Need some help

[burnfire]

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.

[highboy73]

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.

[burnfire]

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.

[burnfire]

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

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by burnfire

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

[burnfire]

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

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by burnfire

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.

[ponchonutty]

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.

[burnfire]

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.


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.

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by burnfire

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.

Originally Posted by burnfire

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.

Originally Posted by burnfire

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

[burnfire]

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/vbul...d.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.

[Doc_Ratchet]

Originally Posted by burnfire

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.

[Diceman83]

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. 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!

[burnfire]

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

[Diceman83]

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.