Does the basic radio have rear speaker outputs?
 

Just doing a few minor upgrades (polk front speakers and an ipod interface) to the basic non-touring audio system. My question is, does the stock head unit have rear speaker audio outputs? The unit has a fader for rear speakers just no rear speakers. So I am wondering if it either has an amplified (ready to connect to speakers) output or a pre amp output that would need to be connected to an amp before connecting to speakers.

Any info you can provide will allow me to plan my up grades in advance.

Many thanks

The stock head unit has rear outputs but the stock wiring harness does not have wires coming out to run to the rear for rear speakers. Meaning you would have to find the 4 slots for the rears and somehow get wire into them and stay and than run new wire to the rear for rear speakers. My advice do not worry about them.

If I understand correctly there is a receptacle or connector of some sort, on the stock head unit but the factory harness doesn't have the corresponding plug or connector needed to complete the connection. Am I getting this right?

THe stock plug, just doesn't have the pins and wire to run to the rears, but as mentioned it's not worth the time to put in rears. You'd be better using that time and money to put in a small amp and sub.

Yea, you're probably right about the amp and sub. Thanks guys.

Ok doesn't look like I'll be doing any rear speakers soon. I am installing the Polk DB6501 6.5" speaker system in place of the stock door and dash speakers. The Polk system comes with its own crossover so I'm guessing that I need to find the audio output as it comes out of the factory head unit and install the crossover directing the crossover's output to the respective speakers. Am I correct?

yep, HU speaker wires into x-over input, then tweeter out goes to tweeter. the woofer outs go to your woofer.

Thanks. I really appreciate the help. It is such a time saver to know in advance what you are up against before you take the car apart.

yah, the biggest headache is getting the wire through the door grommet, i thinks. :)

If you are using the stock head unit you just use the stock wire in the door. If you are running a new head unit and new speakers than run new wire.

I am sitting in the car right now. I've just completed the install of the illuminated door sills and am about to start on the audio system. I am using the stock head unit because I like the way it integrates into the dash and dumping another $1,000.00 into the audio system is simply not an option. I am installing the Polk speakers and I am also installing an ipod/phone interface (as an audio source only, no phone) that I got from Crutchfield. I have a a nice big package of Dynamat Exterme and I will be covering the hatch area and doors wherever possible. I was interested in the rear speaker outputs because they might be of some use in the future, besides something about not using the full potential of the system irritates me. If I could hook them up to a speaker capable of some better bass that would be cool. Installing a full-on sub system would take up too much room and make the car almost useless for the weekend trips that my wife and I plan to take in the Z. The space under the seats might work for a sub (must be affordable), I count on you guys tell me. Super-high volume is not my goal. I want to get rid of the boomy mid bass of the stock system and improve the highs and low bass. The goal is Sports Car first, audio system second. I am eager for your thoughts.

The head unit is out and I'm starting on the ipod/phone cable.

Regarding the speakers, I'm guessing that the smart move is to use the Polk crossover and not just install the new speakers on the existing cables. Does the factory system even have a crossover? Where I'm headed is, must I run new wires to all four speakers or is there a short cut that is just as good and is simpler?

My new ipod/phone cable has a connector that has wires attached to all the pins! If anyone can give me info which pins serve the non existent rear speakers I can tag them now for possible future use.

Context the new crossover to the wires where the offer is than run new wires to the woffer and tweeter

The factory stereo's crossover is the little capacitor on the tweeter. :D

You can house the cross over under the dash and run wires to your TW and through the door gromit to the woofer, or place the crossover inside the door panel, run the tweeter wire through the door gromit and into your tweeter.

Eitherway works but you need to run wires from the cross over through the door gromit at some point because there's not only the crossover for the tweeter, there are choke coils for the woofer's F0.

GL! :)