Topic: Factory RF Sound System + JBL MS-8 (Anyone Done This?)

[DuffmasterFresh]

For years I have wanted to connect a JBL MS-8 to the factory Rockford Fosgate sound system in our vehicles to see what kind of improvements it could boast. I haven't had the money to buy the MS-8 but I might be coming across one soon.

Has anyone installed this in their lancer with stock RF system? Any idea just how it was installed? Tips, tricks, etc? I don't want to cut into the factory wiring if I can avoid it. Meaning, if I can find connectors to the RF amp and make a little bridge that I can cut into, I want to do that.

According to JBL, this is the wiring information for the MS-8 to the RF system.

Full Range Amplifier Location   UNDER DRIVER FRONT SEAT
Front Left (+) Audio Signal 1 Radio Output To Speakers                 Wire Color   WHITE
Front Left (+) Audio Signal 1 Radio Output To Speakers                  Pin #   28
Front Left (-) Audio Signal 1 Radio Output To Speakers                   Wire Color   BLACK
Front Left (-) Audio Signal 1 Radio Output To Speakers                   Pin #   38
Front Right (+) Audio Signal 1 Radio Output To Speakers                Wire Color   RED
Front Right (+) Audio Signal 1 Radio Output To Speakers                Pin #   26
Front Right (-) Audio Signal 1 Radio Output To Speakers                 Wire Color   GREEN
Front Right (-) Audio Signal 1 Radio Output To Speakers                 Pin #   36
Front Left (+) Audio Signal 1 Amplifier Output To Speakers             Wire Color   WHITE/BLUE
Front Left (+) Audio Signal 1 Amplifier Output To Speakers              Pin #   28
Front Left (-) Audio Signal 1 Amplifier Output To Speakers              Wire Color   BLACK/YELLOW
Front Left (-) Audio Signal 1 Amplifier Output To Speakers                Pin #   38
Front Left (+) Tweeter Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers   Wire Color   WHITE/BLUE
Front Left (+) Tweeter Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers     Pin #   6
Front Left (-) Tweeter Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers      Wire Color   BLACK/YELLOW
Front Left (-) Tweeter Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers       Pin #   14
Front Right (+) Audio Signal 1 Amplifier Output To Speakers                Wire Color   WHITE/RED
Front Right (+) Audio Signal 1 Amplifier Output To Speakers                Pin #   27
Front Right (-) Audio Signal 1 Amplifier Output To Speakers                 Wire Color   BLACK/RED
Front Right (-) Audio Signal 1 Amplifier Output To Speakers                Pin #   37
Front Right (+) Tweeter Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers        Wire Color   WHITE/RED
Front Right (+) Tweeter Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers         Pin #   5
Front Right (-) Tweeter Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers         Wire Color   BLACK/RED
Front Right (-) Tweeter Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers          Pin #   13
Subwoofer (+) Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers                      Wire Color   GRAY
Subwoofer (+) Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers                      Pin #   21
Subwoofer (-) Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers                       Wire Color   YELLOW
Subwoofer (-) Audio Signal Amplifier Output To Speakers                       Pin #   29

[brad605]

Can't say I have thought of doing that

[DuffmasterFresh]

Finally after almost a year of speculating and saving up money, I finally purchased a JBL MS-8 for my Lancer with Navigation and Rockford Fosgate Sound System. I hope to have it installed by the end of next week.

From my understanding, I have two options. I can use the output of the amplifier to run the MS-8 or I can start at the headunit instead. Chances are I will just install it after the stock amplifier and pray that the stock amps digital signal processing doesn't ruin the MS-8's own signal processing, time alignment, etc.

Anyone have a nice detailed diagram(s) of the RF system with navi? A none service manual version? Just curious if anyone broke it down in some pretty picture.

[furyschild]

Finally after almost a year of speculating and saving up money, I finally purchased a JBL MS-8 for my Lancer with Navigation and Rockford Fosgate Sound System. I hope to have it installed by the end of next week.

From my understanding, I have two options. I can use the output of the amplifier to run the MS-8 or I can start at the headunit instead. Chances are I will just install it after the stock amplifier and pray that the stock amps digital signal processing doesn't ruin the MS-8's own signal processing, time alignment, etc.

Anyone have a nice detailed diagram(s) of the RF system with navi? A none service manual version? Just curious if anyone broke it down in some pretty picture.

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/oem/assets/2007_Lancer_RaveCard.pdf

There you go , but if you need more detailed , service manual is your only option.

[DuffmasterFresh]

I do have the PDF service manual and was searching through it last night, I did not quite find what I wanted unfortunately, but I still have more to look through.

What I really want to do is find the male and female plugs on the amplifier and wire them into a bridge connector so I don't have to splice into the factory wiring. Does anyone know if I can obtain these connectors? If not, how do you think I might be able to accomplish a task like this? Maybe jumper pins?

I am also thinking if I bypass the power amplifier all together, I would run the MS-8 off of the built-in 4-channel amplifier on the MMCS. I bet Metra or Scosche has plugs for it so I can make a bridge connection from there. Then I would run the output of the MS-8 through the amplifier wiring so using jumper pins on it's speaker harness so I don't have to run new wires. Hmmmm.

[DuffmasterFresh]

I decided to take a few pictures. I removed my seat to check the Rockford amp and it's plugs, then I tested the size of the MS-8 to see if I could fit it under the seat.

It seems like the seat is a great place to put it, tons of room, even if I keep the stock amplifier. Heat is a concern, especially seeing as the heater duct is there and the stock amp. I should mount it on a slab of wood and then use spacers to elevate it up a bit.

In the pictures I have the two connectors to the amp, I wonder if the one coming from the headunit is the same on both ends, then I might be able to find a way to make a bridge connector for it. I don't know if both plugs run the speakers or only one.

Lastly, check out this wiring harness, then look at the picture that says "Connector 1". It almost looks the same: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_12440_Metra-70-7001.html

Or maybe this one looks closer too it, has more wires as well. If I get the reverse wiring harness for these, I just might be onto something, no factory wire cutting required!
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_4438_Scosche-MI02B-MI02.html
This is the MITO-02, it's meant for amplifier integration. Perhaps I can ask to buy just those harnesses, they could possibly work!: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_14598_Axxess-MITO-01.html

For connector 2, this one looks like a perfect match! Eagle Mitsubishi Wire Harness DWH-613
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eagle-Mitsubishi-Wire-Harness-DWH-613-/360305299986?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AMitsubishi%7CModel%3ALancer&vxp=mtr&hash=item53e3de9212#ht_2497wt_1159

[DuffmasterFresh]

I started the actual installation of this unit today. They say it's "easy" but I find it rather difficult. I think it's difficult only because the installation manual sucks at helping you make the right connections. It has 8 inputs and 8 ouputs... but I think it wants me to only connect one input, but fill up the outputs. It's unclear.

Anyway, once I figure it all out, I will post a write up for future adventures. Right now I need to know the crossover points and frequency response on the RF speakers.

Does the tweeter go from 3500 to 20k for example? what about the midrange drivers?

During setup, the MS-8 told me to set the crossover point for each speaker AND the slope (6, 8, 12, 24 db). Does anyone have a recommendation for the slope of each speaker as well? I am kind of at a loss on this one.

Any help is greatly appreciated, I want to get this install done tomorrow!!!!

Last thing, anyone know what wire I can tap into for a remote turn on?

[DuffmasterFresh]

It's evident that no one is really interested in this particular system upgrade. But, for those that are, I finally got it complete after much fuss and hard work.