2013-2014 Shelby Kicker factory add on Amp kit

[stang99x]

This is the kit that Shelby sells that was developed by Kicker and Shelby for Ford. 46 x 4 with 32 bit DSP. I ordered this for myself, and after many calls to Kicker tech line, it was determined that this amp won't work if you have the Raxiom navigation kit (as I do) I'd rather have the Nav screen so the Amp kit is for sale. These kits are $500 new. I installed this one, and then removed it a couple days later not having used it. So this kit is basically new in the box. Includes the Amp on mounting bracket, the power harness, the radio piggy back harness and the instructions in the Shelby box. (everything that comes from the manufacturer) It has the plug to add the Kicker sub if you are so inclined in the future. Pictures below show it exactly as it came from Shelby and how it is now. Shelby part number KA-4.1-AMP2013B $400 shipped

 

[BadHabit2Break]

GLWS

I have the same amp and Raxiom unit and have no issues.

 

[stang99x]

GLWS

I have the same amp and Raxiom unit and have no issues.

That's interesting. Kicker swears it because the raxiom jumps piggy back into the system and the failures I was getting where because the amp created a second piggy back connection. When it was hooked up I got only bass, no miss or highs.

 

[BadHabit2Break]

That's interesting. Kicker swears it because the raxiom jumps piggy back into the system and the failures I was getting where because the amp created a second piggy back connection. When it was hooked up I got only bass, no miss or highs.

I had the Kicker setup first then added the Raxiom last year. Mine has the Shaker setup originally.

The Raxiom unit is just a front end for the audio system, doesn't really 'jump' anything. The Kicker amp goes in-line with the OEM audio output to the speakers.

Did you check the power and ground connections? That Kicker amp has that molex connector for the power wire, and I have read that another person was having issues with the sound due to it. I cant remember if he had it connected wrong due to it had 4 connections and only 2 are used for the power wiring.

Sucks it does not work for you as it is a good sounding setup.

 

[stang99x]

I wish it would work. I had it all hooked up and there was only output to the doors. Nothing else would give me any sound. They had me checking pins and everything else under the sun. They concluded that since the Raxiom harness is "jumped" into the factory harness that having the amp also "jumped" onto that harness there were to many connections. It powered up fine, it simply wasn't putting out any further sound beyond the doors. They suggested I remove the Raxiom unit and try it and I said no thanks, I'll just do without. I told them the Raxiom was just a screen and didn't really do anything other than output to a screen, but of course they are the "experts."

 

[BadHabit2Break]

I wish it would work. I had it all hooked up and there was only output to the doors. Nothing else would give me any sound. They had me checking pins and everything else under the sun. They concluded that since the Raxiom harness is "jumped" into the factory harness that having the amp also "jumped" onto that harness there were to many connections. It powered up fine, it simply wasn't putting out any further sound beyond the doors. They suggested I remove the Raxiom unit and try it and I said no thanks, I'll just do without. I told them the Raxiom was just a screen and didn't really do anything other than output to a screen, but of course they are the "experts."

I agree with you there. To yank a Raxiom unit out to test the amp, I would have passed also. Sounds like they were using the Raxiom as the "scapgoat" to the issue.

GLWS man.

 

[stang99x]

I agree with you there. To yank a Raxiom unit out to test the amp, I would have passed also. Sounds like they were using the Raxiom as the "scapgoat" to the issue.

GLWS man.

Your post motivated me to dig further. So I informed tech support that there were other vehicles out there running that setup and it worked. After further discussing it with tech support and customer service, I'm sending it in to them for warranty purposes. I put a meter on everything as they asked and the amp wasn't processing a "turn on" signal. It had +12v in and the grounds were fine, it just wasn't activating. On an interesting side note, as I understand it the lower door speakers don't run from the new kicker amp. They remain on the factory amp. The tech guy was all but baffled that I wasn't running the Kicker sub unit as well. Also on a side note, I might add that my dealing with Shelby have been a @#(*^ing nightmare. Those guys couldn't find their @sses with both hands. I got nothing but argumentative commentary from them basically telling me I was incompetent. They refused to honor the warranty and told me that they had discontinued the line.....even though they still have some for sale :dw:

 

[BadHabit2Break]

Glad you got motivated to look into it even more. Its a nice plug and play amp for those who dont want to go hunting and cutting wires.

Can't believe Shelby acted that way towards you. Maybe they have discontinued the line, but it is still on their website. When I originally bought the amp, I had to call them after a few weeks of waiting to see what was going on, the amp was on back order and no one thought to shoot me an email or call me to let me know. I ended up canceling that order and waiting.

I have the subwoofer also, but it lacks low end. The air space is probably the minimum for the woofer and hits shallow. I have been comtemplating building my own ported enclosure for the sub, as it would improve it 100%.

The door subs do run off the OEM amp as they stated. If you decide to upgrade the door subs to the Shelby Kickers, I would pass. Whoever at Kicker that looked at the OEM stuff must not have noted the dual ohm OEM subs. The Shelby ones are single 4 ohm subs, pretty much kill your output wattage from the OEM amp.

 

[stang99x]

Well, this has been quite the interesting post for learning further on the Kicker stuff. Normally I wouldn't just write it off and move on when a "tech specialist" told me to. I like to find the root cause of problems myself, but I've been busy and haven't had time to hunt down electrical gremlins. I had contemplated the the entire Kicker upgrade, but I wasn't keen on a $500 sub box. I've had the best of the best and the worst of the worst and rarely has the high priced brand name stuff ever been all that impressive. If that sub was more reasonable, say $300 or less maybe, but $500 is over the top. I have looked at the rest of the setup many times over and never did quite pull the trigger on them. Now I'm really glad I didn't. Your experience in the matter has been invaluable in providing me a little insider knowledge. It is sad to hear your experience with Shelby wasn't all that great either. I had really high expectations for them, and at this point I don't ever intend on spending another dime there. I had also thought about getting a GT500 hood but was hesitant due to the thought of freight shipping a hood cross country......and now knowing they are a bunch of incompetents I really wouldn't take the chance. I'll let you know what Kicker determines. I think the harness was crap.

 

[BadHabit2Break]

I am fixing to pull all my stuff out as I am trading the car in soon.

 

[stang99x]

I sent it back and never heard from Kicker what the issue was, but I got a shipping notification from them last night that a package would be delivered on Friday. We'll see what it is then

 

[stang99x]

So Kicker sent it back with almost no paperwork. There was a small sheet half assed taped to the box that appeared to be a tech work sheet. The only information on it was a notation that read "NPF." Looking at the amp and harness, nothing appeared changed. I called Kicker and inquired as to what was learned or done. They said the amp tested fine nothing was wrong. I asked about the potential issues with the harness. They didn't bother to check it. After being transferred to tech support, again, they decided to send me a replacement harness. I'm awaiting its arrival. This whole situation is a joke. Shelby started this fiasco and I'm stuck with it if this harness doesn't work out.