I need some help with my 97' ford ranger, I just got it for my 16th birthday. As most of yall my know there is no cd player in there, so I need to pimp that out. I am looking into about spending around $400 or so. I would like a nice cd player, good speakers, amp, and sub(s). I have been asking my friends and they wouldnt help me out that much.

Thanks for the help.

most local stereo shops sell used stuff,the paper,ebay
whatever you buy make sure you buy an adapter plug and the wiring for the system you have.
a rigged up stereo system is not only a fire hazard but doesn't perform well either.
if you need help hooking it up there is always this site and many more with folks willing to help.

Ok kool, but you do you have any ideas of what stuff I showed get?? I will watch out for those things as well, but I am not sure what to buy.

ERG!!, ok I guess that no one here can help me, that is cool. Thanks

ERG!!, ok I guess that no one here can help me, that is cool. Thanks

For $400 I got a 1500 watt RMS autodio bahn immortal 10" speaker, 1200 RMS monochannel 2-OHM stable Lanzar amp and a box. Didn't fit in my 88 so I am putting in bucket seats and making the box an arm rest.

$400 for everything won't get you very nice stuff. It'll get you something, you just gotta watch out for the cheap stuff. It'll break. You could easily spend 250-350 on a deck if you buy it retail. Make sure to see if you need a mounting kit and you'll need a wiring harness. Systems are extremely easy to hook up, but I guess that's based on what you've done before. I've rebuilt a few engines in my day, so installing a system is a no brainer for me.

Pete

Ok, well as I have said. I am 16 and I bought my own truck, not being that much. So I know that I am not going to have the best stuff at my school or whatever. But maybe I can split it up, get the cd player and the speakers and wireing kit?? Then when I get more money I can get the subs??

I am talking it over with my friends, they are telling me what I should do. Thanks for the help, but you think you can help me decide how I should split it up??

-Matt

Ok, well as I have said. I am 16 and I bought my own truck, not being that much. So I know that I am not going to have the best stuff at my school or whatever. But maybe I can split it up, get the cd player and the speakers and wireing kit?? Then when I get more money I can get the subs??

I am talking it over with my friends, they are telling me what I should do. Thanks for the help, but you think you can help me decide how I should split it up??

-Matt

That's generally the best way to do it, get the deck first. I would run the RCAs and the remote wire so you don't have to remove the cd player again later. Save up and buy the system... I had a 1000 watt peak Lanzar to a 400 peak AudioBahn, and it was hitting pretty good. It all actually fit behind my seat too..

Oh yea, if you run the remote, make sure it doesn't hit gound.

burnfire, find someone that can buy on Ebay and look up a guy named selzitall. He sells mostly Pioneer CD players. I've bought tons off of him and he's real good to work with.

Ok thanks for the name of this kid, I have someone that can get me stuff off there. But I am back to square one, I now know were to look but not what to look for. :tongue:


My friend Cole told me that Alpine was good for speakers and subs, but another told me that they were really expensive.

Also something that might be useful to split everything up, I have an Ipod and a radio transmitter. Can I get the speakers, the sub, and the wireing now. Then when I get some money after paying of church camp, to get a cd player?? Would that work out or no??

I am trying to get this all worked out, because my step-dad likes me to have a plan of action (damn army sergant). So I am trying to get prices for everything, and what I am going to do. So sorry about this.

My friend Cole told me that Alpine was good for speakers and subs, but another told me that they were really expensive.


I've never delt with Alpine, I usually stick to my Pioneers. I've always stuck with Audiobahn, JL Audio, Infinity, and Lanzar, but it's never a bad thing to try anything new. I really like digital amps like what Digital Audio makes. My friend had one that was real loud. I think it was 1,100 watts RMS. They're pretty expensive though.


Also something that might be useful to split everything up, I have an Ipod and a radio transmitter. Can I get the speakers, the sub, and the wireing now. Then when I get some money after paying of church camp, to get a cd player?? Would that work out or no??


You can hook up whatever you want in your car. If you just get a sub and hook it up to an Ipod, it'll sound pretty crappy. Subs are for hitting lower frequencies and you won't hear any highs. Then you're stuck with getting a crossover and another amplifer for the highs. Plus a wacky wiring job you're going to have to undo. I believe the impendence will not be correct from the Ipod to the amplifier as well. That's just my opinion though. I would rather have a deck with my crappy stock speakers, then a crappy sounding sub. :)


I am trying to get this all worked out, because my step-dad likes me to have a plan of action (damn army sergant). So I am trying to get prices for everything, and what I am going to do. So sorry about this.

