Help With My Regular Cab Pick-Up Truck

[trapper64]

Hello from Kentwood Michigan. I'm new to the forum and looking for some system configuration advice so I can replace my OEM stereo system. I just purchased a really nice 2004 GMC Sierra regular cab pick-up truck and figured since I have not had a nice sounding system in any of my vehicles for years, now's the time to do it.

I recently replaced the front door speakers with Kenwood KFC1695 PS 6-1/2 inch speakers because one of the OEM ones stopped working. I now want to replace the receiver because the OEM one will not eject my CD's (yes I still play CD's) and the rear 4x6 speakers (because I can hardly hear them). I'm exploring options on how I want to set my system up:

1) New receiver to power front and rear speakers (like a Kenwood or JVC rated at 22 watts RMS/channel), new rear 4x6 speakers, powered subwoofer behind the seat.

2) New receiver, new rear 4x6 speakers, small 4-channel amp to power front and rear speakers (40 watts RMS/channel),powered subwoofer behind the seat.

3) New receiver, 6x9 speakers mounted in boxes behind the seat, 4-channel amp to power front and rear speakers (50-75 watts RMS/channel), NO SUBWOOFER.

4) New receiver, NO REAR SPEAKERS (4x6's don't produce much sound anyway), 2-Channel amp to power front speakers (50-75 watts RMS/channel), Powered subwoofer behind the seat.

I don't like "booming" bass and I don't listen to music at extremely high levels. Since the cab is not very big, I'm kind of leaning towards option (1) or (3). Please offer any advice especially those of you that drive regular cab pick-up trucks. Thanks !!!

Click to read more...

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

Get a nice headunit, a ppi 900.4 a component set for the front running off ch 1&2 and bridge ch 3&4 for a subwoofer

 

[els1989]

I know a guy who owns an audio shop he installed the jl micro subs 8"ers I. His exact same truck and it sounded really decent

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JoshC 10+ year member]

I own 2 single cabs, ford and dodge.

My dodge has had sealed and ported 8s, 10s, and 12s. Ended up with a ported 12 but im moving to 2 ported 8s. But this is not for you if you dont like loud bass, at full tilt its to much bass for me to drive.

My f150 started with a single ported 8 on 500wrms, shook the whole truck(tantric LD 8). My wife said it was to much(her daily driver), now im running a digital designs SW6.5(6.5" sub) in a .5cuft ported box @ 32Hz. It sounds GREAT, all the fq ranges are present at low/mid volumes but if you turn it 3/4th of the way up it will still shake all the mirrors pretty good.

So for you i would suggest either a 6.5" or 8" woofer in a ported box on around 400wrms. You can prob find an 8 used for a good deal so it may be cheaper, if its to loud just turn the gain down.

As for your highs, take rear speaker anything off the list. There a joke and really only muddy up the sound in a single cab. I have tried upgrading them and amping them before and it just crapped all over my front speakers sound. I have a set of infinity references in my rear that arnt even wired up anymore due to this. Now with that said we will defiantly want to change out your receiver and add an amp to the front door speakers you have already installed.

My suggestion for that is to go with alpine or pioneer for the unit, which ever fits your budget and needs. Look for specs like 4V or higher preouts & 24bit DAC, if your willing to spend $275ish look at the pioneer 80PRS.

Personally i just bought JBLs GTO-3EZ(3ch) amp for my truck since my system is very similar to what your doing. It does 50x2 for your front speakers and 350x1@4 or 500x1@2 for the sub all in one little amp. There also on sale for $103 shipped on sonic right now, use the coupon from the main page. Lastly i want to mention that adding some sound deadner to your doors will greatly increase the sound quality you get out of them.

 

[trapper64]

I own 2 single cabs, ford and dodge.
My dodge has had sealed and ported 8s, 10s, and 12s. Ended up with a ported 12 but im moving to 2 ported 8s. But this is not for you if you dont like loud bass, at full tilt its to much bass for me to drive.

Thanks for the advice. Also, thanks to the other two guys for their input. I'm leaning toward Kenwood, Rockford Fosgate or JVC products since I can get good deals through one of my co-workers. Although I do like the look of the Pioneer DEH-X8700BS which also has a 24 bit DAC and 4V preouts. I assume a 4-channel amp will also work for a 2 speaker and 1 subwoofer system? My thought was I can use the 4-channel amp to power two front speakers and two 6x9's with boxes in the rear, and if it sounds good enough to me, I'm all set. If not, replace the two 6x9's with a subwoofer using the same 4-channel amp. For sound deadening, are you referring to the mats that you cut out and place on the doors? Do you use the foam baffles/covers that go on the back of the speakers?