need help setting up a system for truck

[ny300exrider]

aight so i just bought an 02 dakota club cab and i want to get some music in it. i know the basics of what a system consists of but when it comes to choosing what components im pretty much flustered(gotta learn somehow). the stock stuff sucks so im definitly going to get some subs, an amp, a headunit, and probably some door speakers. i would LOVE to try to stay as close to $500 as possible but i can probably squeeze alittle extra if necessary

i know theres some pretty experienced car-audio people on here so im HOPING you can help me out when you got some free time to read through this massive post.

-SUBS/BOX: im liking the mtx thunderform setup specifically built for the truck. its a custom box that replaces the storage crap under the rear seat, and comes with 2 mtx thunder 10's. i like this mainly because it is stealth and looks clean without taking up space and i should be happy with the 10s.
the price of $260 is reasonable enough to me. link: http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/fp/sret/12191621716152142132822212262832142312222872182212 36291234231296225224225230241234241238245238237246/vpid/1546163/vpcsid/0/SFV/30046/sret/12191621716152142132822212262832142312222872182212 36291234231296225224225230241234241238245238241238

-AMP: i pretty much have no idea what i need lol...im not too familiar with them much yet.. i'd like to keep it under $150 if i could....if someone with some experience could recomend me an amp that could push/work with those subs for a reasonable price would be awsome.

-DECK:im not trying to go nuts, found these nice decks for an ok price...i want something ipod compatible, pretty sure these all are unless im mistaken. got a best buy down the street so i can see if theyd work a deal on it plus installation.

kenwood: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8226467&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat52600050007&id=1166840602309
jvc:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8229133&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat52600050007&id=1167445160904
alpine(this ones pretty sick, you can scroll through your ipod library from the deck but id need an extra $30 cable)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8222498&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat52600050007&id=1166840027254

-WIRING:not sure if there are better wiring kits than others....i could use some recomendations....once again, if i could save some money here, thatd be great.

-SPEAKERS: door speakers; again, so many to chose from i have NO idea where to start. i listen to 99% rap and although the bass is more important to me, i do want a clearer and louder sound than what i got now...so if someone could recomend some fairly inexpensive ways to do this..thatd be awsome. i dont really have any room for 6x9s in a box so thats why im thinking the door speaker route. no need to go nuts, just would like to be able to hear words over the thumpthump.

if im forgetting anything, lemme know. as you can tell, im a n00b.


ii have a couple good friends with some crazy systems that should be able to help me install so im hoping i can do that...if not i know of a few kids who do installs as sidejobs so i could see if i can get it done for alot less than bestbuy.


if you managed to get through this and can throw out some recomendations,links,opinions,expertise,etc that would be AWSOME

thanks!!!

[300exOH]

If you are handy you can save a few $$ by making your own sub enclosure. I have seen quite a few people cut the inside of the drivers side storage box out and put a home built box inside. You can fit a shallow mount 10" sub or even 1 or 2 8" subs. The thunderform box is very nice though plus it has the cupholders and pockets built in for a nice factory look.

Scoche(sp) makes great install kits for the dakota. You can get them through almost any distributor like best buy, crutchfield etc...

As for the door speakers I highly recommend Boston Acoustics. They sound great for any type of music but don't expect too much out of a 6 1/2" speaker. The subs will take care of the bass. Infinity's would be nice as well but I've found the Boston's are a bit less expensive.

The amp you chose depends on what you would like to do. You could run the door speakers directly off the radio and use a fairly small 1 or 2 channel amp to run the subs and keep the cost down.

I don't know too much about the radios you listed but kenwood and JVC have always had good products. Never been a big fan of alpine though. Most of the alpines I've been around never lasted very long. Pioneer or panasonic would be a good choice also.

The best place to spend your money is on the head unit and 6 1/2" door speakers and use what is left over for the rest of the components.