Ultimately, you will always get what you pay for. It's a good idea to ask around and look for a good deal on the good stuff. Having a plan of prices isn't neccessarily a good idea. Although a plan of installation is. That's what I always do. In the long run I save a lot of money just sitting on an idea and looking. Saving my money so I am ready when the time comes for the installation. Plus in the mean time you can save more money.

When I rebuilt my 2.9L, that cost thousands. I don't make crap, took me 1 year to save. On the other hand, I look at the deal I got. I bought a brand new set of heads for $450 that are real strong. World replacements are $650. I needed an Air Adjuster for my MAF sensor. $150 + shipping new, got one for $100 w/ free shipping. I got a set of mustang injectors for 30 bucks. New Original Ford Racing valve covers for $150. Pair of pace ceramic coated headers new $180. Just the saving listed above is in the hundreds. It all adds up in the end. Half of this stuff I wouldn't have been able to find EVER had I not been just watching...

Pete

Ok that sounds like a plan, I might get this job at this car wash I hope. Ok know I need to know what I am looking for.

I was talking to my friend Alex, and he said for right now I would need a head unit, cd player, and speakers. Then when I get money I can get the subs. Should I try that approach??

I was ready around in the general car audio sticky topic try to find something.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=382679

Thanks,

Matt

P.S. Psychopete do you have aim or msn?? If you dont want to tell everyone just pm if you have either, if not that then your email. So we can talk about this some more. Also because I cant access this site from school, but I can get onto my email there.

I was talking to my friend Alex, and he said for right now I would need a head unit, cd player, and speakers. Then when I get money I can get the subs. Should I try that approach??

Your CD player should be the head unit. Personally, I like Pioneer's decks. They tend to be a good deal. You'll need some door and/or dash speakers, I'm guessing 4 1/2" but possibly up to a 6 1/2". For starting out, I'd recommend 10" subs with a 300-400 watt amp that has built in crossover.
One thing that I'm surprised nobody's mentioned is since it's your first system, you may actually want to go for the cheaper stuff to use more or less for practice. That way if you end up frying something, you're not out a bunch of money. I've gotten a bunch of bottom dollar stuff from a swap meet here, and found that the sellers we have here will let you trade up and upgrade as you go. I've also ended up with some really good stuff on my first pass for other vehicles that I've parted with and built systems for friends of mine from the swap meet and saved them a ton of money. Not always the best way to go, but until you get the practice of proper install, a good way to start.

Mods, I think this thread should be moved to the car audio forum. He'd get much better advice there.

Matt -- just so you know, I have almost no experience with this stuff either. I only bought my car like 6 months ago, and I'm still learning how to install and build things for it. I'm doing pretty well I think, but I'm still a newbie. The thread you should be posting this on is found here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=675). The first things the guys there are going to want to know is your budget and how serious you want to be with installing stuff. I built my own sub box, and it turned out pretty good, but some of the stuff they do is way more complex than mine.

My personal recommendation is to go to Crutchfield.com and buy just the head unit from them. They have awesome support and warrenties, and show you step by step how to install everything. Good luck!

Ok, well I am up for learning and doing anything and at the moment I have $260, but I will have more when my paintball stuff sells. Also I am planing on making my own box for my subs, my friend does it for people at my school. And I am going to start watching what he does.

-Thanks for the help Diceman

Yeah, definately do it all yourself, or with a friend. It's a much more fulfilling experience. Heh, if you were up here in CT, I'd help ya. I wish there was someone on this forum up here that could help me with some things. I'm lucky I'm good with technology, and can put tons of pictures up very easily. If you want, just click anywhere in my sig and you can see what I've been up to. :)

Try this. Head over to Advance Auto Parts. They have a "Radio Active" speaker set there for about 15 bucks. I own one. It might not be the best around, but the audio is pretty decent. Off the top of my head, 6 1/2" subwoofers, 300 Watts. Can't really remember anything off the box since I pitched it a while ago. Anyway, If you blow it, your only out $15, not an arm and a leg. I can tell you this though, in my 88 Ranger, I was getting comliments on the audio. Might be worth looking into atleast for a beginner.

Ok kool thanks for the help, but tell me how this is. I just drove over to frys, (for those who dont know, it is a major electonic store). And I was talking to this kid there, and this is what he showed me.

Head unit : Pioneer DEH-P6700MP

Speakers: Polk Audio MMC 570
5" x 7" 2-Way Coaxial Speakers (http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3719376?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG)

That stuff I can buy now, also with the wiring. Then I would get this:

Amp : Polk C500.1
Single Channel "monoblock" Class D Subwoofer Amplifier (http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3719416)


I think that would be good, what do yall think?

