Adding subwoofer help

Hey all, I know this is a Silverado forum, but I asked this question in the Yukon forum and received no help. Yall seem about the most knowledgeable people in these forums, so I hope someone has dealt with this:


Hey all, I have bought a new 2005 Yukon Denali with the navigation and I want to add a powered subwoofer.

I have a friend with a new Acura with navigation and all he had to do was get a low level line converter for the sound (along with the normal power, ground and remote wires).

A local stereo shop, the only one with JL Audio, said I would have to spend $300 for a crossover and wanted to sell me a $1,600 subwoofer and amp, that is only one JL 12 W3V2 and a JL 250/1 mono amp.

That is outrageous and I want to do it myself with the same components for about $700.

So the question is, do all I have to do is get a low level line converter or do I need something special to get the sound from the deck.

Thanks in advance for any help I receive.

So I take it your wanting to just add a sub to your factory head unit??

Hey all, I know this is a Silverado forum, but I asked this question in the Yukon forum and received no help. Yall seem about the most knowledgeable people in these forums, so I hope someone has dealt with this:


Hey all, I have bought a new 2005 Yukon Denali with the navigation and I want to add a powered subwoofer.

I have a friend with a new Acura with navigation and all he had to do was get a low level line converter for the sound (along with the normal power, ground and remote wires).

A local stereo shop, the only one with JL Audio, said I would have to spend $300 for a crossover and wanted to sell me a $1,600 subwoofer and amp, that is only one JL 12 W3V2 and a JL 250/1 mono amp.

That is outrageous and I want to do it myself with the same components for about $700.

So the question is, do all I have to do is get a low level line converter or do I need something special to get the sound from the deck.

Thanks in advance for any help I receive.

Get a line lever converter off of eBay for $7.25 :

http://cgi.ebay.com/CAR-STEREO-HIGH-LEVEL-TO-RCA-LINE-CONVERTER-12480_W0QQitemZ5817757953QQcategoryZ32808QQssPageN ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You'll have to splice into the factory lines. Get a crimp connector to splice into the power line. Go to installdr.com to get the wiring diagram. Be warned, my 2001 didn't have a yellow +12v ignition wire, mine was green. Best to get a tester and check the lines for the correct ignition wire.

The line converter fit behind my A/C controls. It was a bit of a tight fit, but I managed to get it back there.

Of course, if you switch to an aftermarket stereo, you don't need the line converter as all (as far as I know) have RCA out.

So I take it your wanting to just add a sub to your factory head unit??


Yeah, I have the navigation system that is integrated with the stereo. My other vehicles all have aftermarket decks, but I cannot see spending 1,500 to replace the navigation, though this one sucks. There is a safety feature where the car has to be in park to be able to enter a destination or check on local places.

Anyways, so yeah I just want to add a subwoofer. I am more making sure there are no restrictions on the navigation that would prevent me using the low level converter.

All you should have to do is find the rear speaker wires and hook that low level converter into them. I've donw this man times on tahoe's and such, none had a navigation system, but it should basically work the same way, just don't splice or anything on the navigation wires. I have even hooked the converter up inside a door before because I couldn't find the rear speaker wires behind the head unit.

Ah. Didn't realize the nav and stereo were integrated. Yeah, I wouldn't splce into that either. My line converter requires power, there are some out there that don't.

Do a google and you'll find some. I think (but am not sure) that the one on eBay may not require power either.

it just so happens i am selling one on ebay along with some other audio stuff. check it http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8006998909&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT

it just so happens i am selling one on ebay along with some other audio stuff. check it http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8006998909&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT


also selling a class II databus, and an 04 cd/cass. go to link above and check my auctions....

you can get a converter anywhere. walmart bestbuy circuit city any audio shop should have it. they will be from15-25 bucks. u can ta into the speaker wires behind the deck as long as its not bose. if it is bose then you will need to tap on at the speakers them selves to get signal.

you can get a converter anywhere. walmart bestbuy circuit city any audio shop should have it. they will be from15-25 bucks. u can ta into the speaker wires behind the deck as long as its not bose. if it is bose then you will need to tap on at the speakers them selves to get signal.

If I tap into the rear left, would I only get sound from the left then? I assume I would have to tap into both the back left and back right. That true?

That is true. You could tap both sides into the left speaker, but I don't advise that.

if you only use 1 side you will not get stereo sound to the amp. other than that will not do anything.