2024 Big Bend Sub-Woofer Install - Read This First!

[Hammy]

I had recently replaced the six factory speakers in my 2024 with kicker brand speakers which resulted in a missive sound improvement. My next step was to replace the dummy amp and sub-woofer with a Ford Fusion Amp (for ease of install) and a kicker sub-woofer. It took me about 20 minutes to tear all the panels off but when I removed the dummy amp.... IT ISN'T A DUMMY AMP. It is actually a fully functioning Ford Amp contrary to everything I read online and watched in YouTube installation video's. Further, there is a working sub-woofer (albeit a crappy factory one), all the ones I saw in videos had no magnet but this one did.

I continued to easily replace the factory sub with my kicker sub and it works like a charm, I didn't even need to use Forscan, it was already coded for it as well. I only have the mid package which I understood came with a 6 speaker system but it indeed has a 7 speaker system. Now you think I would have known there already was a functioning amp in the back but the super low quality combined with zero expectation of having something working back there led me to assume there wasn't.

Anyway I am happy to let everyone know you don't need to buy an amp just a sub for the rear panel sub-woofer. Also, it is super easy to replace the speaker, I just went at the panels with brute force and didn't break a single clip.

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[FourHorses]

2024’s come standard with the sub and amp.
Crappy, yes…. But they do come with it.

What I want to know… is there much improvement with just the sub swap? I already replaced other speakers in cab.

 

[RagnarKon]

I removed the dummy amp.... IT ISN'T A DUMMY AMP. It is actually a fully functioning Ford Amp contrary to everything I read online and watched in YouTube installation video's.

Yeah just for context... the dummy amps was a temporary thing Ford had to do for 2023 Broncos... and it wasn't every 2023 Bronco. Link for details.

The videos/posts you looked up were probably written/shot back when most of the Broncos did have a dummy amp. But all 2024s have a working amplifier.

 

[Mrchoochoo]

I had recently replaced the six factory speakers in my 2024 with kicker brand speakers which resulted in a missive sound improvement. My next step was to replace the dummy amp and sub-woofer with a Ford Fusion Amp (for ease of install) and a kicker sub-woofer. It took me about 20 minutes to tear all the panels off but when I removed the dummy amp.... IT ISN'T A DUMMY AMP. It is actually a fully functioning Ford Amp contrary to everything I read online and watched in YouTube installation video's. Further, there is a working sub-woofer (albeit a crappy factory one), all the ones I saw in videos had no magnet but this one did.

I continued to easily replace the factory sub with my kicker sub and it works like a charm, I didn't even need to use Forscan, it was already coded for it as well. I only have the mid package which I understood came with a 6 speaker system but it indeed has a 7 speaker system. Now you think I would have known there already was a functioning amp in the back but the super low quality combined with zero expectation of having something working back there led me to assume there wasn't.

Anyway I am happy to let everyone know you don't need to buy an amp just a sub for the rear panel sub-woofer. Also, it is super easy to replace the speaker, I just went at the panels with brute force and didn't break a single clip.

I did the exact speaker swap as you., but i did replace the rear speaker pods with Mabett pods and installed 6.75 kicker ...but I did tweak it on forscan and it sounds way better.

 

[wmchardy]

Which model/size Kicker Sub did you install?

 

[Hammy]

2024’s come standard with the sub and amp.
Crappy, yes…. But they do come with it.

What I want to know… is there much improvement with just the sub swap? I already replaced other speakers in cab.

I would say yes because the factory one is terrible at least now I can hear some base. Would a better amp help… definitely but my plan was a budget audio upgrade. Maybe in the future I’ll replace the sub amp and put an amp up front.

Yeah just for context... the dummy amps was a temporary thing Ford had to do for 2023 Broncos... and it wasn't every 2023 Bronco. Link for details.

The videos/posts you looked up were probably written/shot back when most of the Broncos did have a dummy amp. But all 2024s have a working amplifier.

Yes that’s what happened I couldn’t find a 2024 sub replacement video so made an incorrect assumption. Luckily I am within my 30 day return window for the other amp.

Which model/size Kicker Sub did you install?

It was a Kicker, this one...

 

[Hammy]

I did the exact speaker swap as you., but i did replace the rear speaker pods with Mabett pods and installed 6.75 kicker ...but I did tweak it on forscan and it sounds way better.

