Budget stereo upgrade...

[pwrshft99]

Ok I've done setups in many of my Ford vehicles. My last ex sound great with just two tens off the factory deck. I'm older now plus space is a concern. If the factory deck worked I'd leave it alone..... naw then again i probably wouldnt lol

I've learned from the past and I'd like to do something simple.
Walmart has a Dual indash media player for $40. It's has no CD player but aux in, usb port and SD slot. Also has preamp outs but just 60 watts..

I'm going to use that deck unless i score a used named brand deck with similar features. Id like to have a small amp and one sub mounted where the factory stuff is but in a custom enclosure. Ive never built a box before and don't want the truck to look hacked up.

I know MTX makes a setup like this for explorers but I don't want to spend that much on my entire project. oh yeah, its a 2000 limited. I'm not sure which system i have bit i have the six disc in the armrest, the factory sub in back and a cassette deck with steering wheel controls..

 

[aaronajb1981]

dual = junk... that isnt a true 60watts. thats its max power. You will never see that out of it. you need to look into the RMS (continuous) power. Im betting it will be more like 10-15watts (not much if any more than factory)

You get what you pay for.

 

[silvercruzer]

go with a good name brand radio poneer,sony, kenwood etc. the usb is great for an ipod or flash drive. jlaudio/mtx make a vehicle specific sub/box combo. mtx i think you can get with an amp

 

[Joe Dirt]

I love my $100 Pioneer, $59 amp, $80 JL sub in the stock enclosure. For the money, hard to beat the setup. Truck shakes at volume...

 

[pwrshft99]

The only reason i considered the cheap Walmart deck is I've had good luck with cheap **** before... I had two 10 " jensens running off a cheap amp and a cheap deck. Sounded great till it was stolen ..

 

[Joe Dirt]

Cheap isn't always bad- I've got friends with multi-thousands of dollars of systems, and nobody without a super-trained ear can tell the difference. I can spend money on other stuff too...

It's all in investigating the purchase- before I bought my amp, I looked through the reviews, and other resouces online. People had that amp for a few years and had no issues, and it was powering everything it needed to, within spec. Why spend $3-500 on an amp just so you can have a lighted logo or something? I'd rather have the $ for other parts, ya know?

 

[pwrshft99]

Exactly, I want basic and budget so I can focus on my 306 build lol...

So how does your setup work?? I'm thinking you bypassed all the factory amps and ran the aftermarket amp thru the modified stock enclosure ?? This sounds exactly like what I want to do.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yep- I put a Pioneer in (non-Mach/JBL system in my '97), using the aftermarket harnesses, and wired an amp externally to run a sub installed into a transplanted '99 Mountineer sub enclosure.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

I dont see how you could go wrong with Joe D's advise!! Planning on the budget sub myself!! Plus he has an awesome writeup on exactly what is needed to install it on a seperate thread!!

 

[toypaseo]

In the early stages of my Budget Bass project, I had a $59 Alpine amp, $27(?) Goldwood woofer, $12 OEM enclosure, $(?) PAC OEM-2...

Click on image for larger view

In later stages, Goldwood was changed to Kicker, Alpine amp to another Alpine amp.

 

[pwrshft99]

Well I wasnt planning on spending money on audio stuff yet but I scored today !! Picked up a Jensen in dash tv/dvd player in great shape for $150... I was looking for something not basic but at that price i couldn't refuse.

Going to try to get it wired up tonite, maybe ill post some pics.

But yea, stock speakers seem ok. I'll be watch craigslist for a cheap amp and get the JL for the stock enclosure and I'm done...

 

[Joe Dirt]

Seriously- the $59 amp I have is awesome for the JL sub- and it's new. I'm always weary of amps and subs off of CL...

 

[NRA4ever]

There are great brands of stereo gear for cheap. Check out Elemental Designs. There biggest amp is on sale for $250 Its a true 1200 x1 amp. I bought their cheapest 12. It is about the best sounding sub I ever owned for $125 with free shipping. It beats the JL w3s I had in my F150. It also has a 5 yr warranty. If you go by the RMS ratings on your buys it will give you a better idea of what a cheap equipment will do. Don't be fooled by peak power ratings. Many cheap amps wouldn't reach the ratings they claim using IHBL ratings. IF Hit By Lightning. I had a guy tell me his subs 2x10s hit 180. I asked if it was a IHBL rating & he said yes. I LMAO.