There seems to be an awful lot of threads asking for stereo upgrade info and I find myself constantly typing the same info over and over again. So, I am starting this thread just so that I can be LAZY and refer these members to this thread. Sorry for how long this will probably be but I want to try to answer as many questions as possible with this one post.
First, a little background. I had the base HU (non-FJammer) and the front speakers (dash and doors) only. I was not impressed at all with the factory set-up. So, I bought the factory sub from a member here even though I was warned about how it would sound and was quickly unsatisfied with the performance. I then replaced the dash speakers with Infinity Reference 3052's (3.5") and the doors with Infinity Ref 9012's (6X9). This made it sound better but not enough. So, I added a 4ch Pioneer GM-6200F 600 watt amp and a Kicker Comp V8 4 ohm sub installed in the factory box (I did not use the factory amp for this sub). I had the doors and dash on 2 of the channels and bridged the other 2 for the sub. The sound was better but I was still not satisfied. Next I got 2 more Infinty Ref 3052's for the rear pillars, made my own speaker covers (see below) and got a powered 8" Bazooka tube. I think the rear pillar speakers help to complete the sound and really are there for the rear seat passengers. Now I was able to power the doors on one channel each and the dash and rear pillars used the other 2 channels.
To spell it out:
- Ch 1 - Left door
- Ch 2 - Right door
- Ch 3 - Left dash AND left rear pillar
- Ch 4 - Right dash AND right rear pillar
- The sub now runs on it's own power
Still getting better but now I wanted better control of the whole system so I upgraded the HU to a Pioneer DEH-P480MP. Now I have the control and the versatility that I have been trying to get. And the sound is awesome. It is not a competitive set-up but it sounds great to me!!!
Just to give you an idea on what I spent:
Infinity Ref 3052's: $40 shipped on e-bay (new)
Infinity Ref 9012's: $90 shipped on e-bay (new)
Pioneer GM-6200F: $130 shipped on e-bay (new)
Kicker Comp V8 Sub: $60 shipped on e-bay (new) (going to re-sell on e-bay)
Infinity Ref 3052's: $30 shipped on e-bay (new not in factory box)
8" Powered Bazooka: $75 shipped on e-bay (used) (sold the factory sub set-up)
Pioneer DEH-P480MP HU: $130 shipped on e-bay (new)
Single din kit and wire harnesses for new HU: $30 shipped from FJCruiseraudio.com
Rear pillar wire harnesses: $12 shipped from Crutchfield (definitely a MUST have to install rear speakers if you did not have these speakers already)
So, to sum it all up, for around $500 I have upgraded my system to what I think sounds pretty damned good. When you factor in selling the factory sub and re-selling the Kicker sub I have no use for, my total out of pocket is not much!!
I installed everything myself and I must say that this was one of the easiest installs I have ever done. I have always done my own stereo installs since I taught myself how to do them back when I was 16. This was a piece of cake. And as you may be able to tell, this was not all done in a weekend. This was completed over several weeks as I wanted to give each install some time before I went to the next step. The only other thing I may do is to install dynamat or other sound deadening material ALL OVER the place.
Here are some pics and more info in other threads I have started on this same subject:
Single Din Install
Make your own "D" Pillar speaker covers
Hope this helps!!
My Audio Upgrades and Why!!!
Linear Mode
