Need Help!!!

[tipp33]

Ok what I want to do is, hook up my two Pioneer 10's and my 350watt Kenwood amp. How do I go about doing this? I really miss this sound system.

[Wingnut]

Well.....Let us start with some basics like:

 

What year is your truck?

Is it a full size?

Do you already have a box for those subs?

Ex cab, CC, Reg cab?

Aftermarket head unit, or stock?

How much experience do you have at installs?

How much money do you have?

[tipp33]

2004

1500

Yes they are already in a box.

Regular Cab

Stock Head Unit

I have a little experience.

lol I'm sure I can gather up enough

[Wingnut]

Did this come out of a previous vehicle? If so, how much wiring do you already have that will work?

 

You will need some way to interface the amp to the stock stereo, as it doesn't have RCA pre-outs. An LOC (Line output adapter) would work just for adding an amp for the subs....Unless..Some amps will take the speaker wires directly as an input source...Does yours? Or does it only take RCA inputs?

 

It's not a hard job, just be prepared to take just about all of the plastic off of the interior of the truck, and drill some holes in a brand new truck.

[tipp33]

Yes, it is in one of my other trucks right now, not sure how much wire I got .

I'm pretty sure my amp is hooked up using RCA inputs.

uh oh drilling holes in my truck.

[tipp33]

.......

[deaf electrician]

I added a line output converter too my stock stereo in my silverado and added a jensen amp and sub. It sounded ok but I got a lot of noise from using the converter and the sound quality was not as good. When I installed and aftermaket deck with RCA outputs WOW what a difference. I could turn my gain up father because of less distortion and the sub really pounded.

 

So I would recommend put in an aftermarket deck. I bought the line output converter from walmart. I actually bought another one from the local electronics store to try and cut down on the noise (alternator whine) but didnt help.

[tipp33]

What would I need to get, so I could use my RCA cables?

[J-rod]

As Wingnut and deaf_electrician said, if you want to use your RCA patch cables in conjunction with your stock head unit, you'll need a Line Output Converter (LOC) If your amp accepts high-level (aka - speaker-level) inputs then you don't need one b/c your amp essentially has a built in LOC. As Mr. electrician stated, you'll get better performance/sound quality from an aftermarket head unit, but obviously, that means more $$$, which you may not want to spend.

 

Crutchfield has a good guide to car stereo installation (in pdf format) that has alot of commonly used terms along with general instructions on how to install the most common components to your system. The link above is to a pdf that is about 2.1mb ... if you're on a dial-up connection, you may want to try this slightly smaller version which is about 1.4mb.

 

I hope that helps and if ya still have ?'s, don't hold back!

[stlmaj]

Ok what I want to do is, hook up my two Pioneer 10's and my 350watt Kenwood amp. How do I go about doing this? I really miss this sound system.

Read my post about boost up the factory stereo

 

good luck

[Chipr777]

First off.. Take out the stock radio! That'll solve all your problems right there. I installed a pioneer DEH5500 in mine.. I love it. I have an extended cab so things were a little easier. I bought a sealed box and dropped in 2 10 inch Memphis dual coil subs, down firing, and a Memphis ST1000D amp. They're wired up pulling a 1 ohm load pushing around 1100 rms. Nice smooth sound for everyday listening but turn it up and it'll rattle the filllings out of your teeth. Also, get rid of your factory speakers. Consider a good componant set like Boston Acoustics. They come with crossovers to keep that un-needed and harmful bass out of your mid-range and highs. If you really want to do it up right, throw in a small amp to push your componants. Good Luck!

[Wingnut]

He is trying to save money, but that's not the only reason why I didn't recommend an aftermarket head unit.

 

I still have my stock head unit...Because I would like to keep my system (and window) intact.

 

I'll admit that an aftermarket head unit will make adding amps a little easier, and sound a little better, but the hassle of installing the head unit itself nullifies the added difficulty of adding amps to the stock unit. As for sounding better, I don't mind the slight (99.9999% of the population will never notice it) degradation in sound quality in exchange for a very user friendly interface, and stealth install.

 

Just my .02....But mine is a very nice, loud, and crystal clear system with the stock head unit.

 

-Nut

[stlmaj]

He is trying to save money, but that's not the only reason why I didn't recommend an aftermarket head unit.

 

I still have my stock head unit...Because I would like to keep my system (and window) intact.

 

I'll admit that an aftermarket head unit will make adding amps a little easier, and sound a little better, but the hassle of installing the head unit itself nullifies the added difficulty of adding amps to the stock unit. As for sounding better, I don't mind the slight (99.9999% of the population will never notice it) degradation in sound quality in exchange for a very user friendly interface, and stealth install.

 

Just my .02....But mine is a very nice, loud, and crystal clear system with the stock head unit.

 

-Nut

I completely agree with you aftermarket stereos are ugly!! Most of them don't fit in the truck right (unless it’s the din and a half). The stock radio provides plenty of sound for most people and adding an amp is the next best thing to the sound quality of an aftermarket system... Now that I have said that I removed my stock head and installed a JVC arsenal 3150 with a 12 disc cd changer both of which play mp3's and the head has a line in. The only reason I swapped out the factory radio was for the line in and the ability to play mp3 plus it was a Christmas gift from my wife. I looked into some of the adapters for a line in on the stock radio and all of them for the 03's required that you have onstar or xm to use them. Now I can play 13 disc of mp3's considering that each cd holds about 300 mp3 songs that’s about 3,900 songs!! Not that I need to listen to that many songs at one time but I guarantee you it will take a while to here the same song twice. I also picked up the steering wheel controls adapter and data bus/chime adapter.

 

I have the same amp and aftermarket speakers as I did when I had the stock head in so I can give a good comparison of the two. The stock radio with no amp sounded ok but really needed some bass and volume added. The stock radio with the added amps for the door speakers and two JL audio 10's sounded AWESOME!!! Now, with the JVC it sounds about 30% better than just adding amps and subs!! Over all I would say keep the stock it looks better and sounds good. But if you’re after a stereo that takes you back to being a teenager and makes your ears ring and mirrors shake go with an ugly aftermarket stereo. All is a personal preference. Do what’s right for you!!!!!!!!! That’s what I did anyways!!

[Wingnut]

............. But if you’re after a stereo that takes you back to being a teenager and makes your ears ring and mirrors shake go with an ugly aftermarket stereo. All is a personal preference. Do what’s right for you!!!!!!!!! That’s what I did anyways!!

Hey Don't be dissin my stocker ...Mine shakes the mirrors, and rattles fillings when cranked, and is very clear at any volume (thanks in part to the embarrasingly expensive MB Quart speakers in the doors)....I'll make your ears ring with my stocker

 

I may add an aftermarket later (same as you, for MP3 compat), but I don't expect to see all that much of an improvement. Other than being able to adjust a lot more things. My 92 has just as much, if not more in the stereo as my 02 does, and sounds roughly the same...With an $800 aftermarket (dead-head) head unit.

 

Once again....Just my .02