Help installing sub in Stratus

I need help installing a subwoofer in my new 2003 Dodge Stratus.  My should be a simple case, but I have no clue what to do.  And am eager to learn and fast to learn.

Equipment:    1  12" subwoofer in enclosed case (in trunk)

                         1 200 watt pioneer amp ( mounted on sub case

                         1 Dodge Stratus 2003

Questions:     Where should  I put the ground wire?

                        Where do I hook into to get an audio signal?

                         How do I hook into radio control (behind dashboard)?

                         What's the best setup for maximizes my equipment?

The best way to do this is to get a amp kit you will need a 8 gauge kit you can either look on eBay or here http://www.knukonceptz.com/detail.asp?product_id=KOLAK8 but don’t pay more than $20  it  will supply you with almost everything you need . The only thing you will need to buy will be a high to low converter like this http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-ZX4988ox9pJ/ProdGroup.asp?c=11&g=721&s=0&cc=01 now you will need to run the power cable directly from the battery (must be fused within 18 inches of battery) to the amp in the trunk. This will supply you with your + 12 volts. Now your ground must be no longer than 18 long. You will need to ground it to bare metal some were in the trunk. The best thing to do is find a metal spot in the trunk next to the amp and sand it down till you have bare metal. Then with self tapping metal screws screw your ground into the location you have prepared. Now be sure you are clear of the gas tank and make sure you don’t drill thru any external body panels.  You will also need a remote wire this turns your amp on and off with the car. You will need to find a + 12 volt switched ignition source. You will then run that to the remote connection on your amp. Now for the signal you will need to tap into your rear speaker wires. So locate your speaker wires and connect the wires from your high to low converter to them. Make sure you have the polarity correct + to + and - to -. Once you tie that in you will connect your rca cables to the other end of the high to low converter. From there you run them to rca input on your sub amp. You will now have both power and signal going to the amp. Now to connect your sub box just run speaker wire from the signal out to your sub box and you should be up and running.  Here is a link to a good article explaining how to do all this. However it’s a little different than your install since you need to get a signal from a high to low converter on your back speakers rather than having an aftermarket radio with rca connection built in http://www.crutchfield.com/infocenter/S-ZX4988ox9pJ/car/amplifiers_install.html

Holy crap, are you sure that is all necessary?  This equipment was given to me.  My sub has a cross over already in the case, and my amp is a Pioneer GM-222 identical to this one found on ebay (except not broken).  I thought maybe it could be something more simply, like...

ground wire to car, amp power cable to battery, amp speaker out to sub, splice into car speaker wire for amp in, and amp power control from stereo.

won't this work?

how do I get access to the back of the stereo, its a facory cd/radio for the 2003 dodge stratus?

what does the "high to low converter" do? is it necessary or would it just make better sound?

Or you could get one of your electronics friends to just make a voltage divider for you, bringing the cost for the high->low conversion down to the cost of 4 resistors, under $1. But don't try that if you don't have a friend that would just come do it for you. The high to low converter is easier to hook up, surely.

ok i watched my buddy put this system in my truck and it does look easy, but how do i get access to the rear of the in-dash radio/cd player? 

and why convert to rca?  this is my amp

http:///.com/dll?ViewItem&item=3012570780&category=18796

when it was in my truck, we didn't use rca, probably b/c my truck radio didn't have rca plugs.  will the stock stratus have rca?  or will i find that most new stock radios have extra rca plugs for subwoofers now a-days?

Well it looks like that amp has high level inputs. So you can just tap into your rear speakers (with speaker wire) and then connect them to the high level inputs on your amp. However I would still suggest that you use a high low converter and go with the RCA's. And bong some people learn better hands on and enjoy doing their own work. I think it gives you more satisfaction knowing that you installed your setup than paying some one to do it for you.