good ground location in the trunk

[MustangNJ]

I'm installing an amp and need a good ground wire location in the trunk.  anybody have any ideas? all I see is sheet metal. short of going forward to find a bolt to the frame, anyone have any good spots so I don't need to go on a treasure hunt with a probe?  thanks

 

[Don C]

If you're installing an amp in the trunk you're going to have to run a suitable power wire from the battery. I would run a dedicated ground from the battery at the same time. That is the only way you'll be assured of clean power and ground.

 

[MustangNJ]

I found a ground. I ran the main power to the battery, and a switched power wire to the fuse panel. Unfortunately I can't unsee my fuse panel. there were completely broken fuses, missing fuses, blown fuses, corroded fuses. I managed to put in a new fuse in the radio slot, and added a jumper wire for the amp. everything worked first try. the amp has power when the key is switched to accessory . hiding the wires through the interior panels took a long time and required a snake and a 4ft dowel. took about 4hrs to do it right, including swapping out the positive connector to the battery, and changing fuses. my god you need to be a contortionist to get in the car upside down to look up at the fuse panel. I will need to replace the fuse panel at some point. tomorrow I will install new speakers and a sub. I am running RCA cables from the amp to an iPhone. I am not installing a new head unit now.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

So I guess you do not carry a spare tire with the amp there. I took two out a vert I bought and all the speakers and Pioneer unit out of dash. I never turn on radio when in the car interferes with hearing the engine.

On replacing the fuse panel. Not an easy task. You will have to pull the entire dash out which is not done to quickly. If you have AC you need to put new heater core in while dash is out. Check for cowl leaks also you can do patch while out.

Each wire harness is unique to each car and year. Not a one size fits all situation. Midlife, one of the vendor sponsors on here, will rebuild the harness for you but he is shut down while they do repairs on his home in Fla. from hurricane last year.

I would put a quick disconnect on the battery and never leave it hooked up if your harness is in bad shape. 

Music is for the garage while working on the car. I have CD, radio, DVD, laser disc, record player, 8- track in garage so I can play about any vintage music. The engine is my music when in the car.

 

[MustangNJ]

the new stereo sounds awesome. unfortunately I had a tie-rod or something come loose today. drivers side front camber is now out of whack. I heard a pop, but I have not had a chance to triage yet. fortunately the stereo sounded great the whole time.

I normally carry a spare. exactly where I will carry it now is the question.

 

[midlife]

the new stereo sounds awesome.  unfortunately I had a tie-rod or something come loose today. drivers side front camber is now out of whack. I heard a pop, but I have not had a chance to triage yet.  fortunately the stereo sounded great the whole time.

I normally carry a spare.  exactly where I will carry it now is the question.

Why not carry it like the rest of us?  Just above the waist.

 

[MustangNJ]

the new stereo sounds awesome.  unfortunately I had a tie-rod or something come loose today. drivers side front camber is now out of whack. I heard a pop, but I have not had a chance to triage yet.  fortunately the stereo sounded great the whole time.

I normally carry a spare.  exactly where I will carry it now is the question.

Why not carry it like the rest of us?  Just above the waist.

its not the amp taking up too much space, its the 10" subwoofer with box enclosure that my son wanted.  now I have room in the trunk for a pair of extra socks.

 

[jowens1126]

check out this video. It shows how to use a multi-meter to locate the best grounding point in a vehicle.