Major Audio Makeover ? - last few questions before I pull the trigger

I searched the audio section and was able to find answers to most of my questions, but have some more below it is kind of long, but need some help.

I am getting the same system as the one in the vid below, but here is my dilemma, I would like a new stereo head unit, but I sometimes have to visit parts of town that are not safe, so I want my stereo to look stock.

I am going to have the guys at ********* install it for me and they are telling me that I should REALLY go with a new Alpine CDA105 head unit for $165. But since I am not they are saying I need to get the Rockford Fosgate 360 for $550. At first they said the JL cleaner for $275 but I would lose my ability to fade the front and rear speakers. I sometimes watch my nephew so I need to be able to kill the music in the back seat. And they won’t do an install with a “cheap” line converter because they said I won’t be happy with the results. I searched on here and it seems like what they are saying is correct. This is the first system where I plan to keep the stock unit.

So my questions, am I missing anything above? Is there anything better than the Rockford Fosgate 360? I really want it to sound good. Is it worth $300 for them to fatmat the truck? I have had cars with systems and never had them matted, but I never had a system with a subwoofer that plays this loud either. Would you guys get a new stereo head unit ? It seems like such a hassle to pop off the face on the Alpine. Anyone started with a “cleaner” and then decided to go with a new stereo head unit? Is Tsunami a good brand on the wiring? Lots of questions, but did not see the answers to these questions when I searched.

My system is the packaged deal that has the items below.

Apine PDX4100 and PDX1600 got them on sale for $265 each including shipping at Amazon.com.

Image Dynamics X65 front door speakers, CTX65 rear door speakers, IDQ12 inch subwoofer, the big subwoofer box with the port for better sound and all the custom mounting brackets, wiring etc etc from *********. $1,470 for all parts. I am paying ********* $275 to install the system. I called the local audio shop and they wanted $450, plus parts. I wanted to do myself but just no time until after the 1st and I really want my system done for an upcoming trip.

Parts are going cost me $2,000 install $275 and Rockford fosgate $550. Almost seems like a crime $550 when I can get a new Alpine for $165.

 

I had many similar questions as you did. I read and researched Crutchfield and SonicElectronix, talked to the guys at *********, and then to Mr Marv who builds custom speaker enclosures...

Although *********, had quick install packages, i wanted something more custom to my particular needs. i found that I was able to get more from my money, and that Mr Marv knows so much about soo many different products, that he can answer any questions you might have.

I liked the personal service and the time he spent with me and the knowlege he shared, that helped ME choose exactly the end result that I wanted...

 

First of all; why don't you just tint the front windows darker so it's harder to see the unit? Don't get anything too jazzy looking and you should do ok. (I hope)

Really, the thing that will get you broken into is bumping too loud where you park. NEVER do it where you're going to park with the car in a bad place.

The Rockford 360 is a great piece. I'm assuming you're talking about the 3Sixty.2 and for the money it's awesome. You get things like active crossovers, time alignment, independent level adjustment and loads of EQ bands per channel.

Do you need all that? Probably not; are they awesome features? Hell yeah.

Wiring is wiring so I wouldn't get too caught up in that decision. As long as you run a good 0 or 2 gauge power and ground wire you should do just fine.


PS: That's a shit ton of power for that IDQ. You wont need half of that. Be careful when you have it up really loud close to it's limits or you will fry it.

 

stay away from *********!

 

I will be replacing the stereo. Thank you for the advice. The IDQ says it will handle 500 watts., It sounds awesome!

 

Why? I have heard 5 of their trucks here in San Antonio. I heard the SQ1 package, 2 trucks with SQ2 and one guy with Focals and an IDQ10. I am getting the SQ1 . . . They all said ********* da shiznip. Two of them did their own install and the others did their own. I met Rob, Robert & Bobby the three guys and they are all cool as shiznip. They showed me how the stuff was made and a new warehouse they are expanding into. Man you should hear the system in rob's truck HOLY SH!T!

All of them said they saved a ton of money with *********. When I checked the pricing it all looks good and their ported box sound awesome. I listen to more rock and almost went with the IDQ10 cause it does better with rock.

I checked them out pretty hard before I said ok. They have almost 6000 customers and 800+ positive feedback rating on ebay. I saw like 100 sub boxes, hundreds of mounts, tons of Image Dynamics equipment and a crapload of boxes., They ship stuff all over the world. All they do is Toyota's so that sold me big time. The stuff looks awesome and fits awesome. I am excited big time!

 

Do a search on taco tunes. Alot of people have had issues w/ the customer service. If your local and have already met them then your probably ok. i'm in Austin and send several email before i did my install and never heard a peep from taco tunes.

Check toyota nation as well, alot of people have had the same issue w/ them.

 

Taco Tunes = bad idea...

Do a search and you will see why.

 

Spoke with Rob today, I told him he should know about some bad feedback i have been hearing. He said, "we have helped thousands of Tacoma owners and I am sure we have dropped the ball on a few guys and and some are just out for free stuff." Also went on to say what really sucks is the way everyone jumps on the bandwagon. There are many guys from the forums that have bought their stuff that are very happy. But you will only hear from the un happy people. this part he has told me a few times; we have over 6000 customers, 800+ ebay transactions and 400 facebook friends?

I was impressed with his response to make me feel comfortable, plus no one else has done all the write ups and custom products just for my Tacoma. Overall, I am not really concerned because I have spoken to a few other guys with the systems and they all say best they have had. The quality of their installs is very nice. They do very nice work.

