03 Xterra RF 8" Subwoofer. Will any 8" sub work as a replacement?

My Rockford Fosgate subwoofer isn't working. I looked at one on eBay and the sub looks really shallow. I'd like to replace the sub, but does the factory RF 8" sub have a special connector or special slim depth?

Also, since my sub is out, I might go another direction. I'd like to put in a new double din stereo with Android Auto and Apple Car Play. I realize to do this I'd have to bypass the factory RF amp and I also realize I'll only be able to power the door speakers and not the 8" sub but that may be ok. I might install better door speakers with more bass. I might even put a speaker box in it. I have a JL Audio amp sitting around and a dual 12" sealed box with 2 12" Memphis audio subs.

I'm just trying to find out my possibilities right now.

You need a dual voice coil sub. Past that as long as the depth is good, you'll be fine.

I bought this for my factory box in the f150. It was $100 when i bought it so you might watch it for a deal. Shallow mount, DVC and 8". Should work, but look into it. Gives you an option.

kirk said:

I bought this for my factory box in the f150. It was $100 when i bought it so you might watch it for a deal. Shallow mount, DVC and 8". Should work, but look into it. Gives you an option.

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Well I talked trash about the RF stereo system but I have "kind of" changed my mind. If you're listening to the radio, even songs with heavy bass on the radio, it sucks. If you're listening to a CD, then the stereo actually has some punchy bass to it. I was actually kind of impressed. But then I brought home a 2009 Dodge Journey with just a factory stereo and factory speakers and it has a TON of good bass on the radio. I can only imagine what it would sound like if I inserted a CD into the thing! I think I've told everyone that I buy and sell cars so that's the only reason why the Journey is at my house right now. I am detailing it and taking it to the body shop for a new front bumper cover to be painted and installed. But, a good stereo is where the "Journey" ends. What a piece of crap. It suffers from the typical electrical issues that seem to plague most Chrysler products around that year. The 6 speed automatic transmission is terrible and the suspension is awful. It's much newer and has low miles on it but the Xterra is better.

So, the Xterra RF system is "OK" if you listen to a CD but it's still not great compared to a factory system that should be worse. The other thing that sucks is that the RF head unit does not accept MP3 files. I have to keep telling myself that it is a 2003 model, but yeah, it won't read MP3 CD's. I want to replace the head unit with a navigation/Apple Car Play/Android Auto/Touchscreen head unit but I'm still worried about how hard that will be. I'd LOVE to be able to tap into the RF external amplifier and then be able to still use the 8" woofer, but I don't think that will be possible. So, most likely I'll be installing really good bass friendly door speakers. I do not want a speaker box in the back I don't think because I have plans to use the Xterra for loading big items in the back. IF I decide to put a speaker box in the back, I'll make it with quick disconnects so that I can easily remove the amp and speaker box from the back of the vehicle.

Honestly, my last Xterra with the RF system, I upgraded it through crutchfield. They sent me all the adapters and devices I need to make the install a snap. If you were serious about the upgrades, I would at least look over their site. They make is super super easy to do.

I went to the local car stereo install shop. Good news and bad news. They said I HAVE to keep all my speakers in the Xterra stock! Rockford Fosgate speakers are 2 ohm speakers. But they did say that they could tap into the RF amplifier which would allow me to keep all my factory speakers AND keep the 8" subwoofer. I will take a look at Crutchfield but my local shop quoted me such a low amount, parts and labor, that I might as well have them do it.

tedh1979 said:

I went to the local car stereo install shop. Good news and bad news. They said I HAVE to keep all my speakers in the Xterra stock! Rockford Fosgate speakers are 2 ohm speakers. But they did say that they could tap into the RF amplifier which would allow me to keep all my factory speakers AND keep the 8" subwoofer. I will take a look at Crutchfield but my local shop quoted me such a low amount, parts and labor, that I might as well have them do it.

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If someone local will do it, affordably, I would. That way you have someone to go back to if something screws up.

tedh1979 said:

I went to the local car stereo install shop. Good news and bad news. They said I HAVE to keep all my speakers in the Xterra stock! Rockford Fosgate speakers are 2 ohm speakers. But they did say that they could tap into the RF amplifier which would allow me to keep all my factory speakers AND keep the 8" subwoofer. I will take a look at Crutchfield but my local shop quoted me such a low amount, parts and labor, that I might as well have them do it.

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That sounds inaccurate. Yes. The RF speakers are 2-ohm. And the factory RF subwoofer is 1-ohm (2 X 2-ohm voice coils). As long as you can get another 1-ohm DVC sub, the amp doesn't care.