How To Upgrade Sound System of Ford Explorer

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: October 28, 2023

For every Ford Explorer enthusiast, there's a distinct joy in the robust purr of its engine and the sheer sensation of the wind as you race down the open road. Yet, there are those moments when you might fancy some light and enjoyable tunes to accompany your journey.

Especially true when you're traversing long distances, where the hum of the engine can become monotonous. Your favourite playlist can be a perfect companion. And if you're travelling with the little ones, the Ford Explorer's multimedia system can be a great entertainer with its cartoon shows and more.

Regrettably, there are times when the default audio system of the Explorer might not fully meet your expectations. Maybe it's not loud enough or doesn't provide that crystal-clear sound quality you desire. If you find the Explorer's sound system lacking, don't settle. Enhance it, and make every journey sound better. This article is here to help.

Considering the risks - should you let the professionals handle your Ford?

Enhancing the Ford Explorer's audio system isn't a stroll in the park. It demands a decent grasp on electronics, not just in connecting the system, but also understanding the wiring blueprint of the Ford Explorer.

Erroneous wire connections can lead to not only system malfunctions but also more severe vehicular issues. Hence, if you're a tad uncertain about your expertise, perhaps it's best to let the professionals take over. It saves time, and you'll have peace of mind knowing that your Ford's audio will be music to your ears.

First things first, disconnect the negative battery terminal

Before diving into any work on the Ford Explorer, always remember to detach the negative terminal of the battery. This is crucial for your safety and to prevent any unintended electrical mishaps.

Which tools might you require to elevate the Ford Explorer's stereo experience?

Depending on your exact upgrade plans, you might need specific tools. Here's a handy list to get started.

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Essentials include:

• A set of wrenches;
• Insulating tape;
• Screwdrivers (cross and flathead);
• Pliers;
• Soldering iron;
• Specific wires for the system;
• Wiring diagram of the Ford Explorer or Ford Explorer Owner's Manual;
• Multimeter.

The Significance of Speakers

A staggering 70% of your audio quality is influenced by the speakers. Bargain speakers might produce unsatisfactory sounds over time. If you face such issues, consider investing in better quality options. Established brands usually offer clarity in sound, and you can expect to invest about $100-$200 for each unit. However, if you wish to splurge, there are pricier variants with impeccable audio quality available.

Choosing the ideal speakers for your Ford Explorer

Beyond just the quality, ensure the speakers fit the specific Ford Explorer model you possess. Every car model has predefined slots for speakers, each varying in size.

Thus, it's vital to select speakers that fit perfectly, or you'll end up with ones that are either too snug or too loose. To check the exact dimensions and quantity for your Ford Explorer, click here.

How to install speakers in your Ford Explorer?

If one was to ever engage in the art of audio tinkering, it should be quite straightforward, given the right speaker choice. To conduct this symphony of sound engineering:

Identify the gallant guardians of sound in your Explorer (they do have a penchant for hiding in various nooks);

Gracefully remove any barriers, such as panels, to gain access to these musical maestros;

Unseat the existing speakers, gently now - they might be held in place with screws or possibly some form of mystic bonding (also known as bolts);

Before you sever any connections, it might be rather gentlemanly to mark the positive and negative cables. Reassembly without chaos, and all that;

Introduce your new auditory ambassador to its new home. If you've chosen wisely, it's like a hand in a glove. But sometimes, a little modification, perhaps a tad of trimming, might be in order;

Connect the lifeblood (or wires) back. And do make sure you've got the right connections going to the right places. One wouldn't want a musical mishap;

Once snugly in place, ensure that the new recruits are standing to attention without wobbling about;

Return any protective barriers, and then repeat this delicate ballet for any other speakers you wish to introduce to the ensemble;

Whilst the regular abode for these speakers is perfectly fine, an adventurous soul could place them anywhere – the doors, the boot, or even, dare I say, the glove compartment;

But, bear in mind, this might involve a wee bit of design rework, including new spaces for these speakers and perhaps a new path for the wires;

For a harmonious symphony, it would be wise to choose speakers all from the same family. Mixing can lead to a bit of a cacophony;

Also, too many maestros in the door can lead to a tad too much enthusiasm. The result? Vibrations. And we wouldn't want the door to have a fit, would we?

