BASS LINK on Factory Harness Install

[CRUZTAKER]

***PLEASE MAKE STICKY***

With some phone assistance from Rich, Magindat, we learned some things today in regards to utilizing the MM factory rear sub/amp harness.

I installed my Infinity Bass Link amp using all of the wires from my factory harness, and NOT running ANY additional wiring. Basically plug and play.

Now I know this won't be right for everyone, seeing as how I cut my factory harness, and utilized the smaller factory wiring. Number one, I will never sell my MM. I do not care if I permanently modify oem harness'. Number two, I am not using high current equipment nor any high end equipment. I just wanted less package rattle. And it worked. I like the sound of my car better than any music anyway. :D

The harness:

The harness that connects to the factory amp consists of one removable piece that actually plugs into the amp (the pigtail), and the other end plugs into the oem harness located behind the carpeting on the back seat wall.
The wires within the harness, and the pigtail change colors in the transition to the amp. Some wires within the pigtail are doubled up, (two wires of the same color on the same connector.
Here are the wire identifications:

HARNESS----------------------------------------------PIGTAIL
black/green-----------------GROUND-------------------red - red
red/yellow----------------Constant 12vdc--------------yellow-yellow
blk/org-------------------low level signal*--------------green
red/blk-------------------low level signal*--------------black
green/blk-----------------switched 5vdc---------------white

*The low level audio signal is a Balanced Line Level signal and carries an alternating current (AC Volts). If you use a meter set to A/C volts, the radio is on, and the radio's volume is up, you will see a voltage fluctuation, ie. a signal.

The switched power, oddly enough is 5v when the radio and ignition is off.
It bumps to around 7.85 vdc when the radio is on.
The Infinity Bass Link requires a switched power lead rated between 5 and 12 vdc. It was found that our factory switched lead does indeed trigger the Bass Link appropriately.

The Connections:

I removed the pigtail and took it to the bench, and made my connections to the Bass Link there.
I cut the the oem connector for the oem sub/amp about 4" from the connector, and saved the connector in the event someone wants my old oem unit and connector end to re-splice.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/6/2/6/BASSLINKINSTALL1.jpg

I put both RED wires in a blue ring terminal, and landed them on the Bass Link's GROUND terminal.
I put both YELLOW wires in a blue ring terminal, and landed them on the Bass Link's 12V terminal.
I put the WHITE wire in a red ring terminal, and landed it on the REMOTE terminal.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/6/2/6/BASSLINKINSTALL2.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/6/2/6/BASSLINKINSTALL3.jpg

I bought a 3" RCA 'Y' cable, female to male-male.
I bought another RCA male cable on one end, and open wired on the other end.
I connected the GREEN low level signal wire to the RCA's center conductor. I connected the BLACK wire to the RCA's shield.
There is no way to check polarity in this final connection.
I soldered and heat shrunk these connections.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/6/2/6/BASSLINKINSTALL4.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/6/2/6/BASSLINKINSTALL5.jpg

You must test audio and listen to hear if the bass sounds (as Rich says:) muddy.
This connection sounded ok to my ears.

The only problem I have now is positioning, and how the hell to secure this thing. I am sooo leary of screwing through the floor board. I also need to stash the harness better, and clean up/cover the awefull hole in the carpeting left behind from Mercury which was blocked by the old amp.

AND....How the hell did you guys remove the black mounting assembly that once held the front of the oem amp????

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/6/2/6/BASSLINKINSTALL6.jpg

[Glenn]

Very nice detailed install post with great pictures. What is the part number of the Bass Link?

Thanks, :up:

Glenn :burnout:

[larryo340]

^^^^^^+1
Great pictures (as always) and nice write up. I'm sure it will help alot of guys.

[rayjay]

Very nice, thanks. I read from roylpita that he adapted a fuel tank strap to mount his sub to the package tray. Gotta go to work now so I don't have time to locate the thread, but it was in the past 2 weeks.

This was for a amp, but maybe it would work??? http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45644

[Zack]

There is an honest 3/4" (probably a little more) between the top of the gas tank and the underside of the package tray.

