Nissan: Pathfinder stereo question

OK, so I know about the stereo installation hiccups that are involved in
Nissan units with the integrated amp, and this problem has probably
been done to death, but if someone can at least point me in the right
direction, I'll be on my way.

So, I'm trying to install an aftermarket unit in a '95 Pathfinder, which
seems to have the '94 stereo harness (no amplifier ground wire). I can
install it, have the amp switched on, and get sound, but the lowest
volume level is still extremely loud, probably because I'm running the
40W/ch amp that is in the new head unit, plus that is then going through
the Nissan amp. I can switch off the internal amp for use with external
units. Problem is, when I do this, it seems that I have to go out of
the pre-outs on the head unit, for the rear speakers anyway (strangely I
still get no sound from the fronts when I enable this option)

I'm now thinking about just bypassing the Nissan amp entirely, but to do
that, I need to know where the thing is! Also, does anyone know of a
location and schematic for the amp wiring so that I can just route the
speakers right past it, without having to run new wiring throughout the
truck?
Also, does the amp power both the front and rear speakers, or rears only?
If I used the pre-outs, and still went through the factory amp, what
input voltage does it require? A quick check with my DMM shows 3V out
from the factory head unit, but I want to verify that.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve

I had actually already picked up the regular wiring harness adapter
(makes stereo installs soooo easy) I actually also found converters
locally, although they only have 2 channels each, so I need a pair. They
also cost a lot less than the Crutchfield one ($50CDN for the pair,
rather than $50USD plus shipping, plus duty). The only trick I have is
that I need to find somewhere to mount them, the Crutchfield one looks a
little more compact, and comes with the harness integrated, which I
already had.

I'll post how things turn out. I'm hoping to sit down with the
soldering iron tomorrow and get this sorted out.

Steve

Truck wrote: