2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Aftermarket stereos

[DLBurns]

Looking to replace my stock stereo with a quality aftermarket unit that will play mp3's. I am not a high fidelity type of guy, basically tone deaf in one ear and can't hear out of the other

Don't want to break the bank on this and want to keep my stock speakers ( for now ).

What are your reccommendations??

Alpine, Pioneer, Sony etc...

Thanks

Dave

 

[CATpower21]

hey dave,

try going to www.crutchfield.com, they are having a pretty big sale on most of their cd/mp3 head units, im sure you will be able to find something there you are looking for. I personally like alpine and thats what i have in my truck but its also over $300. So hopefully that helps you out some.

Chris

 

[Straight6Jeff]

I too am in the process of upgrading my stereo. I went online to Crutchfield and had a decent scor. The Clarion ProAudio DXZ 535 is on sale for 149, and you get a free Sirius sattellite module when you purchase the head unit and a sat antenna ($49 for a Terk). Crutchfield also includes a free mounting placte and wiring adapter. I installed the head unit this weekend. What a Difference.



I am in the process of making some mounting plates for the front speakers (ADS 5 1/2) and a sub box (Kicker solobaric L5 10"), and trying to find a place to mount the amp. I do not wantot give up much cab space.

 

[DLBurns]

MOunting Plate

I have checked Crutchfiels website, they have some good deals. Really leaning towards the Alpine units... know a bunch of people who have them and they swear by them.

I don't listen to the radio enough to justify the monthly fee's for satelitte service.

Dave

 

[ben_ak]

I also highly rec. Alpine... had Alpine in my vehicles for the last seven or eight years. Rock solid performance and reliability - just what you need in a CTD.

 

[BDMiller]

Dave,

A couple years ago I put a JVC (707, I think) mp3/cd player in my '72 blazer. I liked it enough to pull it out of the Blazer & put it in my '99 Ram. Mine came with the Infinity Audio system which had a kind of crappy cd player. It was a little tricky to hook up but I found the info here to do it correctly. Basically one wire had to be set up differently than I expected. I kept the stock speakers & everything works fine. I just recently discovered that I have steering wheel controls & this summer I want to try & figure if I can use them with the JVC.

The reason I picked the JVC is that I've heard good things about them & they were not as ugly as most of the Mp3 players at the time. I don't really like colorful flashing displays, I only want the basic info. Another benefit of the JVC is that it has an input jack on the face & I can use it with my iPod. There is nothing like having 4000 songs ready to go everytime you drive. To be honest I only use a couple playlists but I never have to change cd's anymore.



Brian

 

[edmeyers]

i really like Rockford Fosgate AMP's and speakers but don't buy one or their head units because they don't hold up to the shock put out by our trucks Clarion has my vote then JVC those are the only two i would use

 

[DLBurns]

Originally posted by BDMiller

Dave,

A couple years ago I put a JVC (707, I think) mp3/cd player in my '72 blazer. I liked it enough to pull it out of the Blazer & put it in my '99 Ram. Mine came with the Infinity Audio system which had a kind of crappy cd player. It was a little tricky to hook up but I found the info here to do it correctly. Basically one wire had to be set up differently than I expected. I kept the stock speakers & everything works fine. I just recently discovered that I have steering wheel controls & this summer I want to try & figure if I can use them with the JVC.

The reason I picked the JVC is that I've heard good things about them & they were not as ugly as most of the Mp3 players at the time. I don't really like colorful flashing displays, I only want the basic info. Another benefit of the JVC is that it has an input jack on the face & I can use it with my iPod. There is nothing like having 4000 songs ready to go everytime you drive. To be honest I only use a couple playlists but I never have to change cd's anymore.



Brian

:





Brian,

I am with you on the flashing displays... . The older I get the less distractions I need when I'm driving.

I have looked at a couple of other units from Pioneer and Sony but I keep going back to the Alpine... ... . Having an input for an iPod would be very cool, I wouldn't have to mess around with cd's then. I think the Alpine units that have the inputs are pricey though. I can't justify spending $500 bucks on a stereo when I spend so little time in my truck. Heck, I only have 24K on it and it will be 4 years old in July

Dave

 

[tp0d]

hear hear on the JVC

Buff, I would highly recommend any JVC product. They always seem to be on top of things with functionality, and value. I have owned JVC products for the past 10 years, in-home and in-car. Just ordered a new KD-G700 CD/MP3 deck for my ram, and I plan to install it soon.



Oh, also, Crutchfield is a good source of info/etc, but if you are secure with installing your own radio with no tech support,etc, I would highly recommend checking eBay before making any solid purchase. Yes, crutchfield does supply a mounting kit and wiring harness (about 10$ each at AZ), and tech support, but their pricing is usually 50-75$ higher than anything going on ebay. Just watch out for the total shipping cost from any seller on ebay. About 15-17$ max is the going rate to ship a new head unit. .



Myself, I have a pair of 6x9 Soundstream SPL speakers for the front doors, a pair of Soundstream USA 5 1/4" for the rears, and a Soundstream USA 305 amp to power them, and possibly a sub in the future when I get around to it...



Good luck in your search!!



-J

 

[BPINE]

Hey there Buff I don't think you qualify for a new stereo with only 24k on the Odo. LOL And for sure don't bring it to my place for the install if you get one like Cliffman.

 

[DLBurns]

Originally posted by BPINE

Hey there Buff I don't think you qualify for a new stereo with only 24k on the Odo. LOL And for sure don't bring it to my place for the install if you get one like Cliffman.

I'm trying to set the record for the least amount of miles with the most money spent on bombs that I don't use..... What do ya think...

Heck I can't afford a stereo like Cliff's With my tin ears that would definately add to my record

 

[sockeye63]

i've got the alpine 9813 and have been very happy with it. the only thing i did was put in a couple of alpine speakers. total price was around 400. 00 and a couple hours of my labor.

 

[DLBurns]

SCORED!!!!!

My brother in law bought a new Alpine CDA-9827 today and gave me his "old" Alpine CDA - 7995Oo. Freebie!!!!!!

Put it in this afternoon and it absolutely ROCKS!!!!

plays CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3's and is XM radio ready!!

Even with my tin ears it sounds better than the stock unit, which is going to my bro as his 2001. 5 only has the cassette player.

All in all a very good day!

 

[jdrr]

Are these after market steros exact fit (in the dash) for the stock radio? Thanks

 

[DLBurns]

Originally posted by jdrr

Are these after market steros exact fit (in the dash) for the stock radio? Thanks

The stock unit is about twice the height of the aftermarket units. They have an adaptor flange that the aftermarket stereos slide into and screws into the original holes. Looks fine to me, the stereo is centered in the flange and there is about 3/8" of the flange showing all around.

 

[PHellen]

i always have had pioneer. Never had any problems, never cleaned them and still worked fine. MUD WATER DIRT DUST Keeps PLAYING. JVC and ALPINE are great also. Just love pioneer. Just do it right the first time