Ford F150 Crew Cab

[Mark617]

I am thinking of putting a system in my 2005 Ford. I use this vehicle for recreation only, as I have another Ford I use for work, travel etc. I plan on removing the rear seat in this vehicle, so space shouldnt be an issue.

I currently have (from 2001) an Arc Audio 2500 CXL and 4050 CXL. Ive been told the first gen of these amps were of great quality. The ones I have still work fine and are in like new condition. Only have been used 6-8 months then stored. Id like to reuse these amps but replace everything left from that first system. Oh, I also have a 1.5 farad cap, but was told at the local shop not to bother with it because they have secondary small batteries that are 10x better (have to do more research on this).

So, should I use the cap I have, or now a days are there better options?

I have read good reviews of the digital designs subs, but havent had the chance to head east to a retailer to hear them. My goals are of course SQ first, but I want a loud system.

Sub recommendations? Brand and size? I was thinking two 15s or 3 12s in the back.

I also need highs and a deck. Only req of the deck is a usb connection for an ipod, EVERYTHING else is secondary to me. Recommendations here for mids / highs for a 4 door Ford? Something to match the amps / subs obviously (in terms of quality), as I do not want the subs or highs to be more overpowering than the other.

Budget if I need new amps, battery, alternator maybe, wiring etc is $4500. If I can use the amps, (been told they are better than the current lines AA offers) I would like to spend less than $3000.

I am open to all suggestions, so help me build a system please.

Thank you for your time,

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[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

What sort of goal do you have in mind?

 

[Mark617]

Priority one is certainly SQ, hands down.

Second would be loudness.

In terms of other goals, meh, I do not plan to compete or anything of that nature. The truck and system will simply be for bumping around town and as I travel. If you meant something else or I didnt answer your question let me know.

In terms of price, just because my budget is what it is, doesnt mean I need to spend every last cent. If the difference between component A and B is miniscule or even difficult to discern to the, lets say, above average (not nearly an expert) ear then so be it. The opposite is true as well, if a certain difference between two components is noticable for the price point / difference I will certainly adjust / increase as the audiophiles here see fit.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

If your wanting SQ then the first thing your gunna wanna invest in and tackle is Sound deadening....

 

[Mark617]

Not an issue.

In 2000 when I did it in my Tahoe a friend of mine hooked me up with some roofing material designed for that purpose, at cost, and the places where that material didn't work I used something similar to Dynamat (looked the same but I dont recall the name). We also used some insulation under the flooring.

He still builds houses, even in this market lol, so getting that stuff & insulation and doing it myself shouldn't set me back much, depending on if I need Dynamat etc. in odd places or in conjunction with the other products.

If I recall a decade ago a huge roll of the roofing material was far less than $100 at cost and the flooring insulation was basically nothing.

Beyond that, what other prep work can I / should I tackle before moving on to components. Construction of the box and other needed pieces I will likely have done by one of his subcontractors since they have the tools for it - at least for getting the cuts done, I'll likely want to put it all together and install it as I am a bit OCD about that kind of stuff.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Ehhhhh you'll probably be told that is not th material to be using...

 

[Mark617]

Fair enough.

I can put in the leg work here and read / figure out the best materials to use, how much etc.

I figure while I rip everything apart adding the sound deadening material I can adjust the location of my alarm brain and add a couple more sirens and adjust some wiring. Ill use that as an excuse to do something I know is necessary but I would have probably paid someone else to do ~