2001 Sports Trac Questions

[Bubba925]

Hey guys, as you can tell I am new here but I have been doing a lot of research on Google and keep getting results from this site, so I decided I would just post here to see if I can get some help.

I own a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac and am looking into upgrading the stock sound system. I currently only have an aftermarket deck installed because the stock one was broken.

What I am looking into is a new deck 4 new door speakers, and a Bazooka. I am a computer tech so when it comes to the audio system in my car I know nothing.

I have found out through friends and research that what I want is 2 different types of door speakers, 2 for hi's and two for mid's as I listen to mainly hip-hop, rap, and some techno. I have no idea on the brands I should get for these speakers but those are the specifications I was given.

For the deck, the only thing I am really looking for is quality and performance, and ability to play my music through my iPod clearly.

Lastly, I came across the Bazooka after endlessly trying to find a solution to the limited space in my Sports Trac. I really like the design and the reviews that I have read are great. I want it to hit hard, and I want the people in my car to feel it.

Besides recommendations for those three things, I was wondering about installation. I could have a place install it for me, but I am kind of on a budget and was thinking about doing it myself. The door speakers seem to be pretty simple from what I have seen, and the deck I currently have in my car has everything hooked up and the stock sub/amp hooked up to it. The only think I am probably going to struggle with is installing the Bazooka.

I am definitely on a budget, looking to try and get all of this for under $500.

Thanks for any help!

 

[LONO100]

you might need a little more than 500, but it can def be done. i would advise against the bazookas, their sound quality is not worth the money. you might want to think about going with some real quality 8 inch subs, and for like most pick up trucks, getting a custom box made to place the subs possible under the seats. for more info on figuring out everything you want in a system, go to crutchfield.com there is plenty of info on that site. good luck!

 

[mr1mrwun]

The best brands for Head Units in order of my opinion; Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood eXcelon, Sony Xplod. All of them offer good quality decks with good sound customization, and most have iPod/USB hook-ups with direct control.

It sounds like your describing a component speaker setup for your speaker choice. In your case, and most X owners, you have two choices as far as fitment. You can get the 5x7/6x8 components and put your tweeters on the door. Or you can get adapter plates for 5.25's or 6.75's and keep everything inside the doors. As for brands in no particular order; Polk Audio, Alpine, Boston Acoustics, MB Quart, Rockford Fosgate.

Personally, as far as Bazookas go, I only have listening experience on them and they are a very nice additions to stock and slightly updated audio systems. Good clean bass that you can feel slightly after a certain level. Great potential and gain from minimal effort (if the self amplified tube is what your going for).

Do a little more research and see what will fit your needs and budget, and good luck with your system.

 

[Bubba925]

Thanks to both of you!

The problem with a custom box is that the shop custom shop I went to wanted $650 for parts and installation of 4 door speakers, and a deck. I didn't even want to ask if they do a custom box, which got me looking into the Bazooka's and other solutions. Now would 4 full-range 6/8 door speakers be a better choice then two tweeters and two mids?

For the Bazooka, I am looking into the 250 Watt, 10 Inch Sub Tube which seems to have pretty good reviews and seems like I can place it in the limited space of a Sport Trac.

I am really looking for an up in my overall sound from the stock speakers/sub in my 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Mostly an upgrade from the stock sub behind the rear drivers side seat. I want a sub that hits hard and the passengers in the car can feel, but I don't want tons of stares. The Bazooka appealed to me because it is small, versatile, easy to install, comes with an amp, and from the looks of it fairly cheap. I mean a pre-built box is $80 online, an amp and sub would probably take that cost well over the $250 for the Bazooka.

 

[mr1mrwun]

For what your talking about doing for a factory upgrade, the coaxial speakers will do you just fine. Decent 3 or 4-way speakers are not hard to find and will be cheaper than a component setup. And with the bazooka, you should be fine as far as what your describing as an end result.

I can't really bring myself to telling someone to go and pay $650 when it can be done on your own with some help from some friends, a local auto store, and this forum.

 

[Bubba925]

Thank you! Any recommendation on some 3/4 way door speakers that are good quality and fairly cheap? I am looking for 4 hopefully under $150 but what do I know.

Also what is installation like with the door speakers. It seems simple but I really don't know.

 

[mr1mrwun]

Thank you! Any recommendation on some 3/4 way door speakers that are good quality and fairly cheap? I am looking for 4 hopefully under $150 but what do I know.

Also what is installation like with the door speakers. It seems simple but I really don't know.

Check any of the brands I mentioned before. Idk, you could check your local shops and see if they have demo stations so you can actually hear them get some kind of idea of how they sound to you.

Installation, usually pulling off the door panel is the hardest part. Since your doing a direct swap, the new speakers should just go right in with no problem.

 

[Bubba925]

Check any of the brands I mentioned before. Idk, you could check your local shops and see if they have demo stations so you can actually hear them get some kind of idea of how they sound to you.

Installation, usually pulling off the door panel is the hardest part. Since your doing a direct swap, the new speakers should just go right in with no problem.

Thank you!

I just finished ordering my door speakers and bazooka.

I got my new deck/head unit whatever you want to call it today and in my truck! It was on sale for $75 off so I went ahead and picked it up along with 4 new door speakers the ]Pioneer TS-A6874R A Series 6x8 Speakers which were also on sale at the store I was at. I plan on installing these myself this weekend possibly, but I have school work so maybe not. Lastly I ordered the from Amazon as it was inexpensive compared to local shops and other online retailers.

I plan to have the Bazooka installed Sunday, and if I have time I will install my door speakers Sunday as well, or possibly see if I can get a deal on the installation with my new Bazooka.

Thanks for all the input guys, it really helped even though I didn't go with a recommended brand I got everything under $500 after tax, and it looks like I will be at about $575 after all of the installations.

 

[mr1mrwun]

Good luck with your new system!!! Enjoy!

 

[Bubba925]

Random question not sure if anyone knows it but I will ask anyway.

The Dashlights in my care are kind of light green and I was wondering if anyone knew the RGB values for them so I could make my new head unit the same color. I tried taking a picture and finding the values on my computer but I only have a 5MPx camera so the picture was really dark.

 

[04trac]

yeah, not a clue on the color for ya there..

I'll be curious as to where you are able to mount the bazooka tube. The most common under seat boxes are limited in height because they have to be underneath the seats, so i'm worried that your tube may not fit (you said you were going with a 10" tube right?)

 

[Bubba925]

I got everything sorted, after a few days of stress and problems with the stock amp interfering with the speakers I installed and me thinking I did something wrong.

I have the 10" Bazooka Tube on the floor right in front of the middle seat. I have sat 2 people in the back and they had no complaints about being uncomfortable.

Being right behind the front seats it gives a nice kick and it really doesn't limit space for people in my truck since the Sport Trac is uncomfortable with 5 people in it already it is just more reason to not use my car when taking more then 4 people anywhere. Since it is a Bazooka it is also incredibly easy to remove in case I do need that space.