So I decided I want to upgrade the sound system in my truck. Only problem is I don't know too much about how car audio systems are wired, I actually work part time in a studio and I understand speakers and amps, and all the components but I'm not sure how they work together in my truck.

Basically I want to make my entire truck louder, while retaining the stock head unit for now, but I do plan to replace all the speakers, the factory amp, and the tiny factory sub, but I still want to only have one sub probably no bigger than a 12 as I'm not a huge bass guy, but I do want to have some bass. So what is the best way to go about this?

I've got an 04 Lariat with factory sub.

 

Component set with high sensitivity and a TC sub and arc audio Amps. You won't be disappointed

 

I would advise against keeping the factory head unit but depending on your budget, assuming you're not really a bass guy, I would suggest JL HD 5 channel amp, JL evo components up front, coaxials in back and a sealed Type R 12 shallow. Going with one amp keeps the wiring simple and JL still makes the best amps in that price range. Crutchfield has great deals in their outlet. I'd check it out

 

I went with the following:

Pioneer AVH 3400BH HD Receiver (from Crutchfield) $319.00
Pioneer GEX-P920XM XM Satellite Tuner (from Crutchfield) $90
Infinity Reference 6832cf Speakers for front and rear doors (from Amazon) $148
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer to replace factory 8"sub (from Amazon) $99

Great sound for the money and receiver install kit/directions from Crutchfield were excellent. Speakers are a direct replacement (you do have to cut off two tabs) for the door speakers. Did the whole job in about 6 hours including running the satellite radio wiring from behind the rear seat.

 

you have the premium sterio already.....the factory speakers are equal to any $150 compont speakers you'll find at best buy or your local sterio shop. so here's my $.02 get a nice $200-300 4channel amp on your stock speakers. then a good 10 or 12 inch sub......but as someone else stated, a headunit is where you really need to start. kenwood makes some nice basic headunits.

here's my setup.....$120 keenwood deck, rockford 2channel amp $199, then i reused my subs from my mustang, 2 10inch addictive audio v2's and addictive audio 100.1 amp (1000 whatts rms) pre built box w/ a port added.

 

How did you manage to have enough airspace for a ported box for two 10in subs? Lol

 

Speakers you should be able to do yourself. I got mine from bestbuy and you can buy the adapters too. For the front doors you can take the speaker grilles off but for the back ones you have to remove the door panel. I would recommend getting a new deck too. I have the AVH Pioneer P2400BT and I love it, it has everything I need. I also have a sony amp and two kicker comp 10 subs. Plenty of room for them under the seat and plenty of base

 

I had the Audiophile package and I will tell you flat out the speakers I have now are far superior to the Audiophile speakers that I removed.

 

The audiophile speakers are no where near the quality or capability of aftermarket. That and the factory speakers are 8ohm speakers as well.

As far as room, the sky is the limit. I have a ported 12 in my regular cab.

Line outs etc are a pain and limit your abilities. Really should get a head unit. Another option if you're not needing insane power is the power pack from alpine, that's enough to power S type speakers and then a small class D for your sub. That would be a very economical way to go.

 

I have a reg cab truck..... It's the first one that I saw with the factory sub...... Just wasn't enough.