Install an aftermarket subwoofer in the 2011-2014 Ford F-150 by mounting the enclosure, running power and signal wiring, and integrating with the factory audio system.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Subwoofer with enclosure × 1 — User-selected aftermarket
• Amplifier × 1 — User-selected aftermarket
• Amplifier wiring kit (4-8 gauge) × 1 — Includes power wire, ground wire, RCA cables, remote wire, fuse holder
• Line output converter (LOC) × 1 — Only if tapping factory speaker wires
• Ring terminals for ground × 2 — Appropriate gauge for power wire
• Butt connectors and heat shrink tubing × 1 — Assorted sizes
• Inline fuse holder and fuse × 1 — 60-100A depending on amplifier

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect battery negative terminal and wait 2 minutes for airbag system to discharge
3. Plan wire routing path from battery through firewall to amplifier location (typically under rear seat or behind rear bench)
4. Determine subwoofer mounting location in cab or bed based on enclosure type
5. Identify whether factory radio has RCA outputs or if line output converter (LOC) is needed

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear seat and prepare mounting location
   For crew cab installations, lift rear seat cushion by pulling firmly upward to release clips. Remove seat back by locating two 13mm bolts at bottom corners and lifting up and out. For regular/super cab, determine bed or behind-seat mounting location. Vacuum area thoroughly before installation.
2. 2

   Route power wire from battery to amplifier location
   Locate existing firewall grommet on driver side near fuse box. Use fish tape to route 4 or 8 gauge power wire (depending on amplifier rating) through grommet into cabin. Install inline fuse holder within 18 inches of battery positive terminal but do not install fuse yet. Route wire along driver side under carpet and door sills, securing with zip ties. Feed wire to amplifier mounting location under rear seat or in bed.
   ⚠Ensure power wire does not contact any sharp edges, moving parts, or hot surfaces; use grommets and protective loom
3. 3

   Install ground wire connection
   Locate factory ground point under rear seat (typically a 10mm bolt on body metal) or create new ground by drilling to bare metal if necessary. Strip 1/2 inch from ground wire and crimp ring terminal. Sand ground location to bare metal to ensure excellent electrical contact. Connect ground wire with ring terminal to ground point and torque properly.
   ℹ️Poor ground connection is the most common cause of amplifier problems; ensure metal-to-metal contact
   Torque spec

   Ground Bolt17 Nm (13 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Route RCA signal cables and remote turn-on wire
   Run RCA cables and remote turn-on wire from head unit location to amplifier, routing along passenger side to avoid power wire interference. At center console, remove lower trim panels using panel tools. For factory radio installations without RCA outputs, identify rear speaker wires for LOC connection (typically green/violet and tan/orange for left, white/violet and gray/orange for right at rear of radio harness).
5. 5

   Install line output converter if needed
   If factory radio lacks RCA outputs, connect LOC to rear speaker outputs at radio harness or at rear speaker locations. Strip 1/4 inch from speaker wires, connect LOC input wires using butt connectors with heat shrink. Connect LOC ground to nearby chassis ground. Connect LOC RCA outputs to amplifier input cables. Connect LOC remote output wire to amplifier remote terminal.
6. 6

   Mount amplifier
   Select mounting location under rear seat, on rear wall, or in bed area with adequate ventilation. Ensure amplifier mounting surface is solid and flat. Mark mounting holes and drill pilot holes if necessary. Mount amplifier using appropriate hardware, ensuring secure connection that won't vibrate loose. If using module mounting bolts through body panels, torque appropriately.
   ℹ️Amplifiers generate heat; ensure minimum 2 inches clearance around amplifier for airflow
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Mount subwoofer enclosure
   Position subwoofer enclosure in chosen location (typically behind rear seat or in bed). For cab installations, secure enclosure using L-brackets or mounting straps to prevent movement during driving. For bed installations, use bed-mounted tie-downs or bolt through bed mounting points if enclosure is designed for permanent installation. Ensure enclosure does not interfere with seat operation or cargo area functionality.
   ⚠Unsecured subwoofer enclosures become projectiles in collision events; secure firmly
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Connect speaker wire from amplifier to subwoofer
   Run speaker wire from amplifier output terminals to subwoofer terminals, maintaining proper polarity (positive to positive, negative to negative). Use 12-16 gauge speaker wire depending on amplifier power output. Strip 1/2 inch from wire ends and connect to amplifier and subwoofer terminals, ensuring tight connections. Verify polarity with multimeter if connections are not clearly marked.
   Torque spec

   Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Make final amplifier connections
   Connect power wire to amplifier positive terminal and torque if applicable. Connect ground wire to amplifier ground terminal. Connect RCA cables to amplifier input. Connect remote turn-on wire to amplifier remote terminal. Verify all connections are secure and no bare wire is exposed. Set amplifier gain to minimum, crossover to low-pass (80-100Hz), and bass boost to off initially.
   Torque spec

   Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect battery and test system
    Reconnect battery negative terminal and torque properly. Install fuse in power wire fuse holder near battery. Turn ignition to accessory position and verify amplifier power LED illuminates. Play audio at low volume and verify subwoofer produces sound. Check for distortion, unusual noises, or overheating. Adjust gain using test tones or music until clean output is achieved without clipping.
    ⚠Do not set amplifier gain by ear alone; use multimeter or oscilloscope for proper gain setting to avoid speaker damage
    Torque spec

    Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall all removed interior trim panels, ensuring clips are fully seated
2. Reinstall rear seat bottom cushion by aligning clips and pressing firmly until locked
3. Reinstall rear seat back by inserting upper hooks and torquing lower mounting bolts to specification
4. Secure all wiring with zip ties to prevent rattles and ensure wires don't hang loose
5. Test rear seat operation to ensure no interference with subwoofer installation

Verification

• Turn on audio system and verify subwoofer activates when music is playing
• Test at various volume levels to ensure no distortion or clipping occurs
• Verify amplifier does not overheat after 10-15 minutes of operation
• Check that remote turn-on functions properly (amplifier turns on/off with ignition)
• Verify no rattles or vibrations from loose mounting or panels
• Confirm all interior panels are properly reinstalled and secure
• Test rear seat operation to ensure full functionality is maintained

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