Kicker Full System Plug and Play Installation Guide | '97 - '06 TJ Wrangler

Welcome to your Kicker Full System Plug & Play Bundle for your '97–'06 TJ Wrangler!

This guide covers the Trail Seven Kicker 4-speaker, 5-channel amp and subwoofer bundle for the 1997–2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler. It applies to all three subwoofer options: the 8" down-firing sub, the Sono-Pod with 10" sub, and the Opti-Pods with dual 6.75" subs.

If you have any questions, or need anything during the installation, we're only a phone call away. We're available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm est. for any support needed, or you can shoot us an email at support@trailseven.com.

These installation notes are intended to be used with our installation videos at the bottom of this page. The speaker installation video walks through the dash pods and speakers step by step.

What's In Your Bundle

• Kicker KSC504 5.25" coaxial speakers, mounted and loaded into Select Increments® dash pods
• Kicker KSC504 5.25" coaxial speakers (rear)
• Kicker CX660.5 5-channel amplifier
• VK8 amplifier power kit (power, ground, fuse holder), fully prepped
• 6-channel RCAs
• 9-wire amp harness with connectors for the Kicker amp and adapters for an aftermarket radio
• Your subwoofer option: Kicker 8" CompRT down-firing enclosure, Select Increments® Sono-Pod with 10" CompRT, or Select Increments® Opti-Pods with (2) 6.75" CompRT

Pre-Install Read ('97–'00 TJ Only)

'97–'00 TJ Wranglers must remove two 5" sections of bracket (one on the driver side and one on the passenger side) with a pair of tin snips to install the dash pods. See the bracket removal video at the bottom of this page.

Wiring & Routing

Use the top view below to plan your wire routes before you start.

• Power wire (red): battery to the fuse holder, then back through the cab to the amp in the cargo area.
• Ground wire (black): drilled through the tub under the carpet in the middle of the cargo area, underneath where the amp rests. Make sure it's on bare metal.
• RCAs (purple): run from the amp forward and connect directly to your aftermarket head unit.
• Amp harness (green): runs from the amplifier up to the head unit harness and connects with the attached Molex connectors.
• Sub wire: short run from the amp's sub output to your subwoofer.
• Leave the fuse out of the fuse holder until every connection is made.
• Trail Seven's Jeep TJ 5-Channel Amp Wiring Schematic: LINK

Amplifier Setting Suggestions

Amp Settings Instructions & Diagram (PDF): LINK
Download this before you start. It walks through every setting step by step, shows a diagram of the amp panel at these settings, and includes a troubleshooting page. Print it or keep it open on your phone while you set the amp.

Kicker CX660.5 5-Channel Amplifier (Setup A)

These are safe, suggested starting points. Set the switches with the amp powered off, set gain, then fine-tune by ear.

• Before you start:
  • Vehicle off, amp unpowered before you touch any switch.
  • Radio sub output ON, radio sub crossover OFF (or as high as it goes) so the amp's filters do the work.
  • All gains fully counter-clockwise (minimum), KickEQ at 0 dB, CXARC bass knob (if installed) all the way up.
  • Radio bass, mid and treble at 0, sound enhancements off, balance and fade centered.
• Preset switches:
  • INPUT LEVEL - LO (button out)
  • FADER - ON (pressed in)
  • SUB INPUT - SUB INPUT
• AMP 1 (front speakers):
  • X-OVER - HI
  • FREQ - 80 Hz
  • GAIN - set with the 5 steps below (typically ends around 10 o'clock)
• AMP 2 (rear speakers):
  • X-OVER - HI
  • FREQ - 80 Hz
  • GAIN - set with the 5 steps below (typically ends around 10 o'clock)
• SUB:
  • LO-PASS - 80 Hz
  • KICKEQ (bass boost) - 0 dB to start. Add later only if needed, max +6 dB.
  • SUBSONIC - 25 Hz, built in and fixed. Nothing to set.
  • GAIN - set with the 5 steps below (typically ends around 10 o'clock)
  • CXARC bass knob (optional) - full up while setting gain, then use it to turn bass down.
• Gain Levels (5 steps): Order: front, then rear, then sub.
  1. Turn the gain you're setting to minimum.
  2. Play a song you know. Raise the radio volume until it distorts, about 75%.
  3. Lower the radio one step, until clean. Leave it there.
  4. Slowly raise the amp gain until the speakers distort.
  5. Back the gain off slightly until it sounds clean. Done.
• Notes:
  • KS coax speakers (front dash pods and rear) are 4 Ω. Keep both at HI 80 Hz.
  • Every TJ sub option uses these same settings. Your sub ships wired for the amp. Don't rewire it.
  • The 6.75" Opti-Pods and 8" down-firing sub run out of room before a 10" does. If they rattle or flap when loud, lower the sub gain a little. Don't add KickEQ.
  • Use the radio's bass, treble, fade and balance for "salt and pepper" adjustments once gain is set.

• Kicker CX Amplifier Owner's Manual: LINK

INSTALLATION VIDEOS:

TRAIL SEVEN'S KICKER TJ SPEAKER INSTALLATION VIDEO:

'97–'00 TJ DASH POD BRACKET REMOVAL:

Congratulations, you're ready to enjoy your new Kicker tunes!