Car Stereo Systems - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

TheClarkster · 08-26-2003, 10:43 PM

Just two days ago, I became the new owner of a 1997 Toyota Tacoma extended cab. Right now, it's pretty basic, so I was wondering how much amp/subs wise I could fit in there without losing the seating in back. Is it possible to get the stuff installed under the seats? I'm a complete newbie to the whole stereo thing, so any help is much appreciated.

Atomic Pinkie · 08-26-2003, 11:13 PM

i've seen them, it will cost a crapload and some legroom will be lost...

sambocom · 08-27-2003, 12:29 AM

JL Audio makes a badass subwoofer enclosure just for your truck: http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/tacoma_ext.html

That holds one 10" subwoofer. Along with that you would need a 300-400W RMS mono subwoofer amp.

Scorps · 08-27-2003, 08:04 AM

Man best thing to do it take it to your local audio store and let the guy look at it.

I couldn't really tell you with-out seeing it.

Gnzo · 08-27-2003, 12:57 PM

If you want to go with more of a stealthy install, but still great sound, I can send you pics of what we did with my friend's Tacoma. You can't tell by looking that anything other than the stock deck has been changed.

Consider: How much money you want to spend and how much of the work you are planning on doing.

Here is what we put in it.

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X759 - Deck
Kenwood Excelon KHD-CX910 - Keg
Eclipse EA3532 - Amp
Diamond Audio Hex Series S600s - Front Speakers
Diamond Audio Motorsport M6 Series M661 - Rear Speakers
Diamond Audio CM3 08D2 - Sub

All of the speakers had to have custom mounting plates made because we put bigger speakers in the stock locations (you won't have as hard of a time because your stock speakers are round). We also had to shave plastic off the inside of the door and back side panels to get the panels back on. I did a complete custom sub enclosure for him, built into his rear seats. We decided to go with an Integrated 5 channel Eclipse amp rather than one 4 and one 2 channel amp to save space. We used the passive crossovers that came with the Diamonds to filter the desired frequencies for the front and back channels and the amp's LPF to get the desired frequencies out of the sub. The signal coming out of the Deck is completely flat, and we have turned off the deck's internal amplifier.

Consider the size of the cab, a "GOOD" 8" sub with a good amp is plenty for the inside of a Tacoma. Granted, you won't really be shaking the cars next to you, but that just depends on what you are trying to achieve. His system is completely balanced, sounds absolutely amazing, and can get louder (without a single bit of distortion) than any normal person would want to listen to it.

Let me know if you want me to post some pictures, he has them all or I would just do it now.

TheClarkster · 08-27-2003, 01:21 PM

Gnzo, I'm assuming that you know quite a lot about that whole procedure you described there, so, how much did all of that cost? I don't need sound that will be setting off car alarms as I go by. And unless I randomly absorb the know-how of installing it, I'm going to need to take it to Circuit City or something of the like so I don't mess anything up. And pictures would be very nice. I'll have to go research some of those parts you mentioned.

Gnzo · 08-27-2003, 03:49 PM

TC, he spent about $2500. That does not include installation, because I helped him do it. Eclipse and Diamond Audio are high-end car audio equipment companies (Eclipse has been around for a while), and non of the big stores, like Circuit City sells them. You will have to go to a small store that specializes in car audio (Not Car Toys) to see and listen to that equipment.

I don't even think Circuit City could do the custom sub enclosure (but who knows). I am a big fan of the small "mom and pop" audio stores. They know a lot more about audio and installation. And they don't have some punk kid installing the stuff and then telling his friends where you live so they can go steal it.

I have done quite a few complete custom car audio installs. I get better with each one. I know a lot, but still have a lot to learn. Hi-Fi is a hobby of mine, and I listen to hi-end equipment in my home, so it just makes sense to have the same quality or close to the same quality in my car. Especially if you have a commute everyday. I have passed this love for good sounding music onto some of my friends.

Anyway, one speaker can sound different to a lot of people, and it just doesn't make sense to some people to spend $600 on a pair of speakers for your car. A friend of mine has installed tons of mods onto her Passat, and I tease her about, "when are we going to put in a "real" sound system?" She is happy with the stock system. Some people just want to listen to music, they miss a lot of the subtleties that the artist include, and they are fine with it.

Stopping the rambling, the best place to start is your budget, then we can go from there. I would be happy to recommend some stuff if you would like. Diamond has a product locator on their site if you put in your zip code. I don't really know any shops in Cali. I will post those pictures or have my friend do it.

Eclipse - http://www.eclipse-web.com
Diamond Audio - http://www.diamondaudio.com

DEI37 · 08-27-2003, 04:14 PM

As Gnzo says...the sky's the limit. This stuff costs money, but if you watch what you get via research and stuff, you can stretch your dollar further. I use Infinity Reference in my car...need to amp them though, and get a good 10" sub in the trunk. I'm a SQ kind of guy...if the SPL comes, it comes after SQ. I can hear things in my car that I can't hear anywhere else except my home system.
I would recommend Infinity, JBL, Polk, or MB Quart for your vehicle...or your house...doesn't matter. Keep speaker brands the same. And the same model, too. For instance, if you want Infinity Reference up front put Infinity Reference out back, and for the sub as well.
I'm not real knowledgable about amps, but I do know that Kicker makes a good amp, and Rockford Fosgate makes a good amp as well.

