Audio & Video Tech General discussion of audio and video for the Ford Ranger.

Putting together a system..

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  #26  
Old 08-27-2005
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Most if not all of the major audio players are very strict about purchasing from authorized dealers. You have to be very careful when shopping on Ebay, the price of the item itself may look very appealing, but make sure you look at the shipping costs. It's not uncommon for audio sellers on Ebay to tack on shipping charges of $25-$30+ for what they sell. After you pay that plus the cost of the item, you don't end up saving that much over what you would pay at an authorized dealer and you don't have a warranty or customer service of any kind if the item is broken or breaks after you have it.
 
  #27  
Old 08-28-2005
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Originally Posted by jrodhotrod
There are some great reccomendations in this thread and for $1,000 you can do pretty well in a truck. I don't recommend going with ebay for anything as it has already been pointed out most sellers on ebay are not authorized retailers so technically you don't have a warranty on your products, and especially with a company like JL you may not be getting brand new stuff. Best to buy from authorized retailers. Online Sounddomain and crutchfield (can be pricey but if you look has some good prices from time to time) are good choices.

Make sure you include door speakers in your system because if you don't and you keep the factory speakers in there its just going to sound muddy and not nearly as good as you want it to.

What do you want out of your system? SQ or SPL?

JL Subs and Amps are awesome, but can be pricey and it's difficult to do a full budget system using them.

I fully recommend using Alpine headunits. I have had a couple of Alpine headunits, Kenwood excelons, Clarion, Panasonic, JVC, and had experiences with others and Alpine is clearly the best in my opinion. You can get a great deck for a decent price. I recommend getting at least this unit:

Alpine 9851 (there are some available for less, but if you want iPod integration this is the lowest Alpine that works with their iPod control, this is what we are putting in my truck): http://www.crutchfield.com/S-xg4011O...0&I=500CDA9851

Awesome price on a sub/amp package with MB Quart sub and amp, i mean, really awesome:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-xg4011O...50&I=700RAPW12

Sub enclosure:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-xg4011O...0&I=044T1012SS

KnuKonceptz.com Amp Install Kit:
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDe...prodID=KOL-AK4


Alpine 9851: $279
Sub and Amp $299
Sub Enclosure: $89.99
Amp Install Kit: $31.99 (shipping is reasonable if not free from them)

=$700 + free shipping at Crutchfield and -$20 refer a friend discount (I can give you my code) = $680 (Another great thing about shopping at crutchfield is I believe they include the dash kit and wiring harness for free when you purchase a headunit from them)

That leaves you about $300 to play with, you can get door speakers and an amp to power those, or door speakers and iPod Interface and XM or sirius radio and run off of deck power or some other combination of the above.

If you want to keep it simple with the door speakers and go with something that goes in the factory location and run them off of deck power for now this is a good choice:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-xg4011O...g=400&I=065S85

If you want something a bit nicer and aren't afraid of modifying the door panels for components and using speaker adapters you can get something like this and still have it be a budget buy (I just bought a pair for our truck)

Infinity Reference 6000cs:
http://www.cardomain.com/item/INFREF6000CS?vq_id=none

Staying with the Budget theme, Infinity Reference 7520a 2 channel amp:
http://www.cardomain.com/item/INFREF7520A

Infinity Reference 6000cs - $112.95
Infinity Reference 7520a - $99.95
KnuKonceptz Amp kit: $31.99 (alternatively if you get the amp kit you can get a wiring block and another 2 channel cable from knu konceptz)

Approx. $250

So add the two together: $680+$250 = $930

You have a rocking complete system for $930 with $70 leftover or add ipod control or satellite radio.

Just one scenario, everything will have full factory warranty, and you get service you can rely on.
Your right about the headunit install kit and diagrams, they also give you digrams to install speakers in the back and front, they also sell install tools for us Ford guys/gals that ease the install, and Crutchfield.com is one of the ONLY sites on the web that supported from companies for FULL warranty, which is why their prices are higher than a other sites. PAY FOR PROTECTION.
 
  #28  
Old 08-28-2005
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And their money back guaruntee if you just don't like it.
 
  #29  
Old 08-28-2005
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Yup, the moneyback guarantee is totally worth it.

See if you are an idiot (like me) and order a dual 4 ohm sub to make sure you have a 2 ohm load and then read the specs of your amp afterwards to find out that it only supports 4 ohms when bridged, having the hassle free return policy that sounddomain does is awesome. I called them up, said I didn't want it, they gave me an RMA number I send it back, done deal. Don't expect to be able to that with an Ebay seller.

As long as you keep the packaging in good shape and have all the pieces you can return something to these places for any reason so if you get it and hate the way it sounds, no worries.
 
  #30  
Old 08-28-2005
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JL's are good quality stuff
they dont sell them on the internet though
for head unit: go to www.crutchfield.com
you get everything you need for install for free + free shipping

*this is just out of the blue*
*too lazy to read at 11:00PM*
 
  #31  
Old 08-29-2005
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Originally Posted by karrbass4life
Your right about the headunit install kit and diagrams, they also give you digrams to install speakers in the back and front, they also sell install tools for us Ford guys/gals that ease the install, and Crutchfield.com is one of the ONLY sites on the web that supported from companies for FULL warranty, which is why their prices are higher than a other sites. PAY FOR PROTECTION.
Hell Crutchfield gives you the tools for removing the factory radio in the Fords. I got my step sister a 100 dollar radio from them for Christmas and they give you like 30 bucks worth of install parts for nothing. Plus free shipping, you really can't beat Crutchfield.
 
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