpine-subwoofer-line-output-converter/

The absolute best way is to use the PAC AmpPRO unit but it's expensive. If you plan to redo the rest of the system down the road then the AmpPRO is a good investment to save yourself headaches later.

 

[JamesRam]

@JamesRam I used the factory subs wires under the rear seat to feed a LC2i line out converter, ran that to a Kicker CXA600.1 amp feeding 2 Kicker C10 subs. Remote bass knob for adjustments on the fly. All in, about $500 in cash and about 3 hours of labor. Plenty of bump. I highly recommend replacing the factory speakers in the dash corners, rear doors, headliner, front doors, in that order.

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That setup looks good! Sound quality is good using the stock sub wires? What box did you use? I see a few options but there are a lot of poor reviews on build quality on a lot of them.

 

[JamesRam]

Check out this unit from Net Audio. It's pretty much plug and play to add an amp and sub. They know what they're doing so I trust that it works.
https://www.netaudiowf.com/product/dodge-ram-alpine-subwoofer-line-output-converter/

The absolute best way is to use the PAC AmpPRO unit but it's expensive. If you plan to redo the rest of the system down the road then the AmpPRO is a good investment to save yourself headaches later.

I'm having a hard time finding an AmpPRO unit that fits the 12 and older trucks. Regardless I don't plan to do anything else other than new subs/amp, so I have a hard time justifying the cost. This Net Audio cable seems very simple and clean, I will look into that vs the LC2i.

 

[TomT]

Net Audio is also one of the best for prebuilt sub boxes. They have a pretty good selection of styles. I use their single, tall, passenger side box with a JL12W6V3 and it puts out a **** ton of clean bass.

 

[ErnieBoling]

That setup looks good! Sound quality is good using the stock sub wires? What box did you use? I see a few options but there are a lot of poor reviews on build quality on a lot of them.

@JamesRam Everything sounds great. I do everything on a budget, so I shop my ass off for the best deals. I used this set up here:
https://www.hifisoundconnection.com...b-Box-Enclosure-CX600.1-Amp-KICKER16-PACK1758
The list price says $342, but I got it for $315. The box is fine for 2 10" subs eating 250w RMS each. I put some poly fill in, sealed the subs with caulking tape, and siliconed the terminal cups. Bumps pretty good.
The LC2i would be a better option than the Net Audio cable. It will work, but it doesn't get rid of the bass roll off. The LC2i has "Accubass" so you can clean up that roll off entirely if you want to. I got mine as an open box discount from Crutchfield for $80. As stated above, if you aren't going to add another amp for all of the other speakers, the PAC would be a waste of money. I highly recommend you replace the other speakers in the truck. The sound quality is amazing compared to our "Premium Alpine" speakers.

 

[Cableman]

Would it be better to use a remote bass knob if the sub amp has one available or use the one for the lc2i?

 

[JamesRam]

Thanks for the info guys, I am going to look at ordering components in the near future, just wanted to get an idea of how it will all go together and what to get.

 

[rotwiler]

I tried the pac loc, lc2i, never could get the right sound out of the subs(13 Ram w/alpine), ax dsp made the bass sound killer, but issues with Android app and oem Amp setting, I don't own a Apple phone to try app on that, so last night I got pac Amp pro ch41, going out in 1/2 hour to install. This better work, after 2 locs, 1 dsp, etc have messed with this over 6 months, I could take radio out blindfolded. Since the Amp pro sums front and rear like the ax dsp should sound great and only works with the OEM Amp trucks. So no wierd app issues to deal with. Will post once done. Found the Amp pro ch41 complete kit on Amazon open box for I think $154 shipped.

 

[TomT]

Make sure you update the firmware before install.

I tried the pac loc, lc2i, never could get the right sound out of the subs(13 Ram w/alpine), ax dsp made the bass sound killer, but issues with Android app and oem Amp setting, I don't own a Apple phone to try app on that, so last night I got pac Amp pro ch41, going out in 1/2 hour to install. This better work, after 2 locs, 1 dsp, etc have messed with this over 6 months, I could take radio out blindfolded. Since the Amp pro sums front and rear like the ax dsp should sound great and only works with the OEM Amp trucks. So no wierd app issues to deal with. Will post once done. Found the Amp pro ch41 complete kit on Amazon open box for I think $154 shipped.

 

[rotwiler]

I already installed it lol, was quick. But I left a USB cable I can get to for any updates. Worked great, but need to adjust Amp settings now. I checked firmware and was on latest v9 available.

 

[rotwiler]

I am not the pickiest person, but the Lc2i to me made bass sound fake, a wierd sound I hated. Never could get accubass to sound right and bass would drop at times for no reason. The stock sub output is what I used, rolloff sucks and adding in bass with the Lc2i never worked well for me. Was better than a standard pac loc I tried first, the ax dsp summing front and rear gave a clean signal and bass pounded hard, made system sound like I doubled the Amp power. But customer service just kept saying, android has issues, use a Apple device. I used it for 6 months because I loved how clean the bass was and deep, but had to use the bass knob as volume control. Now a few minutes ago installed the Amp pro ch41 and no phone app needed, bass turns up with the 8.4 stereo like it should just plugging it in, few tweaks and should be good. Always have option later to add more amps too.

 

[Cableman]

Well i just picked my 16 up today, damn its an upgrade from my 08!
Stereo isn't too bad, i see what everyone says about replacing the front dash speakers, that will be the 1st thing i do and im gonna try it with center disconnected.
I guess ill wait on the sub for now, or maybe not idk lol

 

[rotwiler]

If alpine system buy Jbl gx302s for front. Cost $50 pair and sound excellent, also same ohms as the alpine at 2.4ohm.

 

[Cableman]

Yeah its the alpine, amazon also has the infinity ref3022's for 51 bucks, are those a better choice or just the same?

 

[rotwiler]

I have both, they both are 2.4 ohm, both look almost identical, both sound same. So is up to you, price is like $1 difference so that's no issue. One thing I didn't like about the infinity is the reflective stuff around tweeter in bright sun reflects off the windshield, where the jbl Gx302 is more subtle. Both are a excellent choice. Skip front doors, the mid bass is actually really good with the alpine oems up front. Rear door speakers do make good difference, I left overhead speakers alone. Everyone I let hear system likes it better with center channel working.