Aftermarket amp and subs

05Silverado81 · October 21, 2005

I have an 05 Z71 with factory single disk cd player and I was wondering if I can hook up an aftermarket subs and amp to it. I don't want to change the head unit do to the fact I have the steering wheel controls and XM radio.Is there preamp outputs on the factory unit? If not what method can I use to hook an amp up?

Wingnut · October 24, 2005

Yup, it's possible. No, you don't have pre-amp outputs.

Click here.

In the audio/video section, there are adapters that will hook you up.

ENIGMA206 · November 8, 2005

If you ever do decide to replace the head unit, there is an interface that allows you to use your factory steering wheel controls. I actually have one to get rid of. I bought one for my '05 Sierra. I ended up winning a Lemon Law dispute with GM and they are replacing my truck. The new truck already has the Bose system and I will be happy with that. I used the remote interface for a couple of months and it worked very well. The trick is just learning how to program it, but is easy after a few tries.

Sierra 05 · November 9, 2005

If you ever do decide to replace the head unit, there is an interface that allows you to use your factory steering wheel controls. I actually have one to get rid of. I bought one for my '05 Sierra. I ended up winning a Lemon Law dispute with GM and they are replacing my truck. The new truck already has the Bose system and I will be happy with that. I used the remote interface for a couple of months and it worked very well. The trick is just learning how to program it, but is easy after a few tries.

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I`ve got one, (interface on my `05) but cannot figure out what wire to tie into. And programming, looks like a mess. Any suggestions?

WVUtruckin · November 10, 2005

Hooking up an aftermarket amp to your factory head unit is pretty simple if you have the non-bose head unit or the Bose premium unit. For a non-bose you just need a line converter which converts speaker wire output to RCA output. The bose premium units use an adapter that plugs into the back of the factory head unit creating RCA outputs. This is a plug and play device no hard wiring needed, very quick and easy. On the other hand if yours is like mine and had the standard bose system it is a pain in the !@#. You have to wire a line converter after the factory Bose amp to pick up a signal to convert to RCA output. My understanding is that the signal coming out of the head unit isn't strong enough until it is amplified by the Bose amp to be converted by the line converter.

ENIGMA206 · November 12, 2005

If you ever do decide to replace the head unit, there is an interface that allows you to use your factory steering wheel controls. I actually have one to get rid of. I bought one for my '05 Sierra. I ended up winning a Lemon Law dispute with GM and they are replacing my truck. The new truck already has the Bose system and I will be happy with that. I used the remote interface for a couple of months and it worked very well. The trick is just learning how to program it, but is easy after a few tries.

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I`ve got one, (interface on my `05) but cannot figure out what wire to tie into. And programming, looks like a mess. Any suggestions?

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The wire you're looking for is at the bottom of the steering column on the left side. You need to remove the plastic cover below the steering column, then remove the metal plate underneath. On the left side of the column is a large plug. You will need to tap into the green wire in that harnass.

Programming actually turns out to be easy once you have in mind which buttons you want to coincide with each function from the steering wheel controls. My only problem was with the brand of head unit to buy. I originally bought a Kenwwod unit, but was limited on how many funtions would work due to the configuration of the unit's remote. I exchanged it for a Pioneer that allowed me to used every function the steering wheel controls have. The main secret to programming is to know which function for each button prior to attempting to program since you're on limited time.

camel · November 13, 2005

why not just use the speaker level imputs and run them into your amp? most amps have them, and that will simplify things a bit. then all thats left is a remote wire off a 12v source. atleast thats what i hope to do in my tahoe.

WVUtruckin · November 16, 2005

why not just use the speaker level imputs and run them into your amp? most amps have them, and that will simplify things a bit. then all thats left is a remote wire off a 12v source. atleast thats what i hope to do in my tahoe.

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You just have to be careful if you have a factory Bose system because there is a factory Bose amp located in the center consol. The speaker level inputs will have to be taken after the bose amp not before the amp. There is not a strong enough signal before the amp. Also my understanding on this is that the Bose amp filters the signals to the individual speakers, so for example the rear door speakers won't get as much bass signal as the the lead going to the factory subwoofer. So it depends a little on what your new amp will be running to determine which speaker level signal you may want to use. Also not sure that it is any easier to tap the speaker wires to run the speaker level inputs than to tap the speaker wires to connect the converter and run RCA cables. Probably the same either way. Not sure if any difference in sound quality, never used these inputs.

Mertz · November 22, 2005

There is an adapter from PAC Audio that is supposed to work with the Bose.

AOEM-GM24

Plugs in line somewhere and gives you the RCA cable hook-ups as well as a remote turn on. I'll be going with that one soon. I think JP Customs sells them if you can find their link on this site. Or they are on E-Bay too.

04SBDenali · November 24, 2005

There is an adapter from PAC Audio that is supposed to work with the Bose.
AOEM-GM24

Plugs in line somewhere and gives you the RCA cable hook-ups as well as a remote turn on. I'll be going with that one soon. I think JP Customs sells them if you can find their link on this site. Or they are on E-Bay too.

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The PAC adapter that Mertz suggested is the way to go - look on e-bay - you unplug your main harness from the back of your radio, plug in the adapter to the spot you just created, and then plug the radio harness into the other end of the PAC harness - you now have left and right RCA jacks to plug into an amp of your choice as well as a remote turn-on wire. I think they run about $50 on e-bay!