So I have a 2005 tC, with the factory sub option (it's been so long I don't remember if it was a certain brand of sub, but I'm sure some of you guys do). I just purchased a JVC HDR50 head unit from Crutchfield and they are saying that it's impossible to hook up my sub to it (or to any aftermarket head unit). Is that true? Is there anything I can do?

I know I was reading through some threads saying that, with the 2008's at least, the sub is connected to the front speaker wires and still work in aftermarket head units, you just don't get custom sub control. Is that the same with the 2005's? I don't care about custom control on it, I just want to have sound coming out of it and not have it sitting in my hatchback useless.

Let me know what you guys know!

 

I just installed a new HU and kept my bazooka VSE sub by ordering the bazooka ELA-HP-AWK wiring harness. That and a new amplifier wiring kit is like 40 bucks total. I took out the whole factory harness for the sub and ran new wires. Not quite as easy as splicing into the factory sub harness but it does sound better not having it wired to the front speakers. I'd say it would take an about an hour to rewire if you have an idea what you are doing. For the forty buck and the hour to install I think it was worth it over using the factory harness. Plus all my stock parts are undamaged if I ever want to put the stock stuff back in.

 

Hmmm. It's been a long time since I've played with my head unit and seen the wiring going on. Would I need both that wiring harness and the amp wiring kit? I guess the only way to 'hook' it into the existing wiring is to splice it in, which is why you ran new wiring all the way back to the sub?

I did a quick Google search and came up with a Bazooka forum post saying that you can get a 'wiring harness adapter' to solve the problem. Not sure if that's the same thing you posted.

Is doing that the only way to get anything out of the sub with an aftermarket head unit? Or can I still connect it in somehow (assuming the 05's are connected through the front speakers) and at least get something out of it for now?

 

Oh, I should probably mention that I do have the Pioneer 6CD changer in my 2005 tC, if that makes a difference. It would be great if that had RCA jacks and my Bazooka VSE was connected with those already!

 

I am pretty sure all stock radio offerings are connected via the proprietary plug which is basically the power, remote turnoff, and two sets of high frequency wire ( the front speakers) all connected to a nice neat plug that connects right to the Pioneer HU. I don't know of an adapter for the stock harness but you should be able to tie into all those wire individually if you wanted. The adapter I listed is the one on the bazooka forums. It plugs into the stock connection of the ELA amp on the outside of the sub housing. That was like 23 bucks shipped from bazooka. A 250 watt amp wiring keep from like walmart is about 15 bucks(includes rcas, power, ground, remote wire). The nice thing is if i want to replace the sub with something better its already wired at least for 250 watts. I don't think I would go bigger anyway and to go bigger I would just have to maybe upgrade the power and the ground wire and not touch the HU stuff anyway. Anyway the biggest difference I noticed by not having the sub hooked up with the front speakers is in accoustic/live rock type stuff. It doesn't put a lot a bass in it like it used too and sounds much better especially with the front components i dropped in.

 

And if you go on the bazooka site and look at the tech section, the amp in the factory sub is an ELA. There is a schematic of and ELA plug in there. All the connections on the stock harness aren't there obviously but the theory is the same. That adapter is wired like that schematic.

 

Alright so I did the install today without anything for the sub, as I haven't ordered anything yet (and the head unit itself came sooner than I expected).

I was hoping that the sub would at least get something with it being connected to my front speakers (individual control of it isn't a big deal) but yeah no. Nothing. Unless there's some setting I can change in the head unit, I'll have to look. Thinking probably not.

So I guess I need to buy the wiring harness. Only problem is I have absolutely no idea how to rip my car apart to thread the wires if I want to replace the whole thing instead of splicing.

 

your not that far away from me. i could probably help you out sometime if you wanna drive up to my house. pm me if you want some help.