Best way to install these items..

[Mark]

Here's my plan.
I want to add or replace my curent sub with a 12"er.
I want to add a decent amplifier to my current stock system.
At the moment this will be with a stock headunit.

1st. Is it a good idea to add an amplifier to a stock headunit. I've seen it done before and sounded ok. But will this cause problems later?

2nd. What amplifier do you recommend for this setup? All speakers will be replaced with a different brand. Should I disconnect the stock amplifier?

Here's What I have:

2002 Tahoe LS

2 front door speakers and 2 front door tweets
2 side door speakers
2 rear pillar speakers
1 rear sub

I will be adding a DVD player and sceen or 2 in the next few months. Should I wait to do all this till then? Or does it matter at all? The headunit will be replaced at a later date(unkown).

[Exalted512]

the sound quality will be better with an aftermarket radio...no doubt, needless to say it CAN be done-but i, personally, would not.
as far as what amplifier...well, whats your budget?
As far as installing a DVD player, if youre installing everything yourself then do it now and install the DVD player later...if youre paying to get everything done, then i would wait and get it all done at once b/c itd be cheaper and you wouldnt have to spend as much time without a vehicle
-Cody

[Mark]

the sound quality will be better with an aftermarket radio...no doubt, needless to say it CAN be done-but i, personally, would not.
as far as what amplifier...well, whats your budget?
As far as installing a DVD player, if youre installing everything yourself then do it now and install the DVD player later...if youre paying to get everything done, then i would wait and get it all done at once b/c itd be cheaper and you wouldnt have to spend as much time without a vehicle
-Cody

I know the sound will be better with a new headunit. Which is my plan, but it isn;t in my plan at the moment. I'm just wondering if its a good idea to do it or not. As for the amp. I don't know how much these things run or how much to spend on one. I don't care to blow anyones ears off. Just want decent sounds, better than what I have now. The DVD player is to keep the kid in the back destracted and busy, lol. I just want something to be able push the speakers decently. I won't be installing any of it, stereos I stay away from. Never really got into it. I was always too busy trying to figure out the rest of the vehicle. But the install isn't a big deal. I have someone that will install it professionally after hours at a shop.

[Exalted512]

I know the sound will be better with a new headunit. Which is my plan, but it isn;t in my plan at the moment. I'm just wondering if its a good idea to do it or not. As for the amp. I don't know how much these things run or how much to spend on one. I don't care to blow anyones ears off. Just want decent sounds, better than what I have now. The DVD player is to keep the kid in the back destracted and busy, lol. I just want something to be able push the speakers decently. I won't be installing any of it, stereos I stay away from. Never really got into it. I was always too busy trying to figure out the rest of the vehicle. But the install isn't a big deal. I have someone that will install it professionally after hours at a shop.
I wouldnt do it, but only because I wouldnt want to pay $40 for a line out converter when i know ill be getting a better head unit later on. I'd get the head unit and wait on the sub...but its not a bad idea, it will not cause damage to anything. the only reason why i wouldnt do it is because youre essentially wasting your money.

also, all your speakers are stock? I wouldnt add an aftermarket amp to stock speakers...theyll be dead in a week. again, an aftermarket radio will make your stock speakers sound better with a much less chance of blowing them. if you have aftermarket, what are they?

as far as amps go, im personally a big fan of HiFonics. you can get them extremely cheap at www.onlinecarstereo.com great stuff, good company.

for subs, check out Image Dynamics on sounddomain.com for their IDQs.
-Cody

[Mark]

The speakers will be replaced, not sure with what just yet. Any recommendations? As for the SUB, It'll be a 12" Kicker Comp.

[Exalted512]

any reason why its going to be that sub? im not really a fan but theyre not bad. Whats the RMS and ohm rating of that sub? and youll just be running 1 right?
-Cody

[Mark]

Well my bro usually runs Kicker, some JL, but he's never had a prob with them and I think they sound good. Other reason is because I worked a deal out on the sub, I didn't go out looking for a sub or this particular sub. Do you think it's ok for what I'm looking to achieve? And yes only 1 sub will be used.

[Exalted512]

well if you like the sound then thats all that matters. it wouldnt be loud enough for me though, it can only handle 150watts...

if youre going with a single sub, then id get a single voice coil (SVC) 4 ohm sub and hook it up to a 2-channel amp.
this is your sub correct?
http://www.cardomain.com/item/KIC03C1242PAC
if you keep it, id get this amp:
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=13985
and this amp kit:(unless you can get something else for cheaper)
https://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KOLAK8
-Cody

[Mark]

Cool, I appreciate your help. I may go ahead and get the headunit installed as well. But I'll take what you gave me and go from there. Is this a good place to buy from? Or do you think an installers hookup might be better? He'll sell me at just over cost.

[Exalted512]

ive gotten stuff from ocs.com before and never had a problem. sounddomain as well. id try to go with the dealer if you can though. if the prices were the same, or even slightly more i try to go with the dealer. on the other hand, knukonceptz--at cost or not, will be extremely hard to beat and they have, in my sincerest beliefs, the best power wire on the market
-Cody