BARF.... you're getting ripped off in my opinion. For the cost of mainstream crap, you can get so much better stuff from the less well known companies, like RE, Adire, etc. Don't do what I did and get what the first guy you talk to says is good, or what looks good in the spec sheets. ASK THE GUYS IN THE CAR AUDIO FORUM!!!! Tell them a budget, and they will hook you up with some really great stuff.

Ok, well I just dont want to get shit that I havent ever heard of, and that isnt the first person that I have talked to. Also I dont want to make a new topic in the car audio forum, to ask the same thing that I am asking here, (just something that I dont do). Ok well if I knew anyone that had the names that you metioned, and I could look at it I might consider it. But I need to deside wtf I am doing soon so I can listen to cd's in my truck, because it is really gay lisening to the radio all the time.

I wish the mods would move this over to the car audio section... I'll have to mediate for now.

How much do you have to spend on this system? That's the most important question.

The next is can you make your own sub box? Access to a table saw is very helpful.

Third is whether or not you want to get really loud at the cost of sound quality, or not get too loud and sound really good, or a combination of the two.

Ok right now I have $350, and I am making my own box for my sub. I want to have great sound quality, and just a bit a push from the subs.

The whole reason I really want a new system is this: so i can listen to cd's, and because all my friends have new cars, but not good stero systems. So I want to be able to own them in that.

Ok, I'm currently researching prices on a RE SE 15" sub (http://www.reaudio.com). They are reputed to be some of the best sounding subs out there, and the 10" and 12" versions cost a lot less than the 15" that I'm interested in. I would say get a $140 panasonic CD player (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Pk0APTNEiEf/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=133C5110), a set of coaxial speakers (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Pk0APTNEiEf/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=52200&I=1086802CF) for up front, and a Profile amp (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Pk0APTNEiEf/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=110&I=489HA1000) for the sub. You'll also need a wiring kit (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32808&item=5769171143&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)... ebay has really good deals on those.

Let me know if those links don't work... crutchfield is a little wierd with their addressing system.

edit... I just noticed that I made a pun... RESEarching a RE SE... haha... ha... :cwm27:

well, we don't bite in car audio section .... at least not till we get to know you :naughty:

Seems to me that basically step #1 is to buy a CD player and some front speakers so you can have some tunes. The bass amp and subs can come later when you get more cash. Take from an old fart that has spent more money on stereo over the last like 25 years than you can imagine - buy what you really want the first time and learn to be happy with it. It will be a LOT cheaper in the long run.

I only use Alpine CD players cuz they bascally never skip, it's a personal preference. I get all my stuff online and manage to muddle my way thru installations. The problem with relying on advice from the average teenager is, they probably don't know much more than you - just re-telling what they heard from someone else. And you can bring this over to the car stereo section if you like ........ we enjoy helping other people out.

Well,

Top three HU choices:
Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse

Subwoofers:
www.soundsplinter.com (rl-i series, single 12) ( I own an rl-i12)
www.ascendantaudio.com (Atlas Series 12)
www.reaudio.com (RE series) ( I own 4 re8's, and an 18XXX)

Amplifiers:
Profile, US Acoustics, Hifonics, Lanzar Opti, DEI lower line. Make sure you look at RMS power only! I've owned NUMEROUS profile and US acoustics, good amps.

Speakers:
CDT CL-6x coaxials
Hit up
AIM: djdilliodon
email: islandsound1@yahoo.com

Don is an authorized CDT dealer, he sells new WITH warranty for great prices. The CDT cl-6z coaxials will only be $45 shipped, excellent speakers I have them in my g/f's jeep.

You won't go wrong there...good luck!

NG

See, I told you these guys would help :) They just don't usually come over to the "Ford" thread looking for car audio questions. Listen to them, they're awesome.

http://forum.soundillusions.net/showthread.php?t=49564

try it out and if you like it tell me, i am looking at getting one for my 2000 B3000...
but anyway, that HU and some CDT comps should urn under $400 then save up another 400 for amps and sub stage.
E-bay is your friend, but only buy form people with good feed back...

Wow, get on and there is like 4 new reply's.

Lol Paul you can switch it over if you want to, if that would help at all then sure.

Ok I just got back from setting up my checking account, and getting done with talking to my boss. I GOT A JOB, at a pool place. So I am getting a nice $6 and hour, hell ya. So I will get money faster now, :).

well if you want sound quality, there is always a 12" image dynamics IDQv1 for $100 shipped..now who would have one for sale..hrm..i wonder :D



find out your goal and do it right the first time or else you'll end up like me and spend over $2000 and still not get anything done :(