2002 Tahoe Z71 Sub

[zraffz]

I admit I don't know much about the audio and but I am looking to upgrade the factory 8" sub in this truck. I don't need anything insane and I am not really looking to spend a lot of money.

I see Planet Audio makes a 8" 1,200W peak, 600W RMS sub (AC8D) that fits in the factory box. I'd like to run am aftermarket sub but I don't know what size amp I need... I vaguely remember when I hooked up the aftermarket head unit several years back that I originally had no audio because I forgot to hook up the factory amp signal wire; is this going to cause an issue once I run an aftermarket amp or am I basically just going to bypass the factory amp?

Thanks

 

[CJ Rodarme]

Save your time and money and just go with something in a ported box. It'll sound way better and you'll get way more out of your investment. But that's just my 2 cents, coming from someone who has 4 12's. I'd stay away from anything planet audio. If you do something in the stock location I think Sundown Audio should have a 8" that fits. I "bypassed" my factory amp by running a non Bose harness and ran amplified door speakers. But given that your head unit has RCA preouts you should be fine in that area. Hope this helps.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I agree with CJ. If you have the space available, buy a 10" or 12" sub, and put it in its own free-standing box, preferably matched to the specific characteristics of the actual sub that you purchase and put into it.

Personally, I prefer a 10" sub over larger subs, and in a sealed box, because I believe that it provides the best sound quality, and I do not need the additional volume level that the ported box provides, that will set off nearby car alarms, or let folks know you are coming 2 blocks away. But, there is no right or wrong decision here, only what suits you to your personal tastes.

I bypassed my Bose system entirely and installed an new system (not totally brand new, but partially re-purposed from a custom installation in my previous Yukon), from head unit, to speakers, to amps. While a Bose system is a great system and loved by many, it did not suit my specific tastes for music reproduction.

I described my audio system in a previous post, so I will list the link below for you to view. I planned out my total budget in advance, selected components that I could afford at each stage and were compatible with my ultimate audio system goal and total budget, and then I performed the upgrade in stages.


https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...ory-bose-speaker-upgrade.107160/#post-1279157 Post #2

I also described my custom downward-firing sealed sub box with an Audiomobile 10" sub in a previous post, along with a photo of the installation, so I will list the link below for you to view.

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/second-row-sub-box.107790/#post-1286205 Post #10

I wish you the best of success in your audio system upgrade project.

 

[zraffz]

I am not looking to relocate the sub or buying a $150 box to go under the rear seat. This truck is not a daily driver but does get used for family "trips" to go shopping for groceries and needs to also have room for a stroller (or perhaps two in the future.

I am not looking for anything outrageous or expensive. I had a truck with an 18" 10,000 watt sub close to 10 years ago and I don't have any interest in something like that again.

Thank you both for your help.

 

[adriver]

Just going to leave these two here.

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...woofer-drivers-to-fit-in-01-02-oem-box.74175/

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/subwoofer-options-without-losing-cargo-space-swb.107846/