Kicker Key Amp 200.4 Install DIY Video - Do this first!

[Jeverall]

Read the entire thread, still a little unsure what to do. I only plan on installing a Kicker Key amp and replacing the dash speakers in my base sound system. What is the consensus on using a PnP harness for Kicker 200.4 if you're not going to install a sub? Trying to decide if I should go with Kit 11-1 from plugnplaykits or the cheaper one that @RedHotFuzz posted (https://hoelwiring.com/products/kicker-key-200-4-plug-play-harness?variant=40277852618788) and run power from the battery. I know some folks had issues with clipping, I assume due to not enough power from the ACM using the PnPK harness? Would rather do it right the first time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It depends on how much bass you want. I think for most just having the 200.4 would be sufficient. It really does change the sound and gives some good mid range bass to the kick panels. I would run separate power for the 200.4. Hoel wiring made my harness complete with the power & ground wires completed and fuses included. He was super responsive over chat and even made a custom video for me to walk me through install …

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[ctandc]

Well, this morning I went ahead and bypassed the power feed in the plugnplay harness to the Kicker Key 200.4, and ran a 12ga power wire with fuse holder to the same post on the battery where I ran the power feed for the Kicker hideaway sub.

My issue was the system sounds so much better than stock now, especially with the sub, I find myself wanting to jack the volume up more and more and the amp seemed to be hitting the limiters.

I cut the fuse holder out of the harness, sealed and taped the now unused power lead.

I then set the gains again on the Key Amp, and it takes a lot more to hit the limiters now.

YMMV.

I'm done with the sound system. It sounds ridiculously good now at ANY volume. Well worth the money and time.

 

[Swordofthemorning]

Just picked up the Kicker HS10 hideaway. Would it also be recommended to pick up the 200.4 or should the hideaway do?

 

[ctandc]

Just picked up the Kicker HS10 hideaway. Would it also be recommended to pick up the 200.4 or should the hideaway do?

Depends on what you want. Car audio is subjective. What sounds GREAT to one person can sound bad to another.

If we hadn't of gone soft top on our 2 door (so easy to raise / lower and I honestly doubt we'll ever put the hard top back on - it's garaged when parked at our house) I doubt I would have jumped so quick into an audio upgrade. Problem with the stock system, FOR US, was that at speed with the top down, of course you need to turn up the volume. Around 15 or so (say interstate speed wit top down) the head unit just gave up the ghost and combined with the stock speakers it sounded like CRAP.

I replaced JUST the 4" dash speakers (added bass blockers) and the difference in clarity and volume was HUGE - TO ME.

The Kick panel speakers kind of get "lost" where they are mounted (removable doors and all) so the only difference I personally noticed (before amp install) was that mids seemed to be a bit less muddy at higher volume.

The addition of the Kicker 200.4 amp just let's the system sound clearer and LOUDER at lower volumes. Of course there isn't much base, but it wasn't horrible. It's a pandora's box though, once you open it and realize how much better it sounds it can be hard to stop.

Honestly I'm REALLY HAPPY with how it sounds now. I've got a bit less than $1K in the system (all new speakers, amp, harnesses, install accessories, amp install kit, 8" Kicker sub etc) and after the soft top it's the best mod I've done $ for $ to the Bronco.

YMMV of course.

 

[Matsterious]

Depends on what you want. Car audio is subjective. What sounds GREAT to one person can sound bad to another.

If we hadn't of gone soft top on our 2 door (so easy to raise / lower and I honestly doubt we'll ever put the hard top back on - it's garaged when parked at our house) I doubt I would have jumped so quick into an audio upgrade. Problem with the stock system, FOR US, was that at speed with the top down, of course you need to turn up the volume. Around 15 or so (say interstate speed wit top down) the head unit just gave up the ghost and combined with the stock speakers it sounded like CRAP.

I replaced JUST the 4" dash speakers (added bass blockers) and the difference in clarity and volume was HUGE - TO ME.

The Kick panel speakers kind of get "lost" where they are mounted (removable doors and all) so the only difference I personally noticed (before amp install) was that mids seemed to be a bit less muddy at higher volume.

The addition of the Kicker 200.4 amp just let's the system sound clearer and LOUDER at lower volumes. Of course there isn't much base, but it wasn't horrible. It's a pandora's box though, once you open it and realize how much better it sounds it can be hard to stop.

Honestly I'm REALLY HAPPY with how it sounds now. I've got a bit less than $1K in the system (all new speakers, amp, harnesses, install accessories, amp install kit, 8" Kicker sub etc) and after the soft top it's the best mod I've done $ for $ to the Bronco.

YMMV of course.

I would like to emphasize that BASS BLOCKERS are key for the dash speakers. I did the upgrade and didn't do the bass blockers immediately and they would crap out at any decent volume due to the bass. I added the bass blockers and WOW what a difference- so clear!

