Sound upgrade on '03- yay or nay?

Hi,

My first post- I have an 03 extended cab 4x4. The truck is only going to be used once a week if that. It has 182,000 miles on it. I recently had brakes done, water pump, timing belt, O2 sensors and clutch (4 years ago).

I would really like to slowly upgrade the sound, but do you think it is worth spending a few hundred to a grand on this? I am thinking component front speakers and a small amp for now and leaving the factory head unit. The truck drives well but I have no idea how much longer I can expect it to last so don't know if spending the money on this is smart. what would you do?

Thanks!
Chris

 

These trucks can last well over 200k with regular maintenance.

adding some nice components and an amp only to run off the converted low quality signal of the stock radio?

if your like me i have to get my tunes going before i even start moving and as such i have gradually spent over a grand in a quality audio system. but then again this is my daily driver.

id say an aftermarket deck, decent speakers, and about $75 worth of sound deadening is more than enough for you.

 

Cool, thanks. Any speaker recommendations?

 

I just upgraded my system for around $600 including professional install
What I got,

Sony Mex-xb100bt (has a built in amp 40 watts per speaker RMS can go put to 100 per)
Kicker 2.1 component speaker
bazooka tube 8" powered 50w (because I didn't need to rattle my whole car)
Was able to score all of the including harnesses and power and things for around 450

Install was 150 by a a guy in my area although if you are good with soldering it isn't hard to do with a panel tool and a screwdriver

 

I spent around $550 on my setup. Installed everything myself. Went with an Alpine HU, MB Quart components up front, MTX 2 way speakers in the rear and a Kicker hideaway sub. I plan to add an amp at some point but it's good enough for me right now.

Just noticed you have an extra cab. I had this setup in my previous extra cab minus the MTX rear speakers. Worked great in that truck too.

 

There are so may things you can do with this. If you can do it yourself you'll save a lot of money. If you're on a budget, I'd skip on the component speaker and do a regular 2 or 3 way good quality 6.5.($150) Should be the door speaker size. And def get rid of the stock head unit as they only put out 5ish watts per speaker. A good quality head unit will be closer to 15w( even if it says 40wx4).(another $100 to $150)

So around $300 for head unit and door speakers. Subwoofers are where it can get expensive. But a single 10 in a ported box would round off the whole project .

I myself am a huge fan of alpine head units. Rockford door speakers and JL audio subs. Even on the low end of these brands they still have high quality products.

 

Because my truck is an everyday Driver (when I'm not at sea) it was well worth it to me. I went on Crutchfield's website and went with Focal component system. I spent a grand and still not done. Soundproofed it with Frost King. I will say if you do decide definitely change the head unit. I changed mine first and when I installed the head unit it caused the stock speakers to wake up. A good head unit will make your speakers sound much better

 

May help you out as well

http://www.*********.com/

 

awesome replies, thanks!

 

I have a Blaupunkt "New Jersey" head unit in my little Toyota daily driver and its pretty good. It actually puts out 22 watts per channel. One question I have: would I notice a big difference between 2 way and 3 way speakers? I'll spend a little extra on good speakers.

 

I would never buy "3 way" speakers. Do you really think that the small tweeter looking thing puts out a different frequency range than the tiny tweeter looking thing? They are the same and it's just marketing hype to make you spend more $$$ on them. Buy the "2 way" or better yet by some better speakers advertised as "coaxial". As Mr Marv and other experts say. Speakers make the sound, so they are the most important part of your system. Buy the best one's that you can comfortably afford. Sorry for the

 

I agree with Kyle. If you just want to run front door speakers, spend the $$ on a new HU and quality speakers and skip the amp. A HU will let you interface with your phone for music and will have enough oomph to power decent 5x7", 6" or 6x9" door speakers. Not sure what fits the first gens...

 

Story goes is that years back tweeter materials were expensive so company's started using certain plastics but had to use bigger or more than one tweeter to get same output/quality. Downfall is they block off cone area and still dont have the same quality as a 2 way. People always think more is better so they keep selling but the past few years they seem to be disappearing.

 

A lot of it depends on what kind of music you listen to and how you listen to it. If you like it for background while you drive, you'll probably be happy with door speakers and a head unit. If you wanna rock out and really round the system off you might want a sub.

I myself love music and play the hell out of it. So for me I would be looking for a head unit with a high pass filter and a good eq. Good quality door speakers and a sub in the back.

What are you gonna be using the truck for? Play?