Ram 1500 Alpine SUBWOOFER upgrade!! NOT THE PIONEER!! HOW TO // Prepare, INSTALL, and test. Part 1

[@neverquit54]

I shall now call any Torx bit an asterisk bit. Thanks for the video!

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

😂 some habits never die I guess! Thanks for watching!!

[@nomadryder4377]

Just picked up a 14 ram with alpine system. I had some 15's in the 87 Cut too back in the day. You cant take the bass out the boy lol.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

OMG! So true! We pay for it now, well everyone around us does because we are always asking “WHAT”? lol. Thanks for watching and stay bumping!

[@dennisprow7576]

I am gonna attempt to install a 150/300 max Skar IX8 2 ohm sub. It's ready to go in. Also I wana try "porting" the box with a 3/4 inch pvc pipe. Let's see if it imitates a better breathing box on a low powered sub lol

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Awesome! Good luck! I hope it goes well

[@dennisprow7576]

@@Ourgarageautodetail me too! I may screw up the stock box... FOR SCIENCE!

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

@@dennisprow7576 all in the name of science! lol

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

How did it go?

[@dennisprow7576]

@@Ourgarageautodetail has a hidden rattle somewhere

[@tylerpreston1124]

So my truck didn’t come with subwoofer assembly but it does have the wire harness for it so I got one but it’s not working do I need to have it programmed or what’s my next step ?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

That is a really great question! I would start by checking all connections, even inside the enclosure. Check fuses to see if that has something to do with it. If it still does not work, maybe a setting in the display or stop by your nearest dealer and ask the service tech.

[@dylanreevesx6073]

If you don’t have the alpine system then you won’t have an amplifier for the subwoofer harness

[@apollo2704]

What brand sub was in it stock?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

@@apollo2704 the factory upgrade is labeled as alpine.

[@RajunCajun1]

Now this is cool! Darren from Bewitched is into bass? Bass on man!

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I just found this comment and I have to say, it’s one of my favorites ever! 😂

[@RajunCajun1]

@@Ourgarageautodetail Thank you for being a good sport! 👍🏾🎯

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

It’s a compliment, Darren was a handsome man!

[@enriuqefloress549]

So what is everything done to the truck for audio i have the alpine system and can’t find any videos of what is needed and want to beef it up a bit.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

The truck had a active line converter from audio source. I think it was the LC2i and Rockford 600watt amp for the sub. JBL 6x9s in the rear doors and JBL 3-1/2” in the dash. I didn’t start the channel till after I did a few things so some work is not on video.

[@liamkalapp6865]

what if i used a hot glue gun for sealing the screw hole at the bottom would that work?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

@@liamkalapp6865 unless it had a backing of some sort, I don’t think so, based on the pressures inside the enclosure. Always worth a shot!

[@williamchowning8620]

I have the Alpine factory system in my 2016 Ram Rebel. Will that amp push the Kicker 8?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I am currently rocking the factory amp for the kicker and it is a much different experience. I took all equipment out getting ready to sell the truck and the music has a much different vibe but factory amp will run it.

[@williamchowning8620]

@@Ourgarageautodetail thank you. I was going to run all Memphis and switch it all out but seen your video. Been a fan of Kicker for years and this helped tremendously. Thank you.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

@@williamchowning8620 glad I helped you! That is great to hear, thank you! Good luck man! It wasn’t too hard just took some time and prep.

[@Brandon68plus1]

Nice video! I went with a Pro Box w/ 10” sub to replace my factory Alpine sub.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Thank you! It has made a huge difference but like with any upgrade, I want more!! Hahaha, I’ll check out the pro box, thanks for watching!

[@tynooska3955]

which loc did you use?

[@SpeakerBass08]

Hey man I know this video is older but what is the max watts on the oem alpine sub amp

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I would say not much, like 100w but I ran that Rockford monoblock for quite a while with no problems and that was a 600w RMS amp turned way down. Just don’t let your kid drive the truck, haha

[@mauriciobsr.2430]

How deep is the factory box for the sub I want to put a 8” star but want to know how deep it is?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I’m assuming you mean a Skar audio sub? I think they do make a shallow mount and I can’t remember off hand but I want to say the depth was over 3-1/2”, closer to 4”. I want to make sure you understand, I’m not positive about that measurement, just the numbers that come to mind right off hand.... from what I remember, I feel like the skar would fit but there may be an issue with cutout size. That I did not measure and would have no good guesstimate for that. Sorry I could not be of more help.

[@kenwithrow5157]

I wanted to install this in my 2020 2500 with the 10 speaker Alpine. I called Crutchfied just to see if JL had a slimline sub. Crutchfield said that the 2020 cannot accept any upgrades due to the new depth of the speaker box but my box looks just like yours?? and ideas??

