bypassing amp

[belavia]

My CD changer is shot and I am putting in a new car deck for a 96' Avalon XLS with 7 speakers. First off, thanks to all the guys here for their resources about doing this. Great detail!

Now I am fine with installing a basic deck in a car without an amplifier. In this case, I want to continue use my factory amp (I will lose my subwoofer if I don't), and I've gotten a special harness for it. However know I'm told I have to run the harness to my amp. Plus the harness has 4 a/v endings in edition to the wires. So I'm really lost. Anyone can give me some advice. Thanks!
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...708112&tp=2977

[96Avalon_Matt]

The "four A/V endings" you speak of are for connecting the "pre-amp outputs" of your aftermarket radio to the factory amp. they are Front-left, Front-right, Rear-left, Rear-right, i believe.

This is the harness i used in my 96 Avalon XLS. I plugged it into the factory harness at the radio (I didn't go near the amp wiring). My Clarion deck has pre-amp outputs for front, rear, and subs, So I plugged the front and rear outputs to the plugs shown on the harness linked (I sent the sub signal to aftermarket subs and disconnected the factory one).

If your deck has three sets of pre-amp outputs as mine had, I'm unsure how you would send the subwoofer signal to the factory sub. However if your deck has just two pre-amp outputs, you would connect them to the harness without any problems. In any case, your deck should have these outputs, If it doesn't, I don't think you can send your signal to the amp.

"However know I'm told I have to run the harness to my amp" <- Who told you this? The harness at crutchfeild is designed to plug into the factory radio harness. the factory radio harness then plugs into the amp, etc.

BTW, when you remove the factory radio, there will be two plugs that will not be used with your new radio. One is the cd changer harness.

[belavia]

That was a really great help. Thanks man! My deck has 2 pre-amps, btw. Looks like an easy install then.
BTW, which kit did you use to cover the hole after removing the double din.
Just to confirm, I will able to retain the functionality of all 7 speakers with a 2 pre-amp deck?

[96Avalon_Matt]

Yes the 7 speaker system will work with that harness and deck.

Funny enough I still have the packaging for the dash kit. I got it from Futureshop's Car Audio install department (they gave me the wrong harness when I first went in and then told me I couldn't do a aftermarket install on an XLS without rewiring the whole speaker system...idiots, but the kit was correct!)
The brand is "Best Kits and Harnesses" and the serial # is BKTN2150B.
It works 'alright', but it could fit a bit better ie: less gap, better match with the other plastic around dash, but its a universal kit, so...
Look around for a kit with smooth plastic pocket, mine has a texture(see pic). Also there is very little room at the top of the radio (because of the Avalon's trim) so your radio's trim ring will most likely not fit.
Good luck!

[96Avalon_Matt]

Here is another thread I found a while back re: 96 XLS aftermarket head unit install
http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...TID=50336&pn=1