2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Questions about stereo upgrades!

[elamb]

I am thinking about upgrading my stereo. Would I get any sound improvement from putting in an aftermarket radio and keeping factory speakers? Would it be better to change speakers and leave the factory radio? I know that changing all at once would be best, but not really ready for that. All I have now is the tape deck would really like to be able to listen to CD's. At the same time I would like to improve sound.



Thanks,

Eric

 

[rmrc]

I've replaced radio's in the past with out replacing the speakers. You may notice a very slight difference in the sound quality depending on the power (output) specifications of the new radio. Adding new speakers which match the power output of the new radio really makes a tremendous difference! These are just my opinions!!



If money is an issue and all you really want is to listen to your CD's, just put the new radio in for now and work on getting new speakers later if you're not satisfied witht the sound.

 

[y-knot]

If you are going to replace the factory radio and leave the factory speakers in do this first. Figure out how much you are willing to spend on a nice radio. Factor in the installation, tax, and come up with a general figure. Now go to my profile pm me and i'll give you the address to send your cash to. I just figured if you were going to waste your money anyway, might as well go to a needy cause. Seriously thou, you would be throwing your money away if you left the old speakers in. I would much rather see you replace the speakers and leave the radio in. With out speakers there is no music, it's that important. And until you start pushing some real power, you will never tax the stock radio. As a budget, you could get by with 2 sets of nice speakers for around 300-400 bucks. A nice amp, here we go for clarity, so we are looking at the % of distortion, plan on around 4x75 to 100 amps=$250-300. Now figure in a nice alpine head unit (my preference) at $ 300 or so. Installation whole thing $200, so we are at $ 1150 roughly, now all you got to do is make an appointment. Good luck

 

[Cooker]

I agree, definitely upgrade your speakers first if you are looking for improved sound quality. Swapping radios with the factory speaker will do little to nothing as far as sound quality is concerned. If playing CD's is more important than sound quality, then obviously get the CD player first.



You can get some really nice speakers nowdays for $100 a pair. They will sound thousands of times better than the stockers. If you consider yourself a real audiophile, then you can spend well more than $100 a pair for some high end speaker $200-$300 a pair will get you some high end stuff, but you will also need an amp to power some of the high end speakers. From the sounds of it, this is a cost you do not necessarily want to undertake.



Most aftermarket headunits have an adequate amount of power to drive a couple of efficient coaxial speakers so although an amp might help, you can definitely get buy without one. The factory radio will do fine too until you purchase a new CD Player.



I would recommend you go to your local car stereo shop and listen to the coaxial speakers they have on display. Pick the one that sounds the best within your budget. Crutchfield is a great place to purchase audio equipment, but when choosing speakers it is hard to know what you will like without hearing it first. Everyone has different listening preferences therefore what I like may not be best suited for your listening style.



Best of luck.

 

[jeepit]

I am getting a Pioneer CD unit and speakers put in on Friday. Possibly a sub woofer also depending on $$$. I will let you know approximate cost Front door speakers for sure are coming out, not sure of suicide door speakers yet. Has anyone replaced all 4 speakers?

 

[bayvalve]

Depending on how much money you want to spend, and how much knowledge you have about computers, and MP3 technology, you can get a really nice stereo deck that plays regular (store bought) cd's and MP3 cd's, for less than $200. MP3 cd's can hold about 10 cds on them, all you have to do is have the music on your computer, burn a cd, and you're done.

I would have to say in my experience with aftermarket car stereo's that upgrading the stereo is the first thing to do. The new stereo has MUCH more power than your Chrysler stocker. You'll notice a big difference. Also my aftermarket stereo gets way better radio reception. If you decide to change out your speakers, take a look at a speaker that comes in our trucks, and then look at aftermarket ones. The quality is far better in the aftermarket speakers, and the sound is without question better. Depending on what kind of music you listen to and how loud you play it (which all depends on how BOMBED your truck is !! ) the speaker price and RMS power will vary. Good luck!

 

[elamb]

I appreciate all the replies. I still have no clue which way I am going a go. One minute I'm leaning in one direction and little later I'm going the other direction. Maybe I'll figure out what I'm going to do sometime or another.



