How to make the factory infinity sound work with aftermarket radio?

[Blacksdieselhp]

I have a 2006 Mega Cab and I have installed a Kenwood double din dvd player in the dash along with sirius and garmin nav. Everything works except theres no sound. Is there a way to make the factory infinity system work with the aftermarket unit?

 

[sag2]

The factory Infinity amps are generally not compatable with aftermarket radios. The main reason is the bussed message to turn on the amp is missing with an aftermarket radio.

 

[JEstes]

Hmm... Now I'm wondering if the radio system's changed after '04. On my '03, I've still got the rears running off the factory amp while EVERYTHING else is aftermarket. I do remember having to tap into an existing amp on signal wire though.

 

[ENafziger]

If your new Kenwood head unit has an amp built in, you'll have to wire your speakers directly into the outputs of the head unit. Otherwise, I think you would have to use an interface device between the aftermarket head unit and the OEM infinity amplifier... something similar to the JL Audio CleanSweep. There also is another cheaper interface that I can't remember the name of right now.

--Eric

 

[sag2]

Hmm... Now I'm wondering if the radio system's changed after '04. On my '03, I've still got the rears running off the factory amp while EVERYTHING else is aftermarket. I do remember having to tap into an existing amp on signal wire though.

On the 03 there is a 12v input from the radio as well as PCI bus. Since yours works, I assume the 12v input is what tells the amp to turn on, while the amp is monitored for faults by the PCI bus. With the newer amps, there is no direct hard wired input circuit from the radio, only bussed inputs to tell the amp to turn on.

 

[JEstes]

On the 03 there is a 12v input from the radio as well as PCI bus. Since yours works, I assume the 12v input is what tells the amp to turn on, while the amp is monitored for faults by the PCI bus. With the newer amps, there is no direct hard wired input circuit from the radio, only bussed inputs to tell the amp to turn on.

Makes sense. Is that the same on the '04's too, or is it an '03 only deal? The reason I ask is because a friend of mine might be getting an '04, so I'm sure he'll need some help on the radio.



When I did mine, I knew that the factory amp was there, but I didn't know how it was wired. It didn't take long to figure out, but I don't like learning as I go on someone elses truck... .

 

[Blacksdieselhp]

On the 03-05 trucks, you can just hook the blue amp wire on the radio to the blue wire on the aftermarket wiring harness and it will turn the amp on. I have done thisd several times. But the 06 trucks run the amp through the BUS so I just found out that they sell a kit to make it work. Cost me $140, but thats cheaper than buying new door speakers and another amp I guess.