Kicker Key/Hideaway Sound System and Speaker Upgrade Issues

[Etron]

Most shops are not gonna use a harness because they’re not gonna wanna pay for the extra expense. They’re going to just cut the wires and hardwire it the same way that they’ve been doing it since the 90s the problem is is that they’re gonna cut all the wires in your vehicle and any issues you have the dealership is going to void your warranty, blaming the wiring for any little problem that you have as someone who’s been doing this since the 90s this is how it works. That’s the whole point of my business is for people with basic do it yourself experience can install a harness not cut any wires or void your warranty and also save a ton of money on labor

It makes perfect sense.
I've already lost faith in them, One of the back speakers was blown and they pretty much put it on me to deal with luckily crutchfield is sending a replacement. I have a feeling it probably blew when they were setting levels. The bass on the hideaway seems to lock into only weird bass parts, missing others. They told me that they weren't able to complete the test because of the blown speaker in the back and I told them when I get the new one I'm coming there we're all going to agree that they're working and I'm not leaving until it's hooked up and working correctly, but as of right now it sounds really trebly and bad.

I'm giving them one last chance to get this right, I still want to order the harnesses from you because I have zero faith in them now.

Looking around their shop and reading the reviews, this isn't a place that seems to tune audio for people just wanting a really nice balanced sound, I have a feeling they are EQ'ing it to some super Bass heavy music that has no bearing on what I listen to. And that's fine music is subjective, but I'm just trying to understand how they can think that it sounds even remotely good every time I go to pick it up.

So let's say I have to start over, I have the kicker key and the Hideaway. I can leave the electrical the way they've hooked that up, but what wiring harness do I need from you? I want to go ahead and get that on order and can hopefully unravel any weird shit they've already done. They didn't even ask me where I would want things and the key is under the passenger seat (nice and inconveniently impossible to easily adjust) and the hideaway is under my seat, I didn't need the hideaway in my vehicle only to vibrate my ass unwanted it to add a little low end to the mix. What a mess. I wish I had found you first.

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[Etron]

It sounds like they did not use a custom harness, which is surprising, makes the install so much easier, especially if they would have used a harness with the 4-wire subwoofer connections.

I would take a look behind the center trim to see how they tapped into the factory radio harness. A custom harness allows for no cutting or tapping into the factory wiring.

They definitely used whatever came with the Key and said they plugged directly into the stereo.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Scam big time !Kickers don’t need to break in!

 

[Milous]

They definitely used whatever came with the Key and said they plugged directly into the stereo.

The harnesses that come with the key are open-ended, a connector on one end to go to the amp, and bare wires on the other end. They do NOT "plug in" to the factory stereo/wiring - they can't directly plug into to the stereo as there are endless vehicle wiring variations.

 

[Milous]

Most shops are not gonna use a harness because they’re not gonna wanna pay for the extra expense. They’re going to just cut the wires and hardwire it the same way that they’ve been doing it since the 90s the problem is is that they’re gonna cut all the wires in your vehicle and any issues you have the dealership is going to void your warranty, blaming the wiring for any little problem that you have as someone who’s been doing this since the 90s this is how it works. That’s the whole point of my business is for people with basic do it yourself experience can install a harness not cut any wires or void your warranty and also save a ton of money on labor

The "cut/hack wires" install method is the main reason that I did not want to use a shop, plus I wanted complete control over the install myself (especially removing/installing the trim) and importantly I wanted to be able to easily "reverse" the install in the future should I sell or trade-in the truck.

I went with YOUR custom Kicker harness (w/subwoofer option) for my '22 XLT and I'm glad I did, installing the custom harness was a breeze. The sound quality difference from stock is nothing short of stunning.

 

[Carlitos_92]

The harnesses that come with the key are open-ended, a connector on one end to go to the amp, and bare wires on the other end. They do NOT "plug in" to the factory stereo/wiring - they can't directly plug into to the stereo as there are endless vehicle wiring variations.

Aftermarket vehicle-specific harnesses exist, including for the Maverick. So it’s $60 and splicing the aftermarket harness’ open ends to the amp connector’s open ends. Not that difficult.

I’m not saying that OP’s shop went this route - but I literally just put in all the stuff OP did, and the only wrinkles involved extending the aftermarket harness signal wires based on where the amp and sub are located. No hacking into the Ford wiring required.

 

[BRAT]

Used the forscan for the ACM. Worked like a charm and so easy to do so you have full range out of all speakers

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