Anybody upgraded rear speaker size??...

[660Ryder]

Thanks Ramblin, just the information I was looking for! I am very impressed with the stock rear speakers in the Rodeo. I was thinking that aftermarket has to be better; bad mentality. From what you are saying, replacing the front speakers makes a large difference though.
What is the stock size for the front speakers? I have had the door panels apart, (thought something broke, when in fact someone spilled soda down the window, causing it to stick so bad so as to not move at all... ), and think that I can easily replace those. Any good sites to order speakers from, or is Crutchfield the way to go?

Thanks,
Alex

[Ramblin Fever]

Refresh me, what year of Rodeo do you have?

I know the 95.5-97 Rodeo's have 4" factory speakers in the front; with a little tweeking, plastic cutting, you can put 5 1/4 (HIGHLY recommended) speakers in there and still put the plastic door casing back on.

Can't tell any different on my door panels.

I too listened to every 4" speaker cartoy's had available (similar options to Crutchfield internet stereo/speaker source), they were all terrible - mainly cause they're just too small.

Crutchfield is definetly a good source to order from; and as noted above, I HIGHLY recommend 5 1/4" speakers, and if you like more bass, get the JBL's. I don't recommend Pioneer's - they're good speakers, but after a LOT of researching this in the last week, many Isuzu owners were bumbed by their lack of performance.

You're not the only one who thought aftermarket speakers would sound better; and although I was very irritated in my decision initially to take out the fronts, I'm glad I did, now that I found the right set-up.

If you have a '98+ Rodeo, I think they did the 5 1/4" speakers from factory in the fronts, don't know for sure though.

Keep me posted on what you decide. Oh, and don't just go by what Crutchfield says will fit, as you can tweek your speaker holes a bit.

[660Ryder]

Sorry for omitting some info - I have a 1995.5 Rodeo.

Currently, I'm up at school in VT so the upgrade will have to wait until the next break at the earliest. (I'm trying to tackle the thermostat first - just ordered a Chilton's and Haynes manual online for $3 a pop ) I will definitely do the 5 1/4". Do they sell JBL speakers at most retail venues; say Best Buy, Circuit City, or do I have to purchase them online. And last of all, what is the price range for a set of 5 1/4 JBL's? (It's nice having someone do the shopping for me... )

[Ramblin Fever]

Not sure about Best Buy, Circuit City - where I live it wasn't feasible to drive to one, CarToys is MUCH closer to me; by that I mean at least 35-40 miles closer.

I live in the toolies, and even if they were $10-15 cheaper, I'd easily spend that much in gas with 100 miles round trip.

The JBL's were on sale for $89 for the component set, but sense I had issues with the 1st two sets of Infinity speakers that they sold me, I got the JBL's for $72 - same price I initially paid for the 4" Infinity's.

Thermostat's fairly straight forward on these rigs, right on top in the front. If you haven't already, at your trucks age, take a look at all the coolant hoses - not just the big upper & lower. Last winter I had the two heater core hoses, back by the firewall, passanger side blow out on me - these are not easy hoses to get a hold of, nor are they easy to replace.

Take a good look around before one blows up on you - your truck's at the perfect age for any factory hoses to explode under pressure. The heater core hoses were the most expensive, but I think there are 6-7 other one's you're gonna want to replace if you haven't done so already.

Nice year - I LOVE the 95.5-97 Rodeo's

[38ffems]

660Ryder you should look at crutchfield.com, they can tell you all the speakers that will work for your vehicle after you put in some real basic info. Also where in Vermont do you go to school, I go to the University of Vermont and am from VT.

[660Ryder]

I tried Crutchfield - they made it clear that the 5 1/4" speakers will not fit for the front door speakers. (I assume because 4" is the stock size, but as many have said, a little modification and they will fit.) I think that I will go with crutchfield in the end. I, as well as many family members, have ordered from them in the past with excellent results, not to mention incredible customer service.

38ffems - I go to Middlebury College, about 40 minutes South of you. I know of a couple good offroading spots, but most are more suitable for an atv or modified truck - not my stock rodeo

[Ramblin Fever]

With 32" A/T tires, 660Ryder, you'd be amazed what a stock Rodeo can handle. Even 31" tires will do - there ain't much that'll stop these trucks.

I've owned 2 Rodeo's, one a 4x4 the other a 4x2 - neither have ever gotten stuck, we've been down some nasty 4x4 trails in the Colorado Rockies with both.

Yes, 5 1/4 speakers will definitely fit, just make sure they're round and not square.

[660Ryder]

Ramblin - Boy do I know that they can handle quite a bit. My only trouble is finding someone that will accompany me on off-roading trips. Seems as if no one has any problem jumping in for the ride, but won't take their own ride out into the rough. Off-roading sort of fits the "peer-pressure" mentality; hell, everyone is watching, you gotta do it, besides, someone will winch me out if need be... et cetera.

After this past fall's escapades in the rocky trails around here, my muffler needed to be replaced from flex pipe back, the frame needed to be welded, and the alternator went nuts for about a week (seems to be doing fine for the past month or so). Being a college student, I need all the money I can get and repairs aren't in the budget - thank goodness for my Yamaha Raptor 686 and Bombardier Traxter (the darn thing has all wheel drive!).