mecrens

I read over and over and over the thread (https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/keeping-factory-sub-when-adding-aftermarket-headunit-99-03-tl-326253/) on adding the bose sub to an aftermarket h/u. well, i went out and bought a 5.00 (actually 4.72) rca cable. read thread again and again, including wiring diagram. and now i have it working. thanks to StreetEffectz and peer2peer their posts really had me understanding what i was doing. the main thing i learned was to NOT BLINDLY start splicing colors but understanding what I was doing. FYI, the amp wiring diagram referenced in the thread was mirrored from my 99 harness. understanding what i was doing and testing the harness made the job much easier.

fyi just to sumarize
ran RCA from headunit (alpine 9856) back to bose amp
looking at wiring diagram
found correct pin/wire to connect rca to. (note I did not just blindly connect to a color)
connected to to 2 wires at harness
tested

L3wD

how does it sound?

mecrens

it sounds ok. you wouldnt mistake it for a MUCH MUCH more expenisve aftermarket amp/sub. but for $5 and a couple hours time its pretty good. i did not want a lot of loud license plate rattling bass, just something to bring back some of the low end. if thats what you after youll be pleased.

911tl

i have same headunit alpine 9856 . how ez to do ?

mecrens

it was very easy. I went to stereo shop and bought a rca cable (red and white plugs on both ends). Pulled the alpine out far enough to access the rca jacks in the back plugged the white one in (from what i read it does not matter which since its a mono signal being delt with). ran the cable along the passenger side. easy to remove whatever those plastic pieces along the bottom, took out rear seat (did a search here for removing them). seems like 4 10mm bolts maybe 5, removed 2 bolts from LITTLE bose amp, unplugged the wiring harness, located my wires from diagram, i cant remember the link that had pic of the harness but it was on the main thread. i had that printed out with me to ensure i was choosing the right wires. clipped of the white rca plug, stripped the wires and connected them to the corresponding wires on the harness. tested and put everything back together.

if you installed the headunit this will be no more difficult, probably much easier. the majority of the work is getting to the back of the apline.

911tl

It is too cold outside now . i'll try later thanks mecrens.