WarWagon · 08-31-2003, 07:17 PM

My buddy Manny, owner of T-Rex audio has a pair of Pro-Tech 12's powered by a pair of US Amps in extended cab Dakota. IMO, you should build the box yourself, and if you wan't quality amps that are priced damn good for the power and quality, take a look at the stuff by Ample Audio, who builds enough stuff for other manufacturers to surprise you. The Pro-Techs are a mean little sub, too.

TheClarkster · 09-01-2003, 10:30 PM

Any idea on the prices of these things? I've decided I will start small with a cd player and speakers.
I guess when I get more money I'll think about installing subs/amps.

WarWagon · 09-02-2003, 07:56 AM

Personally for an in dash CD, I love the clarion units. Sound awesome, clean look, built sturdy, and a bunch of them have MP3 playback, etc etc. You can have one at around 200 bucks for a decent one. If you want to replace the speakers, have a look at the stuff by Ample. The Exonics are their bit better line, but their base line is pretty inexpensive and sounds amazing for the price. We put 6 of their 5 inch units in the doors of the show truck and it sounds awesome.

mikey08 · 09-02-2003, 02:22 PM

ive been a big fan of alpine decks. had them for a while and they work awesome. i use that with infinity speakers and a 10" rockford fosgate HX2 sub. sounds crisp and nice without too much bass and the sound doesnt carry so punk kids dont follow you home and jack your shit.

Gnzo · 09-04-2003, 11:19 AM

TC - We can't seem to find the time-lapse pictures we did of my friend's Tacoma. He is still looking though.

As for CD-Decks, I would go with Eclipse, Alpine, or Kenwood Excelon, in that order. Three of my friends and myself are all running Kenwood Excelon decks, but that is because all of us have music kegs. (I am however, very pleased with the Kenwood) If I wasn't going to get the music keg, and I was sure I wouldn't get one in the future, I would probably go with an Eclipse Deck.

I don't have a lot of experiance with Clarion, so I can't say good or bad things about it. Sony EX used to be the really high-end up until the mid 90's, but it's gone to crap now. Alpine has always seemed to be good quality over the last 15 years.

I will post the pics when my friend finds them.

08-26-2003, 10:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
TheClarkster Very Proud of Ya Location: Simi Valley, CA	Car Stereo Systems Just two days ago, I became the new owner of a 1997 Toyota Tacoma extended cab. Right now, it's pretty basic, so I was wondering how much amp/subs wise I could fit in there without losing the seating in back. Is it possible to get the stuff installed under the seats? I'm a complete newbie to the whole stereo thing, so any help is much appreciated. __________________ Do not speak Latin in front of the books.

08-26-2003, 11:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Atomic Pinkie Addict Location: Chicago	i've seen them, it will cost a crapload and some legroom will be lost... __________________ Where dem bitches at?

08-27-2003, 08:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	Man best thing to do it take it to your local audio store and let the guy look at it. I couldn't really tell you with-out seeing it. __________________ A.K.A. PainTrain

08-27-2003, 01:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheClarkster Very Proud of Ya Location: Simi Valley, CA	Gnzo, I'm assuming that you know quite a lot about that whole procedure you described there, so, how much did all of that cost? I don't need sound that will be setting off car alarms as I go by. And unless I randomly absorb the know-how of installing it, I'm going to need to take it to Circuit City or something of the like so I don't mess anything up. And pictures would be very nice. I'll have to go research some of those parts you mentioned. __________________ Do not speak Latin in front of the books.

08-27-2003, 04:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	As Gnzo says...the sky's the limit. This stuff costs money, but if you watch what you get via research and stuff, you can stretch your dollar further. I use Infinity Reference in my car...need to amp them though, and get a good 10" sub in the trunk. I'm a SQ kind of guy...if the SPL comes, it comes after SQ. I can hear things in my car that I can't hear anywhere else except my home system. I would recommend Infinity, JBL, Polk, or MB Quart for your vehicle...or your house...doesn't matter. Keep speaker brands the same. And the same model, too. For instance, if you want Infinity Reference up front put Infinity Reference out back, and for the sub as well. I'm not real knowledgable about amps, but I do know that Kicker makes a good amp, and Rockford Fosgate makes a good amp as well. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

08-27-2003, 12:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
sambocom Tilted Location: Sunny California	JL Audio makes a badass subwoofer enclosure just for your truck: http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/tacoma_ext.html That holds one 10" subwoofer. Along with that you would need a 300-400W RMS mono subwoofer amp.

