3rd gen Stereo Upgrade using Loaded Low Profile Sub

I used to be into systems that shook the neighborhood but now I just need something better than my stock 2016 premium & technology package radio offers. It isn't the JBL system.

I'd like to keep it basic while maintaining as much storage space as possible. What are some thoughts on a build like this:

-Install a loaded low profile sub & amp combo under the driver or passenger seat, i.e.:

$190 Sound Ordnance B-8PTD 8" Powered Subwoofer

https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Ordnan...9204498&sr=1-1&keywords=Sound+Ordnance+B-8PTD
Or larger if space allows, I've seen a Rockford Fosgate & a Kenwood 10" with good reviews

-Basic LOC such as: (I'm assuming I would need one)

$13 PAC SNI-35 Variable LOC Line Out Converter 1.2x6.25x5.9

https://www.amazon.com/PAC-SNI-35-Variable-Line-Converter/dp/B001EAWS3W

-Get a 4 channel amp to power the existing factory speakers for more volume.

Thoughts? Keep in mind, I'm not looking to wake up the dead anymore just to add some bump in the trunk, I mean cab and better clarity & volume. If the sound wasn't great from the OEM speakers I could always switch out the speakers for better ones. I read on here of someone powering the OEM with good success though.

 

I would not power the stock speakers in my truck, after taking them out and seeing the construction its risky. If I did i would not add much to the power, you're risking blowing them as they are cheap speakers.

BUT....

Its your truck so do what ever you want to it, just take into consideration that they are designed to work with the stock HU in the truck.

 

Yea guess I should just throw some speakers in while I'm at it. I was thinking about getting a 4 channel Rockford Fosgate amp 75 rms X 4 and maybe a decent set of coaxial for the front and possibly rear.

In order to hook up the 4 channel amp, would I have to remove the stock HU, is it pretty easy to hook up an amp to the 4 cabin speakers?

 

I wanted a similar upgrade. All I did was add a 10" sub with the exact LOC you listed, and I am sooo happy. I turned down the bass on the head unit and tuned the amp to increase bass to the sub, so now I can blast it if I want with minimal risk of blowing my speakers. All in all, cost me around 250

 

I've heard good things about the kicker hideaway.
I'll probably install one a little later down the road.

$245 KICKER Hideaway Powered Enclosure HS8

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007...r+hideaway&dpPl=1&dpID=51wPOriHRML&ref=plSrch

 

Good to hear! What sub and box did you go with? How does your stock mids sound, did you have JBL?

 

Alternately you could just try some beefier drivers and feed them decent amounts of power. Maybe something like a full-range component set up front and a solid set of midbass or sub drivers low-passed at 120 Hz or so in the rear doors - feeding them each around 100W. That lets you retain all your storage space minus a small 4-channel amp which you can mount anywhere.

Cone area in a couple 6.5s might meet or exceed what you'd get in an 8 inch sub and might outperform one as well. Actually you should get a good bit more cone area out of a pair of 6.5s than you will out of a single 8 inch sub. If you look at any chart Google makes available, 6.5s come in at 33 sq inches and 8s are good for about 50 square inches. 66 vs 50 since you're using a pair - that's 32% more cone area using a pair of 6.5" midbasses or subs over a single 8! If you can live without a full-range rear that is. I sure can. Might not work so well if you carry passengers back there a lot though.

 

I got the kicker hideaway and I like it

 

Non JBL and the mids sound fine! I know they would sound better if I upgraded, but with a stock HU I don't think the difference would be worth it. I was looking at something similar to yours, but I ended up going with a sealed Rockford fosgate behind the seat. I sacrificed a storage bin, but the sound can't be beat compared to a small unit like you're thinking of

EDIT: It went behind the driver's side, so I only sacrificed the smaller of the two bins

 

Interesting and bet that would sound good. I will consider this option, thanks!

Where did you put it? Also, did you do anything else or just connect it by splicing it in with the rear speakers?

Good call, I bet it would sound much better with a real box. What box did you end up going with, something made specifically for our truck? I was also reading when using stock HU should use something to clean up the sinal. Almost like an active line out converter, did you use anything else? Thanks for the info!

 

Placed it underneath the front driver seat. Also got a kicker amp to power the speakers underneath the passenger seat.

 

I got my box from supercrewsound.com and couldn't be happier with it!! I have a second gen, but they may make something for a third gen. I've had the low profile type subs, but they just can't compare to a regular sub in a box IMO. All I used was that LOC and that we it! Sounds great, and added that nice thump

EDIT: I put the LOC behind the stock HU, so I could tap into the left and right channels easily.

I found a male and female wiring harness pigtail on Amazon, and soldered them together with the LOC in there too, so I didn't actually splice into any wires. It made it all plug and play

 

Well I thought I had it all figured out till I read your post! Lol now I'm back to thinking about doing the same box you got.

I saw ********* also sells a similar box, not sure if one is than the other. But they sell harnessesthat are direct plug and play. I emailed them to find out which harnesses I need but no response. I'm also considering getting a 6 channel LOC so I can add 4 channel amp and get components.

It all started originally with just wanting a little extra bump...lol

 

It's all downhill from here! I kept thinking "Well while I'm at it I'll upgrade this other stuff too." I decided against it and I'm glad I did. Like I said above, it still sounds great and has just the right amount of bump. I wish I could show you mine so you'd know what I'm talking about. Whatever you decide on, just use quality stuff. I have a Rockford Fosgate sub and amp, and they're built pretty well. Got them on Amazon for like $150

 

Isn't that the truth! I had the truck two weeks and have already figured out how I "need" to blow several thousand dollars on stuff I don't really need lol.
After looking around more, I found a cool looking system, completely plug and play specific for our truck. It's a complete system that uses your stock HU, adds components in front, coaxial in rear, sleek 8" sub & enclosure, amp and wiring harness...1500 though! Called OEM Audio Plus.

Decided against it due to the fact the 8" may not be what I'm after and it's expensive! Check it out when you have a minute, pretty sweet though.

 

So I'm a bit audio illiterate but not totally. , My '16 audio blows. It gets "louder" but not really. Like a mixtape made with a low line-in level. Are you better off doing a LOC to a single sub or doing an EQ to a 6 channel amp and a sub similar to the ********* setup? Seeing a few routes in this thread. Like OP, I don't need my mirror to fall off, and will not be replacing the head. Thoughts? Comments?