Okay so I’d like to surprise the female….

[Trump8MyKids]

Alright guys I could use some help here. So my girlfriend and I enjoy putting blankets down in the bed of my 98 and falling asleep under the stars. She’s asked on numerous occasions when I’m going to put speakers back there. Well originally I was going to just buy some Bluetooth speakers but then I remembered my head unit has a sleep function where it will turn itself off after a certain amount of time. So let me ask you guys… how would I go about doing this? I have the wiring situation mostly figured out (reroute the rear speakers), I just have no idea where to get speakers for my bed, what kind to get, or where even to put them. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Also here’s a picture of the truck I’m working with:

 

[fastpakr]

My immediate thought is some kind of boat use speaker pods with marine speakers. And maybe put the connector under a weatherproof cover so you could plug the speakers in as needed rather than leaving them exposed normally?

 

[Dirtman]

I've long since given up on trying to keep a radio working in my truck. I have a Bluetooth speaker and then just connect it to my cell phone for music. The portable Bluetooth speaker I have is louder and clearer than the factory speakers in the truck anyway.

I think that's a much simpler option than trying to wire in bed speakers to the radio.

This is the speaker I have, you can even get two or more and link them together. Also has an SD card slot so you can download music and play it right off the SD card without connecting the speakers to your phone or stereo. I think it even has built in FM radio. Never tried either of those functions though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088R7LG82/?tag=959media-20

You could just get a full portable "boombox" type radio as well.... You know a modern ghetto blaster.

But if you do wanna hardwire in speakers, boat speakers like @fastpakr mentioned are the way to go. You can put a speaker switch on the existing speaker wires so that the bed speakers don't play when you're in the cab and vice versa.

 

[RonD]

You have a rear slider window.................................open it

 

[RonD]

I think you are on the right track with a bluetooth speaker with smartphone as source, they also have sleep timers

Just install charging station in cigar lighter so speaker and phone are ready when you are

Using your in dash radio means keys in ignition and on, not for nothing, having a no crank would ruin a nice camping trip, lol

 

[Trump8MyKids]

So I just bought that speaker we will see how it works. Thanks for that! But I think she likes the idea of having installed speakers rather than a little Bluetooth speaker (You know how some women can be) and I think if I did use the portable speaker in the bed she’d think I had cheaped out on it. Honestly, I kind of like the idea too. I’m planning on turning this truck into a 2wd overlanding rig (bad idea, I know) and I bought a second battery recently to run a dual battery setup that I have yet to install. I’d also have the radio ran to a constant 12v with a switch for it on the dash. So with all that I think I’d end up doing the speakers anyway.
Sorry for the rant hope it makes some sense .


oh and dirtman, about that speaker switch…
Where could I pick up a switch like that? That would be extremely helpful.

 

[fastpakr]

You need an in bed roll bar for these:

Amazon.com: Waterproof Marine Wakeboard Tower Speakers - 4 Inch Dual Subwoofer Speaker Set with 300 Max Power Output - Boat Audio System Kit w/ Titanium Dome Tweeters & Mounting Clamps - Pyle PLMRWB45W (White)

Buy Waterproof Marine Wakeboard Tower Speakers - 4 Inch Dual Subwoofer Speaker Set with 300 Max Power Output - Boat Audio System Kit w/ Titanium Dome Tweeters & Mounting Clamps - Pyle PLMRWB45W (White): Everything Else - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Granted, you'll spend way more on the roll bar. But hey, cool accessories?

 

[RonD]

Hit a Pawn Shop and pick up an old Ghetto Blaster and some cassette tapes
Get some 3 dog night and grand funk railroad, romance is yours

Old sh!t comes back into style eventually, tell her you guys will be starting "the new thing", FOMO will bring her on board

 

[fastpakr]

Hit a Pawn Shop and pick up an old Ghetto Blaster and some cassette tapes

Old sh!t comes back into style eventually, tell her you guys will be starting "the new thing", FOMO will bring her on board

He could rock the park with a little Snow!

 

[09fx4guy]

I actually cut down a GoRhino cab faring from an F150 to fit my Ranger, and it didnt look half bad. My off road lights were on top, and I had a setup where I could mount 2 outdoor speakers on the underside of the bar behind the back window. It could be driven off of a small 2 channel amp with bluetooth capability. You could have the small amp mounted inside the truck, run the wires to the speakers, and have your phone simply link to the amp. Piece of cake.

Technological advances have greatly increased options since I designed my system 10 years ago. (God I feel old now)

 

[Dirtman]

 

[RonD]

Tres Cool ^^^^

You wait and see, Cristiano Ronaldo will bee-boppin' to tunes from a ghetto blaster this year and you will wish you could get one, but they will all be sold out

 

[racsan]

You could always take pvc pipe and build a faux roll bar, been there done that. It looked cool but the only person that couldnt tell it was really painted pvc pipe was my mom (who once tried to remove the vaccum motor from the air cleaner snorkel on a 302 comet to add oil) My faux roll bar is now mounted to the inside of a privacy fence as a rack for the canoe. I think I spent about $30 total making it including mounting hardware and paint.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Well it may be too late buy here goes....

https://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundLink-Bluetooth-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00D5Q75RC?tag=959media-20

And you can take it with you anywhere. This thing is magic for the bass and all the other sound it reproduces. Bose has ceased production so get them while you can.

 

[Dirtman]

Remember when Bose use to sell that rediculous "wave radio" in the 90's for like $800 bucks that was just a glorified Sony boom box?