Subwoofer Conundrum

The unsung heroes of the audio world in the Ford Explorer are indeed the subwoofers, designed specifically to delve into the depths of the musical realm.

They handle the tricky bits of the spectrum, the low-frequency sounds, giving your music a depth and richness that's rather delightful.

Investing in a good subwoofer is rather like investing in a fine wine. It adds character. Typically, a reasonable one will set you back about 250-300 dollars.

Choosing the right subwoofer for the Ford Explorer

It's not all about the bass, you see. Choosing the right subwoofer involves a tad more nuance. The main choice is between the active and passive breeds.

Active subwoofer advantages

Built-in Amplifier. The active kind comes with its own amplifier, which is rather convenient. This not only simplifies the installation but ensures everything is tailor-made for your Explorer.

Compact Design. Active subwoofers are rather cleverly designed to be compact, ensuring they tuck in nicely into your vehicle's confines.

Easy Installation. With the amplifier cozily nestled within, connecting it to your Explorer's system becomes a breezy affair.

Control & Adjustability. The active breed allows you to fine-tune the settings, ensuring a bespoke experience for your Explorer's acoustics and the ensemble of speakers you've chosen.

The Woes and Woohoos of Active Subwoofers

Bit Pricey. With an in-built amplifier, active car subwoofers do tend to lean on the pricier side, compared to their passive chums.

Power Proximity. Active subwoofers fancy being close to a power source, say the Ford Explorer's battery, which might tie your hands a tad regarding their placement.

Passive subwoofers, on the other hand, aren't so demanding—they don’t come armed with an amplifier. You’d have to get one yourself.

The Ups and Oopsies of Passive Subwoofers

Choose Your Amp. The freedom with passive subwoofers in your Ford Explorer is that you can pick an external amplifier to your heart's content. Could be a ticket to boosting your audio prowess.

Friendlier to Wallets. Considering they’re sans a built-in amplifier, passive subwoofers tend to be kinder on the pocketbook.

Room to Play. Without an onboard amplifier, these subwoofers offer a bit more leeway in placement. You get to be a bit creative in how you park them in your Ford Explorer.

The Not-So-Rosy Sides of Passive Subwoofers

Extra Gear Needed. A passive Ford Explorer subwoofer would need a separate power amplifier. This means additional gadgetry and perhaps a lengthier setup session with more wires than you'd like.

Limited Knobs and Dials. Passive subwoofers might not offer as many twiddly bits in the adjustment department when compared to their active counterparts. Some fine-tuning on the external amplifier might be in order.

A Bit Clunky. You might end up needing a touch more room in your Ford Explorer for a passive setup, compared to the sleek active ones.

Subwoofer prowess isn't just about brute strength. When in the market, have a gander at:

• Nominal Power (RMS) - gives a clue about the subwoofer's stamina and its promise of quality tunes without sounding like a distressed cat;
• Peak Power - gives an idea of how long it can belt out without sounding off or falling to pieces. Think short bursts.

Sensitivity. Think of this as a subwoofer’s efficiency. It's not just about how much power it consumes but how well it uses it. And if you're wondering about "big" vs "small" subwoofers, this might just be your answer.

Size does matter. Bigger might belt out more oomph, but remember, it’s got to fit snugly in your Ford Explorer. So, maybe tape measure first, shop later?

How to Properly Introduce a Subwoofer to Your Ford Explorer

After you've figured out the perfect spot for your subwoofer, the actual fun begins - the installation.

Generally speaking, this process works for most Ford Explorer models, but always remember, cars, like humans, can be a tad unpredictable. Some hitches might crop up. If they do, give us a bell, and we'll sort it out.

First order of business: the amplifier. Ideally, you'd pop it in the boot or under a seat. Ensure it's within arm's reach of the battery, but not too chummy with any sources of heat or dampness.

Having found its cozy corner, affix the amplifier securely. Next, lead a wire from the battery's positive end straight to the amplifier. Safety tip: use a fuse near the battery to keep things in check.

If you're championing an active subwoofer, hop over this bit and link the subwoofer to the speakers – it's got its own amplifier, see.

