Just wanted to check before I ordered stuff -- is there a separate amp for the speakers in a base model '05 or is it internal to the head unit? Just checking for what I'll need to add an aftermarket deck. As far as I can tell.. just the wiring harness and possibly a dash kit.. I searched around a little bit didn't find this specific information (though my searching ability may just be lacking). Thanks guys.

 

If you're looking to get a specialty head unit like a McIntosh or Denon without an amp, you might need one (Crossfire brand if you're old school). But there are a lot of good head units with plenty of power. I sourced an NOS Pioneer DEH-P9600 MP myself. If it blows you're not looking at a $2k bill

 

I've got an aftermarket unit I pulled out of my totaled Mustang.. I just needed to see if I had to bypass a stock amp or something along those lines.

Thanks

 

No amp and no subs in your 05 base
... and the wiring for them is not there either.

 

If your head unit has an amp and is single DIN, it will fit in the Xfire.

The base has no amp. So get a good head unit.

 

It was the same situation in my Mustang originally -- just a basic system with no amps -- I pulled out my head unit, amplifier, subs before they sent it off to the junkyard..

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. That's what I figured, but I'm all about preparation..

 

I put a decent head unit in my 05 base. Replaced the stock door speakers with some better speakers in the stock locations. Where the holes are behind the seats for the subs, I surface mounted a pair of 2-way 6.5"'s. It sounds really nice and is plenty loud.

 

Joliet John -- you said you mounted 6.5's in the rear.. does the base actually have the cutouts beneath the carpet? I would love to add rear speakers, but don't want to destroy my car in the process.


What's the best routing for a power and an RCA line to the trunk for an aftermarket amplifier? Or even behind the pass. seat.

 

Nevermind -- I just dug into it today and wired up the new head unit, amp, and wired for rear speakers. The holes do exist below the carpet.

I made a tutorial video. Not really a step by step thing, but kind of a guide for people. I'll edit it up and post it soon.

Here are a few pictures. It's just a $100 head unit, I had it in my last car when it got totaled. The silver matches perfectly, but as everyone else points out -- the massive amount of black detracts from the interior. I do like the appearance for the most part. This particular unit lets you customize the colors it displays at day and night for the screen and buttons.. so I have white/silver in the day and green (like the rest of the interior lights) at night.

 

Just FYI. I was disapointed with the quality of speaker in the base Crossfire. My son and I have upgraded the systems in our base X-Fire's. In my sons we kept the base speakers and upgraded the head unit and added an amp and subs. I upgraded and added speakers behind the seats. what a huge difference between the two cars with the upgrade over the stock speakers. You will be happy when you toss the factory speakers away.

 

What speakers did you add behind the seats? The mounting depth looks really really shallow, and the mounting holes are square?

 

Changed and added Memphis (maybe spelled wrong) speakers in doors and behind seats. they are flush with the Memphis covers on the speakers behind seats. I have a Pioneer head unit with no amp. plenty of power for me. subs in the back have an amp.

 

So you cut the carpet on the rear wall? How did you mount them? Looks like there's a mounting assembly for the stock wall subwoofers.