Putting in a radio and speakers, need help

[Crispyr1]

I'm getting ready to put a radio in and some or one speaker. Need suggestions and ideas. I don't have the money to put in one that will fit brand new, so I will probably be cutting the dash to fit a CD player. Pics would be a plus too.. and also there are no wires for it so i'll have to run those aswell! thanks for the help guys!!!!

[Nova70]

What exactly do you want ideas for? Speaker location?

[Crispyr1]

where to put my radio if there are alternatives, how to cut, speaker location, wiring it up. I'm a newb and just trying to make the job easier. figured i'd ask you guys.

[Nova70]

As for wiring, it's pretty simple. You'll need to run a constant 12v wire, switched 12v (Usually from ignition switch) and a ground. The rest is your speakers. I cut my dash and it was pretty easy, I just marked it all out with a sharpie then cut it with a jigsaw. Make sure you measure 3 times and cut once.

[Sinister]

I masked my opening to the measurement the stereo needed and cut with a Dremel. X2 on the measure 3 times part.

[Crispyr1]

where did you mount the speakers? i heard of using the kick panels, but looks like it takes up a lot of room. I also heard of using the air ducts on the side wall, but how would you seal the back of the speakers from the elements?

[Sinister]

My speaker are in my doors, courtesy of the PO hacking holes for 6 x 9's and 6" round ones. Sounds good, but if it were up to me I would have put them in some kick panel pods.

[Nova70]

I just made some kick panel pods and love them. As long as you go with a quality component set that will be plenty of speaker. Throw in a sub somewhere and you're good to go. I'm running the Image Dynamics CXS64 V.2 in mine along with a 4" 2-way coaxial in the corner's of the dash. Just make sure you run the comp. set off an amp.

Edit- Not sure what your budget is speaker wise but here is the comp. set I'm running and it's the best I've run so far.
http://www.woofersetc.com/p7174/CXS6...ent-System.htm

If you're on a bit more of a budget I've heard nothing but good things about these I.D.'s-
http://www.woofersetc.com/p6201/CTX6...ker-System.htm

[Ironhorse]

I haven't done it yet but after moving my in-the-cab tank to under the bed my thoughts are to put a pair of 6" x 9" tri-axials in the cab corners facing at an angle toward the cab center. Truck is sleeping off the winter doldrums right now so am looking for any thoughts on how to mount such a set-up. Figuring on using 1/2" plywood covered with grey cloth to match the interior.

[Nova70]

Just my .02 but 6x9's are not built for sound quality. I would go with a component set if I were you. I also wouldn't put speakers behind you in a single cab as it will set the sound stage off. I'm anal when it comes to audio if you can tell.

[bikerbuck]

My tank is under the bed so ive got a speaker box with 2 polk 10's behind the seat along with 2 corner cab speakers for the highs and 2 more speakers for the highs in the kick panels, 2 amps under the seat along with 2 layers of fat mat throughout the cab..It sounds very good.

[Nova70]

I could get into a religious debate on this topic but I will save my membership. If you want my knowledge send me a PM.
Edit- If you want a system that sounds good to both the average Joe, and audio fanatics, don't put speakers behind you. If you don't care, then put them behind you.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Originally Posted by Nova70

As for wiring, it's pretty simple. You'll need to run a constant 12v wire, switched 12v (Usually from ignition switch) and a ground. The rest is your speakers. I cut my dash and it was pretty easy, I just marked it all out with a sharpie then cut it with a jigsaw. Make sure you measure 3 times and cut once.

That's it in a nut shell. Run your constant 12V for memory, 12V switched, you should have 4 tabs to plug into on the right side of your fuse block for your switched power and a couple on the upper left and center for your constant, and your ground. On your speaker wires solid color is pos. and striped is neg. if this matters. The P/O had cut the dash in my '69 so I put in a Kenwood face unit from Crutchfields, $89.00 for stereo and two round 6" speakers. Pretty good deal and I like mine. Here is a picture

[D-Rat]

Here's my install thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=376978

[Hubscrub]

i used the dash center speaker and bracket to mount two 3 1/2 in speakers in the dash where the oringinal center speaker was (if the parts are still in your truck) i cut the original speaker down and kept the bottom and magnet that fits in the bracket and welded a flat piece of sheet metal on the old speaker and the magnets from the new speakers will hold them in place and they will bolt right in place of the factory speaker you might have to bend to bracket down some i just put mine in last saturday sorry no pics

[jeffro788]

If you can afford it, the kickpanels are a good way to go, whether you run a good set of coaxials or components. The components are going to sound better, but cost you more. The last set I bought was around $500 and I will never do that again, so I bought a good set of Kenwood coaxials (only b/c I got a good deal on Kenwood 6x9s). I have the 6x9's under the seat which would be much better when I get them to stand up facing the front of the cab. All of my speakers are on an amp, so they are pretty loud and I have the amp adjusted to good sound quality. I am really not one for cutting the dash, but you will have better options for head units especially for adjustments to the system.
I have done the stereo competitions and wrapped up a retarded amount of money in a stereo and in the end it really isn't worth trying to go big, but quality is a big deal. Do what is going to fit the truck and fit your budget, hit best buys and get open box buys or the web for good sales.
If you can do it though, go for the kick panels and get them empty to put your own speakers in them, just make sure they have 2" or less mounting depth. The best deal I found was dreamers hot rods and I think we had about $85 shipping included.

[Crispyr1]

You guys are awesome!!!! Thanks for the great input! I'll post pics when i'm done!!!!

[Racinaround]

I cant find it today but theres a pretty stock looking radio on ebay that had AM/FM and a pod hook up
No Cutting the Dash and before you know it cd's will be replace with mass storage devices (Ipods)
Sound like a starter choice?????
Just my 2 cents