completely car audio illiterate

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

so would i be on the right track with a head unit like thishttp://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-DEH-2000MP-Head-Unit-CD-MP3-WMA-Receiver-NEW_W0QQitemZ120333751982QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_In_Dash_Receivers?hash=item120333751982&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ebayphotohosting

and then i still need to find out what type of speakers i have, any easy ways? should

i just go out to my car and measure it?

Here is the same unit, but the next years model for cheaper:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Pioneer-CD-Receiver-DEH-2000MP-MP3-WMA_W0QQitemZ270305664643QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_In_Dash_Receivers?hash=item270305664643&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A15|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Personally, i would spend the few extra bucks and get this:

This one has a nifty little auxilary unit on the front. A great budget-method to hooking up ipod/laptop/whatever.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-DEH-P3000IB-WMA-CD-MP3-iPod-Sat-Ready-Stereo_W0QQitemZ140276554992QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_In_Dash_Receivers?hash=item140276554992&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A15|39%3A1|240%3A1318

As for speakers, people will tell you round speakers are better than oval. For your basic setup, i wouldnt get too worried about that, because from the sounds of it, you're not too worried about having record-breaking SQ

Personally, i would reccomend getting some speaker adaptors and putting 6.5" coaxal's in, but 6x9's will work fine too.

 

[fashioned 10+ year member]

ahh nice, ok then, i'm not sure if my speakers are 6x9's i was only throwing out an example, i'm gonna go measure the surface of one of my front speakers and find out right now

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

Your crown victoria has 6x8's in the front doors and 6x9's in the rear.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com is a great website with good prices and great customer service.

Pretty much anything will be better than you have now, and a quick search shows many 6x8 coaxial speakers under the $50 range. You might be able to get new speakers all around AND a new headunit for under $250.

As stated before, stay away from crappy brands like boss, pyle, legacy, etc. Some good brands that can be had for cheap is kenwood, kicker, pioneer, phoenix gold, mb quart just to name a few.

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

Being a bit of a kicker guy, I put together a potential setup for you

Kicker DS 5x7 coaxials for the front doors (they come with adapter plates to fit in the 6x8 spot). $39.99

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3575_Kicker+DS68.html

Kicker DS 6x9" coaxials for the rear deck. $64.99

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3596_Kicker+DS693.html

Kenwood CD player with an aux input in the front for an mp3 player. $77.99

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_10342_Kenwood+KDC-MP208.html

That puts you at $182.97+shipping. Should be around the $200 mark after shipping. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

However, there are plenty of other speakers around the same price that will perform just as well. This was just an example.

 

[endofdays89 5,000+ posts]

aux inputs are for *******, get an ipod adapter

 

[fashioned 10+ year member]

ahh very nice, well a screw later and i have my driver side panel off revealing the offending speakers, looks like ovals heres a pic.

thank you all so much for your help this far by the way //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn0078wl7.jpg

 

[BigJoker 10+ year member]

6x8's all around. and you probably need some ford removal tools to take out the factory radio out. there should be 2 holes on each side of the radio. put in the f.m.t and pull out.

 

[fashioned 10+ year member]

well after surfing a bit on that site i basicaly just went with the setup up tommy posted, the price was right and the reviews seemed good. then i ordered a ford radio removal tool so i can get that **** radio out of there.

is there any thing else i need to get with this? other then wiring i suppose?

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

well after surfing a bit on that site i basicaly just went with the setup up tommy posted, the price was right and the reviews seemed good. then i ordered a ford radio removal tool so i can get that **** radio out of there.
is there any thing else i need to get with this? other then wiring i suppose?

You don't even need wiring really. You can use the existing stock wiring.

However, if you decide to get an amp to power the speakers some time down the road, then you will need wiring.

 

[fashioned 10+ year member]

well thats good to know, maybe a few months down the line i'll spring for something like that but since this is my first car audio endeavour i mine as well keep it somewhat simple.

yay now all that loud annoying music i play while driving will sound even better (to me atleast)

 

[fashioned 10+ year member]

thank you all for your help by the way, i will post a follow up with what i think of it when i get it set up some time next week.

 

[fashioned 10+ year member]

Well i got it all today, i have my for radio removal tool and the speakers and head.

i'd like to get it installed tonight, but i'm not sure how long it would take as i'm a newb. also is there any good step by steps for installing a new radio, i tried http://installdr.com but they don't have the crown vic model under the fords.

 

[Eat Italian 10+ year member]

If you always plan to be on a budget, make an eBay and PayPal account. These two will become your friends, because the majority of the time you will find the best price on eBay (or CA.com Classifieds) and you need a PayPal or CC automatically for the eBay account (and PP definitely for CA.com FS/FT Classified section).

Trust me go the eBay + Classifieds route and you will come out with better equipment for less.

Just listen to the guys on here as far as application, installation, and an idea of the equipment you want to buy goes; then everything will end up sounding great.

 

[BigJoker 10+ year member]

Well i got it all today, i have my for radio removal tool and the speakers and head.i'd like to get it installed tonight, but i'm not sure how long it would take as i'm a newb. also is there any good step by steps for installing a new radio, i tried http://installdr.com but they don't have the crown vic model under the fords.

just stick in both keys and pull out. may take alittle tugging.

 

[scarolinablazin 10+ year member]

i use metal coat hangers to get ford radios out. works just as good as those tools.