Car Stereos: Preparing for adding a Sub in future, honda civic coupe, subwoofer amp

Question
Hello Brian,
i will be adding a 4 channel amp and a new deck to my 2004 Honda Civic coupe but wanted to do as much prep work as possible during this installation to make a future install of a subwoofer and its amp easier.  What are the things that i can do now to make that job easier in future (i would like to avoid pulling out the deck again)?  Thanks.

Answer
Nadeem,

If you're installing a head unit that has front, rear and subwoofer pre-outs, then it's a good idea to run a third pair of RCA cables (in addition to the front and rear RCA sets that you'll be using for the 4-channel amp).  Then you'll have the extra RCA cables handy when it's time to install the subwoofer amp.

You can save some work on the power wiring by installing a main power wire that's heavier than you need (ie, if the 4-channel amp requires 8-gauge wire, you might install 4-gauge instead).  You can also place a distribution block in place.  A distribution block takes a single, large power wire input and provides two or more (usually smaller) outputs.  Many distribution blocks incorporate fuse holders.  If you install 4-gauge wire to a fused distribution block, then run 8-gauge wire from the block to the 4-channel amplifier, then later when you install the subwoofer amp you'll only need to run a new power wire to the distribution block, not all the way back to the battery.

You can find "dual amp wiring kits" that include a main power wire, distribution block, and smaller power wires for distributing to the amps.  This might be less expensive than buying the amp wiring and distribution blocks separately.

Hope this helps!

Brian