Cheap, easy, and worth it.

[koda6966]

I hate how my stock sound SUCKS. So I've been thinking about upgrading and adding some subs. Along with changing out the the stock deck.
Sad thing is, right now money is tight but if I want it I can get it. So I have to keep the prices down.

My trucks a supercab so its roomy, and it doesnt have the jump seats but it does have a small toolbox (dont use it) and two side compartments (used for the jack & spare quarts of oil/power steering fluid). I would be willing to sacrifice my toolbox and compartments for the subs if needed.

Heres some pictures of the current area behind the seats.
Picture #1.
Picture #2.

Heres my ideas on how I could set up the subs.. first options my favorite of the two.
Its a bit sideways. Stupid scanner...
They're not to scale, it was a quick sketch in pencil (hence the poor quality)
First option would , while the second would still allow access to the compartments.

Pros and Cons of #1-
Still allows me to put stuff in the back in the middle part between the two subs.
Looks nicer.
Subs are father apart (if im right wouldn't that "spread" the sound out a little?)
Lose use of the side compartments, would need to find another place to keep fluids/jack.
Wouldn't be able to recline the seats.

Pros and Cons of #2-
Still allows me to use the side compartments.
Still would be able to recline the seats depending on the angle of the subs.
Lose the space in the back to put stuff.

Do I even need two subs? Just wondering here.. I'm new to car audio.

So what would you recommend for a cheap setup? I was thinking a pair of 10 or 12 inch Xplod Subs ($50 each at walmart I think) and then maybe a cheap deck from the same place or finding one off craigslist/ebay. Currently I have pioneer speakers in both the front and back that the previous owner put in, and they have alright sound. I may upgrade those as well.

Well, to break everything down that I just said into a couple simple questions..
Whats a cheap setup that will give me okay sound?
How much would it cost? (estimate)
And whats a good way to put it all in? (sub box)

If you need measurements of the back for anything.. I can get them.

 

[Pistons23]

you didnt mention anything about an amplifier. youll need one if you plan to add a substage. if i were you id do it right the first time and just upgrade your headunit right now. with all the eq options on a new deck it will bring those pioneer speakers alive.

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=130P3000IB&tp=5684

this one would be nice. you also get all the installation parts and free shipping.

 

[Pistons23]

and if your set on adding some bass, id just go with 2 10"subs like you have in sketch #1. you can actually find some really nice used gear online. ebay is good. diyma has a great classifieds section also.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php

their subs are designed to have some nice sound quality and be used in small sealed boxes. pretty affordable.

 

[cold_holiday]

if you want good sound for cheap i would recommend getting an alpine deck. most alpines made today have built in crossovers, allowing you to send high and mid frequencies to your stock speakers, while at the same time eliminating your speakers getting lows. a good cheap sub to throw into tight spaces would be any home audio subs. they are very small and very easily obtainable at a goodwill store or you can buy one new. alpine decks start at $100 and up. the sub will go for $20 and up. you would also need an amp and install kit. wal-mart sells a good install kit for your purposes at $30. crunch audio makes a very decent amp for around $75 that will push a sub just find. go to onlinecarstereo.com for amp and deck.

 

[koda6966]

No clue at what to look for here, but so far I've narrowed it down to six amps. Im thinking one of the Kenwoods would be the best, although I do like the pyle one.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...safe=off&q=amplifier&cid=15969348515207157963
http://www.google.com/products/cata...&safe=off&q=amplifier&cid=3335088458755808225
http://www.google.com/products/cata...&safe=off&q=amplifier&cid=2887162513698103083
http://www.allaudioexpo.com/nav/details.asp?itemid=1171&catid=69&tran=fgle
http://www.google.com/products/cata...safe=off&q=amplifier&cid=13528607115221501381
http://www.cartronixplus.com/templa...LL&subname=na&pagename=Online Store > ALL >

 

[Pistons23]

what is your goal with the system? do you want it to get loud at high volumes without distortion? do you want some to add some low end without disturbing your neighbors? or do you want a boomy system aka ghetto bass?

a aftermarket headunit will be a dramatic improvement. it will send cleaner power to your speakers. youll be able to control what frequencies go to which speakers. for example, if your having distortion at high volumes, possible putting the high pass filter at 80hz will clean it up quite a bit.

