Need help selecting Head and Speakers

[srbarry]

Hi all,

I'm just starting the process of replacing my 1999 4dr Explorers head unit and speakers and would appreciate any advice. I'm looking for a nice easy install so I'm just looking to replace the factory speakers with 6x8s since I understand that is the standard size and I can just put them in without doing any custom work. I'm not looking to install a sub woofer, so I need to get decent bass from the door speakers.

Question 1 - I understand that crutchfield sells adapators for the speaker wires so I could just plug them in, but if I don't want to pay their high prices, how do I know how to connect the wires? Are the wire colors standard?

Question 2 - Any recomendations on the best 6x8 speakers?

Question 3 - Does it make any sense to use different types of speakers in the rear seats versus the fronts? For example, use speakers that put out a lot of bass in the back?

Question 4 - I was looking at the Kenwood-X491 - any feedback on this? It appears to be a solid unit at a decent price. I like the font USB port to plug in my ipod.

Last Question 5 - What is the best resource for figuringing out how to connect the new unit into the old wiring? Do I have to figure out each wire and manually splice them? Or are there harness adaptors? I'm new to this so I have no idea what lurks behind the dash.

Thanks in advance for any help you folks can provide!

 

[Gator Jeff]

Can't help with the speakers, but I just bought a Pioneer DEH-P5900B from Best Buy. With the iPod cable that I routed into my glove box, it came to $260 w/ tax. It allows you to have full control over your iPod from the remote or the dash, shows the songs and artist on the display, and lots of other cool features. There's even capability to run a Bluetooth phone through the HU and attach a sattelite reciever that will give you the same control and display options as the iPod.

As for wiring, I think the colors are standard. All you'll have to get is an adaptor for Fords, splice the wires into your HU and plug and play. Pretty simple. I think the harness is about 20-30 and you'll also need a single din adaptor to fit your dash if you don't have one already. In total, you should have the HU side of things taken care of for about $325.

As for speakers, I'll let someone else field that, but I'm pretty happy with the sound quality of the Pioneer HU, even with my stock speakers still in place.

 

[Anime]

Question 1 - I understand that crutchfield sells adapators for the speaker wires so I could just plug them in, but if I don't want to pay their high prices, how do I know how to connect the wires? Are the wire colors standard?

You can get Scosche and/or Metra brand speaker adapters at most car audio shops and even walmart and auto parts stores. I used the Metra ones from AutoZone, $2-3 each. Just be sure to connect the speaker side to the right pos/neg terminals and it plugs in right on the other end.

Question 2 - Any recomendations on the best 6x8 speakers?

I personally like the 2-way Pioneers, they give a lot of bass and are a nice value. For higher power head units, my suggestion is for the 3-way Pioneers, reason being is you can get them for $50/pair at walmart, so $100 and you get great 6x8's. If you decide on the Kenwood HU, you may want to get the Kenwood 6x8's if you find them at a shop for a good price.

Question 3 - Does it make any sense to use different types of speakers in the rear seats versus the fronts? For example, use speakers that put out a lot of bass in the back?

From a budget standpoint, it can make sense if you use some really good speakers up front, and cheaper ones in back. If you were using an external amp to power the speakers, it's common to find setups using component (seperate woofer/tweeter) speakers in front and coaxials in the rear. I'd say just get matching 6x8's all the way around, and then use the settings on the HU to fade the rear if needed.

Question 4 - I was looking at the Kenwood-X491 - any feedback on this? It appears to be a solid unit at a decent price. I like the font USB port to plug in my ipod.

I have no idea on the unit, you'll want to read online reviews to see how it fares so far. Kenwood is a good brand though, and I do think the USB/SD card readers are a great feature.

Last Question 5 - What is the best resource for figuringing out how to connect the new unit into the old wiring? Do I have to figure out each wire and manually splice them? Or are there harness adaptors? I'm new to this so I have no idea what lurks behind the dash.

Get a harness adaptor. Under 10 bucks at walmart. Hook up the color-coded wires to your head unit, plug it in, put it in the dash, play.

Really, just replacing the head unit and speakers is pretty easy if you use the adaptors.