Car audio Help...

[mckutzy]

Hey guys...
Now Im wanting to get the radio working in my "new to me truck"... The PO had installed a deck and it by all means seems to be correct, powers up and functions work... Just no sound...He said it was new( I know the guy and believe him)
'92 nissan pickup D21 hardbody single cab..

Now I removed the dash panel and looked at the connections.. all seems correct.. so Im guessing the speakers are shot..... fare enough...

Upon looking at the deck it has a number of RCA type connectors labeling to speakers L-R and to amp ect... Its a clarion cz302.
Now I have an amp/sub( just not installed) A Rockford Fosgate prime r600-4d amp and a Kicker 12" with box, but there isnt really any space behind/under the seats for those, so Im not caring about that... But I do want some kind of sound...
I want the new speakers in the lower foot well side panel area( for lack of a term), not in the door(so i'll just leave the OEM ones alone)..

Am I able to just connect with RCA plugged wires to the new set of speakers Im looking to get? Or do I have to wire power/ ground to these aswell???
Looked to see what connectors are out there.. confused...

This is really a new thing for me and I haven't been able to get any info on this for DIY or new automotive audiophiles...

 

[Randy H]

The RCA plugs are intended to be plugged into an Amp.

 

[mckutzy]

I saw that... There is 2 for front channel L and R...

Am I able to use those and plug/play for 2 speakers?

 

[anickode]

No, those will be line level outputs. You would be lucky to power a set of earbuds off those, unfortunately.

 

[mckutzy]

anickode- Ok... what does that mean exactly?

So the best way is to just disconnect what is there and check with a known working speaker, and re wire with soldered connections to the harness that is supplied on the back of the deck???

Im sorry this is just a new thing and I barely understand it...

 

[bob58o]

Should have a built in amp. 45watt max (19watt RMS) x 4 channel.
The wiring diagram above shows how to wire the speakers directly from the head unit.

 

[mckutzy]

How to test a circuit with out a working speaker... a test light, multi meter??

 

[anickode]

How to test a circuit with out a working speaker... a test light, multi meter??

You can hook a basic multimeter set to AC voltage to it. Analog works best. You should see the needle bounce around if it's outputting anything.

 

[mckutzy]

I have a digital... Will that do??
What about a light?? Will it flicker or just stay lit?...

 

[anickode]

I have a digital... Will that do??
What about a light?? Will it flicker or just stay lit?...

Digital will work too. The numbers should fluctuate. Basically if you get any reading at all, you've got output.

 

[mckutzy]

Aight I'll try that...

 

[Joe-405]

Those wires the speaker attaches to............ just pull the head unit out and wire them direct to a speaker while it’s sitting in your lap. That’s what I used to do at the car audio store when I was installing.

---------- Post added at 08:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------

If it don’t work then the internal amp is bad in the head unit.

 

[anickode]

It doesn't have to be a car speaker either. A small bookshelf speaker, or even a big stereo speaker will work as long as the impedance is greater than 4 ohms.

 

[mckutzy]

Ahhh...I'll try that...

Any ideas on a set of speakers... About 4.5-5"... I could see about $100 all together.. Wires and such...

 

[oledirteh]

if the truck has a amp, and your still using it, one of the wires will be to power on the amp. otherwise you wont get audio.

other then that im of no use here

 

[bob58o]

I'd say a 3-way speaker (tweeter, mid, and sub) is a good bet.
5.25" is a common size.

 

[Randy H]

https://www.crutchfield.com/

You can punch in your vehicle specs and get a good idea of what will work.

Looks like 4x6 or 6½.

You can test your old speakers with an AA or similar battery.

 

[mckutzy]

No other amp used.. The deck has an internal amp as far as I can tell..

Bob- these three way speakers you speak of... Are they wired separate or all in one set of wire???

Edit: WoW... NOOBish.... ill say.... So I took a look and yes... they are all in one speaker, with one in/out terminals for the wires....
Sorry guys... I guess it is easier than it looks.....

Ill look over some speakers and see what I can come up with....

 

[bob58o]

How / Where are these going to be installed? I know you said you plan to put them (somewhere) and leave the factory speakers in place. I just can't picture where they will go.

I want the new speakers in the lower foot well side panel area( for lack of a term), not in the door(so i'll just leave the OEM ones alone)..

Are you going to cut a hole for them in the kick panel? Or build an enclosure?
If it were me, I'd probably replace the factory speakers with ones of the same size.

Here is a picture of a "kick panel" speaker enclosure.

 

[bob58o]

Search Nissan Truck kick panel speaker enclosure.
https://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/fp/tcat/111541/SFV/30046

It's been two decades since my hobby was car audio. I used to go to the flea market every week to see what was recently stolen and being sold at a discount. LOL

Used to have one 4 channel amp to power two 6x9's and two 6-1/2". And another 1000 (or 1500?) watt amp dedicated for my two 15" subs. I think I only used the head unit to power the 4 tweeters I had (bass clips to prevent the low tones from playing through the tweeters). Crossover, 1 Farad Capacitor, ..... My stereo was worth more than my car.