Ok so as an update i finally got the radio working again yesterday by eliminating the factory amplifier all together and connecting it directly to the speakers. I lost the really nice sound it had (as i figured) but at least it works again. The new head unit has a jack in the front for my I-pod too!

In the end it was not the head unit or the speakers, just the amp that went bad and i could not find another "good" one anywhere.

I thought I had posted to this issue but I do not see it in the thread. The factory large amplifier gets its power from the control radio. The adaptor cables for factory replacement have a wire to furnish this power but it is mislabeled "Power Antenna" feed. It is usually a blue wire. If this wire is not connected, the amplifier will not work. Make sure this blue wire is connected and has power on it.
Craig