Build me a partial system for under $750

[jrodhotrod]

Here is the deal, We got a new Mazda for the family. Actually it's more like a Mazdord or Forzda. 2004 B4000 pickup, 4WD

According to Crutchfield you can put 5.25" or 5x7" speakers in the front doors and extended cab portion of the truck. I found adapter plates that will let you mount 6.5" speakers on sounddomain, and I am not afraid of drilling to put 6.5" speakers in.

What I have already:

Alpine 9851 H.U.
Infinity Kappa 6.5" coaxias (62.i or something like that is the model, about 6 years old) (ideally, these will become fill speakers in the rear)

What is required:

Sirius Radio tuner/antenna
Alpine iPod control

That leaves about $550:

What I would like:

Dash Kit
Harness
Amp
component speakers for the front doors
Amp Kit (includes RCA cables)
Single 10" Sub
Small sub enclosure (maximum 10" depth on bottom)

*Amp Notes (4 channel? 5 Channel? 4 Channel and a sub amp?) (Have contemplated powering rear speakers off the deck, two channels for front doors, 2 channels for sub)

Hit me with your best.

I don't have a problem with buying online, and am capable of doing the install work myself.

 

[1sty]

Tough. TO hit this budget you are either going to have to skimp somewhere or buy online with no warrety. Although redundant.

Matching the rear infinities can be a pain. I would look at infinity components so that they vocally match. THe problem is that since you Kappas for the rear, you will want an equal level or better for the front. Infinity Kappas certainly are not cheap. I would suggest using your current speakers in the front just to see how it sounds at first and leave the factory rears for now. Later you can always move the front speakers to the rear or replace the rears with infinity reference speakers which can be purchased for a better price.

Becuase of the lack of a budget I would go for a nice 4 channel amp that can bridge the rear channels for the sub and use the front channels for the front speakers. Something like the JL e4300 comes to mind, or the alpine MRP-F240 if you don't mind the lack of a crossover. The JL is $299, and the alpine is $199. These amps are not available online with warrenty. Thats typicle though. For the sub, a JL 10W1 is a great sub for $110 at retail and can be put in a very small sealed box and it has a shallow mounting depth. Great for trucks. For wiring, either online or a tweeter store is your best bet. Best buy and circuit city WAY over charge for power wiring kits. Dash kits and harness will typicle end up costing you $30 together. Again circuit and BB tend to over chage for them.

 

[jrodhotrod]

Thanks Craig,

I had figured that a 4 channel amp with the rear bridged was the way to go.

Any personal experience with putting 6.5" speakers in the 5x7 holes in a Ford Ranger/Mazda B-Series?

Do you know where I can find the mounting depth for this truck?

Lastly, I have been alarm shopping, but haven't been able to get a firm answer on the auto start issue. The Truck has keys that require programming at the dealership, will a standard bypass box work, or will it require that a key be left inside the vehicle? (we bought the truck and it came with only one key, and I have an appt. for monday to have a second key programmed, wondeing if I should buy a third and have it programmed at the same time?)

And in the past I have always bought from authorized dealers, but being married changes how you look at things so suddenly I find myself willing to buy used on ebay or new from a non-authorized dealer if necessary to get it done under budget.

 

[1sty]

I have not done a 6.5" install in a ranger yet but the cutout is the same as the other ford/mazdas which I have instlled 6.5" components in many times.

go to www. crutchfield.com and do the "what fits my car" thing. It will give you the mounting depths.

I'll have to find out about the key

As for internet shopping, just be aware of what you are giving up. This means service and support. Via the internet, you get none. Any problems, your on your own. When the equiptment fails, and it will eventualy, your on your own. Now for products at the price range your looking at, I don't see the point of online shopping. At most online shopping may save you $50 once you factor in the shipping charges. Take the JL e4300, the lowest it is sold for is $260 online with no warrenty. That is before shipping. I AM SELLING IT RIGHT NOW FOR $255. Its on sale this weekend at Tweeter who is a totaly authorized dealer and will back you up in every way with this product. The slight saving, or in this case, lack of savings, doesn't make sense to me to throw out all support and service.

