01 Suburban LS Stereo Issues

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

mstaake415

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Posts
31
Reaction score
23
When I purchased the truck it had an aftermarket stereo in it that was dead. I found the factory radio in a box in the back seat and reinstalled that, and it worked. However, I wanted Bluetooth so I installed a spare double din Pioneer I had floating around. I used a Metra 70-1858-1 radio harness. It sort of works... but the sound is not very loud, it's quite tinny, and I am not getting any sound out of the rear passenger speaker.

I'm wondering if these trucks have built in amplifiers or if it's using the amp inside the head unit, in which case a 4-channel amp would be a good choice for my vehicle. And any reason why one speaker might not be working or the speaker is just blown? Also, I get an odd thumping/rattling from the back of the truck... I suspect that this vehicle might have come with a factory subwoofer but it's blown or it's not set up correctly since I'm using an aftermarket head unit.

Any input appreciated. Thanks.
 

ScottyBoy

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2010
Posts
2,564
Reaction score
1,723
Location
Shreveport, La
Yes, there is an amp. I have a 2001 Suburban LS and my factory amp is above the glove box and off to the right a bit. It doesn't "look" like an amp, there's no visible heat sink fins. It's just a bare metal rectangle box with harnesses plugged in to it.
 
OP
OP
M

mstaake415

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Posts
31
Reaction score
23
Yes, there is an amp. I have a 2001 Suburban LS and my factory amp is above the glove box and off to the right a bit. It doesn't "look" like an amp, there's no visible heat sink fins. It's just a bare metal rectangle box with harnesses plugged in to it.
Thank you so much for this insight. I did some research and found out what I need to do. I was able to locate the turd of a factory amp. I am going to install a Pioneer GM-D1004 in the glove box and use a Metra 70-2021 connector to connect the output of my "real" amp directly to the speaker wires for the doors.

I disconnected the rear cargo door pillar tweeters and blown factory subwoofer as I have no use for them.

I picked up some lousy Dual brand 6.5" speakers from work to put in the doors for $20 since I've read the stock speakers are the wrong ohms/impedance. In a few months when I have some $$$ I'll install something of higher quality - I just need sound for now! I'm also going to install my MTX subwoofer and Planet Audio amp out of my Escape because it takes up too much room in that little thing LOL.

Again, I appreciate the help!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,785
Posts
1,805,347
Members
91,762
Latest member
DenaliRoyal
Top