GEN 1 Relocate Sub Behind Rear Seats - Rockville Audio 8" Sub

[bigrig]

The Gen1 Raptor's factory Sony subwoofer was a double disappointment for me: I don't think I am alone when I say I felt it stole cargo space and delivered weak bass. Relocating a better sub behind the seats was deemed impossible by professionals. Frustrated, I took a chance on an 8” 400w sub made by Rockville Audio. For just $100, it not only fit but improved the bass response in my music. Most importantly to me, my rear cab is now completely free of that clunky box. It is likely not going to impress any audiophiles or audio installers, but for me it was the upgrade I was looking for. Just thought others may want to know this option is available.

 

[DigbyRaptor]

Obvious next question ... how did you wire it? Audio/Power

 

[bigrig]

Obvious next question ... how did you wire it? Audio/Power

Power:
I used 8 gauge wire for the power and ground. I ran the power from the positive battery terminal, into the cab through the old FM antenna hole I was no longer using, through the door sills where the rest of the wiring harness is routed, to a fuse block in the rear of the cab (fuse block is not necessary, I just have other lights I want to install in the rear bumper soon so I wanted a convenient place to wire those from). I connected the ground to a common ground in the back of the cab and routed that to the fuse block too. From there I ran the power and ground to the sub.

Audio:
I cut the plug off the OEM sub wires and connected them with 16 gauge wires to the high level input wires on the sub. It took me some trial and error when doing this because the wiring diagrams I found online didn't seem to work. I assume the sub wiring on all Gen1s are the same but I should note that my truck is a 2013. This is what I ended up going with:

Balance	Polarity	Stock Wire Color	Subwoofer Wire Color
L	+	Purple with Green stripe	Gray
L	-	Green with White stripe	Gray with Black stripe
R	+	Green with Purple stripe	White
R	-	Gray	White with Black stripe

Here are some more pics below to provide some context. They would likely give a professional audio installer the vapors... you've been warned

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

you will get better sound using the front door woofer input wires.

 

[bigrig]

you will get better sound using the front door woofer input wires.

For me, I just wanted the same or better than what was supplied by the factory and reclaim my backseat. For my non-audiophile ear it seems to fit the bill.

But could share which wires to look for in the front door and how those are different than the OEM sub wires?

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

For me, I just wanted the same or better than what was supplied by the factory and reclaim my backseat. For my non-audiophile ear it seems to fit the bill.

But could share which wires to look for in the front door and how those are different than the OEM sub wires?

Your Raptors Audio System

i am going to try to explain why our audio system in our trucks sound so bad. hopefully this will give you all some insight as to how it works. if you can all be so kind as to not post in here until i finish adding the pictures and posts, i would appreciate it. that way it can be available...

www.fordraptorforum.com