i have a regular cab (2004). my tax return is for $751. I would like to have 50 to take my wife out to dinner left, but the rest is getting me a system. what i want:

keep factory 6cd HU (if it really really makes a difference i can install new HU later on)

2 new 6x8 or 5x7 speakers < $150/pair. good bass not important, just want high quality sound, with minimal hissing at higher volumes

1 10" sub. everyone is telling me to buy jl. anything better? i'm not in it to win any contests, i just want something to fill in the lows at high volumes. less power for higher quality is fine.

my father-in-law and i should be able to build the box.

1 or 2 amps. if i can get an amp to handle both sets of speakers and the sub, i'd prefer it (space restrictions), but if not i'll budge for one for the speakers and one for the sub.

i used to have alpine speakers and a kicker 12" powered by a 300w alpine amp in my SUV, and i was pretty satisfied. but i'd like to get the best sound i can.

thanks

 

even though the 6disc player is really nice, i'd still kinda want an aftermarket headunit. but, you wanna keep it, so i guess i could offer suggestions for everything else.. for the sub, i'd say yes to a jl.. their 10w3v2 would sound nice in a reg. cab.
for a good set of speakers, since you're plannin on having a sub, and dont need them to handle bass at all, i'd recommend going for a set of components.. actually, jl's set of vr525-cxi's are pretty nice.. sound good when they're powered.. i've found them online for 115 a pair, free shipping (if you're interested, i'd fnd the link for ya).. that leaves you still needing an amp, or amps.. i love eclipse, everyone knows this.. lol, so for clear power, i'd recommend their EA3422.. its a 4/3/2 channel amp (you'd be able to power the speakers and the sub off the one amp).. with all of that said, you'd from there just have to get the normal wiring, etc.. to install the amps and run the speaker wire to the speakers.. you'd be greatly satisfied by the quality of everything, and soon want a better headunit to control your system!

here's a recap of pricing.. of course you'll find some prices to be higher/lower than something you might find yourself, but, for now.. these are the round about price's i've come to find..

speakers: JL VR525-CXI~ $115 (ill find the link to that price if needed)
sub: JL 10W3v2~ $149 (buy it now price, ebay)
amp: Eclipse EA3422~ $140 (buy it now price, ebay)

total: $404 (add a bit more for s/h)

on top of that, remeber wiring and accessories.. figure, safely.. you're lookin at, at most, about $525 for a suitable system for your needs.. that's not the full $700, but, once you get all of this in and done, you may be thinking of getting a headunit.. that's where that extra 175 can come in handy.. add a bit more and you could find a headunit that would be great with your new system!

alright.. well, that's what i'd try for.. more people will give you opinions, and some will probably be better im sure, so.. till then.. i've given my 2 cents, lol.. good luck, and have fun with your building!

EDIT: here's the link to Eclipse incase you wanted to check out that amp i suggested.. www.eclipse-web.com

 

10" Kicker SoloBaric (for space reasons...)
RockFord Fosgate Amp (might look for a 1001bd)
put a set of tweeters in your dash (you can pop out where the defrost is and ionstall em in there)

 

lol.. that's what i did.. the reflection off the windshield was crazy for imaging.. took forever to tweek them to a comfortable listening level

 

I was going to stay with my factory deck, but the guys at best buy (i know they are supposed to sell you things) talked me into getting the Alpine deck i got and i am glad i did. With just the deck and 4 pioneer 3 ways, it has had a major increase in the sound quality. As for amp, you could probably fit 2 in your truck, but then no room for a CD changer. I have my amp under my passenger seat. You can get a box specifically made for your truck. Custom color and shapr for behind the driver seat and it comes with an MTX Thunder4500. Its what I got, but i cant say how good it is yet, still waiting on it. Make sure you get some stuff to keep the doors from vibrating with the new speakers. Mine vibrated with the factory speakers before, but I got Best Buy to put some in with the new speakers and it works great. hope that is some help.

 

what about this amp "alpine MRV-F450" RMS 50x4 and 200x1 for the sub. that should be plenty i would think. i'm looking at the alpine 574a speakers. i heard them in bestbuy and found them cheap on ebay, they sounded real nice, but how will they hold up at higher volumes?

would i only need the one set of component speakers? i thought components weren't worth it unless you had lotsa $ to spend on them?

