Just installed the alpine 9833 last night and I love it, but now I think I want a little more low end. I'm still fiddling with the controls/configuration, but I'm pretty sure that before it's over I'll want more bass.

I like the look of the factory sub enough to want to go that route if I can....money isn't really an issue, but space is, so if anyone has other suggestions I'd love to hear them. I know the factory sub plugs into the factory harness: can I splice into the alpine harness, or should I use the RCA outs on the HU? If I use the RCA outs, how do I power the sub? Just confused as to the best route to go.

Thanks!

 

you'll have to look at the sub plugs and see what kind of inputs and everything it has......i know that with the factory HU it just plugs in with one multiplug.....so you'll probably have to break that down into power, ground, remote, and signal

 

If you bought the Toyota/Scion harness to connect your Alpine to the car, then the sub harness will just plug in between the two. If you cut the car-side harness and spliced the wires into the Alpine directly, you're not only a bad installer, but you'll have to do a lot more to get the factory sub to work.

 

Thanks, Jason. I didn't cut the Toyota side of the harness, so it should be a simple plug & run the wire job.

The alpine has RCA sub outs - I guess i just ignore those? I'll lose crossover control from the HU, but still have the gain control on the sub, so I can still adjust to my taste.

Am I missing anything? This is my first attempt at an aftermarket install - I just want to make sure I don't screw it up.

Thanks again.

 

To use the factory method of installation, you just ignore the sub outs on your head unit. The sub will basically be driven off the speaker outputs, so you'll lose any adjustable crossover or sub level adjustments the head unit has. You could probably re-wire the harness to use the line level output from the head unit, but it might be more trouble than it's worth.