2005 Pontiac Montana Stereo Install

[Johnathan Gower]

I am removing the factory stereo for my 2005 Pontiac Montana minivan and replacing it with a new aftermarket that will play mp3, wma, has an usb and an aux input. I am also installing a small amplifier to run two additional 6x9 speakers I am going to put in below the rear cup holders but above the seat cushions. The reason for doing this is so I can listen to music the way I do in my other car (the whole mp3, wma, usb thing) and also because the factory speakers are terrible (it’s either the player, the speakers, or both). It doesn’t help that the 6x9 speakers in this van are all the way in the back in the lift-gate. I have the requisite wiring harness and the chime box ready to go and I’ve researched how to easily remove the factory stereo. I am now trying to find the best place to take the amplifier’s power wire from the battery through the firewall. Has anyone run a wire through this van’s firewall, and if so, where’s the best place to do it? Also, if anyone has run into any issues doing an install like this, any suggestions or warnings would be appreciated! Thanks!

BTW, I have done this sort of thing before with several other cars; Ford Festiva, Hyundai Accent, Ford Taurus, Geo Prizm, Honda Fit, etc.

 

[melsg5]

You cant run the amplifiers power wire from the passenger compartment fuse box?

 

[EaOutlaw]

Provide specific make and model information for the aftermarket audio gear your using.

Provide specific information on the wiring your planning on running.

As far as running the wire through firewall that depends on the gauge wire the amp and distance to the battery.

Normally you have to find a section of firewall that is clear on both sides drill a hole and mount a grommet in the hole then run the wire through it.

Where are you mounting the amplifier? the shorter the power wire the better, you will want to make sure when doing this that you route your RCA cables away from the power wires.

 

[Johnathan Gower]

MELSG5 said "You cant run the amplifiers power wire from the passenger compartment fuse box?" -- I have never run the power for an amp through the fuse box...always from the battery. If I run it from the fuse box, how would I safely do that? I'd need to find an unused slot or link up with some lightly used slot? I've seen people do this in a way that looks dangerous (pinching wires beneath an existing fuse). If I did it, I'd want it to be safe and stable.

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[melsg5]

did you look at the actual fuse box? Looking in the owners manual it leads you to believe there maybe unused slots.

 

[EaOutlaw]

MELSG5 said "You cant run the amplifiers power wire from the passenger compartment fuse box?" -- I have never run the power for an amp through the fuse box...always from the battery. If I run it from the fuse box, how would I safely do that? I'd need to find an unused slot or link up with some lightly used slot? I've seen people do this in a way that looks dangerous (pinching wires beneath an existing fuse). If I did it, I'd want it to be safe and stable.

You have to know amount of amperage the Amplifier uses, which is why I asked for the make and model of the amplifier your using.

They do make Fuse power taps like this one yet they have amperage limitations

http://www.amazon.com/Pico-0956PT-B...e power tap&qid=1462288191&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1