 

yes, just one set of components. it's all i have, lol. it depends on how high in high end you want to go with spendning money.. many make great sets that range from like 120 to 350.. and so on.. hell, the set i have alone was a little over 800.. and yet im still wanting to upgrade once i find better. are the alpines you're talking about 5x7s?? if so, i'd strongly recommend on a set of components over them, if it's clarity you're looking for. they sound great in the store on a wall, but, sometimes wont be as great in your car.. if you'd prefer to stick with alpine, since you've owned them before and like their quality, i'd shop around for a set of components from them

 

The guy that installed my system at Best buy said that 5 channel amps are a squeeze in standard cab, but i dont know. I guess it depends on how you build your box, if you take your jack out and where you place the amp. I refused to take my hardware out that goes with my jack and the jack itself.

As much as you would spend on that 5 channel amp, why dont you just get a deck with 45x4 or 50x4 channels and 1 or 2 preouts?

Not trying to convince you to go my way, just to me, it seemed the best, saved the most money and spared me some space in the truck.

 

it all depends on what you get.. some brands pride on making small, yet powerful amps to fit anywhere (memphis, zapco, etc..) while some dont really care about size (kenwood exceleon, sony, etc..) that amp i recommended isnt actually that big for what it is.. it would fit under his seat im pretty sure.

EDIT: and adding an external amp will give better power than what a headunit's preamp will give out

 

I was just thinking about saving space really. I know mine sounds pretty darn good and once i get my sub and can turn the bass back some on my current speakers, i think it will sound alot better.

 

Check out Orion they are better than JL in audio compairison and price.

 

here is what i've found so far and will probably get:

front speakers: alpine 571a component speakers $89 on ebay
rear speakers: alpine 574a coaxial speakers $85
amplifier: alpine f450; 50w to each speaker (plenty), 200w to sub (enough?) $290
sub: JL audio 10w3v2 $150 on ebay

should i go with components in the back? i wouldn't think i'd need that many tweeters. the amp wattage is continuous power, and alpine is very modest in their specs (they err on the side of caution). anyways like 605 + 80 shipping is $685.

are the components hard to put in? i don't even know how to get the door panels off in a ranger. i installed my complete system in my Jimmy, and did ok. how do i install this stuff with the stock radio?

 

I say get a new HU and sell me the 6cd :)
You're going to have a nice system man!

 

james, the stuff you've picked out sounds good. i didnt realize you were doing 4 speakers.. i misread the first post and thought you only needed one pair of 5x7s or 6x8s. 200watts to one of those subs will be fine. when you build the box, take a look at the spec sheet of the sub and keep the size near what they recommend.. go to big and the sub wont sound good.. too small, same thing.

a set of components in the front and a set of regular speakers in the back for rear fill is what people normally do.. so, as you have them listed, you'll be fine. for installing the speakers.. it's not too hard.. you'll have to run a set of rcas to the amp from the headunit, like you'd do for a sub.. i dont remember if the 6disc's have line outs, if they dont, you'll need to run a line out converter so the rca's will work for you. from the amp, you'll rerun new speakerwire to the front of the cab, or whereever you're going to have your crossovers. people choose to put their crossovers everywhere... some like to hide them up under the dash, or in the door itself maybe, while some dont mind them and mount them somewhere to be exposed (i have mine mounted out in the open in the middle of my amps, in the back seat area, above my sub box). once you find a good spot you'd like for the crossovers.. you'll run the speaker wire right into them. then, from the crossover, youll run 2 more sets of speaker wire (2 sets per cross over), and have one set run into the door to the woofer, and the other set to the tweeter, where ever that gets mounted (in the door as well, up in the dash maybe, whereever you'd like it really). once your front speakers and crossovers are wired, you can now do the same for the rear.. just run speaker wire from the amp to the rear speakers, and your done.. they're all powered now. (once the amp itself is powered, lol).

anyway.. i think that's it for now.. keep us updated with how things go!

 

f*ck it. i like what i've picked out. i was going to get JL front and rear XR570 series, would've cost me $430 shipped, but i think it would be overkill. i really don't need 70w, the 40w that the alpine's handle is fine....i just get a little excited sometimes

anyways, i'm going to do what i said, except get type-r components. thanks for all the help guys, this sh*t can be overwhelming....

 

just bought the speakers and amp offline...going to buy the kit offline and have the front and amp installed at best buy (don't trust myself with my door or hiding the wiring, they have a lifetime warranty), and do the rears myself.

the sub will have to wait, as right now with installation i'm up at $750 (kits and labor)...i'll build the box next week and buy the sub next paycheck (who needs electricity when you have thump!!!)