Questions on stereo build up

Ieatlead · April 8, 2012

I'm going to start accumulating components for my system and I have some questions for you guys. I have a 2009 Silverado crewcab with out the Bose system. I'm unsure if It would be easier to keep or replace the deck. I do plan on replacing the door speakers and the pillar tweaters. I want a single sub for a full range of sound and I want to keep all my factory seating and atleast half of my under seat storage. I do NOT have steering controls or blue tooth but will be adding a new steering wheel with controls at some point in the future as part of my truck build up. I would like to preserve the factory chimes and harnesses etc.

I've read through a bunch of posts here and I think these are my basic options:

1) Keep stock head unit. Install Line Output Control to get RCA output to new amp. I could minimize components and use a 5 channel amp. 4 channels for the door speakers and a single channel for the sub, 10 or 12 ". I have questions on this setup.

a)Do you tap into the factory wiring from the amp to the speakers or is it best practice to run new lines from the amp to the speakers and leave the factory wiring in place.

b) Will a LOC be all that is needed to amp 5 channels from the stock head unit?

2) Replace with a single/double din head unit. I think this would be the easiest install to get RCA out and to wire the amp and sub. I would again use a 5 channel amp and install all new speakers. My questions for this that I could not find an answer for would be these.

a)Is this really as simple as it sounds? I run my power from the battery to the amp driver side, run pow-on, rca and runs for speakers passenger side to doors and deck?

b)I have factory XM installed and activated. I want to keep this of course and not duplicate the antennea. For the XM ready decks do I have to buy their XM tuner or can I reuse the factory XM components and use the factory harness or do I have to get aftermarket adapter/harness?

I would also appreciate suggestions on speakers and components as well as the best online or Dallas Ft Worth locations for purchasing the components. I'm looking for decent sound, not competitions and would like to keep costs down. I just want good sound that is full range and not muted and metallic sounding like stock.

Thank you for helping a guy out!

Brian

508gm1 · April 8, 2012

If your going to keep the stock head unit, you should research the JL Audio Clean Sweap. As far as for wiring the speakers, re-using the factory wires should be fine (but some may disagree). I just installed new speakers re-using the factory brackets and put in Pioneer A-series and am satisified with them. For a sub, also research JL audio Stealth Box subwoofer enclosures. They are expensive, so this might not be an option at this point. If you want to re-use the factory wiring, you should probably buy some additional wiring harnesses if you prefer not to splice into any wiring. Many people will run wiring from the back of the head unit to the location of the amp install, then back again (hence the harnedd adapters).

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_12656_Metra-71-2104.html

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_12658_Metra-71-2105.html

I hope this information helps you a little bit.

Cheers, Brendan

Ieatlead · April 19, 2012

I've decided to keep the stock head unit, get aoem-gm1416 and wire in a 4 channel, a mono amp, subthump.com 12 box, components up front and coaxial in the back. I'll mount the amps on the rear cab wall. Now I just need to find the best prices on everything and do it. I'll start a build thread once I get everything for the build.

ChevyTech77 · April 19, 2012

I'm going with high side inputs to my sub amp then RCA that amp to my four channel amp and wire all speakers from the amps using factory speaker wire. I already have Rockford Fosgate door speakers installed and my JL 10w0 in a Subthump box under the rear seat. I plan to make a custom amp rack to stack them under the remaining room, under the rear seat for easy access. I too am keeping my factory hu due to Onstar, steering wheel controls and Bluetooth.

Ieatlead · April 29, 2012

ChevyTech77, So you're using a LOC off the rears to your sub amp and then RCA pre-out from the RCA amp to the 4 channel?

Carder09 · April 29, 2012

Maybe I went the more expensive route, but, I re wired all the speakers to run from the amp, then the tweeters to run from the head unit, all new components and the two shallow mount kickers running to another separate amp.

ChevyTech77 · May 1, 2012

ChevyTech77, So you're using a LOC off the rears to your sub amp and then RCA pre-out from the RCA amp to the 4 channel?

No, I had planned to run high level inputs to my sub amp and then connect both amps using USB. GM factory h.u.'s have full range output to every channel and my sub amp has full range out of its RCA outs as well so that's how it was going to work.

Now though, I'm thinking of selling my sub amp and just running a 5 channel amp for simplicitys sake. Anybody interested in a brand new JL 250/1 amp, pm me.

Ieatlead · May 1, 2012

So I've already got some stuff here. I picked up a set ofAlpine 610 for the rear doors, a GM-1416 pac adapter for my rca from the stock head unit. I bought a punch 10"p1 and built a box for under the rear seat. It's pretty junky but when it's done it won't be to bad hope. I'll pick up the front Alpine 610c components this weekend and then research amps. I'm thinking a Rockford punch 300.1for the sub and a jl400x4 for the doors.

Ieatlead · May 10, 2012

Finished my box and covered it. I suck at carpet but I think it will do for being under my seat. got all the speakers. Just waiting for amps and cabling.