 

[dburton07]

right now i have one sony xplod 10" in a box i made and the 1000w 2 channel amp you can get at walmart. PLENTY of bass. i have a 93 ext. cab like you. more than enough sound running through there. i used to have 2 10s n the same amp but my settings were always on low n it was just not worth it so i downgraded to one.. so in my eyes, if youre on a budget, get a 10 and that amp and im sure you will be happy.

 

[koda6966]

what is your goal with the system? do you want it to get loud at high volumes without distortion? do you want some to add some low end without disturbing your neighbors? or do you want a boomy system aka ghetto bass?

a aftermarket headunit will be a dramatic improvement. it will send cleaner power to your speakers. youll be able to control what frequencies go to which speakers. for example, if your having distortion at high volumes, possible putting the high pass filter at 80hz will clean it up quite a bit.

I want to have good Bass but not so much that it will make my music all boom and no sound. Meaning I want to still be able to enjoy what I listen to.

(Disturbed, Rammstein, Skillet, Eminem, Staind)

 

[arrow]

just out of curiousity, you willing to loose your jump seats?

if so, why not remove the jumpseats and build some boxes to fit inside that area? And an amp you could mount just below the window in the center, right where the toolbox is. If anything, that toolbox is taking up more room than subs and an amp would. Besides, subs and an amp apparently might get used a bit more.

 

[koda6966]

just out of curiousity, you willing to loose your jump seats?

if so, why not remove the jumpseats and build some boxes to fit inside that area? And an amp you could mount just below the window in the center, right where the toolbox is. If anything, that toolbox is taking up more room than subs and an amp would. Besides, subs and an amp apparently might get used a bit more.

I dont have jump seats. I have little glove box things.

 

[arrow]

I dont have jump seats. I have little glove box things.

Check to see if you can fit a 10" sub in the space

 

[koda6966]

Check to see if you can fit a 10" sub in the space

They're not that deep, I can fit a quart of oil in there.. thats about it. So maybe.. four inches? I don't think thats enough.. but then again, I've never seen a sub outside of a box before. Haha

 

[Pistons23]

well heres probably the best 12" sub you can get for $50+shipping
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=737

you can wire that dual 4 sub at 2ohms. it can take 500 watts. theyre ideal sealed box size is 1cf for that sub. mounting depth is 5.75".

i would build a box that stretches the length of the cab, about 14" tall and about 8" deep. i would have the sub firing to the rear so its no visible.

this amp should get you some good output from that sub. trust me, 325 watts will be plenty of power to get some loud bass.
http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosgate-Punch-P325-1-Amplifier/dp/B000JRFTUU/?tag=959media-20

or you can buy it from here
http://www.cartronixplus.com/templa...LL&subname=na&pagename=Online Store > ALL >

let me know if you need help designing a box

 

[koda6966]

How big of a sub will provide decent bass without being overkill?

I'm planning on including two, so is 12 inches too much? I checked it out, they look gargantuan. 10 is a little better, but do any companies make 8 inch subs? I'm pretty sure Sony (Xplod) does, but I'm also pretty sure they're expensive crap.

Also, is it possible to build a sort of trap door to my sub box that will hide my amp? I know I would probably need to have ventilation holes in it. Most likely four holes going almost the width of the box and about an inch to an inch and a half each. Is this going to work or should I just mount it against the rear of my cab?

Anyway, I have a plan drawn up for my enclosure. It's still just a rough idea so any dimensions could be changed on it. It's HERE. So far I think there's around.. 1.5 cubic feet (at each end. Middle not included because its separate). That's just guessing. I think that's alright for most 12 inch subs, but I want to go smaller. But then the enclosure would also get smaller, so its a bit proportional.

 

[dburton07]

too bad youre in NY, i have a sony xplod 10" already in a sealed box that i built and spent some time with a buddy figuring the numbers so the inside amount of cubic airspace was exactly what the sub recommended. that id sell ya. but it weighs alot and im sure shipping would suck. but hey, if youre interested, let me know. she put outs plenty of bass especially if you get the 1000w amp from walmart, its like $150 i think. i had 2 10's and i had to take one out cuz it was getting to be too much for me. but hey, if youre interested in it i can send some pics.

oh, and trust me, if youre lookin for bass with out pissing off your neighbors, this will work just fine without making your wallet shrivel up and turn into dust. id say its cheap easy n worth it.