 

[1sty]

There is a module that will not require the key to be used. You will need to have 2 programmed keys though and both are needed to program the module but are not kept in the car.

 

[jrodhotrod]

Cool, thanks for the info.

I WISH there was a tweeter somewhere near here. All we have is Best Buy, Circuit City, and **** you in the ass independent stereo dealers if you want the good stuff.

The module you speak of, is it a Directed product for use with Directed alarms?

 

[1sty]

None of these are close?

I might be able to ship you stuff.

It is the DEI 556SW module to use with DEI systems.

 

[jrodhotrod]

Yeah, all the Tweeter stores in California are in the Southern California area, I am up in the Bay Area in San Jose, eseentially a 275-300 mile drive to the nearest Tweeter.

I had a good relationship with a local shop that gave me decent prices on good gear, (you know, you have seen my set-up), but the guys that I knew have moved on and now it's **** me time in terms of pricing.

 

[1sty]

I checked on shipping. If we go through tweeter they wouldn't save you anything shipping wise. SInce I have a UPS account, I could actualy pay cash for it all and then UPS it to you. Shipping would probably be $40 at most for ground for the amp, kits and sub. Sub box would likely jack the price up considerably. Give me your zip code though and I will estimate it out.

Oh by the way, I was wrong about the module, it will work with non DEI systems aswell.

 

[jrodhotrod]

Shipping zip code is 94089.

I already have the subbox taken care of, I found a compact Q-Logic truck box that I am getting second hand. I just need a decent 10" (doesn't have to be fantastic) sub to put in it. The sub enclosure has has baffling as well. This is my wifes car after all and she doesn't have quite the discerning tastes that I do.

So that said, I have left to buy:

alpine Sirius tuner/antenna
alpine iPod control
4 channel amp
dash kit
amp kit (including RCA cables)
wiring harness
speakers
10" sub

Can the infinity Kappa's do okay off of deck power using the 9851?

I should also mention that at present, there are no speakers in the rear, just empty holes where they go with the more premium stereo. This truck didn't come with them.

 

[jrodhotrod]

Craig,

Sending you a PM, went in and visited a Best Buy today and think I found a directed alarm that will work for us. (the two way LED, not the one with the LCD) They had the mdoule that you mentioned and it popped up on their computer as required for the install of the remote start but insisted that I would need to keep a third key in the vehicle.

Any chance you can send me the details on that bypass module and maybe the instructions for programming it so a key does not have to be left in the vehicle that I can give to them.

I am totally confident doing car stereos, but am afraid I would really screw something up with the alarm. I think it was actually the 556UW not SW that they said I needed or something like that...

 

[GlItCh_MP]

I made a quick system at circuit city that was $716.93 but I'm sure parts can be cheaper. This is what I came Up with in a short amount of time. I'd also probably get a better looking Deck at a different store, they don't have the best selections.

2 x MTX 10" Subwoofer (MXS1004)
MTX MXS1004 $89.99

Q-Logic Dual Subwoofer Enclosure (QLH-.10D75)
ARS QLH10D75 $59.99

Audiobahn Mono-Channel Amplifier (A8000T)
ADB A8000T $242.99

Tsunami Amplifier Power Kit (AMP004-22)
MET AMP00422 $79.99

Tsunami RCA Cable (RCA6.9-17)
MET RCA6917 $39.99

Pioneer In-Dash CD Player (DEH-2700)
PIO DEH2700 $113.99

 

[jrodhotrod]

Thanks... Here is the best part, you don't need to buy a deck.

System parts currently in hand,and needs at this point:

Already have:

Alpine 9851 head unit
Q-Logic 10" truck sub box (small enclosure)
Infinity 6.5" 2 way coaxials (may or may not be used in rear of cab)

Need ($750 Budget)
4 or 5 channel amp
Alpine iPod Control
Alpine Sirius Radio Tuner
Component Speakers for front doors 6.5" or 5.25"
Single 10" sub (prefer dual 4 ohm voice coils)
Amp Kit
Wiring harness
Dash Kit