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I will say that I am not familiar with the the 5th gen stuff but I thought that the new body style had different configuration and even that the 3/4 ton had sub behind rear seat. That may just be for the mega cabs. I guess my suggestion would be remove the box, take out the sub and do some measurements. This kicker is super shallow and I find it hard to believe that if ram has the same sub configuration for the new trucks that they would change the depth. A little investigating wouldn’t hurt. Good luck Ken!

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I do believe that JL may be too deep though. The other option would be the Rockford. I think this kicker is good for .2-1 cuft enclosure.

[@kenwithrow6433]

Thank you my friend. I feel the same way my box looks on the top exactly as yours does. I’m gonna pull it out and see what happens. Thank you so much for your quick reply and keep up the good work. I will let you know whether it fits or not. Also I’m going to go with the kicker. I saw a review from the Sony on another KZbin page and it seems that it doesn’t make that much of a difference from the factory sub. So I think the kicker is the way to go.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Thank you and good luck! The biggest difference was made with the audio control lc2i and Rockford amp, even with the factory sub. Basically, I let my daughter drive it and didn’t turn the sub knob down and the next day I jumped in, viola, blown sub....

[@kenwithrow5157]

@@Ourgarageautodetail Last thing and I promise its the last. Does the Kicker sound better than the stock sub, can you readly tell the difference in the cab of the truck??

[@oddwin_5150]

Where is the factory amp?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I believe it is actually under the driver side dash.

[@PNWlawnguy1973]

you have an aftermarket AMP?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I do, I have a Rockford mono block powering the sub

[@gcpr4]

I have not gotten into this at all. Did you remove the factory sub or just added the Rockford?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Started with adding an active line converter and amp(audio control LC2I and Rockford monoblock) blew the factory sub *cough* my oldest kid destroyed it *cough*… that is when I installed the kicker sub to replace factory alpine.

[@vinceschannel8927]

Does it hit hard at all or is it a mild hit?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Mild hit. I wanted better bass without swapping enclosures. Some of the aftermarket boxes require you to raise the rear seat, didn’t want to mess with that

[@vinceschannel8927]

@@Ourgarageautodetail I’m hoping when I order my 22 ram that I can just swap the sub out for a better one like you did to get some more emph out of the system

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

@@vinceschannel8927 I would say the sub made a good difference but the most noticeable difference came from the line converter (LC2I) and amp (500x1 Rockford). Started with the factory sub and it hit harder then the kicker sub wasn’t much louder, just sounded better overall

[@jonbobstanley9597]

Did you wire in series? Or is that in part 2?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Great question! Yes I did wire in series, well, I had previously wired it that way when I installed the lc2i and amp to power the factory sub. If you look closely, you can see a blue butt connector outside the enclosure. Since I forgot I did it that way but worked nine the less, I was able to use the metro kit inside the enclosure.

[@XxnosmanXx]

My Ram never came with the factory subwoofer. Does anybody know if the factory subwoofer will plug and play with a unconnect 8.4 Ram Classic Express 2022? Thanks

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

The factory subwoofer should come with the alpine system. You can check under the back seat, passenger side to see if it is even wired for a sub and if the plugs are there, you should be good to go??

[@MakePeopleMadForFun]

Originally got the pioneer. I think it sounds good. Thought the kicker would be better but so far not much difference. Still have the factory amp. Should I change it out?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

If you are happy with the sound, by all means keep the setup. I think the pro for getting the pioneer was that it was a more direct swap according to Crutchfield. If you want a little more volume and a little more lows, we will need an aftermarket amp and an active line converter like an LC2i from AudioControl. That is how my system is set up. Love it. Have the bass knob for the Rockford amp so Mama doesn’t want to claw her ears off.

[@88adrian25]

Where is the factory amp located on a 2013 dodge ram??

[@peytoncastillo9969]

@@88adrian25under drive seat if I’m not mistaking

[@mxmotorider]

Nice video! One question did you have to upgrade the amp also? If so do you have a tutorial?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I did have to upgrade the amplifier because the factory amplifier is just not big enough and has other electronics built-in to not allow it to hit very hard. Unfortunately, I completed that installation before I started the channel. Lol.

[@luissaldierna3781]

Where can I get my factory box

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

You could check eBay or always go to your local dealer parts department and order the box. The truck may not be set up to just drop in but there are ways around it.

[@StephenSJN]

Man... Rip the back seats and the front middle console out and put a real system in that 1500, lol I tell my passengers to ride in the back or walk LOL!