The sales manager at the toyota dealership said that this is the best system he has had as far as sound quality. And he had a box from crew sound that he did not like.

I have heard the systems IN tacomas. I have seen the products and they are insanely heavy duty. I am still big time excited about my new system.

I can't wait to hear it in my own truck!

What is over priced? I could not come up with better pricing in their bundle pricing. Please point me in the right direction if you guys can help me save some money!

 

Is it worth $300 to get it done? They will do the rear wall and doors include the install and fatmat. Is that worth it?

The rear wall will be double layered. The doors will be double layered on the inside wall under the door panel cover and the actual exterior body panel. As much as they can reach? If I want the ceiling and floor, they would farm out to a third party guy that would charge $475 + matting.

 

Here is one from Marv.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/au...uble-cab-complete-audio-install-tutorial.html

Here is one from 007Tacoma
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/571-stereo-upgrade-basic-how-2nd-gen.html

We are all for you having a system that you love. I can't knock his products (because I haven't personally seen or heard them), but I can tell you Rob has been banned from multiple forums... Including this one...

Good luck and let us know how things go!

 

So $300 for the doors and rear wall...and then $475 for the ceiling and floor separately on their own?


Dude, if you've got a day to be without the truck and feel like driving to the DFW area I could do the whole truck for less than that. I've done it before.

 

good luck buddy as that may be the only response you get. buying equipment to me is more then just price, it's customer service, especially warranty service. is he gonna be around for the long haul? it seems every time ********* starts messing up they disappear for a short time and reappear with a new owner or something. rob has done it before. if ********* is who you want to go with, it's alright with me, it's your money. just trying to let you know so you make an informed decision.

 

$300 if they do the doors and rear wall - on the doors both sides, I don't know how to explain this. But both door skins? Two layers on each door?

$475 a third party guys does ALL doors, roof, floor, rear wall etc. I also have to pay for all materials used. They said figure about $250 in material. They would strip the truck down. Remove all the seats, roof and doors panels.


Stalion, It would be great to do that. But I just took a new position, I don't have time and will be heading out of town for almost three weeks for training and team building. Dropping the truck off today and was wondering if worth matting? Can do it later? Seems like double efforts and time. I will get my truck back on Thursday, heading to my folks back up north for Christmas and new years then driving to FL. I will be there for 1.5 weeks. Some big team building resort.

I will be driving over to FL. I was given an allowance for my flight and car rental. But I asked my boss and he said I can use my own car. So I am using part of that money for my system .

 

Get a deck with a detachable face. If they want to steal your shit they will. So just protect your investment by detaching the face, alarm and steath/factory look. I don't like factory stock HU so I always and will always opt for a aftermarket HU.

 

I pulled the trigger and got my stuff from *********. At first, customer service was quite poor and email responses from Rob was slow... but, I raised my voice a bit, and he came through finally. I'm happy with the actual products he offers... I got the wiring, speakers, baffles, sub box, and amp board from them.

Talk to Mr Marv as well... many people are happy with him.

Here's my install...

 

I have SEEN yours!!! You are one meticulous guy. I thought I was detail oriented. Not sure I would go to the extent you did. Looks like you measured 50 times before each hole you drilled.

I am sold on the ********* setup. It sounds so good! and the build quality is tyte. I said in another post, my new system makes my last system sound very bad. I had focals and a sub in my last setup that did not sound even close. I am now an Image Dynamics believer. The sub boxes are so well built and sound sooo good. I have not heard one guy say one bad thing about the quality of the products.

Will be dropping it off in a bit. It should be done Wednesday night, but I will be picking it up Thursday and then heading out of town. If I get a chance before I head out I will post some pictures. Otherwise will be a few weeks before I get back on. Merry Christmas and Happy New years, thanks for the feedback, help and information.

 

Good choice Octane. I have the advantage of living right down the road from Rob, so if he is not responsive I can go bang on his door. However, I have had nothing but great service out of him so I haven't had to do that. Their products are good quality, the price is right and the system sounds fantastic. There's a lot more positive press than negative and I know Rob is trying to do better on being responsive. He's a good dude and he will take care of you as long as you don't try to 'get one over' like so many people do.

 

Thanks man! Yeah, had to be meticulous on this install... I went all out! I did a smaller audio install on my old 97 Taco years ago... I didn't do everything I should've during the install, and I later realized it would be too much work to go back and fix it. I didn't want that again... plus, I plan on keeping this truck for a long time, and I want everything to continue working.

Plus, I hoped some of the pics can help others with their install. I made sure to post pics of the areas I had questions with before my install so others can have a better idea what they're looking for when they begin.

Must be nice! haha Keep him in check! I know they are good people and really want to do well for their customers... but... people were getting resonses back from him a week or two later... just really pissing people off and hurting his reputation. I sent him an email after everything was done telling him his business could really go so far if he would just respond in a normal timeframe to his customers! I know he's working on it. He really does make great products... but poor customer service can take down any business of that type. From the latest responses, he seems to be doing better... so that's good to hear.

 

Yea, I agree, Rob is a good dude but responsiveness seems to have been a problem for many. He has a (basically) full time job outside of ********* and a family to take care of, so I think there just aren't enough hours in the day. I talked to him yesterday and told him he was getting blasted on here and he sincerely does want to try to redeem himself. I hope he is successful.