I did a search, but couldn't find what I wanted. I need some recommendations on head units and speakers. I need to know the brands to look for and the brands to avoid. Also, specific models would help as well. I looking to spend less than $200 for a head unit, speakers (I need 6.5"), and any installation parts/materials. I want good sound and an easy to use CD player. I don't plan on putting in subwoofers, extra speakers, or anything like that. The CD player must have a detachable face, but a remote isn't important.

My truck is a daily driver that I use to commute to work, school, my apartment, and home. I drive around 400 miles a week, so I spend alot of time in my truck. Currently, all I have is an AM/FM radio that the clock doesn't light up on and the antenna is disconnect.

If someone could give a few links to online stores with good prices, that would be quite helpful as well.

Thanks in advance,

Joe aka SuperKid

 

Alpine head units and id say boston acoustic, alpine, kicker, few other brands for speakers..i have an alpine HU for sale 9856 225$ comes with AUX input wires..

 

onlinecarstereo.com has good prices.Look for everything in a h/u... i mean everythin. speakers boston, morel, rainbow, infinity, maybe alpine. i have the 9856 great h/u.

 

if your looking for a good deal do this.....Goto your local best buy on a night that their dead. Usually wed/thur and haggle the price. When were dead theyll give anything away. I swear by pioneer head units. Ive had the flashy alpine dvd players and pioneer still sounds superior to alpine IMO alot easier to use as well. Speaker wise Alpine type s hands down

 

I'm very pleased with my Alpine 9856 HU.

 

Alpine 9856 from Crutchfield. $179.95 shipped and includes everything to install it youself.

 

alpine speakers do not have the sound quality that they need...yes they are good but not that great. infinity and boston are better...also the upper end mb quarts.

 

IMO regular infinitys sucks major ****. If you spend the money and get the kappa series or perfects there worth it but not the reg ones

 

Okay, so how would this combination sound? Alpine CDA-9856 head unit with Infinity Reference 6012si 6.5" speakers. onlinecarstereo.com (thanks for the link, BTW) has the head unit for $177 and the speakers for $69, so a total of $246 with free shipping. That's a little bit more than I had planned to spend, but if this is a quality setup, then I suppose it's worth it. Not to mention I'm saving more than $100 over retail. What other things will I need to install this setup? I'm assuming I'll need a wiring harness, but what about an antenna adapter? Will the factory speaker connection fit on aftermarket speakers, or will I have to cut it off and put on spade terminals? Also, does anyone know where I can get the tools to remove the factory stereo? Would best buy have those?

Thanks,

Joe aka SuperKid

 

that is basically my set up. the regular reference infinitys have great potential in them. u will need a harness. you will also need a ford radio clip remover which will remove the radio. i believe best buy has them. yes you will have to cut and spade the speakers. the antenna adapter should be w/wiring harness...ask best buy. Also ask if you can just use there radio remover for like 2 seconds and remove it while your there then drive home and install.

 

the 6.5" wont fit, you need either 6x8, 5x7 or 6

 

a 6.5 will fit in the doors. i've got 6.5's in my doors, plus so do a few other people.

if anything, you may need to trim a little bit... nothing too crazy though.

 

Yes, the speaker size confused me. Everywhere I looked, they said 6.5", but I measured the actual speaker and it came out as 6".

 

Alpine h/u and alpine speakers in the front doors as I have yet to put some in the back due to money restraints.

 

If you order your stuff through crutchfield they will give you all the necessary adapters, harnesses, mounting plates, etc. for free when you buy, and you can probably get free shipping also. Shoot me a PM if you are thinking about buying from crutchfield. I can give you a coupon code to save you $20.

 

you can get the tools to remove the factory radio at o'rileys for about 4-6bux. or just bend some coat hangers to fit...

 

reference suck

 

I like Pioneer's head units. They match the dash nice and sound perfect. I have the deh4800 model and it has worked great for me.

 

how can you justify that infinity reference speakers "suck". they are a good entry level speaker. there are some that are way worse and some that are way better.

 

alpine type S sound way better than reference and i can justify that since i install stereo equipment for my job...

 

I appreciate everyone's responses. They've been great. I've been doing some thinking and some numbers crunching, and I'm not too sure if I want to put in an aftermarket stereo anymore. I'm worried about someone breaking into my truck. Also, I'm going to be getting a new appartment soon and to terminate the lease of my old apartment early, I'm going to have to pay fines of nearly $1000. With my schedule the way it is, I'm only able to work 30 hours a week, so I don't have a vary large cash flow.

So, my new thoughts are just to install a factory CD player from a later model. What year CD players will fit into a '91?

 

Hey I bought one of those for $179 Brand new thats to much man give him a break, lol

 

I perfer Pioneer HU's. I have had 2 and I like them both alot, one in my old car and one in my truck. I like pioneer speakers too. I had them in my old car and they were pretty good. Pioneer has my vote.
The HU I have now is Pioneer DEH-P5800MP.

 

How about an Alpine HU with JL Audio TR 5x7's all around. If you want to make it more stock get the Mach MP3 the newer Rangers have.