 

[Tintop]

Does anyone have a set of printable instructions on installation of the PNP harness & Amp install? Is everyone just going to the youtube video for installation? I'm having mine installed at a local shop and was hoping to be able to hand them some instructions. Thanks!

 

[Sherminiator]

Does anyone have a set of printable instructions on installation of the PNP harness & Amp install? Is everyone just going to the youtube video for installation? I'm having mine installed at a local shop and was hoping to be able to hand them some instructions. Thanks!

It is really simple-you just need to remove the plug on the lower right hand side once you pull the HVAC controls. Then plug in the harness and your off the to the races. Its almost impossible to screw it up.

 

[ctandc]

Does anyone have a set of printable instructions on installation of the PNP harness & Amp install? Is everyone just going to the youtube video for installation? I'm having mine installed at a local shop and was hoping to be able to hand them some instructions. Thanks!

I wouldn't think a stereo shop would need instructions how to install a harness that literally plugs into the factory plugs. If you search this and other threads you can find PDF copies of the service manual instructions for removing the dash speaker covers, the LH an RH kick panel trim and the AC / RADIO panel that needs to be removed to get to the harness.

It's not hard. 2 bolts in the LH bottom dead pedal that holds the kick panel trim in (with clips) and 2 bolts on either side of the AC / Radio trim panel + the lower trim and the grab handle. Everything is else is just plastic clips. I've done it twice now and it literally takes 15min if that to remove all the panels.

 

[Sherminiator]

Just be careful with the kick panel covers-the upper tab on them breaks very easily! I barely touched the drivers side one when it was off and it snapped off on me

 

[cmcbronco]

Just be careful with the kick panel covers-the upper tab on them breaks very easily! I barely touched the drivers side one when it was off and it snapped off on me

You’re better off just pulling out the whole panel without attempting to remove the grill at all. Then it easily pops out from the inside which makes the reinstall easier.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

I wouldn’t take it to a stereo shop that needs instructions. That’s just me.

 

[Biff]

I wouldn’t take it to a stereo shop that needs instructions. That’s just me.

I wholeheartedly agree. I took the 200.4, PNPK 11-4, and a Kicker Hideaway 8 and Crutchfield sub wiring kit to a local shop near me, and the look of befuttlement from the owner said all I needed to know to tell me I just need to do it all myself. It was as if I was showing them some alien technology! 4 hours in the hot sun and learning how to do it myself was much better than the $200 for the key install and $200 for the sub install price they quoted me. System sounds amazing now and I can only imagine how much better it will be once I can find the time to install the sub. Pop a few panels, run the power wire to the battery, and find a decent ground wire location and I’ll be all set.

 

[Sherminiator]

You’re better off just pulling out the whole panel without attempting to remove the grill at all. Then it easily pops out from the inside which makes the reinstall easier.

No I was talking about the tabs near the dash under the handles-there is a trim peace under the handle you have to remove then the kick panel. At the top of the kick panel there is a long tab that had two slots in it and it’s long and skinny-that breaks very easily

 

[RedHotFuzz]

$200 for the key install and $200 for the sub install price they quoted me.

That's insane. My local shop charged me $150 to install both an amp and a sub in my Jetta Sportwagen. I'll be installing my own amp in the Bronco. I'm waiting for better subwoofer solutions to come along though. I'm not keen on taking up precious cargo space with an exposed sub (not to mention theft concerns, especially in a topless vehicle).

 

[Lak34ers]

I installed a Kicker Key 200.4 amp in my BaseSquatch today and it made a HUGE difference. It was a straight forward install that took about an hour and a half. The install was made easy because of the harness from plugnplaykits.com. There was no need to cut, splice or drill anything. As you will see in the video below, it litterally was a plug and play operation.

The Kicker Key amp has a build-in automatic DSP that fixes Ford's terrible signal as well as adding 50 watts per channel. The combination is amazing. I have a nice 3 way component speaker set waiting to install in the front and now I'm not even sure I will bother. That is just how big of improvement this is.

I have suspected that Ford is intentionally degrading the sound quality of the base system in an effort to get customers to upgrade to the B&O. These amp and more importantly the smart DSP that is integrated in it really brings the entire stereo to life. Spend you money on this before you spend it on speakers. Good speakers can't fix low power and poor signal.

I put together a quick installation video but wasn't able to show the self tuning step because I needed my phone to play the kicker pink noise DSP turning track. If you want to see that step other installation videos show you how to do that.

Edit: the harness and amp are "Kit 11". Here is the direct link to the bronco kits.
https://plugnplaykits.com/products/...y-audio-harnesses-kits?variant=41130698473662

Thank you for the video and info. I will definitely do the Amp and harness. I have replaced all 6 speakers with KickerCS and it already sounds much better. Any help or ideas on how to wire and power 6.5 Alpines that would be connected to the DV8 bar as shown?

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