Then, get a ground wire running from the amplifier to a nice shiny bit of your Explorer's framework. Keep this connection brief and sweet.

Lay out your RCA cables from your music box (that's the stereo) to the amplifier, ensuring the power wire's not sharing its route, lest they start bickering over interference.

Wiring time! Connect your speaker wires from the amplifier to the subwoofer, ensuring the positive and negative wires aren't getting their signals crossed. Bad pun, but you get the drift.

Pop the subwoofer into its designated box. Now, this box is no ordinary box. Its size and design can alter your subwoofer's sound, so ponder over it with a cuppa. Once it's snug, find the best spot in your Explorer, perhaps the boot.

After making these tweaks, reconnect your Ford Explorer's battery and give the stereo a whirl. Fiddle with the knobs on the amplifier until your new subwoofer feels in harmony with the other onboard crooners. You might fancy a tinker with the equalizer too.

Lastly, ensure all your hard work isn't undone by jiggly connections. All wires should be properly hugged in.

Choosing the Right Amp for Your Ford Explorer

Right, amp time. When hunting for the ideal amplifier for your Explorer, these are the bits you need to be mindful of:

Your speakers and amplifier should be old chums; mismatching their specs is asking for a short-lived amplifier and a murky sound.

Classes of amplifiers, like A, B, C, D, AB, are a bit like Hogwarts houses. Most people tend to fall into AB or D, with AB being brilliant on quality but a bit energy-hungry, while D is like that compact friend who's surprisingly strong.

Monoblocks are great if you've got a subwoofer and an already noisy system, but they don't really need the higher frequency mates.

Two-channels are the versatile types. Connect two speakers or maybe a subwoofer if you're feeling adventurous.

For 2 speakers and 1 subwoofer setups, the three-channel works wonders. Four-channels aim to power a whole audio ensemble. The five-channels, on the other hand, cater to 4 speakers and 1 subwoofer setups.

Also, keep in mind the power dynamics. If your speakers are high resistance, expect the power to be a tad lower.

Frequencies are the heartbeats of sound, usually lying between 20 - 20000 Hz. Though for the subwoofer-centric amps, it's more like 250-300 Hz. That's their sweet spot.

If you're someone who enjoys the finer things in life and sound, do cast an eye on the distortion factor and signal-to-noise ratio. It can make all the difference, like a sprinkle of pepper on a shepherd's pie.

Installing an Amplifier in a Ford Explorer: An Enthusiast's Guide

Right, so you've got your Ford Explorer and a fancy new amplifier. Lovely. But first, let's make sure it's tucked away from those sneaky water droplets and it's not sat next to something that'll roast it like a Sunday joint.

Get those screws or perhaps a nifty bracket, and make that amplifier sit tight. Wouldn’t want it flying about, would we?

Next on the list, your power wire. Connect it from the battery straight to the amplifier. Run it through your Explorer's firewall – neatly, mind you. And remember, safety first! Use that fuse holder you've got near the battery and pop in the appropriate fuse.

Now, for the grounding. It's vital, much like tea for breakfast. Find a spiffing metal point near the amplifier, strip the wire a tad, and secure it. Ensure it's a proper metal-to-metal connection for the best results.

The remote start wire? Find it lurking behind your radio or maybe the fuse box. Connect it up to tell your amplifier when to wake up with the rest of the Explorer's entertainment ensemble.

Got RCA cables? Brilliant. Connect them from your Explorer’s stereo to the amplifier. If you’re unfortunate enough not to have RCA outputs, fear not! A line-out converter will do the trick. Follow the instructions, lest you mess it up.

Run your speaker wires from the amplifier to the speakers or subwoofer, ensuring the positives and negatives aren't having a dance swap. Secure and insulate any rogue connections, because sloppy work never did anyone any favours.

The Head Unit: An Unsung Hero

The Ford Explorer, much like its cousin, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, comes with a decent audio system. It’s satisfactory for most, but for those of you with more discerning ears, you might fancy an upgrade.

Selecting the Perfect Head Unit for Your Ford Explorer

Before diving in, consider the size of your current unit: single din, 1.5 din, or double din. If changing sizes sounds like too much faff, stick to the same form factor. But if you’re feeling adventurous and want a larger display, just be prepared for some fiddling around with the central console. Oh, the joys of car modifications!

