Well i got my system together and it didnt sound right and i think its because i have a ground loop. It makes a sort of popping noise and i read some articles on crutchfield that it could be caused by a bad ground. So im asking all of you to share where you grounded your amp? Pictures would be nice! thanks

 

i grounded mine to the brackets under the drivers side seat. seems to be working real good for me.

 

I grounded both of my amps on the mounting bolts for the jump seat, after it was removed. I put gold ring terminal ends on 4ga wire and sanded the paint down for a good contact. I have the same problem. I also have an rpm whine too, through my tweeters. It's getting pretty damn annoying. Yet another reason to sell my truck...

 

Because you improperly installed ur system? Sounds like an excuse, not a reason.

Aaron

 

dont use preexisting bolts for a ground they never seem to work right.

 

Negative....I took it to a high end installation place that charged me $50 to see them shrug their shoulders...This is definitely not my first stereo install and had a friend that does it for a living check it out. He told me rangers and alot of ford's in general were notorious. I gave up on it. I have a rocker on the remote lead. I leave it off and listen to my stock fronts anymore.

edit: they told me to reground the truck and if that didn't take care of it, try a ground loop isolator. i've never had a vehicle give me so many electrical problems. same deal with my cb. i'm to the point where i give up.

 

I grounded my amps with one of the jump seat bolts... no problems yet.

 

That's sucky man. My truck is pretty good. When I installed my friends system in his 06 mustang the local a/v store was extremely excellent help! I was just there for advice and luckily 1 guy who was working there gave me advice. Then outside my friends friend(who works there) basically came in and told us all what we need to do, so it was a great place.

Aaron

 

the bolts that had the jump seats bolted down..

 

Passenger seat bolt, works like a charm.

ps:I'm a newbie here, but have had an '04 4.0 4wd Sonic Blue XLT stepside since she was spankin' new.

 

I ran a 4g wire directly from my sub amp to the ground on my battery. I have 0g power to a distribution block to power my sub and 4-channel amps.
With high power systems a direct ground is the best way. Especially if you have the stock wires running to your battery, which is probably about 8g ground wire.
As for my 4-channel amp I grounded it with a short (about 1ft long) wire to the rear panel of the truck. I've had a problem once with an alternator whine, a good while ago...mess around with your remote wire, it may be messing with the signal some how.
Also, I had the whine when I did not have a relay for the remote wire. Since then I installed a relay to turn on both of my amps and a set of 12v fans, and haven't had any type of whine.