Thanks, yes I did a forscan tweak as well and it sounds much better.

 

[dano5029014]

Was the forescan tweak just putting full range to the rear pods? I'm debating on doing it. I just added a kicker key 200.4. 100 times better but not good enough

 

[broncoterp5]

I would say yes because the factory one is terrible at least now I can hear some base. Would a better amp help… definitely but my plan was a budget audio upgrade. Maybe in the future I’ll replace the sub amp and put an amp up front.

Yes that’s what happened I couldn’t find a 2024 sub replacement video so made an incorrect assumption. Luckily I am within my 30 day return window for the other amp.

It was a Kicker, this one...

Did you use 2ohm or 4 ohm version?

 

[Skip2a]

I have a '24 Big Bend with, I believe, the mid package, but I can't remember what that involves. I have the standard audio system and not the upgraded one.

Does this mean that I already have an amp and sub back there? I have been debating trying the YouTube video that shows the dummy speaker upgrade, but I have avoided it because I have to do the Forscan upgrade.

Several people have told me that Forscan will not work with my '24. Is this true?

With the SSV pod upgrade, can it be used without the Forscan changes? Is there a noticeable difference between the SSV stock speakers and the Kicker upgrade?

Sorry about all of the questions. I need to upgrade my audio, but unfortunately, I am on a budget for it right now.

Thanks,

Pat

**Edit = I do have the mid package on it.

 

[Hammy]

I have a '24 Big Bend with, I believe, the mid package, but I can't remember what that involves. I have the standard audio system and not the upgraded one.

Does this mean that I already have an amp and sub back there? I have been debating trying the YouTube video that shows the dummy speaker upgrade, but I have avoided it because I have to do the Forscan upgrade.

Several people have told me that Forscan will not work with my '24. Is this true?

With the SSV pod upgrade, can it be used without the Forscan changes? Is there a noticeable difference between the SSV stock speakers and the Kicker upgrade?

Sorry about all of the questions. I need to upgrade my audio, but unfortunately, I am on a budget for it right now.

Thanks,

Pat

**Edit = I do have the mid package on it.

Hi Pat I'll help you avoid my mistakes, yes there should be a working amp and sub back there and you do not need forscan. Just test it out by turning up the bass and cranking the radio, you should be able to hear a very terrible sub woofer. All I did was upgrade the sub-woofer speaker along with the other speakers and now it sounds great. No forscan or amp needed.

 

[Skip2a]

Yes: it has a crappy sub that I never heard before! I'm excited; I guess just a kicker sub from Crutchfield and some other speaker upgrades to an ok sound system?

Hammy: Did you replace the pods on your bar? The Maybett look more affordable than the SSB but they specify a 4 door, not a 2 door.

 

[Hammy]

Yes: it has a crappy sub that I never heard before! I'm excited; I guess just a kicker sub from Crutchfield and some other speaker upgrades to an ok sound system?

Hammy: Did you replace the pods on your bar? The Maybett look more affordable than the SSB but they specify a 4 door, not a 2 door.

I got kickers all around and it sounds better than ok to me. I didn't replace the pods just the speakers. The only ones that were difficult at all are the kick panels so maybe leave them to see if you like it enough without replacing them. The difference with just the sub,dash and pods will be like night and day for about $500.

 

[Skip2a]

Thank you!

 

[Jorvin]

If I were you I'd skip the pods upgrade entirely. Save that $ and put it towards a better sub, amp, dash speakers, or kick speakers. Go over to DIYmobileaudio.com for advice on sound systems. Better yet, watch RAW-CAt on YouTube, especially the "back to basics" series. There's a reason many SQ (sound quality) competitors run without any rear speakers at all. Prioritize making the "good sound" come from in front of you, like it would at a live show. Sub-bass is the only non-directional sound at about 80hz and below, which is why it's fine to have your subwoofer in the trunk.

I just swapped the dash speakers in my '25 badlands with the base audio package for some Hertz Dieci 4" coax, selected "Driver" in the occupancy code, and brought down the treble and mids by about 2/3 ticks each. Then make sure you're playing from a high quality source. If you have Spotify you can play with the EQ there as well before committing more $ to a DSP or other upgrades.

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