Kicker VSS SubStage Subwoofer Kit
In 1973, KICKER's Livin' Loud legacy began as a two-man operation, hand-building professional-speaker systems in a narrow one-car garage. From then on, KICKER has been delivering concert-like audio quality across a wide volume range with renowned bass and accurate sound.
Kicker’s SubStage VSS or also known as vehicle specific solutions subwoofer kit is a great upgrade or add-on to your S197 Mustang! If you’re one of those owners that likes to have a well-balanced car when it boils down to mods, then this subwoofer kit needs to be in your car.
Featuring a 200-watt integrated amplifier, ten inch subwoofer, and a specific enclosed box for the S197’s, this SubStage kit is built to offer exceptional sound and fit like a factory-optioned subwoofer. I know what you're probably thinking by now, “Will this fit into my car if I have a Shaker 500 or 1000 audio system. The answer is, yes! The only recommended modification that would need to be done for those of you sporting a Shaker 1000, is to replace the trunk carpet since yours is pre-cut from the factory to coincide with the factory sub. This kit will come with everything you need to get it installed into your car.
Required Tools
- Socket Set
- Socket Wrench
- Extensions
- Flat Head Screwdriver
- Stubby Phillips Head Screwdriver
- Push Pin Removal Tool
- Razor Blade
- Dikes
Installation Instructions
- To begin installation, start by turning the wheel all the way to the left.
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Moving to the passenger side rocker molding, remove the two push pins securing the molding to the splash shield.
- Remove the push pins securing the back splash shield to the front shield.
- Remove the rear piece of the front splash shields from the car.
- Back into the engine bay, remove the cover on the fuse box.
- Remove the 10mm nut from the main power lug.
- Connect the Kicker power harness to the lug and torque the nut to 15 ft-lbs.
- Run the power wire down and right beside the air conditioning lines.
- There you will see a slot to slide it through into the fender well.
- Cut the power wire connector zip-tie holding it to the wire itself.
- Set this aside since we will use it later.
- Moving inside the car, lift up and remove the passenger side scuff plate.
- Remove the passenger side kick panel.
- Push the two tabs toward the back of the car underneath the centers of the rear seat and remove the seat.
- Pull the passenger side seat-back down.
- Remove the push pin holding the interior quarter panel to the carpet.
- This one is located right beside the lower seat belt mount.
- Remove the two rear push pins securing the interior quarter panel to the trunk and floor of the car.
- Pull out on the panel and remove it from the car.
- Moving back to the passenger side fenderwell; make a small incision to the firewall grommet and slide the power wire through.
- Grab the subwoofer wire harness and attach the quick crimp connectors to both the green and green with brown strip wires.
- The next part will be the most time consuming.
- Underneath the dash and behind the glove box; find the harness passing through the door grommet.
- Trim back the electrical tape and find the designated wire per your application.
- Refer to the Kicker instructions for the wires you need to tap into.
- Since this is a base car we spliced the green with brown stripe wire on the subwoofer harness to the white with green stripe wire on the door speaker.
- The solid green wire on the subwoofer harness was spliced to the light green wire with orange strip on the door speaker.
- Crimp the connectors with a pair of pliers.
- Start running the subwoofer harness underneath the carpet.
- When you reach the back, pass it through the small opening in the body and into the trunk.
- Moving back to the trunk; remove the trunk carpet from the car.
- Remove the 13mm bolt securing the trunk side carpet to the car and the push pin; remove the side carpet from the car.
- Make a small incision in the carpet and pass the subwoofer connections through the opening.
- Reposition the side carpet.
- Set the subwoofer enclosure into the car and connect the harness.
- Position the sub to the side of the trunk and place the bottom bracket over the stud on the trunk floor.
- Use the included 10mm nut to secure the bracket to the trunk floor.
- With the top subwoofer bracket in place, retighten the previously removed side carpet bolt.
- Back in the engine compartment, install the included 30 amp fuse in the fuse location on the power wire harness.
- Loosen the 10mm bolt on the door jamb and secure the ground wire from the subwoofer harness to this location.
- Slide the power wire into the electrical connection; this was the one you cut the zip-tie away from earlier.
- Connect the power wire harness to the subwoofer harness.
- Tuck this alongside the edge of the carpet as well.
- Take this time to zip-tie both harnesses.
- Reinstall the interior quarter panel and rear seat; along with the rest of the interior pieces you removed.
- Button up the splash shield and reconnect your negative battery cable.
- Test for operation, and you’re all done!
