Removing Factory Amp

Anything special that I have to do while removing the factory amp? I’ve not had any tunes the whole 5 months I’ve owned the 2004 v-8 DC limited. My plan was to remove all the extra stuff and just plug back into the wiring system. The wires have been cut. I know that’s a big-time no no here.

 

Everything you need to know is in (or linked out from) the audio section of this thread.

Basically, it involves getting the correct adapter from Metra, which will include a wire harness that will allow you to extend the speaker wiring at the amp up to the head unit, with power, and adapt out the OEM radio, which I assume you're removing.

 

I’ve got the radio from my dodge that I’m putting in it. Since the wires are already cut I am going to spice them together using heat shrink etc to the harness on the back of my radio. Matching all the colors up.

 

You'll still need the amp bypass harness. Which harness you need for that, I believe, will depend on whether you're JBL or not.

Basically, there are no direct speaker leads from the radio. The wiring goes from the speakers in the door up to the amp in the rear. Then, as I understand it, there's a low-level connection (feed is almost like an RCA) from the amp up to the OEM head unit. There are some other wires involved also, included in the bypass harness.

My recommendation is to get a copy of the wiring diagram for your year, and look at the correct wiring for your truck, there will be one of three or four applicable based on cab type and radio type (JBL, premium, base). And get the correct amp bypass harness. install the amp bypass harness to get your speaker and power feeds up to the dash, then dissect/label your wires so you can install the radio of your preference.

This is the "right" way to do it, IMO.

 

Here is the '04 wiring diagram I pulled from the FSM. Maybe it will help you.

 

Ok. I understand. Thank you for taking the time to help me understand.

 

I am in the exact situation since buying my '05 DC JBL tundra in May. Some jack wad cut the wires at the Amp and behind the headunit. I had the metra harness all ready to go but then looked at a hack fest of wires and electrical tape......dayum! I've had other maintenance to knock out first so I've been listening to my phone or the wind whistle as I drive lol

 

Did they at least leave the plug inside the amp with some wire tails? That way you could just get a crimp kit, re-terminate all the wire ends, then deipin/re-pin one wire at a time into the connector, matching each color as you go.

I don't remember what end terminators you'd need but I bet @daveeasa does.

 

Fortunately I do have the terminal connections and I'm planning to do it this weekend. It does appear fairly straightforward by the amp although I have minimal experience with car audio. Like you said, just pair and solder accordingly to color. I'm more concerned about the mess behind the radio. It had a 16pin connection that was spliced in which I removed and tried reconnecting to a 20pin connection without putting the wiring back to factory. It didn't work and then I set aside to do other maintenance. I might be checking back in with you here for advice