Before i did all that work and purchasing different units to make the factory HU work; I would buy a aftermarket HU and wire a amp and sub like normal.

 

I want to keep w/ the stock look.

 

My thoughts exactly!

 

You HAVE to tap in AFTER the amp. Like I mentioned, the best place to do this is in the passenger side kick panel area. Once again, I've learned from experience on this as well.

Like you, I thought it would be best if I tapped into the wires right as they exit the head unit (before the amp). The main reason for me to do this was to retain independent control of each sub (left and right would still balance correctly). However, after going through all the trouble to pull the head unit and tapping into the wires there, I learned that this wouldn't work. Yeah, I sound coming from the subs. BUT I couldn't control the volume. In other words, when I turned the volume down on the radio, the subs stayed at the same constant volume. The only thing I could do to change the sub volume level was to adjust the gain on the amp. Needless to say, when you wire it this way, it doesn't respond to volume.

Tap into the speaker wires in the passenger kick panel (you'll have to search for the correct colors). I think you'll be pretty happy with the sound - I am.

 

Thanks for all your info.!!!