I own a 2000 XLT extended cab ford ranger that current has nothing but the stock stereo system in it. Lately I have noticed that for some reason my right front passenger speaker seems to rattle whenever there are lower bass tones. It almost makes me wonder if its somehow the rubber surround around the cone tore apart, or the speaker grill has popped lose, or something else is rattling around in the door? Also my current setup just doesn't provide much bass at all and is pretty flat sounding most of the time. Lastly I use an FM transmitter with my iPod touch for listening to music(quite a hassle) since I'm using the stock single CD disk stereo headunit. Its practically impossible to drive while changing tunes


So I have decided its probably time in invest in something better however funds are limited. Right now I have $350 available. I also like the idea of sticking to a Pioneer system. Have used their stuff for years :)

Here's what I'm thinking of getting so far:
Speakers:
Pioneer 6x8, 3-way, TS-A6872R - $56.86 for pair at walmart
I'm not sure if i should get a pair for the back doors as well because i heard it was a pain to install and not really worth it?
Headunit
Pioneer DEH-P4000UB $164.99 at cruchfield including accessories
Sub Case
Scosche 12" Subwoofer Enclosure Kit, SE12KT $35.87 at walmart
Subwooffer
Pioneer 12" Subwoofer, TS-W302R $58.87 at walmart
Sub AMP
I'm not exactly sure atm but I would like it it to be around 400w or be lower powered then what the 12" Pioneer sub can handle so I cant blow it Supposedly the subs power range is 50-150 watts RMS with 800 watts peak power. I'm looking for just enough bass to sound smooth and really good but not enough to rattle the entire vehicle and be heard blocks away.
At first while I was Walmart i found this Virtual reality sound labs amp that had a 200w rating on it for $49.53 then came home only to research and find it out was junk. If i can I would like to find a decent amp for $100 or less. Anyone have any ideas? Also does the amps max wattage have to match the RMS rating of the pioneer sub?

Also any other thoughts, ideas, or suggestions are welcome :)

 

I have those speakers, love them for the price.

 

I'd reccomend you look at Type-S components. I havent heard thoes pioneers and pioneer isnt a bad company but I've found that only the cheapie things are sold at walmart in the audio section.

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=18867

Browse parts express and look at some of Dayton's lower end subs. You cant go wrong with dayton in that price range IMO. They also throw out a few good amp deals every now and agian.

 

here you go you can get it alot cheep on ebay


the cd player


speakers

Sub Box

sub


amp



I wouldnt buy anything from walmart you are throwing your money away i got my cd player off ebay and it was a year old model and it was 60 bucks compared to 135. so i saved money everything i just showed you would work well for what you want. i wouldnt mind having that set up my self.



this is what i figured

Cd Player = $98
Speakers = $50
Sub Box = $25
Sub = $ 46.99

Thats 219.99 and on your 350 dollar buget you can spend up to 110.01 on that amp which is a decent amp.

 

hrm thanks for the ebay idea. I hadn't even though of looking on there myself. However I'm a little worried about buying things off ebay. I've been burned before(on comp parts) and I'm also slightly worried I could receive a defective item, etc.

Besides that I need to at least buy the HU someplace i can return if it doesn't work. I'm planing on using its iPod interface with my 16gb iPod touch(1.1.4. firmware) controlling it tvia the HU itself.

There is a slight possibility I can get it at store cost from circuity city since my neighbor is good friends with, as well as provided training to the store manger. But I'll need the wiring harness, receiver kit, and din tools as well. I've heard the circuit city receiver kits aren't that great. So I might just wind up getting it all from crutchfield.

Also I have a few more questions. First off I was curious if anyone knows what the stock CD player HU's power RMS and total max watts is just to compare the Pioneer HU I'm looking at? Also if I put in a lower end sub + amp like i was thinking I wont need to upgrade or replace my alternator will I? I don't want to be driving down the road with my headlights dimming to the music

 

i would reccomend getting a good headunit that is Ipod ready, and all you need is a cable to connect it to the headunit.
then upgrade the front door speakers(no need for the rear IMO)

that alone will give ya better sound, and more bass from a quality speaker.

 

I love my iPod. 4gig of music right at my fingertips at all times. However, unless I change the bit rate when I put the songs on the iPod I CAN tell the difference in SQ if I listen carefully. But the truck has to be idling and the windows have to be up...a rare occasion for me.

Oh and you hit the nail on the head. Rear speakers arent nessicary if you dont have rear passengers. They do nothing but smear imaging and make the sound omnidirectional instead of stereo.

 

i am in the middle of installing this....

first step was speakers, doors and two behind the seats...
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=19290

the speakers are an easy do it yourself, hit me up with questions

next i had a buddy install a head unit, to give more power to the speakers...
http://cartoys.com/Default.cfm/p/Alp..._AAC_Receiver/


Cartoys also sells boxes for like 30 bux. i used a friends, but it was the same box as CarToys sells. go get the 10" truck box and put this in it
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=19490


finally, go buy the kicker 4 gauge amp kit and the Kicker 08ZX500.1 or another 400-500 watt amp. im goin all kicker tho
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=19219

 

Well I have decided on my new setup. For now I am just going to get a new headunit and replacement speakers.

I have decided to go with the following:
HU:Pioneer DEH-P5000UB
an upgrade of what i was looking at before it seemed the face was beter built when looking at it in store.
Speakers:Pioneer TS-A6872R
I have decided to get a pair for both the front and rear doors since cruthfield had a combo discount i couldn't pass up :)

grand total of $289.97 which was a little more then i wanted to spend but oh well. I will add a sub later most likely.

I have one more question does anyone know how to remove the door panels on the extended cab doors(back doors)? I need some tips on that