How can I install a sub and amp into Dodge caravan with stock deck still in tact?

Question

I am installing a 12 inch Soundstream CG-12X sub and a Cerwin Vega XL 300.1 amp to a 2000 Dodge Caravan. I am running into difficulties because I have to keep the stock deck in. I was going to try running from one of the back speakers to the sub but then I have no way of turning on or off the bass without affecting the whole speaker system in the. Has anyone wired through a stock system of any car or truck? Can anyone please help me sort this out. Basically I need to be able to turn on and off, down and up the sub because it is a shared van and the last thing the other driver wants is to be seen driving down the street with oldies pumping. Any products or wiring tips would be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance!!

Answer 1

i would suggest wirng a switch gong to the remote turn on on the ampifier . mount it on the dash that way you can turn it on and off whenever you want

Answer 2

dude, its easy and yes it will work.

To turn on your amp, you will need a circut tester ( even one from the 99 cent store will work cuz its only a light bulb)

find the fuse pannel in your car's interior.  usually you can find the radio fuse there.  

turn the car key to the accy position and turn on your radio. Take the clip side of the tester and attach to any of the metal brackets near you, this is ground.  The tip of the tester can be used to probe the head of your radio fuse (you can use a different circut for this if you cant find the fuse marked radio)

the tester should light up.

with the tester still on the head of the fuse, turn off the key, the light should go off.

If this happened, then you have confirmed that the power on this fuse will turn on and off with the key.  

Now remove that radio fuse that turned on and off with the key and attach a thin wire (18-20 guage works great) to one of the blades of the fuse, like wrap the tip of the fuse with a little bare wire and put it back into fuse location.  

Now you can run this wire to the amp's remote input.  The amp should turn on and off with the key in the key slot.

on the radio signal to the amp, try to use the high level input on the amp, basicly, tap your rear speaker wires and connect the high input to your amp.  If this is missing, you will need a high low converter.  ( this converter will hook up to the speaker line for the rear speakers and let you connect a rca cable to your amp

good luck