Eric

 

[C. Harlan]

Can Y'all tell me how much y'all spend on installation labor? I would like to know, so I can go into this business to stick it to people. We have the easiest trucks to install stuff into...

New Stereo Deck: 20-30 min

New Front door speakers: 30-45 min

Amp(s): 45 min each

Satellite Radio: 1 Hour

Running Wire from Amps under back seat to all 4 speakers: 1-2 hours, if done right. Meaning through grommets in doors, not exposed to other people, half assed looking jobs.



If y'all need step by step instructions or help with doing it yourself, PM me... I used to work at the top Car Audio place in South Texas. I upgrade my stereo equipment when the warranty gets close to being out. In other words, I get new stuff every year or 2. This is a walk in the park, and as long as you have basic tools, you are capable. I just thought some of you folks should be enlightened.



-Chris-

 

[Turbo Thom]

Mine is a 250 amp Alpine with 6 Alpine speakers. The amp has the crossover for the 10" woofer in the box on the back floor. As you know no bass goes through the door speakers now. Just the woofer. Then the XM radio was installed to a Panasonic radio with a 10 disc changer. But with XM who needs the CD? Total for the whole thing was $1175. Now all that was installed in a 96 with 280K miles. I sure hope the truck last.



. . Preston. .

 

[gitchesum]

I installed an Alpine deck in my 2001 and kept the stock speakers. I noticed a considerable change in sound quality. Granted, it doesn't sound like a $1500 sound system, but that wasn't my goal. I simply wanted a CD/MP3 player instead of the factory cassette(who still sells cassettes in 2001?)



Buy a quality head unit. I like my Alpine and it was less than $300. That way, if you decided to go all out later, you have a good start.

 

[James2000]

Hey Elamb someone has a pioneer cd deck that mounts right into the factory opening without adapter in the classified section for $200B/O, it's been a about a week or so since I saw it. My 2 cents, I kept my factory cd deck and speakers and added amp to power 10" sub, that I made a custom box for, that is located at center in front of back seat. Pretty happy with the thump! James

 

[elamb]

Right now I am leaning toward the new stereo, but this evening I could be leaning to the speakers or changing everything.



James2000- I'll look into that. I was looking at a pioneer unit anyways. Also looking at Kenwood and alpine.



Thanks,

Eric

 

[MCharlebois]

stereo

i know this is off the subject but-we just got a cd burner-so i make a best of everything problem is they will not play in my truck-wtfo- keeps saying err:{

 

[bayvalve]

What is the brand and model number of your car stereo? Are you talking about regular audio cd's that won't play? Some stereo's will not play burned Cd's if they are "burned" at a high speed. Try slowing the burner to its lowest speed (ie: 4x or 8x ) and see if that solves your problem.

- kevin.

 

[Cooker]

Closing the disc/buring session will help. Are you using CD-R or CDRW media. Many players will not play RW media.

 

[elamb]

The wife asked me last night, "Why are you just changing one or the other. Seems like you would want to get rid of all that factory junk. " So, guess what I'm going to do. I am going to change it all out. Anybody got any suggestions on what to go with?



Eric

 

[onesloryd]

My current set up as follows:

Front doors: Diamond Hex S600s (tweet in door)

A pillar: 1" Diamond Silk dome (raises sound stage)

Rear door: Diamond Hex 5 1/4

Amp: Xtant A4004

Head unit: Eclipse 5442

Will be adding Xtant A6001 with JL Audio Stealth box.

 

[MCharlebois]

burn

i am using cd-r i will try slowing it down- have the rw too wortha try -infinity -serial number?

 

[bayvalve]

I was just thinking that some manufacturer's cd players won't play burned CD's at all. I'm not sure if the stock CD player in your truck will play them or not. If its an aftermarket Infinity stereo, email infinity with the model number and they should be able to tell you if it will play burned CD's. My truck came with the tape player, so I don't know if the cd player plays burned CD's, I'm sure someone knows the answer to that question.

- kevin

 

[jeepit]

Had stock unit taken out and put in wifes Jeep GC since her CD player puked. I had a Pioneer DEH-P77DH put in and left stock speakers for now. Sound is much better but will wait with speakers until a future date. Total cost with labor:$342. 00