Aftermarket stereo suggestions?

[rjirvine]

Well, my current radio is stock with a cassette...no CD. I was going to replace it with a stock unit with CD off of ebay for about $150, but have been looking at aftermarket radios...and have the "big stereo itch".

I've been trying to find a radio that fits in the radio slot without looking too much like an aftermarket. Any suggestions?

Also, should I replace the stock speakers? I think I have 2 in the doors and one in each aft door.

It's a 2000 extended cab.

I need a radio that has excellent FM reception and whatever it takes to get Sirius sat radio in the future (ie Howard Stern)

[bigbadram51]

Well you have a couple options.

As for size and looking close to stock, your options are pretty limited. A couple manufactures make a Double DIN size stereo that will take up the entire space of the factory without having to use any type of adapter plate. I think Alpine makes one, I had one im my Dodge when I had it. I know a lot of stereo man. were phasing out the double DIN headunits. Opting for the single DIN (most popular size, just about all aftermarket head units are this size) ones.

As for changing out speakers... With a quality head unit from one of the big manufacturers i.e. Alpine, Kenwood, JVC, clarion, pioneer, etc. they have bigger, stronger amps that put out much cleaner power than factory systems. Which in turn will make your factory speakers sound much better, although not head and shoulders better. But if your not big into car stereo factory speakers should probably do you fine. Spend the extra bucks on a better head unit than speakers, at least for right now. Get new speakers down the road.

As for quailty FM reception and Sat capability. This is where having a sat ready head unit will be the most helpful. If Stern is what you want make sure its Sirius ready and not XM as Stern will be on Sirius. Clarion is a great way to go, I have had Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer and Clarion, and Clarion is my fav. They get ultra strong reception, play semi damaged discs great, and are sirius ready. You do not have to have one sirius ready, you can just use a FM modulator but your sound quality goes way down hill than having it digitally connected to the head unit.

To wrap it up, you can find a really great head unit with all these features for anywhere around 200-400 bucks and most places will install for free and if you get a new car, will take it out and put it in you new ride for free.

Anymore questions, let me know

[sportin83]

yeah you can find a few radios to fit the exact opening. its a din and a half. and the front doors have 6 1/2's. they may also have tweeters. the back doors are 4x6's. as long as u get a good quality dash kit it wont look bad with a aftermarket, it wont llook stock but nothing will. i like pioneer head units and they are mostly sirius compatible.

[jeverett]

Really now, most all aftermarket head units are both Sirius and XM ready. I know..I sell/install them on a daily basis. The DIN ½ your talking about are Pioneer.. dunno if Apline still makes one, but Pioneer has 2 models available.

For speakers, I'd try Infinity, MB Quart, or something comparable. You may not want to hear it, but the more money you spend, the more pleased you'll be with your sound quality.

[BlenderWizard]

I have had a pioneer head unit in the past... I was very pleased. It's been the only cd player I had that actually has a pause button, which is a feature I really liked. Pioneer makes good quality stuff... my DVD burner in my computer is also a Pioneer, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. Jayson, which Pioneer models fit the opening in the Silverado?

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by jeverett

For speakers, I'd try Infinity, MB Quart, or something comparable. You may not want to hear it, but the more money you spend, the more pleased you'll be with your sound quality.

Honestly, I wouldn't look at double DIN head units. You limit your selection to nearly no choices whatsoever. Aftermarket always looks better than stock, to me it classy's it up to above par status. Just stay away from Sony and Audiobahn.

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by TexasF355F1

Honestly, I wouldn't look at double DIN head units. You limit your selection to nearly no choices whatsoever. Aftermarket always looks better than stock, to me it classy's it up to above par status. Just stay away from Sony and Audiobahn.

I disagree completely, especially when the head unit is not the right size for the opening. I think those "kits" to get a head unit to fit in an opeing it was not designed to fill all look like garbage.

[rjirvine]

Just a little more info on my original post, I have 2 speakers in each of the front doors, and one each in the side doors (extended cab). There are some wires under the back seat that come from the battery thru the firewall, down along the post by the gas pedal and to the rear seat. It looks as though they had a sub woofer and some other kind of stereo unit in there, because my RPO code shows a CD player, and the unit in there now is just casette.

[jeverett]

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

IJayson, which Pioneer models fit the opening in the Silverado?

The model numbers are DEH-P47DH and DEH-P77DH


Both of these are XM and Sirius ready, all you need is the tuner and subscription of course.

The 47 does not have a remote, and the 77 comes with one, and the price difference is $50...from Crutchfield...which is a rip-off.

[rjirvine]

Lol, I was just looking at the crutchfield site....i'm looking at the DEH p 7700 and the deh-p80 both from pioneer...I'm thinking I may have to go to a store and hear them, cause I can be pretty "anal" for lack of a better term about my vehicles. Unfortunately 22 years of working around jet engines has lessened my need for "top end" audio. I guess I should also replace the speakers.

I don't crank the stereo as im going down the road too loudly, but i like a clear sound. I'm not looking to irritate everyone in a 100 mile radius with a deep bass.

[BlenderWizard]

Are there any din and a half units that play mp3's? I really want a MP3 player. I had one in my old Honda that is now in my wife's Honda. It's like having a disc changer, but better.