08-27-2003, 12:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gnzo Insane	If you want to go with more of a stealthy install, but still great sound, I can send you pics of what we did with my friend's Tacoma. You can't tell by looking that anything other than the stock deck has been changed. Consider: How much money you want to spend and how much of the work you are planning on doing. Here is what we put in it. Kenwood Excelon KDC-X759 - Deck Kenwood Excelon KHD-CX910 - Keg Eclipse EA3532 - Amp Diamond Audio Hex Series S600s - Front Speakers Diamond Audio Motorsport M6 Series M661 - Rear Speakers Diamond Audio CM3 08D2 - Sub All of the speakers had to have custom mounting plates made because we put bigger speakers in the stock locations (you won't have as hard of a time because your stock speakers are round). We also had to shave plastic off the inside of the door and back side panels to get the panels back on. I did a complete custom sub enclosure for him, built into his rear seats. We decided to go with an Integrated 5 channel Eclipse amp rather than one 4 and one 2 channel amp to save space. We used the passive crossovers that came with the Diamonds to filter the desired frequencies for the front and back channels and the amp's LPF to get the desired frequencies out of the sub. The signal coming out of the Deck is completely flat, and we have turned off the deck's internal amplifier. Consider the size of the cab, a "GOOD" 8" sub with a good amp is plenty for the inside of a Tacoma. Granted, you won't really be shaking the cars next to you, but that just depends on what you are trying to achieve. His system is completely balanced, sounds absolutely amazing, and can get louder (without a single bit of distortion) than any normal person would want to listen to it. Let me know if you want me to post some pictures, he has them all or I would just do it now.

08-27-2003, 03:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gnzo Insane	TC, he spent about $2500. That does not include installation, because I helped him do it. Eclipse and Diamond Audio are high-end car audio equipment companies (Eclipse has been around for a while), and non of the big stores, like Circuit City sells them. You will have to go to a small store that specializes in car audio (Not Car Toys) to see and listen to that equipment. I don't even think Circuit City could do the custom sub enclosure (but who knows). I am a big fan of the small "mom and pop" audio stores. They know a lot more about audio and installation. And they don't have some punk kid installing the stuff and then telling his friends where you live so they can go steal it. I have done quite a few complete custom car audio installs. I get better with each one. I know a lot, but still have a lot to learn. Hi-Fi is a hobby of mine, and I listen to hi-end equipment in my home, so it just makes sense to have the same quality or close to the same quality in my car. Especially if you have a commute everyday. I have passed this love for good sounding music onto some of my friends. Anyway, one speaker can sound different to a lot of people, and it just doesn't make sense to some people to spend $600 on a pair of speakers for your car. A friend of mine has installed tons of mods onto her Passat, and I tease her about, "when are we going to put in a "real" sound system?" She is happy with the stock system. Some people just want to listen to music, they miss a lot of the subtleties that the artist include, and they are fine with it. Stopping the rambling, the best place to start is your budget, then we can go from there. I would be happy to recommend some stuff if you would like. Diamond has a product locator on their site if you put in your zip code. I don't really know any shops in Cali. I will post those pictures or have my friend do it. Eclipse - http://www.eclipse-web.com Diamond Audio - http://www.diamondaudio.com

08-31-2003, 07:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	My buddy Manny, owner of T-Rex audio has a pair of Pro-Tech 12's powered by a pair of US Amps in extended cab Dakota. IMO, you should build the box yourself, and if you wan't quality amps that are priced damn good for the power and quality, take a look at the stuff by Ample Audio, who builds enough stuff for other manufacturers to surprise you. The Pro-Techs are a mean little sub, too.

09-01-2003, 10:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
TheClarkster Very Proud of Ya Location: Simi Valley, CA	Any idea on the prices of these things? I've decided I will start small with a cd player and speakers. I guess when I get more money I'll think about installing subs/amps. __________________ Do not speak Latin in front of the books.

09-02-2003, 07:56 AM	#11 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	Personally for an in dash CD, I love the clarion units. Sound awesome, clean look, built sturdy, and a bunch of them have MP3 playback, etc etc. You can have one at around 200 bucks for a decent one. If you want to replace the speakers, have a look at the stuff by Ample. The Exonics are their bit better line, but their base line is pretty inexpensive and sounds amazing for the price. We put 6 of their 5 inch units in the doors of the show truck and it sounds awesome.

09-02-2003, 02:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
mikey08 Upright	ive been a big fan of alpine decks. had them for a while and they work awesome. i use that with infinity speakers and a 10" rockford fosgate HX2 sub. sounds crisp and nice without too much bass and the sound doesnt carry so punk kids dont follow you home and jack your shit.

09-04-2003, 11:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
Gnzo Insane	TC - We can't seem to find the time-lapse pictures we did of my friend's Tacoma. He is still looking though. As for CD-Decks, I would go with Eclipse, Alpine, or Kenwood Excelon, in that order. Three of my friends and myself are all running Kenwood Excelon decks, but that is because all of us have music kegs. (I am however, very pleased with the Kenwood) If I wasn't going to get the music keg, and I was sure I wouldn't get one in the future, I would probably go with an Eclipse Deck. I don't have a lot of experiance with Clarion, so I can't say good or bad things about it. Sony EX used to be the really high-end up until the mid 90's, but it's gone to crap now. Alpine has always seemed to be good quality over the last 15 years. I will post the pics when my friend finds them.