First time audio install

[delliott]

Use RCA, not optical with the ZEN. That way you receive the highest resolution

Good to know… I’m almost done setting up the amp rack, running wires on the back to keep the front cleaner. Probably finish up the rack tomorrow.

Next weekend:
Sound Deadening
Block off plates
Install door speakers
Install tweeters and run wires
DSP base tune

 

[delliott]

Couldn’t finish today, didn’t want to rush the wires on the back, but it’s all coming together

 

[SoundsGoodStereo]

Good to know… I’m almost done setting up the amp rack, running wires on the back to keep the front cleaner. Probably finish up the rack tomorrow.

Next weekend:
Sound Deadening
Block off plates
Install door speakers
Install tweeters and run wires
DSP base tune

Couldn’t finish today, didn’t want to rush the wires on the back, but it’s all coming together View attachment 481666

Looking good!! Remember to attcha the Power/Ground of the ZEN to your distro blocks, do not let it use the factory power/ground that normally feeds the factory amplifier

 

[delliott]

Looking good!! Remember to attcha the Power/Ground of the ZEN to your distro blocks, do not let it use the factory power/ground that normally feeds the factory amplifier

I ran a ground all the way to the battery just for that. From the distribution block I just run a ground wire to this "black" wire and positive wire to this "Yellow" wire correct?
(cutting them both from the harness and just having these two new lines for power and ground instead).

 

[SoundsGoodStereo]

I ran a ground all the way to the battery just for that. From the distribution block I just run a ground wire to this "black" wire and positive wire to this "Yellow" wire correct?
(cutting them both from the harness and just having these two new lines for power and ground instead).View attachment 481776

You got it!! Awesome job on your research

 

[delliott]

You got it!! Awesome job on your research

No thank you! When doing my research I found post from you guys all the way back in 2021 on other F150 pages talking about the importance of the ground all the way from the battery, and read the ZEN A2B Installation manual to figure out the correct wires to tap into.

 

[greatone99]

Couldn’t finish today, didn’t want to rush the wires on the back, but it’s all coming together View attachment 481666

be careful if aim the blocks that way the jack gets in the way, sounds good, hang's them so they point up, the first time I did is on the left no jack, second one is the one I bought from them.

 

[delliott]

Finished up wiring on the amp rack, only think left to do will be connecting the new tweeter wires once I run them, add the amp remote knob, set the gain and start tuning it.
Left room between the wires on the back incase I need to work on any so I don’t have to tear it all apart. I’ll probably add a few more zip ties once the tweeter wires are run and I know it all powers up fine.


ZEN has its own power and ground from the battery straight off the distribution blocks.
Never done any wiring or stereo stuff before, but I’m happy how it turned out.

Had I known how much work it was going to be, I would have just bought a loaded amp rack from @SoundsGoodStereo

 

[OEMPlus Raptor]

No thank you! When doing my research I found post from you guys all the way back in 2021 on other F150 pages talking about the importance of the ground all the way from the battery, and read the ZEN A2B Installation manual to figure out the correct wires to tap into.

Can I ask why you did this? My installer I think ran power from the factory amp/dsp to the Zen. Why is this done? I have no idea but curious to know why you and SGS advise this?

 

[greatone99]

Can I ask why you did this? My installer I think ran power from the factory amp/dsp on the Zen. Why is this done? I have no idea but curious to know why you and SGS advise this?

because the resistance is too high, anything over 1 ohm the zen does not like, the truck has rated grounds.page 1 of the zen states this right away