Skipping center channel speaker when upgrading?
 

You really have two options
1) Leave it connected to the stock amp/HU and use it as you do now
2) disconnect it and forget about it.

I would personally disconnect it as it is really hard to integrate a center channel speaker into a setup, especially if you don't have a dsp.

But try it both ways, see if you like it with the center channel and see if you like it better without.

Disconnect and forget about it. With the proper setup and time delay, you won't even know it's not there.

You don't need the center speaker at all.

I will pile on here, get rid of it.

--Bo

You have the stock stereo in the XLT, so you probably already know it's easier to upgrade properly with aftermarket gear compared to the new B&O premium (which isn't, but that is a whole other story).

Echoing what everyone else has said, you don't need the center. Add a good DSP prior to the amp like the JL Fix 86 or use a combo Amp/DSP like the Audison 8.9, measure the distance to each speaker from the drivers seat, and let the DSP set the time delay (most will do it for you if you give the speaker distances, which just takes a simple tape measure and 5 minutes). You'll never miss it. In fact, you'll notice it more, and and not in a good way.

I left mine hooked up at first. You'd be amazed at how bad it sounds compared to even a decent aftermarket set of speakers. You could always find a matching 3.5 speaker and replace it, I suppose, but really no point to that, a DSP is a much better investment overall and it will do the sound imaging for you.

My chimes worked perfectly even after disconnecting the center channel.