I'm behind the times

[Richard H.]

I would appreciate some suggestions on what to put in my 71 build for a stereo. I got outta high school the same year ,71 . To me the system in my new camaro is a joke with way to many functions and apps. The system in my Silverado suits me better with good sound and simple to use. Number one it has to have xm and fm. I also want front -back and left- right control. My headliner has 4 speakers , kick panel speakers , and a dual speaker in the dash. The truck is completely shaved but if I have to mount a shark fin antenna I will but anything hidden is good.
I assume a head unit is just a control panel for an amp? Times have certainly changed since I was young.

[stich626]

depending on how loud you want it, you maynot need amps..
also the speakers in the dash and header are not gonna take much..
you didn't say if the seat is bench or bucket, tank still in cab?
so I'll go with tank in cab and bench..
if the power in the headunit(they have amps in them 25-45watts per channel) and thats enough for you..
run the kickpanel and front head panel speakers from the front channels in the head unit.
I'm also going on the headliner speakers being 2 front 2 back..
dash speaker center mono or one on each side..
my 71 is a center mono..
and run the rear headliner speakers and a set of 6by9's boxed under the seat off the rear channels of the head unit..

if you need want louder, you're gonna need to make choices,, and not knowing whats in the truck now doesn't help..
if the headliner thing is like I've seen the speakers are garbage, if you have buckets and tank in cab, house'n an amp might depend on it's size..

to better help you..
please list/answer these questions..
1)how loud you want it.. (head units today are loud,but if your gonna have heavy bass music, you might need help<amp.)??
2) what is the config of the speakers in the headliner ,I.E. one in each corner, or 4 across the front?? what size are the speakers in it, and are they up to what you want (you can change them for better speakers)
3) dash speaker config?? single center dash or?????????
4) seating in truck bench or bucket??
5)fuel tank still in cab???
6)is cutting holes in the door an option?? some it is, some it's not
7) is the dash already cut for the din sized radio?? or still the stock shaft
8) the trucks cab power wire isn't big enough to power todays high watt head units, never mind an amp.. plan on running a fused power lead off battery or a junction block and into the cab,
get back with answers to all this and I'll be better able to help you..and others will be able to help too..
nothings changed if you installed a pioneer supertuner in the 70-80's this will be about the same, if needing amp's it's a little harder but not all that tuff..


to give you an idea, my 71
I am in the middle of my install, but mines a little overkill..
I have 6.5" speakers in kickpanels,after the tank goes and the blazer tank is under the bed, a box with a sub(s) will go where the tank once was.
6.5" three way seperates going in the doors,dash,apillar(woofer,midrange,tweeter) or 6by9's in the rear part of the door, (3ways may go into monty)
amps inder the seats,

answer the question above and we'll go from there..
also, don't forget to list about what you want to spend..
a good head unit with xm/hd radio/cd/and ubs ipod input are 170 up..
depending on what you need (loudness, or is speakers need to be changed)

[Richard H.]

Stitch ,the sound in the Silverado suits me .
2, The headliner does have 4 ,4 inch crappy speakers that are in the back ,2 each side above the passenger and drivers head.
3, The dash speaker(s) go in the stock location ,they are two four inch on a frame.
4, if you look at the second page of my build thread you can get an idea of what I have to work with. All of my relays and trick stuff go behind the seats. I'm using the console get all the front truck wiring to the back. If I do need an amp it can go in the console.
5, To prevent distortion I'm guessing 240-300 watts minimum?
6, I already bought the best dash speaker(s) I could find so besides the headliner junk my kick panel speakers are from LMC which I know nothing about quality wise. Whoops hold that..they are 6" 100 watt.
7 Do hidden antennas work? read first post.
8 Cost.. I want it nice ,I don't want what is in my Camaro where you spend the day programming all the functions only to have to pull over to change radio functions because you accidentally hit the wrong button. If the radio in my Silverado had left,right front to back I would consider buying one from GM.
Thanks for your time!

[stich626]

ok questions..
tank stay'n or going?
is CUTTING holes in doors an option?

[Richard H.]

No tank and no speakers there either. No holes in the doors either.
I was looking at this from Crutchfield..
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_068RSM1...FFPrice_Range|[rank4]%24251+-+%24450

[stich626]

ok.. lets see..
you have custom autosound kickpanels
2 4" in center dash
and four 4" in headliner..behind head..
it looks like the tank is stay'n and the concole means buckets..

I'd run the dash and headliner with the built in amp in the head unit.. this will just help fill the sound stage as the other speakers are going to be low..
now I'd pick a fairly good amp.. you don't have to go crazy.. 4 channel 75 watt is more than enough
run the kick panels off the front channels and either 6by 9 or(my choice) 6.5" 2 way seperates with the woofer installed in the back corner of the door and the tweeter at the top back corner of your door panel..
install the amp on pass side(less use= less dust,dirt to get in it)
hidden ant. never liked them.. with you wanting xm I'd go with one like new cars 7" tall that mounts on roof(junkyard crawl)
and if not gonna have a bed cover. install in the stake pocket or mount in corner front of bed,(out of sight out of mind) or center of roof(if you feel like cutting roof)
as far as a head unit that isn't a pain to use.. that you'll have to figure out..
hit an auto sound store or best buy, and get ideas,, note make,model that you like..
then hit up the internet, crutchfeild is good.
you'll have clean sound.. and a tad louder than your new truck..
as far as the speakers in the headliner..
I'd see if they are 4" or 3.5" then watch crutchfeild for sale on that size speakers..
and replace with good 2 ways. as they are at your head.. and will be the ones that will make or break the sound.. only issue is how deep of a cone speaker will fit up there..
something like this if they'll fit


you could get away with just one pair(sale 69.00) or drop 4 in it..

[stich626]

notank..
no doors..
I'd think it over and drop 6by9's in the cab corners .
my doors are already cut. so.. for me it doesn't matter.

[stich626]

I'll take it your dash isn't cut. if your looking at that

[stich626]

with that you WILL need an amp the ones in them suck..
how many speakers you plan on running
2 dash
2 kick
4 headliner
rear cab corners??
if no to speakers in cab corners..
get really good 4" for the headliner..
those b/a's or something like the rockfordfosgate ones farthar down the page..(crutchfeild)
if you get that model one, run all the speakers from an amp..
and get a 120+ watts per channel 4 channel
drivers side kick and left dash 4" to left front amp channel
pass side kick and right 4" dash to right front amp channel
depending on cap corner speakers or not
without
drivers side 4" headliners to rear left amp channel
pass side 4" headliner to rear right amp channel
if cab corner just add each side to the rear amp channels (left ,right)
the reason I'd really think of something in the lower rear speakers..
is the 4" speakers you have everywhere are lacking in the low end, it can work.. but..
good luck..
p.m. if you need any help or question, ideas..