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Bolt some booster seats on the front of the truck, they can ride there. lol

[@colefroats23]

Does anyone know if the non alpine stereo is wired for a subwoofer or not?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I don’t actually think so, it may have wires run back there just no amp or sub to connect to it. The non alpine system I think is just 6 speakers…

[@cjsickmeier2189]

My truck has the harness back there but there's no signal going to it so it's not connected to anything at the other end

[@armandomartinez-jp9zi]

Is it wired at 4ohms ?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Actually it is 4 ohm. Dual 2 ohm, in series to mono amp (so no bridging) amp still sees 4 ohm. Sorry if I misspoke. I didn’t watch it again to see if I messed up. If I did, great catch!! Also, sorry. Haha

[@armandomartinez-jp9zi]

@@Ourgarageautodetail so the factory amp works fine with this sub? I’m looking into buy it.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

So I have a Rockford 500 watt amp that is powering it. I used an LC2I for line converter which is fantastic. In all honesty, this sub would work with the factory amp as the factory Alpine sub is dual 2 Ohm. The downside of using factory amp is 1. Power and 2. Bass roll off. The bass roll off is what the factory amp employs to protect the factory sub.

[@jonclark4819]

What happen to part 2, I have a 2022 ram thinking of replacing the alpine subwoofer but is it worth it?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpiXfJ19pNyNm7c I would say adding an amp with an active line converter like the LC2I by audio control would be more effective.

[@josem10_05]

Can you put the link for the music box

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

The enclosure that I installed the speaker in? It is the factory enclosure from RAM.

[@josem10_05]

Our Garage Auto Detail yes

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

You can find it at your local RAM dealer in their parts department.

[@josem10_05]

Our Garage Auto Detail ok thx

[@ThatSaskSilverado]

Is there a sub you installed too? Or just a new sub??

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I used the factory enclosure (you see it under rear seat in the video) and removed the blown factory sub and installed a new subwoofer. Previously, I did install an amplifier and line converter but that was before the channel started....

[@ThatSaskSilverado]

@@Ourgarageautodetail Would you be able to show how to install one lol I want to have bass like that

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Oh man, I do wish I would have filmed it! Great content, haha! I might do something small to show how I ran the wires and whatnot, might put that on my Instagram

[@fdtruck125]

@@Ourgarageautodetail i also have a 2016 ram and would lovee to know how you did that i have a amp and sub that would work just need to know how you did the wiring

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

@@fdtruck125 you need an LC2I from audio control. This will be your active line converter and will do everything you need to take the signal from the sub wires (under the sub enclosure) please research the LC2I it’s a great piece of equipment!

[@adamloggins9279]

I have a 2012 ram 1500 single cab with the alpine system. Where would the sub be at? I can’t seem to find it

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I thought the standard cab subwoofer was behind the seat. I am assuming you have looked there? Other than that, my guess would be under the seat

[@DJJoshErieOfficial]

Great videos. Thanks for posting. I'm upgrading my dash and doors with Kicker KS speakers, and I'm aware that the 4OHM change on the doors/dash will lose a bit of volume... and I don't want the subwoofer overpowering them. Would the 4OHM version of the sub work and be a better fit for me? I'm unfamiliar with the Alpine amp in my 2014 Laramie and I don't wanna blow it by going 4OHM subwoofer instead of 2OHM like you. I am not doing any amp work, just replacing speakers for a better tone (Specifically better high range/tweeters in the dash, but figuring I'll just do the whole truck)

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Hey Josh! Thanks for watching. I would say definitely do the dash speakers. I didn’t do the front doors because they do not receive a full range output from the amp, they are just mid base. I wanted more high end so I did the dash and rears (sorry, no video for dash). As far as 4 ohm replacements, other than the volume issues, I do not believe it would harm the amp. It just would not allow the amp to work as hard and maybe that would be a good thing. The sub is the dual voice coil because there is a left and right channel from the amp. I feel that the way the sub and the system is built, my personal opinion, you may be disappointed with the sub performance if you replace it with a dual 4 ohm.

[@fdtruck125]

so whats the difference between this and the pioneer

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I believe this kicker is capable of more power but all in all, I just wanted something different. Lots of people have done the pioneer in the factory enclosure but I haven’t seen any kicker subs in there so I thought I’d try it

[@austingallegos5854]

how would you add two 4ohm boss speakers to this truck

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

If you mean door speakers, I have a video on my channel installing rear door speakers. If you mean subwoofers, you need a new enclosure, not the one from this video.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnvEhqiZbrdjhpI you can find that video here

[@anthonydottavio7519]

You said you bought a different amp for the kicker. do you know what model it is and how did you power the amp? I just bought the kicker sub that you have and just want to make sure the amp will be wired correctly.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I bought the LC2I from audio control for my line level converter and the Rockford r500x1d (something like that) 500 watt amp. Ran power wire straight from battery and the turn on for amp is achieved by the LC2I.

