amp install

waxman · October 27, 2004

I have a 2003 silverado reg cab. I want to install an amp. What or where is the best route for the power wire to go through the firewall. Should i connect the power wire to the fuse box on the fender or directly to the terminal were you are supposed to jump another vehicle. Iam also using a loc does anyone know if both rear speker wires are routed together to the back or do i have to splice in near the deck? Just too lazy to look right now!

LikeaRock14 · October 27, 2004

From what I've read, it's better to place an LOC right after the wires come out of the head unit. I'd assume that it's because the farther you run the wires, the less power or clarity you'll ahcieve. There's a couple different ones, a quick look through this page and maybe 2 others in the forum will show some results.

As far as running the wire, pull the carpet back from the firewall and see if there's a decent place to run it, i.e a grommet or a hole that's just plugged. You don't want to drill if you don't have to.

I would think it's mandatory (power wise) to hook it up at the battery terminals, since I don't know how'd you hook it up near the fuse box. I got tired of the d**n GM side connectors, so I cut mine and re-spliced them, and just hooked mine right at the connector.

That's basically the same thing I did for my system. I cut a hole in the antenna grommet and ran it through the firewall and under the carpet, hidden the whole way to the amp

Wingnut · October 28, 2004

I drilled a new hole up by the master cylinder for my power lead. There wasn't an existing hole big enough for a 4 awg power wire.

And yes, and amplifier needs to be run directly to the battery, or like you said...At least the "jumper" box.

You will get differing opinions on the best place to install LOCs (closer to the speaker, or closer to the head unit). I put both of mine in the dash, right behind the head unit just because it was easier to do that way. It sounds great.

Just make sure that you route the speaker wires, and the amplifier wire down opposite sides of the truck, or you WILL get interference in your speaker signal.

LikeaRock14 · October 28, 2004

I figured that one out, I had crazy interference at first

chevy19533 · January 19, 2007

I drilled a new hole up by the master cylinder for my power lead. There wasn't an existing hole big enough for a 4 awg power wire.

And yes, and amplifier needs to be run directly to the battery, or like you said...At least the "jumper" box.

You will get differing opinions on the best place to install LOCs (closer to the speaker, or closer to the head unit). I put both of mine in the dash, right behind the head unit just because it was easier to do that way. It sounds great.

Just make sure that you route the speaker wires, and the amplifier wire down opposite sides of the truck, or you WILL get interference in your speaker signal.

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There is actually a big rubber grommet to the right of the brake booster with a big wire loom going into it. If you take a knife and cut a slit in the outer part of the wire you can easily fit a 4 gauge wire through it. I taped my 4 gauge to a straightened coat hanger and put a lil soap on the grommet. Goes in very easily. It will come out right next to the parking brake cable in the cab. from there its easy to tuck the cable under all that plastic trim. I took the power off the little red junction box that the alternator is connected to.

thecraft · January 19, 2007

You're a couple years late, Mike.

Wingnut · January 19, 2007

I drilled a new hole up by the master cylinder for my power lead. There wasn't an existing hole big enough for a 4 awg power wire.

And yes, and amplifier needs to be run directly to the battery, or like you said...At least the "jumper" box.

You will get differing opinions on the best place to install LOCs (closer to the speaker, or closer to the head unit). I put both of mine in the dash, right behind the head unit just because it was easier to do that way. It sounds great.

Just make sure that you route the speaker wires, and the amplifier wire down opposite sides of the truck, or you WILL get interference in your speaker signal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is actually a big rubber grommet to the right of the brake booster with a big wire loom going into it. If you take a knife and cut a slit in the outer part of the wire you can easily fit a 4 gauge wire through it. I taped my 4 gauge to a straightened coat hanger and put a lil soap on the grommet. Goes in very easily. It will come out right next to the parking brake cable in the cab. from there its easy to tuck the cable under all that plastic trim. I took the power off the little red junction box that the alternator is connected to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's what I did on my current truck...But on my '02, it was just easier to drill a hole.