How Did You Upgrade Your Infinity System?

[Russknh]

I have been going round and round with my local stereo installers and I am using that term loosly. If anyone has upgraded a late model 04/05 quad cab with the Infinity system I would appreciate a few pointers. I can't even get these guys to agree on the following points: the amp is under the dash, the amp is in the doors--you need to run seperate components for the front doors and the dash mounted tweeters with a crossover, you don't have to do that at all just put 6X9's in the door and leave the tweeters in the dash unhooked-- you can power the existing dash mounted tweeters with the head unit but you need a new 4 channel amp to power all the other speakers--you can run an aftermarket head unit with the amp wire enabling the infinity amp and speakers and it will sound GREAT, you have to throw the entire system away and spend big money--so can anyone help me to make heads or tails out of this?? it would be nice to have some ideas from someone who doesn't stand to profit from the install--thanks

 

[PJ]

Im my opinion, you drop your truck off at the local "high end" auto stereo shop and throw your gold card at them. In by 9, out by 5. It is soooo much esaier than trying this at home! If I remember correctly, the infinity syster was about a $1,000 upgrade and yes, it has the same sound as a $29. Krayco bought at Pep Boys! :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Punkineater]

Im my opinion, you drop your truck off at the local "high end" auto stereo shop and throw your gold card at them. In by 9, out by 5. It is soooo much esaier than trying this at home! If I remember correctly, the infinity syster was about a $1,000 upgrade and yes, it has the same sound as a $29. Krayco bought at Pep Boys! :-laf :-laf :-laf

That's great until you actually find out what the 16 year old teenage installers actually did to your 40K investment. So called "high end" or not no thanks. I'll do it myself and it will be done right.

 

[DPlenzig]

I kept my 6 disc in-dash receiver and added a JL Audio 6-channel amp. I added component speakers to the front and rear doors and a 10" sub under the rear seat, these speakers run through the new amp and the 3 dash speakers still run through the head unit. Sounds way better.



Daren

 

[MMeier]

I have the RAZ set up in my '03, all I did was add XM satellite to it a month ago!! Sounds great to me. If you did not like that Infinity set up, why didn't you just delete the radio when you bought the truck all together and save your self a bunch toward whatever you plan on putting in the beast ??

 

[Matt400]

I had the infinity in my 02 1500 (same body style as a 3rd gen) and it sounded fine for me, guess I am a bottom feeder in the audio department.

Anyway I didn't own it long cuz the motor was awful for towing so when I traded for a new 03 CTD I was very disappointed in the sound I now had- non infinity.



If you want something really nice then PJ makes a good point for sure. If you want something a little better, then changing out the door speakers may be all you need.



In my searching for the 03's fix I had more than one shop stress speakers and power for upgrades and that the head units while a litter better in features would not produce much better sound than the OE HU. That statement will probably start an argument but the added sound quality from an aftermarket HU most likely comes from the added "built in" power they have over an OE.



Like I said my current ride is non Infinity but here is what I did:

Added 3. 5's to the dash with base blockers- you already have those.

Added a power amp under the drivers seat- you have one but prolly not as big.

Those changes alone put the sound IMO equal to the infinity I had.



Next step is changing out the door speakers and after I get use to that then I will wish I took PJ's advise.

 

[Matt400]

That's great until you actually find out what the 16 year old teenage installers actually did to your 40K investment.

Oh soo true! if you go that route you gotta research a good shop and get plenty of referrals.

 

[Carlsummers]

To upgrade my RAZ, I had the stereo shop remove everything and replace same... Infinity Reference Speakers in the doors, Panasonic head unit, 400wt. amp, and my custom built sub box from my '02 1500 (2 six inch JL subs). System rocks.....

 

[dodgerep]

Russ, Hang tough Bro. I just upgraded my infinity system and did if for relatively little money for the performance I got in return. I upgraded all four door speakers, with Rockford Fosgate Power Series Speakers. I upgraded my head unit to a DVD system and added a 2400 watt apmlifier to set it all off. You can make a big change by first just changing the 6X9s and rear door 5. 5's then listen and see if you want a little more punch out of it. Don't freak, there is alot that can be done pretty inexpensively. My whole Entertainment System, with three monitors, PS2, and 2400 watt power upgrade was less than 3 grand when it was all said and done, and guess what... Was a simple upgrade bit by bit... have any questions let me know.

 

[Colonel102]

Check it out

Check out my readers rigs... . pulled the deck b/c it wouldn't work w/ aftermarket speakers (and yes I did try the amp kick on wire). Rewired the whole truck.

Pioneer deck

Polk component speakers up front (6. 5 w/ 1" tweets)

Aftermarket Infinity 5. 25's in the rear

4 channel Rockford amp under drivers seat



Sub on the way

 

[pjhainer]

You don't need thusands of dollars or hundreds of parts

I don't own the 3rd generation but I do have the Infinity system. I also am not a professional stereo installer but have done quite a few in my life. The reason your stereo needs help is the factory speakers won't handle the low frequencies in the sound. Try this, turn the volume up and listen carefully as you turn the bass down. At the same volume the sound will get increasingly clear as the bass is reduced. The easiest, cheapest, and as far as I'm concerned best way to get better sound is to simply add a subwoofer. With a sub you can take the bass away from the factory speakers and send it to the sub that is designed to handle it. There are a couple of simple ways to utilize your factory head unit but you'll be happier replacing it with an aftermarket one. The aftermarket units will allow you to send exactly the frequencies you want to the speakers you want, creating your own favorite sound. The aftermarket head unit will control the factory amps by using its power antenna or remote lead. All this is easily done at home yourself. Crutchfield is the best source of products and technical help that I have found anywhere. Take your time and make the wiring perfect, solder not crimp connections, lots of zip ties, it will pay off in reliability later. 3 trucks and a total of about 700,000 miles have proven this to me.