Help with integrating a sub and amp

[MattRobPhoto]

nobusa was just calling that out to you because of your line about getting "completely taken". It is no big deal, but just making you 100% aware

Ok cool! Good stuff and I'm glad to know. Thanks for the continued info!

Also, FYI - I installed the "Jimmi Jammer" door plates today to further protect the truck and add an additional layer of deterrent to (I'll stay politically correct) thieves. My point here is that removing the door panel and all that was SUPER easy for me. My secondary point here is that I could easily self install some good sound deadening! The shop was trying to up-sell me on that stuff and I know that markup is RIDICULOUS in a shop. I declined the up-sell of course.

I'll sound deaden all four doors and report back once I pull the big trigger...

Yes, I could also easily install the front speakers, but then they will cry "warranty" issues if anything goes wrong. Although, when was the last time anything "went wrong with the front speakers?" But, see... I DO know how the story would likely play out... if ANYTHING needs adjusted or whatever and I go back in, they will claim... "well, since you installed the front speakers, you must have turned the left screw on the side mount of right facia 12.4 times instead of the required 9 times and it was this malposition of that screw that you turned, that lead to the problem your having today. Sorry... can't help you now. ugh!

 

[MattRobPhoto]

UPDATE: Well, Kinda.... So, a mentioned above I sound deadened the CRAP out of all the doors!

I did the most outside metal of the door by working and rolling through the access holes on the inner shell. I was able to cover nearly all of it. Then I covered the inner shell (the part with the holes all in in it) and also a bit on the back side of that. Did this on all 4 doors and took about 5-6hrs total with breaks here and there. It was pretty easy, it's just a bit tedious.

My point here today: JUST that ALONE made a pretty remarkable difference in a few ways.
1. The music sounded MUCH better
2. The door open/close sound is "solid" and sounds clean and great
3. It's a lot quieter inside the truck as well.

What's funny is when I took the front door speakers out, I couldn't help but laugh! Now... WHY... just WHY would they put such a tiny, cheap little baby ass speaker in an 80k Truck that is their "Flagship" truck for "performance?" I just do not get this. Ughhhhhh....

It's gonna be a bit before I pull that trigger on $2800.00 to upgrade my stuff, but I can easily toss down some cash to upgrade those front speakers. I just wonder how much of a real difference there would be?? I mean, there HAS to be a HUGE difference given those goofy little 1963 copies they put in there!!

The only issue is that I DO see where the FOCALs require a lot thicker speaker wire (in the end) and that THAT is a huge problem given the grommet in the door jam that is there. IF I just switch out the speakers, do I NEED to upgrade the speaker wire YET? I mean, I'm not messing with an amp or anything YET. Just curious.

I'm also curious what would happen if I just dropped in a simple speaker upgrade (200.00 or less) just for fun...? I mean, I would think I would HAVE to sound better. I just can't get over that little baby 3oz speaker in the doors. Good god! What a damn shame!

Thoughts?????

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

going larger speaker wire is a misconception. it is not needed. the oem wire is just fine. it is an ac current from the amplifier to the speaker.

 

[MattRobPhoto]

going larger speaker wire is a misconception. it is not needed. the oem wire is just fine. it is an ac current from the amplifier to the speaker.

AWESOME! Ok then, I will then pick up the component FOCALs and install them myself! BUT.... without the amp (for now) will it sound any better is it one of those "they MUST" be driven by an amp thing in order for them to work?

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

AWESOME! Ok then, I will then pick up the component FOCALs and install them myself! BUT.... without the amp (for now) will it sound any better is it one of those "they MUST" be driven by an amp thing in order for them to work?

you will always get better sound with an amplifier. but doing the upgrades in stages is fine.