2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Stereo my '98 Club Cab

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Over the weekend at the Idaho BOMB party I removed my door panels to replace the outside mirrors and think this would be a good time to start a stereo upgrade (as well as sound deadening). I'm not too versed on car stereo equipment. Looking over Crutchfield it says my factory speakers have a built in amp at each speaker, therefore when I install aftermarket speakers I must buy an amp to replace the built-in ones that'll be coming out.

Not wanting to spend a fortune I want to get something like this kit
Kenwood KFC-P508 P Series 5-1/4" component speaker system at Crutchfield.com

but really don't have much clue what to get for an amp. I definitely want more power & performance than stock but nothing like a megawatt killer system :-laf I'm thinking 200-300w should suffice?

If I have the speakers in the doors, in the back, and the tweeters, I need a 3 channel amp? Do the A-pillar tweeters need an amp. . . I'm thinking probably not so a 2-channel should work.

For now I'm OK with the stock head unit but that'll get replaced later on down the road. Mine didn't originally come with Infiniti but I did install the tweeter A-pillars, so I want to make it like an Infiniti system.

Lastly I understand removing the interior rear seat panels on a Club Cab is a PITA, is this true? Fortunately on a '98 you don't have to deal with the seat belts since they're in the seat. When I get ready to do the back seat the whole interior will come out for sound deadening while I'm at it.

Vaughn

 

[Road Dog]

If you have the Infinity sound system then you have a complicated system. On each front door speaker is a 2 channel amp -- one for the front speaker and column tweeter and one for the rear speaker. There's a pile of wires too: power, 2 input channels from the head unit (radio) and 2 output channels to the tweeter and rear speaker.

If it's not an Infinity system then it's just speakers in the door and a simple upgrade. All the power is from the head unit.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Luckily it did not come with infinity. . . I just went out and pulled a door speaker to be sure and there's no amp on it, just a speaker. So I will just order a good set of speakers plus a couple tweeters and I should be good to go for now. Later on will get an amp and aftermarket head unit. Thanks Road Dog.

 

[Road Dog]

I left the factory connector in place and used spade crimps to make a little adapter cable. 'cause one day you might want to restore the original speakers.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Yep that's what I intend to do, I don't like hacking things up.

 

[kenny61]

If you order from crutchfield they should send you an adapter, My mind is shot I redid mine last fall and I think they included something I dont remember cutting anything