Upgrading Your Ford Explorer's Head Unit

If the new unit matches your old one's size, it's as straightforward as changing a lightbulb. But if you've decided to be a bit brave, make sure your new radio has enough space to feel at home. Do give the owner’s manual a read - no shame in that!

Gently remove the original unit. Remember, it’s not a race. Disconnect the wires and label them – it’ll save a headache later on.

Match the Explorer's wiring to the new radio's and double-check every connection. If adapters are required, plug those in as well. Secure the new head unit, and voilà! Switch it on, and let the good times roll. Cheers!

When Your Ford Explorer Craves More Power

The Ford Explorer, a motoring icon, comes with an electrical system meticulously crafted for its vital functions – think of it powering the beastly engine, ensuring you've got lights at night, and keeping you warm or cool depending on your whims. And let’s not forget that serene feeling from the tunes humming out of the car's stereo.

Now, while this trusted steed has a bit of spare electrical capacity, it’s not an endless reserve. Overburden it, and you might find yourself in a spot of bother.

The audio system, for example, can be rather thirsty when it comes to electricity. If you’ve upgraded to some rather potent audio gear and find yourself belting out symphonies at every traffic light, it might strain the Explorer's circuits. This can cause hiccups in its usual impeccable performance.

It’s paramount, therefore, that any electrical escapades are undertaken with a measure of restraint, bearing in mind the limits of the Ford Explorer.

Here are some telltale signs that your Explorer is gasping for some electrical respite:

• A sudden loss of power;
• The engine behaving in a rather petulant manner;
• Headlights that seem to have lost their sparkle;
• Flashing dashboard, and not in the disco sort of way;
• The audio system intermittently playing a game of hide and seek, especially on bass notes;
• Other electrical components acting a tad unusually.

If, after treating your Explorer to a new audio system, you notice any of these quirks:

• Fire up the Explorer's engine, because that's how you do science;
• Activate all those electric guzzlers: headlights, climate control, maybe even the wipers. And let the music play, naturally;
• Make your way to the Explorer’s battery, which is most commonly nestled under its bonnet;
• Grab a multimeter. Measure the voltage between the battery's terminals – positive to positive, negative to negative, obviously. Switch the multimeter to volts, unless you fancy some fireworks;
• Now, an ideal reading should hover between 14.2 and 15 volts. Anything less might suggest your Explorer's system is feeling a tad overwhelmed. Below 13.5 volts and it's shouting, "Captain, I can't hold it any longer!"

If you do find yourself in this pickle, you've got two choices:

1. Opt for a beefier alternator. If your existing alternator isn't quite up to snuff, upgrade it. Ensure it's suitable for your Ford Explorer and can churn out the necessary juice.

For instance, if you’re rocking an 80 A alternator, aim for something that delivers at least 120 A.

2. Deploy a second battery. If meddling with the alternator isn’t your cup of tea, a backup battery might do the trick. Connect them in parallel for maximum effect.

Note: Always ensure batteries are connected correctly. Missteps can lead to rather dramatic outcomes.

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Optional Tweaks

While we're at it, perhaps you'd fancy a few more upgrades to your Explorer?

Multimedia touchscreen

Given that you're enhancing the auditory experience, why not elevate the visual too? Screens for those in the back can provide hours of entertainment, be it movies, work (if they must), or even the simple joys of choosing the next track. A godsend on longer journeys, especially if you've younger occupants. Give them a cartoon, and you'll drive in peace.

Navigation system

Ever felt the dread of being lost? With a navigation system fitted in your Ford Explorer, you'll always find your way. It’s a bit like having a digital compass, only fancier.

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Wrapping Up

Refining the soundscape of your Ford Explorer not only adds a dash of luxury but also elevates the entire driving experience. Crisp tunes, riveting podcasts, or perhaps an engrossing audiobook – they all come alive.

Remember, while scouting for components, balance between quality and what your wallet permits.

If you ever find yourself befuddled with a mess of wires or have doubts about your DIY prowess, never hesitate to call in the professionals. After all, they know a thing or two about these machines.