[@anthonydottavio7519]

@@Ourgarageautodetail ok cool sorry to be a pain do you re place the stock amp with the Rockford I just wanna make sure I do it correctly I’m hooked up a couple of systems before I’ll gonna order all the stuff I need to finish

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

@@anthonydottavio7519 well, not really replace. So where the leads for the sub run under the back seat, you will use those as input into the LC2i. This component is cool because it uses the signal from the radio to send a remote turn on for the amp. You then take your RCA output to your amp and the remote out from LC2i to amp turn on and you are good to go. Obviously run your power wire, fuse within 18” of battery… I ran 4ga down drivers side for power seemed perfect. That should get you going, good luck buddy!

[@riccochet704]

Stuffing the box with polyfill does not "trick" sub in to thinking it's in a bigger box. You are removing airspace. Airspace reduction limits cone travel. It's going to sound fucking stellar at 60-120 Hz, but below that it's going to sound like dogshit because there is not enough air to allow the cone to compress and decompress it. A better solution here would be to line the factory box with something like dynamat. This will deaden and strengthen the enclosure, while also allowing for more airspace.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Interesting take, thank you

[@strandenton5875]

Do you have to have an aftermarket amp or can you use the factory hook ups

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Good question! I removed the amp from the truck and since the factory speaker was blown, I left the kicker in there. It didn’t sound the same, for obvious reasons but it still worked!

[@justrideaux3001]

I have a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 limited I wanted to know was it possible to but my business logo on the factory radio or will I have to replace the unit in order to do so?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I think you may have to look into the lockpick products. Try googling ram 1500 lockpick. These products offer some options for changing the Uconnect to do certain things. I honestly do not know if this product offers this option but it could be a first place to start. Good luck

[@dmead8425]

Can I just swap this speaker with my factory speaker and it work okay? I have a 2020 Ram 2500 with the alpine system. Don’t really want to change out the amp because I don’t know how to do all the ohm and channel stuff. Thanks for the video!

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Yes, it is possible to do that, you’d need to make sure you match the ohm of the factory speaker to the new replacement speaker. It may not be as loud as the factory speaker too… you will still have the bass roll off issue built into the factory amp but you can physically swap those speakers.

[@PartTimeHero77]

Did you use the factory amp?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Hey Ricky! I used an LC2I from audio control and a Rockford amp with bass knob (happy wife, happy life...). You could use the dual 2 ohm sub and run it from factory amp but then you still have the bass roll off issue built into factory amp.

[@andyclark9587]

What size/type of a/m amp would you recommend? I just bought the same kicker sub for mine.

[@starmc26]

The sub he's installing is 2-Ohm, so it'll actually sound more powerful from the factory head unit/amp.

[@ihumzaafzal]

Any idea about the wattage or RMS of factory woofer?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I think that the total wattage of the factory alpine system is less than 300, like 240 or something low like that so I’d say subwoofer is probably 40-50 watts but I am not positive.

[@bshaw458]

Hey, he made his own favorite song

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

I guess I know what I like

[@EduardoWitt]

Hi. I have the alpine system with my 2500 5th gen. Do you know how many ohms the three dash speaker have? The original 5th gen subwoofer is 2 ir 4 ohms? Thank you very much

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Honestly, I have not worked on the 5th gen yet but I believe the 3” speakers are between 2-3 ohm, like a 2.3 ohm or something like that… if I am not mistaken … I also want to say that the sub is dual 2 ohm. Crutchfield.com should have all the info you need, great resource!

[@nickchandler4214]

You need to hook my truck up

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Buddy, we can do that!

[@nickchandler4214]

I need everything I believe

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Just sign a blank check and I’ll take care of the rest

[@kenwithrow5157]

what year is your truck?

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

2017 Laramie

[@marquezbrown70]

Seriously no live sound test for the new sub?.....ugh.

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpiXfJ19pNyNm7csi=iUAOD2pvCyYS21u9 There you buddy! Not how I thought It’d turn out but I don’t want to ruin it for you… enjoy and thanks for watching!

[@Kooldaddyo]

Man you should have used a MOLEX on that sub (I know a guy) :-)

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Oh man! That would have been a blast from the past. It also would have made it easier

[@MitEclipse91]

360 dollars!!! Uhhh no

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Yo! Is that what they are going for now??? I would like to state, I would never spend $360 on an 8” sub….

[@chadspinosi3942]

Really, part 2🤨

[@Ourgarageautodetail]

Win some you lose some???