As I browse and search through a lot of threads related to upgrading speakers in these trucks, it seems often enough that recommended speaker upgrades are coaxial. Maybe I'm missing something painfully obvious, but I always thought component speakers were the superior upgrade- especially when our trucks are already running component midrange woofers and tweeters? I know the stock stuff isn't great, but I've always been surprised when people talk about upgrading with coaxial- it seems like a theoretical step back? Is it just a budget thing? What am I missing?

 

I don't know where you are seeing that for front speakers. Most are suggesting components in the threads I have seen and responded to.

For rears coaxials are a better choice

 

Component is the way to go. this way you can direct the sound, a good system you really cannot tell right from left it just all blends perfectly, you cannot get this adjustment with coaxial speakers. Coaxial are much easier to install as you do not have to run more wire and figure out how to mount a tweeter where it sounds good. I switched over to component years ago when doing my upgrands and its quite a difference when set up properly