Just paid off her truck, so now it’s time to look for a few new additions.

First is music, she/we love all kinds cept that rap crap.
Classical, country, bluegrasses…oh and don’t forget sponge bob.

Guy at work has a I pod type device in his van that runs through the radio via a 107.station number. A lot like my 6disc changer in my truck but his is wireless.

That is my first thought.

So should I change out the head unit with one that accepts a hard wire plug in for an Ipod?

Or just keep head unit and get the wireless I pod thing first?

I don’t have a clue about these things now a days.

Installing a custom stereo system for me, I have a few trophies from back in the day of my truck and a buddy has a wall full, we did some pretty major trick stuff but that was years ago.

Next step is I plan to change out all speakers to ‘good’ ones.
Then add a sub.
And amp.

Kind of in that order.

Head unit will make factory speakers sound much better.
New speakers will make factory head unit sound better.

I might cheat and install the old Kenwood cd player I have in the dash for now, and swap speakers.

Okay I have not started to look yet, I will read all the threads here I promise.

But could you point me in a few directions. So I don’t make the same mistakes I know some of you have and learned from?
Thanks.

Change the head unit, its the best way to get the best sound. I installed a kenwood in mine about a year ago, it has two inputs for ipods or other things and I am very happy with it. Go to crutchfield.com and they will get you all set up they are excellent.

I agree change the head unit then redo the speakers. I prefer to power my speakers via amp instead of the head unit so you may want to do this as well. You get get a multi channel amp for next to nothing these days.

If you run high bass speakers you rally dont need to add a sub woofer to your vehicle unless you really want the oomph of a sub. My buddy added High bass speakers to his set up and they really add some bass to where the subs dont pound.

Another thing to consider with subs is your going to want to dynamatt your dome light, handles, or anything else that will rattle and vibrate taking away from the sound.

quote:

I agree change the head unit then redo the speakers. I prefer to power my speakers via amp instead of the head unit so you may want to do this as well.

Although, I just changed the head unit in my 03 and the speakers sounded much much better. Not sure why since they were amped from the factory separate. Must be the preamp power or something. There was a night and day difference though. I can vouch for that. I added a 12" Comp VR and it sounded great. Now, if you are going to compete or something, that would be different. But if you want to go budget-wise with your system, you will still get great sound doing a head unit, sub/amp combo. I went ebay and only spent probably $400 on everything and had a 12 Kicker Comp VR, a nice Kicker KX450.4(?) amp (I think that was the number....something like that...heck can't remember now.) I just know it was the smallest that year that was fan cooled and pushed like 600 watts max bridged at 4 ohm to the sub. So it was perfect for what I had. The sub was rated at around 800 I think. It has been so long, I can't remember all the details. But you can get a better amp than that for $250ish, the sub for around $100, and then a wiring kit. The box I had was around $150 I think (went between the front seats.) There you go. Few hours of work and whhaaalllaaa. You have a bumpin stereo.

quote:

Originally posted by Graphemi:
The box I had was around $150 I think (went between the front seats.)

i know the truck is gone but ya got pics?

so i tell her yesterday i am planning on upgrading her system this summer and she says....get this...

WHY?



planning a Ipod setup so she can have ALL her music with her at all times.. our CD colection is just shy of 400...and you never seem to have what you want.

so i don't know.

i will do some shopping.
i sure do miss my Alpine equp, i had in my old truck but back then i was spending couple c-notes on a 50watt amp...

wow have things changed......

If you did it back in the days you know the head unit it's the the first one to go, even if you planing on a basic install. All top brands offer Ipod connection and most even control from the head unit.

quote:

Originally posted by sppb:
If you did it back in the days you know the head unit it's the the first one to go, even if you planing on a basic install.

your soooo right..

i remmber once i sold my Alpine for the cash to buy a Newer one, but had to put an old Kraco (yeah that's right) for a few weeks till the new one came in....
I already had GREAT speakers in the truck but DAMN it sounded like SHIT!!!!

the wife said no but when did i ever listen to her.
going to look at the new Alpines, i still like them.
ihave a very good Kenwood CD player i put in her old car, that i used to use in my Van but its almost 12yrs old and i think a new IP version would be a better choice.

Here is the amp....behind the back seat...

Here is the box in between the seats. Blends right in. Kind of boring, in a good incognito sort of way...

Not sure if you are familiar with the "bracket flip" mod, but here is a pic. That is how the back seats fold down. Take the seats completely out by the bottom bolts (I think there were 8). Then flip the brackets and reinstall. Takes about 30 min. or less.

how do you release the back seat to fold after this 'mod' ??

quote:

how do you release the back seat to fold after this 'mod' ??

Notice when you raise the bottom of the seat in your truck the back of the seat slides up a little bit....? After you do this mod, the bracketry is just low enough that when you do this, you can pull the back of the seat forward. In reverse, when you put the back of the seat back, and lower the bottom back down the bracket is just "high" enough to catch the hook on the back of the seat. Once you do the mod, and reinstall the seats, you will see exactly how it works.

I just upgraded my door speakers and added an amp, I went with Boston Acoustics SX95 for the front and SX55 for the rear and the amp is a Rockford Fosgate Punch P400-4. I have it set up in the 4 ch mode which gives me a very clean sound,I wasn't looking to rattle my filings loose just a cleaner sound.