I am putting in a aftermarket (alpine) HU. And I will be installing rear speakers later on, so I've decided to pre-wire the rear speakers when I am installing the HU.

i am wondering what kind of wires should I be pre-wiring?
where to get them?
how much?
what about the little metal plugs that goes into the speakers?
where should i run the wires? (if it's under the center consel, how can i take off the center consel?)
is it ok if i just leave them hanging (not connected to anything and hide them behind the rear panel) for the time being?

i don't plan on running any amps but i haven't decide upon which rear speakers to get (3-way vs component).

also i don't know if SWI-X is worth the money and effort? i don't use the audio control next to the steering wheel too much. (but it's handy too adjust the volume when trying to keep both my hands on the wheels and going tiple digit ).

for alpine HU to work with SWI-X (with mute and everything), there seems to be more work than just plug and play (i got to use relay and stuff for the mute function to work, right?).

 

write me sometime on this matter if you want to go over your options.

 

If you plan on using only the head to power the rear speakers (no amp), you'll be fine running 14-16 Guage wire. Where you run them is always open to debate, especially considering the multiple opinions here, but your two main choices are along the center console, or along the sideboards along the outide of each seat (both have their advantages/disadvantages, so do a search for the whole list of them). For under the console, you're probably best pushing the wires under the carpet from above (no need to remove the center console). If you must remove it, take off the shift knob by loosening the lock nut under the knob and simply lifting the console out as one piece.

You can leave the wires hanging without a problem, but make sure the ends do not touch each other or can be grounded...wrap some electrical tape around each end, then tape both ends together and against a bulkhead until you get the chance to install the speakers.

You won't hear much difference between 3-ways and components for the rears unless you plan on separating the components significantly...the disadvantage there is you may severely alter the soundstage compared to running just the fronts.

Use of the SWI-X is a personal call...some like it, others don't. However, if you do decide to go with it, check out my webpage for a diagram of how to hook up the relay for the mute switch. You may decide that the mute switch is enough rather than full functionality, and you don't need the SWI-X for just the mute.

 

after staring at my center concole for a while, i still can't figure out how can i push the wires under the carpet from above without removing the center console?

 

The carpet on the center console (until MY02) and the carpet that goes under the seats are separate pieces. I ran my speaker wires along the side of the center console, under the piece of carpet that goes all the way under the seats. If I remember, there's a couple of those plastic tabs that hold it on. Look sort of "under" the center console.

 

oh
i have MY02 ...

 

It probably is the same for you, only it's a leather-looking vinyl piece along the top of the center console instead of a carpet. It's worth taking a look at.

 

I pulled the center console out. And ran the wires in split loom, up the right side of the shifter, and then under to glove box (Center rear) just like the stock wire bundle. If you were to pull my center console and look at the wiring, you could not tell that the factory did not do it. IT was very easy.