I'm looking to upgrade the radio & speakers, maybe add some subs & tweeters, Need some suggestions on what to get, preferably with links.



1: What is the Year, Make, and Model of the vehicle.
1997, Dodge Ram 1500, Pickup Single Cab.
2: What is your budget?
700
3: What exactly do you want your outcome to be? (Good sounding music, or loud bass?)
->I'd like it to bluetooth connect to my phone for calls, play music from my phone via bluetooth.
->I'd like it to be able to produce both low & high freq as my range of taste in music is broad. I listen to rock & rap, but I also listen to classical sometimes or music with trumpets. A good balance would be best.
4: And specific sub sizes that you prefer more than others?
No preference but obviously I'd like them to fit, probley under the seat or behind them would be best. (i prefer under the seat)
5: How much trunk space do you want to use up?
Very little space, tomorrow after work i'll go take some measurements, but under the seat. or if i absolutely must, behind the seat.
6: What type of features are you looking for in a CD Player (aka Head Unit)? (Ex: USB, AUX, BlueTooth, etc)
Bluetooth is a defiantely, accepting calls with it would be nice also. I'd love for it to have a usb plugin, not a huge deal if it doesn't have it tho.
7: What type of music do you listen to?
Everything, Rock, Rap, 90s Pop, classical, talk radio..
8: Is your stock stereo system amplified? (You may or may not know this)
I have no idea but I'm going to assume no, its factory default.
9: Do you have Steering Wheel Controls? (Volume/Seek on the steering wheel)
No, and I have no need for this.

You can also find a post with 2 pictures of my truck at this thread.
http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=70416151&f=140

My Current radio looks like this.


I'd like to do this in pieces as I'll have to invest into this budget in increments.

When I put all the audio on my drivers side speaker it decreases in volume by alot. So I'd take that as a sign of the speaker on my drivers side going bad.
So replacing these along with my receiver would probley be first.

you up for rewiring the door speakers when you install them? i would suggest this since its old thin factory wire.(not absolutely necessary but its easy to do and you will have the door panel off anyways)

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_74602_Pioneer-DEH-X8600BS.html
http://store.soundsolutionsaudio.com/products/crescendo-cz-series-6-5-2-way-component-set.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3689_Metra-82-6901.html

optional rewiring wire: 10 gauge http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?category=TCA Speaker Wire

now i know i went a little bit expensive on the speakers but chances are you don't have enough room to making installing a subwoofer worthwhile in which case i would suggest you just amp the door/rear speakers.

http://store.soundsolutionsaudio.com/products/dcon-12-sound-solutions-audio-12-400w-dcon-series-subwoofer.html

you will be really happy with this

This post was edited by eddsoulja on Mar 29 2014 07:04pm

I wouldn't mind doing a review for anything I purchase.

I've never rewired a car stereo system before but if it's not to difficult I wouldn't mind doing it myself. Shouldn't be to hard.. I am an electrician after all.

The speakers looked nice & if i can achieve a stereo system to be proud of without sub's I'm okay with that.

Not sure but if I were to get this radio would I require a custom dash fitting to make it look nice?

ya the rewiring is very simple for the door speakers. not real sure how hard the rear speakers would be to rewire.

if space doesn't permit a sub then adding an amp and some 5.25 midwoofers in the rear slots would be the way to go.

yes it needs a dash kit and wiring harness and they are both free. just put in vehicle info when you add to cart to get them.

I decided not to bother with subs & what not. Instead focus on changing my speakers & receiver.

I have 6x9 in each door, and 5 1/4 behind each seat by the door.

That in mind im looking at speakers at various sites and had a question.

Will any speaker just pop in place & work without some kind of amp?

At what point do I need to worry about getting a amp for the new speakers? (i'd prefer not to)

I'd like to replace all of the speakers and maintain the "surround sound" feel of having 4 working speakers.

I'm not afraid to rewire it either as that should be easy, just don't have a desire to dive into things I don't know like amps or subs.

Like these alot.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_63990_Pioneer-TS-A6985R.html

This post was edited by Phat Phil on Apr 3 2014 02:30pm

yeah you can run the speaker off the head unit like normal but a head unit doesn't give nearly as much power to them as an external amp.

you won't be oging 6x9 at all. round speakers are inherently better than oval ones in sound quality.

you don't necessary need to amp them but if you are wanting to get the most out of your speakers its necessary.

if you are just wanting to keep it basic then there is no real need in getting more expensive/higher quality speakers.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_34376_Alpine-SPS-610.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_34378_Alpine-SPS-510.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3689_Metra-82-6901.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_74586_Pioneer-MVH-X360BT.html

would be fine.

okay i'm down for everything you just linked and the price is right in my book.

except the radio.

my current radio i think is a double din, larger then normal, and kinda wanna keep it the same size as it is now I like it that way.

Got any other receiver suggestions?

your current is a 1.5 din. not large enough for a double din aftermarket so you are left with single din unless you feel like doing some custom dash work.

nice truck i got a black one very similar