Jeep CJ system help

[bpal]

Hi. Great forum with lots of great info and feedback.

I'm putting a system in my Jeep CJ7. Obviously not a lot of room to work with there. I'm not looking for high dollar as it is easy to steal out of and it will have exposure to dirt and moisture. The Jeep is in pieces so I have time to piece this together from ebay, web, etc. Here are my thoughts for now:

Budget: ~$600

I listen to all types of music but hip hop/rap. Mostly rock, classic rock. It needs to be loud enough to hear on the freeway with the top off.

Planning on front component speakers with 8" sub.

Head Unit: ~$225

I want good iPod and USB Flash/HDD MP3 support.

Leaning toward: Pioneer DEH-P690UB other consideration is Kenwood KDC-x791 (or x891)

Component Speakers: ~$130

I'm building a new dash with new gauges too so I think I can fit 6.5"s with a separate tweeter. Or are components a waste in the jeep and just go with some coaxials?

Considering Phoenix Gold RSd 65cs 4ohm. I had PG components in a Prelude before and was happy with them.

Sub: ~$50

I'm thinking that I could build an enclosure that would fit under my center console lock box between the 2 front seats. How much clearance would be needed for a down firing sub between the enclosure and the floor? The other option in in/under the rear seat, but I sometimes remove it.

Based on research here, I'm looking at the Tang Band W8-740P 8" subwoofer 4ohm. Its $39 with free shipping from Parts Express right now. I have materials to build a box.

Amp: ~$150

Here's where I need the most help. Do I need a separate amp for the sub? Do I buy a 2 channel and wire tri-mode with a crossover for the sub? Or do I get a 3/5 channel amp? Size here is an issue too. There aren't many mounting options for an amp. In my old jeep I put the amp under the passenger seat. That's probably where I'll have to put it again.

Options:

2-channel - How about the Profile AP100?

Or the: Phoenix Gold v1502?

3/5 channel - How is the Crunch pzi 550.5?

Wiring, Fuses, Etc: $50

I would appreciate any feedback and suggestions.

Thanks

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[Krown 10+ year member]

If you're only going to have one sub, try just going with a smaller mono-block amplifier.

Side-note: Components are never a waste //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Actually - wouldn't a modest 4ch serve him better?

Twofold advantages - (a) eliminates needing two separate amps as he could drive the components off of the front two channels @ 4 Ohm stereo and then he could bridge the rear channels to drive his 8" sub thus simplifying the installation process and (b) One amp will cost less than two separate units //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Oh - and bpal? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wave.gif.002382ce7d7c19757ab945cc69819de1.gif Welcome to the forum. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[WulfComp 10+ year member]

Well, we have done a TJ and a YJ recently. Without dash modification, you can get an ABS adapter to fit 5 1/4" speakers in the dash. We decided on coax just because of the elements. They go wheeling alot. We also did another set of coax in the sound bar, and a single down fire sub behind the rear seat. It fit just below the tailgate and snuggly behind the rear seat. Everything was powered off of a 5-channel amp. the single 10 really sounded nice with the hard top, and blended well with no top. We had thought about the idea of the center console, but decided it just wouldn't give what we were looking for. Although it would be better against the thiefs. The amp we just mounted under the rear seat. I recommend a amp rack under it, for possible "rain with no top" situations depending if you still have carpet or not, just helps prevent pooling water getting too close to the amp.

If you are just doing components and a sub, I would say a 3-channel or 4-channel (as prowler suggested)

 

[CrazedCat 10+ year member]

Wranglers are a PITA for audio

 

[Skatin Houston 10+ year member]

I think a 4 channel amp is in line.....2 channels for the components....and 2 channels bridged for the sub.

http://cgi.ebay.com/KICKER-ZX350-4-ZX-4-CHANNEL-CAR-AMP-ZX-350-4-NEW-2007_W0QQitemZ150135332898QQihZ005QQcategoryZ39739QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$160 buy it now. $25 for shipping.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

I think a 4 channel amp is in line.....2 channels for the components....and 2 channels bridged for the sub.

See Post #3 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

http://cgi.ebay.com/KICKER-ZX350-4-ZX-4-CHANNEL-CAR-AMP-ZX-350-4-NEW-2007_W0QQitemZ150135332898QQihZ005QQcategoryZ39739QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$160 buy it now. $25 for shipping.

I can get him the same output for cheaper //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[bpal]

Thanks for the responses. I'll look at 4-channel amps.

Is the Profile AP1040 a decent choice?