Car Stereos: I have a ?, rca cables, factory radios

Question
can i hook up a Memphis amp with two 10inch subs to a standard 98 gmc stereo

Answer
Hi Cody,

Yes, you can do this.

GM factory radios do not have RCA output jacks, so you'll need to find a different way to get the audio signal into your amplifier.  Some amplifiers have speaker-level input (also called high-level inputs).  If your amp doesn't have speaker-level inputs, then you'll need a device called a line-out converter.  Either way, you'll need to make connections to the factory speaker wires.

A line-out converter will have four wires that connect to the left and right, positive and negative speaker wires.  It takes the sound from the speaker wiring and converts it to a low-level signal through RCA jacks.  You can connect standard RCA cables to the line-out converter and run them to your amplifier's RCA inputs.  If you purchase a line-out converter, be sure to get one that has an adjustable output level.  You can find these at any store that sells car audio.

You can find the speaker wires at the back of the factory radio, or at the speaker locations.  If you have a car with a trunk, the rear speaker wires are usually easy to find under the rear deck.  GM rear speaker wire colors are usually brown (+) and yellow (-) for the left speaker, and dark blue (+) and light blue (-) for the right speaker.  You don't have to cut the speaker wires or disconnect them from the speaker; just tap the L.O.C. wires or high-level input wires into the speaker wiring.

You'll need to connect the amp's remote terminal to a key-switched accessory power source, so that the amp doesn't stay on when the key is off.  Often you can tap into the vehicle's radio fuse, or into the yellow accessory power wire in the factory radio harness.

Hope this helps!

Brian