First time on this forum but I have been reading for a few weeks doing some research here so thanks for all the good write ups. So I am getting ready to upgrade the audio in my 2011 Ford Explorer XLT (with 202a package, 8 speaker 8" LCD, no Sony). I have been reading a bunch of forums and I think I have locked down how I need to go about this upgrade without screwing up the factory head unit, voice commands, Bluetooth, etc...
Just looking for some votes of confidence before I get started. Apparently the premium audio on XLT's use an amp on the back passenger side as does the Sony version (Although I found 2013 XLT and up 9 speaker premium audio do not have a separate amp). My plan is to upgrade the speakers in the front doors with some Kicker 6x9 components, the rear door with some Kicker 6.5" 2 ways, add a 5 channel amp to power the new speakers and a small sub enclosure I will put in the well behind the 3rd row. Not looking to blow the doors off, just want to upgrade the sound quality and clarity. With everything I've read, my assumption is I can grab the Front L/R and Rear L/R High Level inputs before they enter the factory amp (So as to avoid any internal crossover its using), feed them through the 5 channel amp, cut and attach to the Speaker output wires coming out of the factory amp to my 5 channel amp outputs (So I don't have to make new speaker wire runs to each door if I don't have to), and then just run a fresh cable to the sub and I should be golden? I plan on running the new power wire from the 5 channel amp through the grommet behind the glove box with a solid fuse near the battery. My last question is wear to grab the accessory on signal from. I know most of the 5 channel amps that accept high level inputs can auto sense from those inputs, but I feel better using a true accessory on type signal. I assume there has to be a wire for that going into the factory amp to tell it to turn on. I have looked at the wire diagram from the 12volt site, but haven't seen anything listed about what's going into that amp.