Installing a Subwoofer in a Hyundai I10

This is a guide to installing an FLI 12" 1000watt sub woofer (Or any with a similar design) into a Hyundai I10, with the stock head unit (radio) and a pathetic budget.

It wasn't long after I purchased my Hyundai I10 that I realised the stock sound system and I weren't going to get along. Being on a tiny budget (sub £100) I quickly concluded I was only going to be able to deal with the problem on the very top of my audio hate list; a total lack of any real bass. Everything else would have to wait.

Buying

After some copious research I settled on the reasonably well reviewed (very well for the price) FLI 12" FT12A-F3 Car Amplified subwoofer enclosure 1000 Watts.

Not only had I seen the 10" and 12" versions in action, I knew they both came amped (I wouldn't have to buy a separate amplifier) which was a huge bonus considering my budget.

N.B. If you don't have a Hyundai I10 and you are trying to fit a sub to a different small car please always measure the boot space. The 12" sub will only just fit in the I10 (this leaves very very little room for any other luggage) and the 15" one is significantly too big.

Once the sub arrived, I spent over an hour scouring the internet for some kind of guide which would help me install it. Huge waste of time. The vast majority of responses on various forums and websites all had the same basic message:-

"Take it to a garage, pay upwards of £40 and get a professional to do it for you."

Now regardless of my budget, I'm the kind of guy who likes to do things for himself. If the man in the garage can do it...why can't I?

So, with almost no help and just an I10 stock head unit (radio) wiring diagram to go by, I set about installing my subwoofer.

I quickly realised I lacked an important piece of kit. While the sub does come with a high-input plug (the small white one on the bottom right of the unit's back), the wires provided for this task are only around an inch long, sticking out of the back of the adapter. This meant that had I wanted to use this method (connecting the lines straight into the back of the head unit) I would have had to buy some audio cable and get soldering. Lacking equipment and money I went for the easier approach and bought a high-low level converter (put that term into Amazon). I did pay for the more expensive FLI branded unit, only to be informed later by an expert that all devices of this type do exactly the same thing and should have probably saved my money with a cheaper unbranded one.

Damn.

Installing - The bit you've probably been waiting for.

Time: 2 hours. This is going to take you a couple of hours...perhaps more depending on how lucky you are getting the oval facarde off from around the head unit.

Equipment:

1. Butter Knife
2. Flat blade screwdriver (small/medium)
3. Cross head screwdriver (small/medium)
4. Tape (electrical/duct)
5. Spanner (medium) (not totally necessary)
6. A stick/pencil/wooden barbecue skewer (I used the skewer)
7. A pair of wire cutters, scissors will do at a huge push
8. Another person is also pretty useful at times!
   

Tasks: 

1. Remove the head unit
2. Lay ground wire
3. Lay power cable
4. Lay and connect remote line
5. Lay and connect audio line
6. Replace head unit
7. Final steps
   
   For further steps search I10 subwoofer installation on lulu.com or in Ibooks.