I just bought a new system (HU, speakers, subs, amps), to replace my NON-BOSE system in my 02 Max.

My question is can I just run some new speaker wires from the 4-channel amp and then tap into the factory speaker wiring? Is this feasible or more difficult then it seems? My concern is if the factory speaker wire will be capable of handling 60 watts RMS. I hope to avoid drilling holes in my doors.

My other question is when I run new speaker wires from the amp will they be affected by noise interference from the amp power wire? I plan to run the power wire for the amp along the drivers side and RCA cables down the passengers side. When I run the new speaker wires from the amp for the drivers side speakers they will at some point have to run next to the power wire for the amp. Is this gonna create sound interference?

I’ve searched around and only found directions for drilling holes in the doors or trying to run new wires through factory grommets.

Any recommendations or ideas would be much appreciated!!
Thanks!

 

If you're putting in an amp and you have to run new wires part of the way, you might as well do the job right the first time and run the new wires all the way to the speakers. The stock wiring is probably only 20 or 22 awg, and you should definitely be running something like 16 awg from the amp to the speakers.

Unfortunately, you are going to have to drill a hole in the front doorjambs to do this, but not on the doors themselves. I'm not sure which threads you read about how to rout the wires, but here's how I did it.

For the rear doors, it's a bit tricky, but you will be able to get the wire through the existing rubber hose containing the wires for the lock and window stuff.

For the front doors, there is a harness connection on the car end of the hose, so you cannot get the speaker wire into it. You'll have to take off the plastic kick plate near the hood release cable (on the driver's side) and same on the passenger side. Behind that, you'll see this:



Poke a hole in the rubber where the factory hose goes into the door itself.



Then you'll have to get some splitloom or other flexible housing of your choice with gromets for each end. Run the wire through it, and silicon it to death so you don't get any water in the door or in the car.

A shot of the new housing going into the car (into the hole that was drilled):



The final product:



EDIT: Actually, I vaguely recall somebody saying that they were able to run the front wires through the existing rubber hose, but I'm sure if possible it's a bigger pain in the a*s then just doing it this way.

 

Should've just ran it through the other hose.......

 

You're joking, right....?

 

No, you should have, but what you did is fine too

 

Well, it would've been nice, but I explained in my post above about how difficult/impossible it would be to run wires through the existing hose.

 

Don't get me wrong you did a great job but it's still doable with the other hose. Just involves a little careful cutting etc.

 

I think what nismos is trying to say is that after you drill, you could have just slit the OEM hose near the molex plug and run it through that OEM loom. Either way, drilling IS necessary if you don't want to use factory wiring.

 

There you go.

 

And to add, I do it TheBigDu's way, every time

 

Oh, oh alright. I thought you meant go through the hose from the car all the way. Yeah, you could definitely drill and then run the wire into the stock hose, but I think this way works fine too. In hindsight though I guess I could've been a little neater with the silicone.

 

thats exactly what I did as well!

 

I drilled new holes 2+ years ago, worked just fine for me.

 

Took me 5 seconds However nismos14 and I both have 4th gens....might be easier?

 

With patience and much vaseline, you can get the speaker wire through the original grommet and wire loom in a 4th gen.

 

I know this is an older thread, but is there no way to run the wire throught/around the molex plug? My buddy has a 2005 Dodge Ram Quad Cab that had plugs at the door. We were able to use a rattail file and run the wires through/around the molex plug. It was a huge pain but came out looking great, no sign of any mods. Anyone think its doable on 2003 Max?

 

It's definitely not, I've taken it apart. No room at all.