aftermarket speakers,etc.

[vc]

For my new 2004. 5, I am interested in upgrading the speaker system. First question, are the tweeter mounting locations on the dash prewired, or do I have to run wires up, and is it hard to access this area to instal the tweets?



What are the sizes and recommended aftermarket speakers for the four doors?



Keep in mind when answering the above that first I am keeping my factory head which is the standard single cd/am/fm, and that I am not looking for the best money can buy - just something that sounds better than stock.



Thank you.



vc

 

[Colonel102]

Head Unit

VC,



Upgrading the factory speakers will be of some help (usually paper cone to some sort of composite or plastic cone) in the long run improving sound quality and durability, but without an aftermarket amp or new head unit, don't be suprised about the low sound quality.

The factory head units usually out put 12-15 RMS. That's in watts. Aftermarket head units are rated @ 30-35 watts RMS. So upgrading the speakers won't help much, unless you try to match a higher wattage head unit with the higher rated speakers.

But no matter what you do, it will be an improvement. Just my two cents. Later



By the way, 8yrs of mobile install under my belt... hope the info helps.

 

[PJereb]

6x9 front doors

6 1/2 rear doors

3 1/2 dash



About the dash speakers, I do not know if the SLT's are pre-wired, I never installed dash speakers.



All the speakers are easy to get to; all you have to do is remove the bolt that secures the door handle with a 10mm deep socket and ratchet. After you remove the door handles remove the single #3 Phillips screw on each of the rear doors and the two #3 and two #2 Phillips screws on each of the front doors. Then just lift the door panels up to remove (be sure to be gentle with the door wiring harness).



The dash panel that covers the speaker locations is held in place with clips, to remove it gently pry around it, then after you get it popped up pull it towards the rear of the pickup, it is kind of a pain to remove, but is the only way to get to the dash speakers... .

 

[Jeff Clark]

I replaced the 6x9's in my front doors with 6. 5's by making my own adaptor plate. The rear doors on my truck are 5. 25" so unless anything has changed between 04 and 04. 5, your's are too. The dash speakers are prewired if you have the Infinity system and there is already speakers there. I ran all new wiring fom the amps and it was easy getting to the dash speakers.

 

[BRuppel]

so slt models with no infinity system aren't prewired to the dash? that is just crazy that they would have two different wiring harnesses for the different speaker/radio packages.

 

[Matt400]

so slt models with no infinity system aren't prewired to the dash? that is just crazy that they would have two different wiring harnesses for the different speaker/radio packages.

I have an SLT (no infinity)and it was not pre-wired. The reason is the the wiring for those dash speakers plugs into the infinities amp so with no infinity system you would have a harness just laying there connected to nothing.



I added 3. 5 dash speakers using bass blockers. Then a power amp under the drivers seat.

The amp is used to power the 4 door speakers while the factory head unit powers the dash speakers.

The upgrade was huge in sound quality while keeping the factory door speakers & head unit. At this point it is worthy of replacement door speakers though.



I had an 02 3rd gen 1500 with infinity and IMO this sounds better even with the lesser grade speakers.