Incremental audio upgrade - 1998 Ranger XLT regular cab

[4x4fun]

As far as a head unit goes, I'm looking for something fixed-face, with the option of adding Bluetooth and HD tuner modules, and with front USB connector and AUX jack. I'd been curious about the new head units that discard CD/DVD readers for an SD memory card slot, but after seeing the price premium, I think I'll probably pass on that. I had my curiosity piqued after reading the How-To for adapting a stock dash center panel to fit a double-DIN head unit; I dislike the thought of trying to work a single-DIN HU in the dead of winter at 5:30AM with heavy gloves. I'm looking to see which HUs have DTA, but I'm not having much luck in the south-of-$300 price range.

ok as far as HU go. getting a single din that doesnt drop down is gonna be tricky or something top of the line. but forget SD cards most thigns that can take an ipod. can be hooked up to a usb hard drive. i have 320gig of music tapped right in to my HU. they make some non DVD/gps double din HU that have HD radio, SAT, ect ect and there just like a large single din radio. there pretty cheep. but i would cruse crutch feild to find something you like. then google the model number and see how cheep you can get it. crutchfeild is good for looking up stuff. they have a crap load of things on there and you can cross ref. but there price is high.

example from crutchfeild

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DPX303/Kenwood-DPX303.html?c=3&tp=5684&avf=N

cheaper

http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DPX303-Dual-DIN-Receiver-External/dp/B001IBH3RS?tag=959media-20

^^^^^^$179^^^^^^


as far as speakers what do you listen too. what are you shooting for?. if you like me. im losing my hearing so high are all just for other people. so im a mid bass guy. i like to feel it all and rock out. you like heave metal rock, rap. oldies,

and the price normally follows quality but there are some things to just stay away from. but there are ways to get things cheaper.

 

[Apollo-Soyuz 1975]

I listen to my music just high enough to drown out wind noise on the freeway, lol (I'm paranoid about losing my hearing; I even wear earplugs if I'm using a gas weedwacker). In terms of music, I listen to some hip-hop, but mostly either '90s alternative & grunge (Alice In Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, etc.) or acoustic jazz (Bill Evans, Booker Ervin, Dave Brubeck). So basically, I'm looking for good clarity across the widest possible range. I guess I should give Dynamat kits a good hard look, too!

I did look at that Kenwood DPX303 at Crutchfield, but was disappointed to see no mention of digital time alignment in its product description. I found this Kenwood DPX503 at Amazon... it's the cheapest 2-DIN DTA head unit I've found yet. I'd better pad my bank account for a while

 

[4x4fun]

this Kenwood DPX503[/url] at Amazon... it's the cheapest 2-DIN DTA head unit I've found yet. I'd better pad my bank account for a while

try and call them. there are alot of head HU that dont say it can on the description. or they call it something else to make them selves feel better.

but that a kenwood its very likly it does. i have a single din kenwood just for that reason. some of there stuff is starting to make a come back. but hasnt gotten back up there to really jack up the price.

 

[4x4fun]

and what was wrong with the 303 ($179) i put up. did i miss something you needed the 503 for?

 

[Apollo-Soyuz 1975]

DTA was my only concern. If the 303 has that, it'll go to the top of my list.

 

[4x4fun]

yea just called them. the 303 is the 2008 model, and doesnt have it. the 503 is 2009 and it does. the 410(i think) is the 2010 and it doesnt. so you can save a bit or keep looking.

 

[Apollo-Soyuz 1975]

I'll try looking around more while I save up... maybe I can find a similar unit for less, but if it doesn't have front USB, I'd pass it up. I doubt I'll find a price lower than $235 for another head unit with all those features, though.

As an aside, what do you think of the foam speaker baffles that Crutchfield advertises? Good for protection/isolating speakers from panel vibration, or just snake oil?

 

[4x4fun]

ok for 7bucks, i guess if you think the water proofing is needed, get a 12x12 sheet of deadmat. (dynomat ect) and cut it up in 3-4 inch strips and wrap the speaker hole.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

(dynomat ect).

its DYNAMAT PEOPLE. DYNAMAT

 

[Resurrection Ranger]

its DYNAMAT PEOPLE. DYNAMAT

LOL...



Speaking of which (no hijacking intended as this may help out the man as well).. is that stuff actually beneficial to the "average" sound system. I currently have NOTHING in my truck. No HU.. speakers.. nadda.. and wanted to know if I should invest in that stuff especially in the back being the interior cladding is just plastic up against a bare cab. And what about the doors? Does it create a better acoustical envrionment? I thought of just jacking everything up with foam insulation. .idk.

 

[4x4fun]

Speaking of which (no hijacking intended as this may help out the man as well).. is that stuff actually beneficial to the "average" sound system. I currently have NOTHING in my truck. No HU.. speakers.. nadda.. and wanted to know if I should invest in that stuff especially in the back being the interior cladding is just plastic up against a bare cab. And what about the doors? Does it create a better acoustical envrionment? I thought of just jacking everything up with foam insulation. .idk.

speakers are made to be open air. so they dont have space requirements. even the 6x9 boxes they sell are for mounting issues not to create a sub box, the cover that crutchfeild sells are more for protection. everything in your car can make noise the tires engine,AC the car next to you. wind ect ect. what you really like to to do is keep inside noise in and out side noise out. all the foam insulation, and sound deadener stuff is that just go around the speaker is not going to stop all that. its like nailing jello to the wall. how ever it will stop your speaker from making new noises that your speaker now has to compete with. Ie the window crank nob vibrating. you can use any sound deadening medium on the entire truck and help keep the outside noises out. and it will make for a more enjoyable ride all around. radio or not.

 

[Hondafreak08]

screw aftermarket head units... I HATE THEM..it seems like every song u have to mess with the Bass and Treble, just to get them to sound right, reading the screen and getting adjusting them, as well as the clock is always a mystery.......(trust me i usta be into aftermarket subs ect)..................... try and find a factory ford unit with a cd deck... then upgrade the speakers themselves to a quality brand.. personally i stay away from sony.

 

[4x4fun]

screw aftermarket head units... I HATE THEM..it seems like every song u have to mess with the Bass and Treble, just to get them to sound right, reading the screen and getting adjusting them, as well as the clock is always a mystery

if this is the case. Then your system wasn't set up right from the first place. Doesn't surprise me much condsidering you couldn't even set the clock right. Even tho they provided you with all the instructions when you bought it. But reading for losers......... Right? ............ ( fail of the day)

 

[Apollo-Soyuz 1975]

screw aftermarket head units... I HATE THEM..it seems like every song u have to mess with the Bass and Treble, just to get them to sound right, reading the screen and getting adjusting them, as well as the clock is always a mystery.......(trust me i usta be into aftermarket subs ect)..................... try and find a factory ford unit with a cd deck... then upgrade the speakers themselves to a quality brand.. personally i stay away from sony.

So anyway... if weather-proofing is all the speaker baffles are used for, I'll just make sure to keep my door weatherstripping in good condition and dynamat the speaker openings to isolate the speakers from panel vibration. Still no luck finding any DTA head units other than that Kenwood 503... sonic-electronix yielded nothing. And based on ForOffRoadDriving's experience with DCCA, I ain't touching them with a 10-foot pole.

 

[4x4fun]

Yea I'm still fighting with them. But look around amazon. Com