I just bought an Xterra and i am planning on keeping the stock head unit with my 2 JL Audio 12" Subs, and MTX amp......how do i go about doing this? do i have to get some kind of converter, or what? thanks.

------------------
=YES

Yes, You have to convert the speaker level output from your headunit to low level RCA out. I am in the same boat as you so per recomendations of some local installers I got my self a pair of PAC SNI-35 line level converters for about $30 each. These guys are said to have the least amount of chance at introducing engine noise like other cheaper models do. Once you convert the output its just a matter of plugging rca jacks into your amps. Good luck.

------------------

Just a suggestion, but, think about tapping the speaker leads in the back not off the head. Most engine noise is introduces thru the low voltage signal path, not the speaker level path. So by keeping the RCA cables as short as possible you will be less likely to introduce this whine in to the subs. Or you could tap at the head and use very well sheilded cables. Either way.

Because I had the back opened up to replace the rears anyhow, I just spliced additional leads in parallel to the new speakers and ran them to the future location of the Basslink which should arrive today. I'll let you know how it turns out.

------------------
'01 SE Silver Ice 4X4

One more thing, If you need speaker to line adapters let me know. I used to install home theaters and used a lot of Triad subs which ship with these adapters. We never needed them so I have about 20 of them. Just mail me a prepaid envelope and I can shoot them out for you.

------------------
'01 SE Silver Ice 4X4

ok, i feel reeeeeally dumb now, but im confused on what you guys just said to me about leads and stuff. If u could, explain a little more for the stupid people, like me.

------------------
C.R.E.A.M.

Leads=Speaker Wires from Head Unit to Speakers. Just a short way of saying it.

------------------
'01 SE Silver Ice 4X4

I forgot to mention, basslink works great in the X! I ran an 8 AWG from the top of the battery using a ring terminalm -> 12" 8g jumper to a fuseblock (30A) -> through firewall with the factory cable mess(just made an X cut in the grommet and pushed it through) -> removed passenger side kickpanel, threshhold, plastic piece between doors, rear threshhold, rear panel -> ran through the white plastic wire guard in front snaked back to the rear of vehicle to location of sub. 6 foot 8AWG ground to a ring terminal attached to a BF screw inside rear cargo area behind the panel (there was already a small ground there) -> hooked it all up and BAM! works like a champ. By using the speaker level inputs the basslink comes on as soon as voltage is sensed on the speaker wires.

------------------
'01 SE Silver Ice 4X4

Dvd-man, I would interested in a set of 'em if ya wanna work somethin' out. I guess one would need two, or four? (Depends on if they're single or double channel, I guess).

The one part of the system I'm holding off on is the head unit right now - since I'm very picky about what to replace the stock one with and haven't made much ground.

The speakers and amp were the easy part!

------------------
01 SE 6cyl 5spd Solar Yellow

I have had a couple of inquiries recently. I'll check to see how many I have left and post/email.

------------------
'01 SE Silver Ice 4X4

DVD-Man, can you give me a detail of what you had to do to get the cable through the firewall. What parts under the dash did you have to remove or pull back to get access. Did you use the large rubber gromet on the PASSENGER SIDE where all the other cables are going in? It seems so high up so I can't even imagine how one would get to it from under the passanger side dash. I need to run wires for my amps and I'm dreding the whole thing knowing its going to be a mission.

------------------
=========================
'01 Alpine Green SE
"Screw milk, got Xterra?"

You should just be able to feed the wire through the existing grommet and wire cluster... You can use a piece of stiff wire taped/wrapped to the lead to help push it through and give you something to grab onto.

------------------
01 SE 6cyl 5spd Solar Yellow

From the engine compartment, I used a Buck knife to cut an X in to the grommet on the passenger side.

You can reach the grommet from inside the cabin. With your feet pointed to the rear of vehicle and laying on the passenger-side floor you can reach behind the clusterfukk with you right hand and push the wires through. The whole install took me about 1.25 hours. It's not that bad.

------------------
'01 SE Silver Ice 4X4

Ok so your saying I can fit my hand up into the under dash? It looks like that big plastic thing (part of the AC system or something) is in the way right up to the back wall but I'll look again.

------------------
=========================
'01 Alpine Green SE
"Screw milk, got Xterra?"

If I recall correctly you can reach the grommet by going in behind the platic housing approached from right (when laying on you back on the passenger side floor.

------------------
'01 SE Silver Ice 4X4

Also it helps to have two people. One person from the engine compartment pushing the cable through the grommet, and the other on their back on the passenger side floor reaching their hand up and around the "clusterfukk" under the dash. That way you can feel what it is that's moving and grab it, since you can't see what's going on anyways. It helped me out after 15 minutes of trying by myself!

------------------
00 Bronze 4x4 XE 3pac AT
SWXC Memeber #29

Would a flash light help down there under the dash durring the forcing of the wires?

------------------
=========================
'01 Alpine Green SE
"Screw milk, got Xterra?"

Not really. The flashlight might help you when you are pushing the wires from the engine compartment, but it won't do a lot of good from the interior. It's hard enough working your hand up and around everything when you are on the inside of the car, much less trying to get your head (so you can see) and a flashlight in there.
I did exactly what dvd-man did.
I cut a slit into the grommet, and then I had my roommate feed it through the firewall from the engine compartment. I got down on my back on the passenger side floor board, and with my left hand, reached up and under all that crap and found the cable that he was pushing through.
It's not easy, but definitely do-able!

------------------
00 Bronze 4x4 XE 3pac AT
SWXC Memeber #29