I know this question has been asked many times before. I am looking to do three things to my new fj TRD 1) replace speakers(using stock locations) 2) add amps 3) add subwoofer......I am not replacing the head unit (No Sub Now) and I am willing to spend up to 1000 installed...Any suggestions? Thanks
$1k to stereo system without replacing fjammer...that's like putting full leather in a Pinto.
unless you've got some serious issue with theft that would preclude you from dumping the fjammer, dump it. You can get $150-250 on this forum or try your luck on ebay. $200 gets you a pretty darn nice apline, sony, kenwood, pioneer, etc., single DIN with fit kit and wiring harness, that will serve you much better than the fjammer in terms of performance, adjustability, and quality. It just might end up a push. DO IT.
Let's see, off the top of my head...
Assume HU sale and purchase are even money.
$150 for front components
$50 for rear pillar speakers
$100 for sub
$50 for sub enclosure materials
$250 for 4 channel amp and sub amp
$50 for amp wiring kit and speaker cable
I'm at $650. That gives you $350 towards install. You can save some dough by going coaxials/3 ways in front doors instead of components, and you can easily go up and down the price scale with everything. You can also save some dough on buying amp/sub/enclosure pre fabs like Infinity bassbox, powered bazookas, etc.
the stock locations up front are ok, but the rears have got to go. i would suggest a set of components up front, and just coaxials in the rear. just a plain 4 channel amp would do. look into the zapco i force series, or a reference 360.4. use a line output converter from behind the deck, i would run an EQ as well, and if you go with a zapco amp, definitly a zapco EQ, the SP4 sounds great. zapco uses what they call symbilink, not RCA's, the sound way better than RCA's. the EQ accepts rca inputs i believe, been a while since i have looked at mine, and has symbilink outputs, if not, its not a big deal, you will have what you need from what the amp comes with, and just have to buy another cable.
Ok, I don't understand how a $150-200 dollar head unit is better then the stock. Is the quality or perfromance that bad? I know a bit about it, and I would be very surprised if in a test, with the same amps and same speakers any 200 $$ unit would sound better. I do like the convience of the in-dash changer. I really do like the feedback. I am loving this rig and want it to be set up right
I like the FJammer, just got a nice amp and upgraded rear speaker. Now I dont listen to rap or go bumping mymusic but I think my FJammer is sounding just fine.
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Ok, I don't understand how a $150-200 dollar head unit is better then the stock. Is the quality or perfromance that bad? I know a bit about it, and I would be very surprised if in a test, with the same amps and same speakers any 200 $$ unit would sound better. I do like the convience of the in-dash changer. I really do like the feedback. I am loving this rig and want it to be set up right
For starters, an aftermarket HU will have pre-amp RCA outs which will sound better than having to use line-level converters any day. You will have to use line-level converters with the stock HU to connect to MOST amps. Some will allow connection without. Still the RCA connection is better. Then there are control features that will allow you to CORRECTLY adjust the sound to fit your vehicle and not just bass, trebile, fade and balance. My Pioneer has a built in EQ with pre-set levels as well as a custom feature. With the touch of one button I can change the EQ for the different types of music that I listen to. I also now have FULL control over my sub. I can adjust the frequency as well as the volume of the sub from the HU. And why would you NEED a 6 disk changer these days? My HU plays MP3's. I was able to burn 120+ songs on one CD and still had room to spare. That's equivalent to around 10 or 11 CD's. Not bashing you for your questions. Just trying to get my point across. If you read through the thread that I referenced earlier for my aduio upgrades you will see that I started with the speakers, then an amp, then a sub and finally a new HU. I tried improving the sound one item at a time and each upgrade only led to the conclusion that I was NOT done. I suspect that most people will come to the same conclusion. Not to mention, if you look at socal's post with the prices for the speakers and amps, by selling your stock HU you will get enough (if not more than enough) to replace it with a great but inexpensive HU. My system is not competition level but I will put the sound level and quality up against anybody that is running off a stock unit anyday.
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