Got me some goodies for the truck!
06-02-2009, 03:42 AM
#1
New-to-me F150 Owner
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Upstate, SC
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Got me some goodies for the truck!
I've been listening to the factory radio since I got my truck in December of 08... And I've driven the truck daily since. Thing is, this past weekend, I had to move my 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee from it's current position in my yard... I decided to fill it up with gas, so on the way I turned up the discontinued Pioneer deck, and blasted some music from the 2 sony xplod 12's being pushed by a 1000 watt xplod amp. Needless to say, I miss that sound system.
If you remember, a while back I replaced the factory speakers in the truck, as 3 of the 4 were blown. I put 3ways on all 4 corners, and called it good. Not much bass, not much treble, not much of anything... as the factory head unit is WEAK.
I'm balling on a budget here so I decided on this:
It's not Alpine, or even Pioneer, but it will be miles ahead of the factory unit. I plan on building a small sub-box to mount an 8 or 10 inch sub in... I want to place the sub on the tunnel, and carpet it the same color as the current carpet, maybe add a tray on the sub box to hold my cell phone, smokes, keys, etc... The possibilities are endless, really.
I am currently waiting for the cd player to be delivered, and I sit waiting, looking at the wiring harness, just imagining how i'll be soldering it all together soon enough.
This unit has a separate module, that would allow me to use Bluetooth through my stereo... I'm pondering if i should pick it up or not, as I use an Aliph "Jawbone" (original Jawbone) headset as it is...
Thanks for listening,
-Mike
If you remember, a while back I replaced the factory speakers in the truck, as 3 of the 4 were blown. I put 3ways on all 4 corners, and called it good. Not much bass, not much treble, not much of anything... as the factory head unit is WEAK.
I'm balling on a budget here so I decided on this:
It's not Alpine, or even Pioneer, but it will be miles ahead of the factory unit. I plan on building a small sub-box to mount an 8 or 10 inch sub in... I want to place the sub on the tunnel, and carpet it the same color as the current carpet, maybe add a tray on the sub box to hold my cell phone, smokes, keys, etc... The possibilities are endless, really.
I am currently waiting for the cd player to be delivered, and I sit waiting, looking at the wiring harness, just imagining how i'll be soldering it all together soon enough.
This unit has a separate module, that would allow me to use Bluetooth through my stereo... I'm pondering if i should pick it up or not, as I use an Aliph "Jawbone" (original Jawbone) headset as it is...
Thanks for listening,
-Mike
06-02-2009, 07:26 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my experiences with bluetooth music players was mediocre. I have a collection on my blackberry and using headphones via bluetooth was ok while working, but as far as sound quality, you'll be giving up quite a bit due to bandwidth limitations. I use a 1/8" cable to plug my blackberry into my truck stereo. I also went on the cheap for my truck, got a generic CD player from walmart that has an aux input and USB port for memory sticks. The total cost was $75 or so. My truck had 2 factory speakers, both blown, but I had some 5 1/2" new in box speakers left over from a car project a few years back... $75 and I'm crusin' to tunes again... now my 12" DVC sub and amp are sitting in the garage... trying to resist the urge.
06-02-2009, 01:47 PM
#3
Just built me a sub box and placed it on the tunnel. Looks hideous at the moment, hard to find carpet that matches the carpet in the car.
When it comes to head unit i'd stay away from bluetooth, go for AUX in or USB instead. Or perhaps a hu that plays mp3 from dvd's.
When it comes to head unit i'd stay away from bluetooth, go for AUX in or USB instead. Or perhaps a hu that plays mp3 from dvd's.
06-02-2009, 03:48 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ditto the terrible bluetooth as a music source theme.
If you were talking about using your bluetooth connection with your phone as a hands free device, see the above comments about music. Pretty much weak as well.
A techie friend of mine has one. It stinks. It's kinda cool that it will turn down your music when your phone rings, but it's nowhere near as good the built in mic systems some newer cars have from the factory, which aren't that great anyway.
Jaw bone is abt as good as it gets if you don't have a factory bluetooth/stereo connection. I forget which type of bluetooth ear piece I have, but on the highway I can barely hear it over the road noise in my truck, so I don't use it much. Don't really know of a good solution if you're one of those who needs to be able to talk while on the hwy for work or other reasons.
Feel your pain with missing a quality sound system. You can fake it with the highs, but not the low end. Curious abt. how the tunnel console will work. Post pics.
If you were talking about using your bluetooth connection with your phone as a hands free device, see the above comments about music. Pretty much weak as well.
A techie friend of mine has one. It stinks. It's kinda cool that it will turn down your music when your phone rings, but it's nowhere near as good the built in mic systems some newer cars have from the factory, which aren't that great anyway.
Jaw bone is abt as good as it gets if you don't have a factory bluetooth/stereo connection. I forget which type of bluetooth ear piece I have, but on the highway I can barely hear it over the road noise in my truck, so I don't use it much. Don't really know of a good solution if you're one of those who needs to be able to talk while on the hwy for work or other reasons.
Feel your pain with missing a quality sound system. You can fake it with the highs, but not the low end. Curious abt. how the tunnel console will work. Post pics.
06-02-2009, 04:19 PM
#5
I'll take some pics and post them here. And some when i'm finished with it.