[300exOH]

Forgot to add that I've seen the MTX thunderform box on ebay for much less than the price you listed. ;)

[ny300exrider]

thanks a ton 300exoh!!

great help, i now have a path to start walking on.

im pretty sure im going to go with the thunderform, just because i really like the factory look and i dont really have the time or skill to build one myself.

will definitly bring up scosche when it comes to an install kit as well, seems like good stuff.


i will also definitly look into B.A. for the door speakers...i have heard the name come up in conversations before and i believe a few of my friends love thiers.


you've seen the box w/ the 2 10's included for much less? ill have to look around some more but this is the lowest i've found yet for the box and subs.

thanks again, any more opinons are welcomed!

[300exOH]

Originally posted by ny300exrider
thanks a ton 300exoh!!

great help, i now have a path to start walking on.

im pretty sure im going to go with the thunderform, just because i really like the factory look and i dont really have the time or skill to build one myself.

will definitly bring up scosche when it comes to an install kit as well, seems like good stuff.


i will also definitly look into B.A. for the door speakers...i have heard the name come up in conversations before and i believe a few of my friends love thiers.


you've seen the box w/ the 2 10's included for much less? ill have to look around some more but this is the lowest i've found yet for the box and subs.

thanks again, any more opinons are welcomed!

Glad I could help. The MTX box on ebay runs about $249 on ebay so I guess it isn't a huge savings but it may be enough to cover the price of the wiring kit. Just search for "dodge dakota MTX"

Q Logic also makes a box for the dakota that houses a single 8" sub and its a bit cheaper plus you can keep the storage area on the passenger side. I found a used one on ebay for $110 buy it now.
I'm planning to build one similar to it for my dakota so I'll let you know how it turns out.

The scosche install kits work great. I have them in my dakota and my wifes monte and have never had any problems with them. Simple plug and play and everything is labeled for an easy install.

I have been into audio(mostly home equipment) since I was a kid and I have always liked Boston Acoustics. They have a very clean mellow sound and the price is hard to beat.

[72 chevelle ss]

Don't get that JVC hu. My friend bought one and it's junk. What you should do is get a nice set of component speakers for your doors and an amp for them. Unless all you want to hear is bass. If I were you I would focus on the frontstage right now, and a little down the road get a sub.

[ny300exrider]

gotta have some bump...especially when i roll out with my friends who all have 15's in the trunk.

i found this complete system on ebay but i think its alittle overkill, and about $100 too expensive.

www.ebay.com auction 320134392137


just for fun i loaded up a shopping cart on that site to get an idea at a total and so far ive come up with:
-mtx thunderform box with 2 10s
-kicker kx350.2 2 channel amp
-pioneer deh 1900mp mp3/cd deck
-pioneer 6.5" 3way speaker pair
-soundquest 4guage 1200watt amp install kit
-scosche deck install kit

and im still under $550

[i30nes]

In regards to headunits... I have owned one Alpine headunit, two Pioneers. The current headunit I have and just purchased is a pioneer premiere DEH-490IB (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069882_338833994,00.html)
And for sub and amp combos in order I have had the following:
2 - MTX 4000 12" with a Rockford Fosgate 500w Amp and home built sealed box. Alpine Headunit

2 - Alpine Type E 12's in my home built box again. Powered by 1200w (supposed) Volfenhag amp. Old Pioneer cd player

Current setup is that headunit listed above. Subwoofer is a Orion H2 10.4 in an ported 10" box.

Now when I had my 12's it seemed deeper which is true. Due to the sound they are capable of handling. But with my single 10 its more a dominant punch as opposed to the 12's. But anywho best of luck with the setup :) If ya have any other questions I maybe able to help ya. Or maybe point you to some other places online.

[ny300exrider]

thanks again.....what do you guys think about this list? missing anything,opinions?

-mtx thunderform box with 2 10s
-kicker kx350.2 2 channel amp
-pioneer deh 1900mp mp3/cd deck
-pioneer 6.5" 3way speaker pair
-soundquest 4guage 1200watt amp install kit
-scosche deck install kit

and im under $550



i made my myspace bulliten about installation and got 3 friends offering to do it all for free so im AMPED about that lol.

[i30nes]

well that cd player to my knowledge isnt ipod compatible...