'93 Ford Ranger Stock head unit to LOC/Amp question...

[xdepredatex]

So earlier this year I got a 93 Ford Ranger and I want to keep the stock head unit, but the sound system needs some TLC. I picked up some Kicker KS 6x8 for the front, and Hertz DCX 130.3 5 1/4" for the lower cab corners in the rear. I definitely want to get the most out of these speakers and plan on installing a sub down the line as well and for this I'm assuming I'm going to need a 5 channel amp.

I don't believe I have a factory amp since there's nothing to note that would make me believe I have the "premium sound" package. Just casette radio without automatic labeled. So I picked up a D4S HiLOC5i for my line output converter, but I'm a little confused about the wiring for the LOC. Would it be best to tap into the stock wiring harness and use those L/R Front and Rear cables to the input portion of the LOC? I'm assuming I don't go directly from the speaker to LOC or am I mistaken?

And then obviously from the LOC I attach the RCA cables to the AMP, right? Sorry for my ignorance, just trying to get everything understood and sorted before I tackle this project! Thanks in advanced.

 

[SenorNoob]

Without premium sound the output from the radio is the speaker lines. Nothing in between.

To do what you seem to be after, you'll have the speaker outputs from the stock radio to the HiLOC5i. Then 4 RCA cables from that to whatever amps(s) you use for speakers/sub. Then wiring from the output of that to the speakers/sub.

 

[xdepredatex]

Without premium sound the output from the radio is the speaker lines. Nothing in between.

To do what you seem to be after, you'll have the speaker outputs from the stock radio to the HiLOC5i. Then 4 RCA cables from that to whatever amps(s) you use for speakers/sub. Then wiring from the output of that to the speakers/sub.

Okay good to know. So in theory I could run some speed wire and tap into the factory harness and use that speed wire to go to my LOC and then RCA to amps? Seems easy enough, but was also made aware of high level input amps. There's a lot to consider.

 

[xdepredatex]

After learning all that I've considered going with a high level input 4 channel amp, specifically the Taramp ts800x4, and running my front and rear speakers parallel and then having my sub on channel 3. Is this a feasible and safe thing to do? I was also thinking I could just go with the Taramp ts400x4 and running my speakers off of that. And then do a mono amp for the sub, but I'm worried about running separate amp power wires to my battery.

 

[SenorNoob]

A 5 channel high level input amp would make things VERY simple indeed.

Any amp is going to need dedicated power supply. It's just a matter of how big you have to go.