Premium Audio Upgrade for less than $250

That's probably what I'm going to do. I have my kids' car seats on the back seats and accessing the sub back there would be a pain.

 

Actually, after further consideration, having kids in the back with an exposed sub under the seat is a bad idea. The risk of them spilling something on it or messing with it is too great. Gonna prob mount behind the passenger seat.

 

bshammer0 , Thank you so much for this guide. I'd also like to thank SomethingNew71 for the great picture guide for the speakers and tweeters. I just bought a 2018 TRDOR, and this really made me happy. The truck is awesome, but the sound system was lacking big time. This set up with a tiny amount of sound deadening, is astounding. Thank you so much guys, I'm ecstatic.

 

That's where I put mine. Center behind back seat

 

Just threw in the rears a little while ago. With the Noico and speakers it’s a pretty big difference from stock, but I anything will sound better than stock, lol. Going to knock out the front maybe tomorrow and Noico. I’m happy with the purchase.

 

I didn't notice this hint in the thread: For access cab rear doors - remove the outside edge weather strip before you remove the panel. After the panel with new speaker has been installed, then replace the weather strip. This way the u-shaped tabs will be under the weather strip.

 

Installed mine yesterday. Decided to go with Focal's because of the "Plug and Play" mounts. Added some sound deadening material to the door as well. Over all, a lot cleaner sound. More present frequency ranges both up and down. Cost me about $260 all said and done.

I didn't snag too many pictures. Just some as I finished each door.

 

So, I noticed there is a note that says people with an SR model may not have a radio that produces sufficient sound. I have an SR5, and I noticed in previous threads that the SR models don't have XM compatibility (or at least there was someone selling an SR5 non-Entune radio to a member with an SR radio who wanted XM compatibility). Does anyone know if the stock SR5 Gracenote/Panasonic head unit suffers from the same low output as the SR, non-XM radio?

 

Do yourself a huge favor and put a good amp on those! If you only upgraded the fronts, I'd go AudioControl ACM-2.300
If you did all 4 doors, go ACM-4.300 for less power or LC-4.800 for some real power

Those Focal's just won't do their job without good clean power driving them. Not even for volume, but for clarity (and also volume)

 

I neglected to install sealing foam/gasket between the speaker and the mounting adapter, and between the adapter and the door. The bass response is clean but not very strong. Have folks found stronger bass after sealing the speaker to the door? I have the Crutchfield Kicker speakers recommended by the OP.
Thanks..

 

Road kill fast rings ($17/pair on Amazon) and a roll of speaker gasket tape ($15) will change everything!

 

I have the SR5, "knobs on top" radio and it pairs perfectly with the Rockford Fosgate speakers I swapped in.

 

Thanks for the input! Just wanted to make sure, when I started pricing things out, that I didn't need an amp...

 

The doors are not air tight speaker boxes. I get enough bass that the inside and outside mirrors shake. If you need that much bass install a subwoofer. The foam rings are a waist of time and money. I’ve been an audiophile since the 70s.

 

As a geek squad AutoTech, I 100% vouch for fast rings (and so do the other 2000+ installers we employee)

We don’t even sell them so it’s not like we’re making money for recommending them. They absolutely make a difference when used properly. My experience is with the Road Kill 3 piece kits so your results may have varied with different products

 

Like @MMXVII said, the speaker rings don't really make the bass response any stronger for door speakers like it would for a subwoofer. They will, however, clean up the audio quite a bit. It helps isolate the speaker's forward waveforms from the relfected waves (coming from inside the door/behind the speaker). That should make your system sound a bit clearer as you push it harder.

The best way to improve bass response for in-door woofers is to cover the door with sound deadening material so that you are sealing as many of the gaping holes as possible. Just beware that you don't seal it so that you end up blocking drain holes or restricting any of the door's functions.

 

Just about to make an order from Amazon and crutchfield...50 or 80mil sound deadening? Will 36 ft cover all the doors? I eventually want to do the roof/floors/back wall but thats not needed yet.

 

36 will cover all the doors (one covering - i.e. either interior or exterior) and youll have a panel or 3 left for oops but that wont do roof/floor/back

 

I installed the Kicker Hideaway last night. It puts out a lot of bass for its size but it definitely rattles things around back there. I stuffed a couch cushion in there to dampen it and now its perfect

 

Did the Subi tweeters upgrade a few weeks ago. Big difference in definition of highs. Super easy to install. Took less than ten minutes total for both. Today I installed the Kicker 6x9s in the front and 6.75s in the back. Also used the Boom Matt baffles to protect the speakers from dripping water more than the sound effect. I cut approx 1”x2” ports in them on the bottom side as suggested by others here and the techs at Crutchfield. One note: the 6.75” shallow mount baffles were too big and deep. Got the 6.5” shallow mounts and they were perfect. I took my time and took a few cool off breaks (hot and humid down here) and it took me about 3 hours altogether. Now it sounds like it should have from the factory. Very nice upgrade for the money. If I want to add an amp later, I can do it without having to worry about the speakers and have a really nice system then. The amp will be way down the list though as 1. I really like the sound now and 2. there are other mods I want to spend my money on first