It performs very well, at least measured in my standards and i'm no audiophile. But i guess it boils down to whats in side the box and what amplifier you've got.
It performs very well, at least measured in my standards and i'm no audiophile. But i guess it boils down to whats in side the box and what amplifier you've got.
06-02-2009, 07:39 PM
#6
New-to-me F150 Owner
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Upstate, SC
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The bluetooth module that is available for the stereo is for the hands-free talking option. My mother has a Dodge Caliber, and has the bluetooth hands-free in it, and I was quite impressed with the sound quality of it. Not to mention on the Bluetooth headset, low volume talkers are my biggest issues... so being able to crank up the volume would be awesome. As my Jawbone, I've been in love with it since I got it.
The stereo should be delivered tomorrow... I'm chomping at the bit with soldering iron and electrical tape in hand. LOL
Can I get some pics of your tunnel sub box?
The stereo should be delivered tomorrow... I'm chomping at the bit with soldering iron and electrical tape in hand. LOL
Can I get some pics of your tunnel sub box?
06-03-2009, 03:24 AM
#7
New-to-me F150 Owner
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Upstate, SC
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found this tutorial, thought I'd pass it on.
It seems to be awesome... http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs/FLM/PDF/356037.pdf
It seems to be awesome... http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs/FLM/PDF/356037.pdf
Trending Topics
06-03-2009, 06:35 PM
#8
New-to-me F150 Owner
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Upstate, SC
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had to leave my house at 3:30pm to make it to work on time at 4:00pm... and this happens:
Grrrrrr. Why does FedEX always come too early, and UPS always come too late. The only folks who come at the right time is USPS... and they SUCK when caring for the contents of the package!
Grrrrrr. Why does FedEX always come too early, and UPS always come too late. The only folks who come at the right time is USPS... and they SUCK when caring for the contents of the package!
06-04-2009, 10:57 PM
#9
New-to-me F150 Owner
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Upstate, SC
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
::: ::: ::: :::UPDATE::: ::: ::: :::
After work, early Wednesday morning I removed the factory radio using some DIN tools I made from wire hangers. The left side was easy, but the right side would not budge- I had to flip the glovebox down (after taking papers, pistols, and ammo out of course!) and reach the tabs with my fingers. It came out without any further fuss.
I left my house 30minutes before my package arrived, so it was waiting for me when I got home after midnight.
When I got home I had all of my supplies laid out on my work table, soldering iron, electrical tape, leatherman tool, razor blade, and cold beverage. I plugged up my iron and propped a piece of solder against the tip. (The sudden plume of smoke/fume/vapor alerts me that it's ready, try it sometime!) I proceeded to cut 1" strips of electrical tape, and attached them to the table's edge. After that small task I got the wiring harness and stereo leads twisted together (inline solder joint, God knows I'm a nerd for knowing the term for it) and proceeded to securely solder the joints. After finishing the soldering section of my task, I insulated the exposed solder joints with electrical tape. From there I took the sleeve, leatherman tool, stereo, harness, and the decorative "ring" out to the truck to finally install it. I put the sleeve into the hole, and bent the tabs to secure it, as far into the hole as possible. I then hooked up the harness to the truck, secured the harness to the rear of the stereo, and hooked up the antenna cable. A smile of satisfaction came across my face as the oh-too-familiar *click* sounded off as the stereo locked itself into the sleeve. A quick jiggle on the "ring" and it too was secured around the faceplate.
I'm very happy and very surprised at both how quiet and how loud this stereo can get. What I'm missing the most is my BASS... going from 2 12's being pushed by 1000Watts to nothing special is wierd, But hopefully I can build up a little box or something to put a fat 8" or 10" sub into.
After work, early Wednesday morning I removed the factory radio using some DIN tools I made from wire hangers. The left side was easy, but the right side would not budge- I had to flip the glovebox down (after taking papers, pistols, and ammo out of course!) and reach the tabs with my fingers. It came out without any further fuss.
I left my house 30minutes before my package arrived, so it was waiting for me when I got home after midnight.
When I got home I had all of my supplies laid out on my work table, soldering iron, electrical tape, leatherman tool, razor blade, and cold beverage. I plugged up my iron and propped a piece of solder against the tip. (The sudden plume of smoke/fume/vapor alerts me that it's ready, try it sometime!) I proceeded to cut 1" strips of electrical tape, and attached them to the table's edge. After that small task I got the wiring harness and stereo leads twisted together (inline solder joint, God knows I'm a nerd for knowing the term for it) and proceeded to securely solder the joints. After finishing the soldering section of my task, I insulated the exposed solder joints with electrical tape. From there I took the sleeve, leatherman tool, stereo, harness, and the decorative "ring" out to the truck to finally install it. I put the sleeve into the hole, and bent the tabs to secure it, as far into the hole as possible. I then hooked up the harness to the truck, secured the harness to the rear of the stereo, and hooked up the antenna cable. A smile of satisfaction came across my face as the oh-too-familiar *click* sounded off as the stereo locked itself into the sleeve. A quick jiggle on the "ring" and it too was secured around the faceplate.
I'm very happy and very surprised at both how quiet and how loud this stereo can get. What I'm missing the most is my BASS... going from 2 12's being pushed by 1000Watts to nothing special is wierd, But hopefully I can build up a little box or something to put a fat 8" or 10" sub into.