I have been reading back and forth on whether or not the bose sub can be kept when replacing the stock head unit with an aftermarket... I'm sure there's a definitive thread somewhere.
basically, i got fed up with the cd changer getting stuck all the damn time, and this time the cd disappeared so i can't just pull em back out with a knife. so i want to get an aftermarket unit but i read that the bose sub cannot be used with one.

i thought all i needed was my unit, the dash kit, and the wiring harness? i would really like to use the bose sub because i don't wanna buy new ones for no reason. if someone could just tell me what i need to do that would be just great!

 

can't isn't in my vocabulary.

You can keep the stock amb all you ahve to do is use the new head unit to trigger the stock amp to cmoe on

 

Speaking for the 2nd Gen TL, you certainly can keep the bose stuff. And it sounds fantastic with an aftermarket head unit. I followed the DIY's here on the forum and installed my AVH-P3200DVD to the stock gear with zero issues. Honestly it could not have gone easier.

I have since upgraded and run an active processing setup with a powerful setup of amps in the trunk, but some of the stock gear remains because it is just that good for the task at hand. Go for it!

 

did you use an rca cable to connect the sub? i've been reading this thread over and over on keeping the factory sub and it seems like i might have to splice some wires from the bose equalizer and attach an rca cable, so that i can plug the rca right into my HU.
what i dont get about this thread is if doing this is required for the sub to work, ..or only if I wanted to be able to control the sub from my head unit?? I don't care regardless, i just want the sub to work. (https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/keeping-factory-sub-when-adding-aftermarket-headunit-99-03-tl-326253/)

oh and damnn, it was such a pain in the butt tryna get the head unit out today... just didnt think it would be so much work!

 

Yeah, I spliced the RCA exactly as the DIY taught, right behind the HU. I had zero issues with the job because the DIY instructions were very thorough. Sub sounded absolutely great. The sub volume had to be maxed on the HU's settings but I attribute that to a simple case of sensitivity of the Bose sub amp. Luckily at the max level it was more than sufficient to match the fronts.

The performance of aftermarket subs is certainly better, there is no doubt in that. I have experimented with a few ported designs stuffed in the trunk, and right now I have an experimental quartet of 6.5" mini subs ported in a low, long and wide box. These designs do a lot more than the stock but of course there is more time, money, and a little bit more space taken away.



BTW when you end up opening up the head unit a few more times, you will find the process pretty quick. See, this is the 3rd time I did it (needed to run some more wires through from HU to rear)

 

thanks for helping me out. just ordered a new hu from crutchfield and ill let you know how it goes