Solder or crimp?

[Natedog]

Just got a new Kenwood MP238 AM/FM, CD, MP3 player with the dash adapter mounting kit and wiring harness for my 87 Ranger SuperCab to replace my factory four speaker setup using the stock harness and speakers.

Should I crimp connect or solder the wiring harness adapter to the stereo wires on the back of the new unit? I'm thinkin solder, but not sure if it's really worth the hassle with this setup.

Here's the new stereo:

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/KDC-MP238

 

[sniper_101]

Soldering is the obvious answer for two reasons; Strength, the wires won't pull apart (easily) and Conductivity, although not very much wire-to-wire has a lower resistance, allowing more power capacity. I always solder everything.

 

[Ranger#1]

how much time do you have and how good is your iron

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i always solder for 3 reasons:

strength/vibration resistance....nothing worse than a loose speaker connection crackling over evey bump.

finished look...soldered and heat-shrunk connections look professional and clean.

corrosion/tarnish resistance...although it can be accomplished with quality crump connectors, solder with heat shrink is hard to beat for sealing air and moisture out of a connection.

 

[Natedog]

how much time do you have and how good is your iron

Got enough time and my pencil iron is a good 50 watt Ungar with small chisel tip.

Solder it is. I knew the answer but had to ask.

 

[UnderMedikated]

Solder and heat shrink.

 

[Bob Ayers]

As posted, solder, and use heat shrink tubing. One other suggestion, stagger the solder joints, so they aren't side to side with each other.

 

[Ranger#1]

pencil iron is a good 50 watt Ungar with small chisel tip.

take breaks and give your iron time to stay hot solder and heat shrink look bad ass and clean

 

[Natedog]

As posted, solder, and use heat shrink tubing. One other suggestion, stagger the solder joints, so they aren't side to side with each other.

Yup, thanks for all the help and very good point about staggering the joints, most people don't think of that.

 

[rjppunk]

I always crimp, I've never had vibrations become a problem if you use the proper crimp size. It's quick, easy, and effective. On top of that you cant see the connections anyway. That's just my own opinion, if I had the patience I'd probably solder aswell. Only time I use solder is for making crossovers...

 

[09ajmaros]

In my electronics class i'm taking right now me and my buddies goof off so much with solder. We covored up a quarter with a huge bubble of it

 

[SammyP]

Ah what the hell just duct tape it

 

[rjppunk]

my buddy tried using crimps that were a gage too big and I always laugh because they slide off, the duct tape is equally as funny when you pull the head unit out of that discount used rig you just picked up.

 

[igiveup]

Hello

My rule in any car electronics is soldier, shrink tube and tape. Since I have started following that rule I haven't had any problems with headunits, amps, ecms or anything wired up.

igiveup