2000 Tahoe Z71 Old Body Style

Several questions from a novice / rank amateur:

1)  The rear speakers (not the speakers in the rear passenger doors, but the speakers in the roof in the cargo area) are not working.  Where are the wires routed for these speakers so I can troubleshoot and find the problem.  These appear to be stock factory speakers, based on the way the installation looks, but the wiring diagrams on the12volt.com don't mention these speakers in the wiring diagrams.

2)  I am installing a subwoofer and an amp in the rear cargo area on the left hand side, because the cargo area doors open up first on the right, and so it will be easier to load cargo on the right.  I can hook up the amp to either the radio head or to the speakers in the cargo area, since the amp has high level and low level inputs.  The radio is a factory model.  Any advice on the easiest / best way to hook the amp input?

3)  The amp has a remote power switch input - should I connect this to the radio head or just hook it to a 12V fuse that is turned on by the keyed ignition switch?

4)  Should the power from the battery go down the right side or the left side?

5)  Does anyone make protective covers / shelfs for subwoofers so that cargo cannot fall directly onto the subwoofer?  The subwoofer is a Bazooka NOS 8", and I would like to be able to put something over it to be able to use the cargo storage space above it.

Thanks in advance for your help and consideration!!!

The stock rear speakers may have a hidden amplifier, either find the amp and bypass it or rewire the rear speakers to the new head unit. Run the power wires on either side just make sure the RCA's are not anywhere near the power / ground wires. The new amp can be powered the way you mentioned (to the ign lead on the head) or by soldering to the Pink wire under the steering column (from the ignition). For a cargo cover, I think that you are on your own for that, sorry can't help you there.

1) The speakers in the roof are indeed factory.  Under your driver's seat there is a module that distributes the speaker feeds to the 4 rear locations ( 2 in rear doors, 2 in roof).

2) You will have to use the line level inputs, the stock head-unit does not have RCA outs.

3) It would be better to hook it to the head-unit harness remote turn on wire.  This way the amps will turn off when you turn off the HU.

4) Run the power down the right side of the vehicle.  The factory wiring is all located on the left side.

5)Didn't your truck come with a retractable cover that covers the lower part of the cargo area?  Other than that I guess you could get a speaker grill.