[merc]

Nice Barry. If I had to do it again I would pick your setup.

[Windsor58]

Section 4 of the attachment talks about fuel tank considerations. Although this is for a 2007 CVPI, it is probably close enough for MMs.

[Windsor58]

Another try on the attachment...
Ok - its too big.
Can't figure out how to post. If anyone wants me to email a copy, IM me. It is the 2007 CVPI modification guide. It has a template with info on whre it is safe to drill through the deck over the fule tank.

[Spectragod]

There is an honest 3/4" (probably a little more) between the top of the gas tank and the underside of the package tray.

If he drills holes on the brackets towards the rear of the car, he will be INTO the gas tank:bigcry:, it butts right up to the floor in that location. There are some other ways to make that a good mounting location.

I picked up another basslink at my local HH Gregg, they were closing them out, $125 and tax, it's always good to have a spare. Check your area, you may score a deal like I did.:beer:

[FordNut]

Great info, thanks.

[ctrlraven]

That makes me want to go buy one now cause I thought it was going to be a PITA but that's cake wake stuff for me. Now mounting it will be another animal lol but I'll figure something out. Thanks for the great write up!

[DEFYANT]

This is a good one! I've been wanting this set up for awhile. Now I just have to keep the car!

[CRUZTAKER]

This is a good one! I've been wanting this set up for awhile. Now I just have to keep the car!

Now you have a reason! :D

[Krytin]

Thanks for the write-up. Very well done!!!!
It's time to swap out the old speakers anyway!

[Joe Walsh]

YES!!

Defyant saved by a subwoofer install!!!



P.S. I wonder if we could buy that short OEM wiring harness from Ray The Dealer so we don't have to cut our factory set-up...?
In regards to the mounting: Because Bass is non-directional could you mount the BASSLINK 'on end' using the existing OEM mount as an upper bracket?

[hidperf]

What about hanging it from the rear shelf just like the OEM sub?

[fastblackmerc]

You can and have it lined up with the original hole in the rear deck but you can't use the hold down for the spare tire if you do....

Ask me how I know.....

Installed in place of the OEM sub - where you can't get the spare tire in...
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Basslink/Basslinkunderreardeck.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Basslink/Basslinkthrureardeck.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Basslink/ReardeckBasslink.jpg

Install I had to do
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Basslink/Basslinkontheshelf.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Basslink/BasslinkSparetire.jpg

The Basslink is a easy ugrade to do in place of the OEM sub. It won't give you teeth loosening bass but you'll get cleaner bass than the OEM sub.

[rayjay]

I believe fastblack has the answer. Does it fire into the passenger comparment or the trunk? Does it make a difference?

[Glenn]

Fastblackmerc:

Will the new amp fit on the OEM bracket with using the 300B compact spare. It looks like there is room under the amp to fit the spare.

Glenn :burnout:

[fastblackmerc]

I believe fastblack has the answer. Does it fire into the passenger comparment or the trunk? Does it make a difference?

It fires into the passenger compartment.

[fastblackmerc]

Fastblackmerc:

Will the new amp fit on the OEM bracket with using the 300B compact spare. It looks like there is room under the amp to fit the spare.

Glenn :burnout:

No, there is no room under the Basslink. I have an '04 Marauder so I have the mini spare. This is the best mounting I could find. Just be careful drilling into the shelf as the gas tank is located underneath :eek:.

[Glenn]

Nice Basslink Crutchfield review article.

http://www.crutchfield.com/Learn/reviews/20040413/bass_reviews.html

Glenn :burnout:

[Ozz]

I confirmed with an audio engineer at Ford that indeed, the green wire is the + signal and the black wire is the - signal.
So, attach the green wire to the center of the RCA and the black wire to the shield wire as CRUZTAKER stated in his original post.

[magindat]

The factory wiring is designed and fused for 25 amps.

That's enough for a BassLink.

Nice write up, Barry. Thanks for the props. Don't know how I missed it!