So, I couldn't figure out why my rear speakers weren't working and I did a search and found out the trick about the power antenna wire so I tore my dash apart today to check out the situation and to install my XM commander. Well when I got in there I discovered that the rear speakers weren't even hooked up but wait, I then discovered that I don't even have wires from the factory for rear speakers I climbed in the back to look and sure enough those little slits aren't speaker grills at all. My truck only has two speakers .

So that brings me to my point. I'd live some input or advice on what the best way to go about upgrading my sound in the truck. I know I have a few options like components, running rear speakers, the mtx kick panels with components, putting larger front speakers in the door, and upgrading just the front 4" with some better ones. My two stock 4" ones don't sound bad at all as far as sound quality but they have absolutely no bass response. I would like to have a decent system with some filler bass for those songs that just make you feel good. I'd like to mount a single 10" or 12" in the jack hatch and then decide on some decent front speakers. I'm thinking about running a 3 channel amp to a set of components and the sub. I like the idea of the kick panels but I'm afraid they would get trashed from ketting kicked or getting mud/dirt in them all the time.

Anyone that has upgraded their stock two speaker system or anyone that has ideas or advice please chime in. Pictures would be great as well. Thanks in advance.

 

I just ripped the interior out of my truck last weekend because I couldn't stand the factory speakers. I have a ton of audio stuff sitting in my basement but just installed a set or 4" and 5 1/4" MB Quart 2-ways. The job got alot bigger when I realized that the Toyota rear 5 1/4" don't have the same mounting points as my 5 1/4". I ended pulling the whole side panels off and making new speaker mounts. While I was in there I ran new speaker wire and put some of those crappy plastic cups over the back of the speakers to give me a little bit of bass. It sounds 100% better than before.

I'm with you on the kick panel idea. I know they would sound better but I'll destroy them. My front speakers will be going about mid height in the door. As for rear speakers, I'm not sure if there will be room. When I had the rear side panels off, I noticed there was probably enough depth in there for a sub inclosure. If you build it out of fiberglass you just might be able to get the side panel and grill back on and nobody would see anything.

I was wondering if the storage under the jump seats will unbolt. Can you peel the carpet back...unbolt what is there and then build a box to go under the carpet again? Forgot to check while my interior was apart.

As soon as I can figure out how to install 5 amps and 12 speakers and still use my rear jump seats I'll be a happy guy.

Jason

 

I couldn't be bothered with the 4" speakers in the dash, so I ran new 16 gauge to the doors and bolted in the last generation of these: http://www.infinitysystems.com/car/p...=CA&Region=USA

They fit in the lower part of the doors without bothering the power window tracks. All it took was a little surgery to the door panels.

They sounded good (not the ones in the link, but their cousins), so I mounted another pair MDF baffles and temporarily mounted them in the same spot as the stock rear speakers. Okay, so they're still there. I'm going to clean all that up this summer when I tackle the rusting rear quarters, then sound deaden all that area.

For bass, I picked up one of these http://www.infinitysystems.com/car/p...=CA&Region=USA of eBay for $90 and have it strapped down (temporarily, of course) to the rear cargo mounts in the truck.

 

I like those but I haven't been able to find them. Also, did those of you that added door speakers just cut a hole and mount them directly into the outer door panel? If so, how do you keep the vinyl tight once you've cut it? Do you just use more mounting screws?

 

Oooh, vinyl...you're one of those guys. I have cloth door panels (SR5), and the speakers come with a black trim ring. Yes, I simply cut a hole in the door with a serrated knife (think steak knife) and bolted them in. Don't cut the water shield plastic behind the panel. You could also buy spacers, if you're worried about depth, or go with a 5 1/4" speaker.

 

I'm a little leary of cutting into my door panels like that but we'll see. I'm seriously considering the kick panels. I'll figure out something along the way. I need to get this thing geared first and foremost.

 

I upgraded to some good kenwood 4.5's up front, and some jensen 6.5s in the rear. that helped a lot.

Then i replaced the deck which the previous owner put in. it was a tape player. and it was new enough that he should have just put a freakin' CD player in. idiot.

Kenwood deck, btw.

Then I put a MB Quart 12" sub behind the drivers seat with a kenwood amp.


It bumps pretty damn good, i'd say.

It sounds great inside the cab, but isn't loud and obnoxious outside the truck unless i open the doors. i love it.

 

WTH?? Am I the only one that doesn't have rear speakers in their truck? I don't even have wires for them coming from the stock wiring harness. Is this normal?

 

in my 87 regular cab (with bucket seats) i built a nice box that fit 2 8" subs (1on each side behind the seats) and then two 5" regular speakers in the center between the seats. i was even able to get it to where i didn't have to have the seats forward but a tiny bit. build a nice box then cover it with some generic auto replacement carpet (schucks, wal-mart, etc) it will look great and allow you to customize it for your application.

 

my buddys 95 doesnt have them.

 

Excellent. That's actually good to know.

 

Just a relatively quick and easy upgrade. Not alot of work required but i did take the extra step and Dynamat'd the inner and outer skin of the door.

 

I didn't mind cutting the panels that much. I don't plan on pulling them out. I don't plan on selling the truck minus the speakers.

Side note, Lethal how much difference was there when you DynaMat'd your doors?

 

Lethal, what did you use to mount your speakers on? I would guess it's something you custom cut but what kind of material is it and how did you secure it to the door? Did you screw it from the inside?

 

My 92 xcab doesn't have rear speakers or wires. I am going to put the speakers in where the removable covers on the side gear storage areas go...have already replaced the front 4 inch ones with some infinities, and Lordy what an improvement...

 

The mid-bass reproduction was dramatic as well as the noise floor was lowered quite a bit. The solid thud of the door closing is a satisfying feeling also.

I used 3/4 MDF and then wrapped in a carbon fibre weave. Did my whole enclosure in the rear with 3 way stretch weave from Dave "Fishman" Rivera. The panel that i wrapped is attached to the door panel from the inside and the only reason it is as large as it is, is because of the "pockets" from the doors that i removed left indentations and a few small holes from their mounting hardware and i wanted them covered up.


I used distro blocks on the backside of the enclosure so i can change my impedance load easily without removing the woofers. I run at 4ohms for daily driving and rewire to 1 ohm for competition.



I wrapped the entire sub box in that weave. Stupidly expensive but a really nice look and finish. Im happy with it

 

That looks great. I have the vinyl door panels. The local shop said they would install a set of components for $100 in the doors but I'm thinking I could do it myself without too much trouble.

Last weekend I installed all the wiring and a cheap 4 channel amp to a single 10" sub bridged off two channels and I'm thinking of picking up the Infinity Reference components w/ 6 1/2" woofers and running them to the other two channels. I'll just unhook the two 4" speakers in the dash once I do that.