Tips for a 97 Ford Ranger

[h0ly lag]

This is my first post here so let me start by saying hello. My name is Christian. Anyway, I just bought myself a 97 Ford Ranger. Now, I don't really know that much about car audio systems. But I read up a little bit on it. Heres the parts that I picked out. I'm trying to keep it under 200 dollars. I don't need it to sound amazing, I just need to replace the blown up piece of crap stock ones that are in the truck. Now, do I need an amp, or can I get away without one? I am open for suggestions (obviously). I'd like the head unit to be able to play MP3's, and having a USB port would be nice but is not a necessity. Speakers could be whatever seems good for the price. I'll go ahead and apologize for any newbie ness in my post ahead of time. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Speakers:

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_16947_Pioneer_TS-A6871R.aspx

Head Unit:

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_22283_Clarion_DB279USB.aspx

Click to read more...

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

An decent external amp makes a world of difference, but it can start to get pricey and will probably push you over your budget. If you just want some tunes, buy some efficient coaxials, connect them to HU power, and call it a day.

Are you opposed to buying used off here or craigslist?

 

[h0ly lag]

Yeah I'm not looking for anything to turn heads. Just a system that doesn't sound like a dying gazelle when it plays music. I would be able to buy an amp in a few more weeks, but about all I can afford right now is 200 dollars. I'm not completely opposed to buying used, but I would prefer to buy new.

 

[hatedonmostly 5,000+ posts]

Dude, I bought an old school Sony XM-4520 amp on eBay for $23 for my door speakers. It gets the job done for me.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

If I were you, I'd up your budget a little bit and spend about:

$60 on deadening

$80 on a budget component set

$100 on an amp that will get you around 100 wRMS per side and wiring.

All used. Sealing and deadening your doors will make the biggest difference in the sound by far.

 

[mbrooky 10+ year member]

$45 shipped:

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452066

$65 shipped for HU and cd changer:

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=451675

leaves you with $90...or you can search through the classifieds here as I did for you..just make sure the guys you are buying from have good references here...if a guy has like 10 posts and no refs and is offering you a good deal i wouldn't trust it FYI

and you could always post up in the Want to Buy section and make a new thread stating you are looking for some speakers and head unit for your ranger and see who offers up. Good luck and welcome to car audio //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[hatedonmostly 5,000+ posts]

If I were you, I'd up your budget a little bit and spend about:
$60 on deadening

$80 on a budget component set

$100 on an amp that will get you around 100 wRMS per side and wiring.

All used. Sealing and deadening your doors will make the biggest difference in the sound by far.

If I had a car full of blown speakers, the last thing I would be worried about is deadening the door. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

If I had a car full of blown speakers, the last thing I would be worried about is deadening the door. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

And why is that? If he will go to the trouble of deadening his doors, he will probably also go to the trouble of learning how to set gains. He said he just bought the truck... they probably came blown anyway.

 

[h0ly lag]

Hey guys thanks for the help. I decided to buy the head unit and speakers. I'm not really into deadening my doors right now. I leave for Marine bootcamp in a little under 3 months. Just want something to listen to. I will look into getting an amp probably. I don't think I would need a very large one for 4 speakers.