Adding Aftermarket Sub/Amp

[MotoMedic]

I did this upgrade awhile back, but have been really busy and never got around to posting. I know there's already a topic on the K2's Bose system, but that one discusses models with the bench seats. My upgrade was done on an SLT with bucket seats and factory Bose sub under the center console. Selected pics are posted at the end.

 

 

After removing the center console, I discovered the Bose sub (it's only 6") but not the Bose amp. I guessed it was somewhere buried behind the dash, so I decided to simply hook up a Hi/Lo Signal Converter to the Bose sub's input lines to save some time/effort. It provided a very clean, strong signal but is only suitable for adding an aftermarket sub, since the signal to the Bose sub is low freq only. If you choose to do this, the blue wire is "+" and the gray wire is "-".

 

After running all my wiring under the carper and re-installing the center console, I moved on the mounting my amp. Removed the rear seats and discovered... the Bose amp mounted to the rear wall of the truck. If you look under the center of the seat, you'll see swiss-cheese-holes in the insulation. The amp is just up and left of those openings. I don't have any info on the K2's amp wiring but I'm sure eventually PAC will come out with a plug-n-play option for adding amps and some of you might be able to avoid having to remove the center console.

 

I mounted my amp to the rear wall on the driver's side, hooked everything up, and for once everything worked for me the first time!

 

[MotoMedic]

...more...

[b1gted]

So what exactly did you do here? You removed the center console and just tapped onto your existing Bose sub so you could add an aftermarket amp instead of the bose amp? I am confused?

[MotoMedic]

You removed the center console and just tapped onto your existing Bose sub so you could add an aftermarket amp instead of the bose amp? I am confused?

I tapped the existing Bose sub's wiring to provide a signal for an aftermarket amp.

But I did not replace or even touch the factory Bose amp. All the original Bose equipment was left in place and functions normally.

I simply added an additional Fosgate amp & Fosgate 10" sub to give the system more low end.

[2018GMC]

nice writeup!

 

Did you end up installing the JL you listed in the other thread?

 

I imagine it sounds a hell of a lot louder with the much larger sub.

Anyone with the front bench seat and Bose system please confirm if you have an amp mounted to the rear wall of your truck? For and additional $500 i would think so.

 

Not trying to highjack your thread :-)

[b1gted]

I tapped the existing Bose sub's wiring to provide a signal for an aftermarket amp.

But I did not replace or even touch the factory Bose amp. All the original Bose equipment was left in place and functions normally.

I simply added an additional Fosgate amp & Fosgate 10" sub to give the system more low end.

 

Ok, makes sense. I guess I was confused because I don't see the 10" sub install picture?

[MotoMedic]

I never had a JL sub.. I was offering advice for another member looking to put one behind the seats. My sub/amp are both Fosgate (see my signature below)

 

I didn't post a pic of sub b/c there's not much to see.. it's just a big box under my rear seat. ha

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Edited September 3, 2013 by MotoMedic

[block8head]

_{Nice write up..}

_{Thank you sir..}

[MotoMedic]

Forgot to mention which power source I used for the amp's remote on....

 

If you look under the driver's side dash between the brake pedal and parking brake, you'll see the fuse/relay box (it's about 6" x 10" and has a smooth black plastic cover, just like on the GMT-900's). Pry the clasps on each side to remove. On my SLT there are three main banks, left to right, with the first being unoccupied (see attached pic). The slots within first bank are labeled 1-20, though only 11 actually have male connectors. I used my tester to determine the following: #'s 7 & 17 are constant 12v power [always on], #'s 10 & 11 are grounds, and #8 is the RAP [retained accessory power] ignition signal wire (again, see attached pic)

 

For newbies, RAP powers on with the key rotated to the first position and remains on until the ignition is turned completely off AND the driver's door is opened, just like the factory radio.

 

Enjoy!

[b1gted]

Very nice write up. !

[MotoMedic]

One more... mounted my RF amp controller in the center console map pocket on the driver's side. It's discrete yet still easy to access without looking down.

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Edited September 7, 2013 by MotoMedic

[block8head]

Nice,

 

i gonna make my own sub box for the rear seat..

[molon_labe]

If you happen to have the version of Bose without the sub (like me), the wiring is a little different. I was able to grab a very clean signal from the front door speakers. I had trouble finding any wiring info, so here it is if anyone needs it.

 

Right Front + : Yellow/Black

Right Front - : Yellow

Left Front + : Brown/Blue

Left Front - : Blue

 

These wires are all in the farthest driver's side harness.

[2018GMC]

If you happen to have the version of Bose without the sub (like me), the wiring is a little different. I was able to grab a very clean signal from the front door speakers. I had trouble finding any wiring info, so here it is if anyone needs it.

 

Right Front + : Yellow/Black

Right Front - : Yellow

Left Front + : Brown/Blue

Left Front - : Blue

 

These wires are all in the farthest driver's side harness.

Do you have a factory amp bolted to the rear of the cab? Curious if the bench seat Bose gets an amp without sub.

[molon_labe]

Do you have a factory amp bolted to the rear of the cab? Curious if the bench seat Bose gets an amp without sub.

 

The Bose amp is in the same location bolted to the rear of the cab. I even thought it was identical until I started trying to match up the wiring to what everyone else was using.