Wednesday, March 13, 2013

GMC Sierra Amp/Sub Install

This is a quick overview of an amp and sub install I did in a newer GMC Sierra (2009). The process should be the same, if not really similar for the newer Chevy Silverado. We kept the factory stereo intact, so we tapped into the factory sub for hi level.

GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install

GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install
A quick and easy way to run the main power wire: Near the battery, drop the power wire down and to the rear of the truck. Loom the wire and zip tie it away from any hot and or moving parts.

GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install
There should be a small plastic grommet on the front passenger side, near the door sill.

GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install
Under the plastic side covers, near the edge of the carpet you should be able to locate the grommet and drill a small hole to pull the main power wire through. You will want to make sure you seal the hole with silicone once the power wire is ran through.

GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install
If you remove the the cup holders from the center consol, you should be able to get to locate factory sub wiring. The cup holders should be able to be removed with a panel removal tool, and is normally held into place with retainer clips. There will be two pairs of wires, because the factory sub is a dual voice coil. The first voice coil wires: (+ D.Blue~White / - L. Green Black) the second voice coil: (+ D.Green /  - L.Blue~Black). If the wiring is different and you can't determine the positive and negative of each voice coil, just tap into one voice coil for your hi level input.

GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install
When I add an aftermarket amp/sub, like I did in this GMC Sierra I normally disconnect the factory sub.

GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install
One of the easiest places to grab your amp turn on wire in these trucks will be under the steering column. You will notice a black plastic A/C duct. 
GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install
On the side, you will want to remove the plastic fastener holding the duct in place.
Once the fastener is removed pull the plastic A/C duct out of the way.  
GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install Switched Power
On the left hand side you should see about six harnesses lined up running vertically. In the top green harness there should be a Brown wire, that should be your switched "Accessory" wire. You can use this wire to power on your amp. You should always test your wires with a digital muti-meter before connecting anything.
    
GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install Switched Power
Once you tap into the "Accessory" wire , I recommend fusing the new amp turn on wire just incase it becomes shorted. I normally put a 1AMP fuse inline.    
GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado Amp Sub Install Switched Power
That's pretty much it, all that's left is running your wires to the amp location, grounding the amp and wiring up your sub(s). Hope this helps.
-Jeremy's Car audio Tips

4 comments:

  1. My son has a GMC Sierra and was talking about how he wanted a new sub. The sub aren't that expensive it's the installation that costs an arm an a leg. I am going to send him this blog and hopefully he can install it himself.

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  2. I will be installing a powered sub that uses the Hi-level inputs signal to trigger the amp. Will the sub wiring work even if the truck didn't come with a factory sub. It going in a 2013 silverado w-6-speaker system

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  3. This helped a ton! Thanks!

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  4. Fantastic, thanks for the share of your knowledge bud. (Derek in Alberta Canada)

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