wanting to rip out stock sound system!!

[4x4Runner09]

I have 2000 limited 4Runner 4wd

The sound system is stock, right now.

I was thinking of just starting with a new face plate.
With just a face plate upgrade for cd/mp3's would the sound improve at all....or should I go straight to speakers and an amp, maybe a sub

Whats a cool cd/mp3 doesnt have be mp3 face plate you can recommend me.

Thanks

 

[Thai]

It all depends on how much you want to spend. The wattage of the basic system is low...probably around 150 watts (max). Your stock system has a small amp behind the headunit to power the stock speakers.

Different people will give different answers. Some upgrade the headunit first. Others upgrade the speakers first. Both will likely produce better sound. For me, i would upgrade BOTH at the same time. However, upgrading both can get expensive.

Some people have gone with changing out the stock speakers to high-efficiency aftermarket speakers (JBL, Infinity, Pioneer). The sound should be a little bit better. But, remember, you're still powering these aftermarket speakers with your stock headunit (weakest link)...so, the improvement is limited. I would not go with the more expensive aftermarket speakers (MB Quart, Polk, Boston Acoustics) because these speakers require a lot of amplifier power.

Just remember this: more power is ALWAYS good. The more power you supply a speaker, the better it sounds (but you do risk blowing it). Also, your system is ONLY be as good as your weakest part!

Another route you can do is to upgrade the headunit. There are many high quality headunit that puts out 50x4 or even 60x4 watts. However, these are MAX power ratings, not average/continuous/RMS ratings. These headunits should be powerful enough to power the high efficiency speakers above. They will likely improve sound of your stock speakers as well (since power is always good). But, again, the improvement will be limited by your stock speakers (weakest link).

These aftermarket headunits have a lot of neat features, including ability to control subwoofer volume (if you install one) and change crossover points.

Good quality aftermarket headunit: Alpine is probably the most popular. Others: Pioneer, Rockford Fosgate, Kenwood, Sony, etc..

There's one headunit that is of very good quality but does not have as much features as above units: NAKAMICHI. They are very simple to operate with only basic features (no MP3). But, they are audiophile-quality headunits. And very expensive!

Other people will upgrade the speakers and also buy a separate amplifier to power them. This kind of upgrade will produce the best sound...however, it will cost $$.

As always, MAKE SURE YOU GO TO A QUALITY AUDIO SHOP. Make sure that you have someone experience to do the job! If you do not, then you risk endless rattles and poor sound from your new sound system! (I learn from experience!)

Hope this helps.

 

[Goose]

Just to toss in my $.02...Thai is absolutely correct in his recommendation to find a shop that specializes in audio equipment. I went the way of Circuit City and they fudged-it up something special. I just had the radio removed yesterday (and got my money back for everything) because they didn't have the correct adapter and just kinda shoved in one for an '02. Normally Circuit City is a great place to go for electronics, but they just made some bad decisions in this case. However their prices aren't great and their service--in any case--does not make up for the extra cost. If you're going to do it...do it right, a lesson I'm quickly learning here. And also don't listen to them when they try to pitch you the most expensive system they have. That's store policy so you've really got to ask for what you want unless you're interested in top of the line. Anything else they'll say isn't worth it practically. If you can find a good friend who is unbiased, that's the best source of advice. Otherwise this board has definitely got the know-how to help you out!!

Personally, I'm a fan of Alpine, but Sony(?) Xpload has made a good name for itself too.

Good luck!!

 

[LBC99]

I agree with the Alpine statement. Alpine decks are definitely the best.

When I got my used 99 4runner, it had all stock audio parts. I first upgraded the speakers, which helped a little, but then put in a new deck, which made a huge difference.

Then you need to add a subwoofer in the back too, which requires and amp unless you get a powered sub.

I'm pretty lucky that I know how to install the stuff myself, which saves me a bunch of money, but a lot of places will offer free installation.

 

[bool]

I would replace the head unit first. It will make a substantial difference. If you are planning to continue upgrades such as subs and component speakers, get a head unit with 3 sets of preouts. It makes adding on easier in the future. I personally am a big fan of Eclipse head units. I've had Sony and Kenwood from Circuit City and never knew what I was missing until I went to a car audio specific shop. Out went the Sony stuff and in came the Eclipse and Bostons. I have been very satisfied. My sisters stock head unit went out and she replaced it with an Eclipse. Still has the stock speakers, but she says it sounds better.

 

[pghcarguy02]

rear speakers

careful wehn getting new speakers for the rear doors. they are a custom size. you can put up to a 5.25" speaker in there with the right adapter. here is a websiote where i guy made his own adapter.

http://www.amug.org/~sschaefer/polk.html

you can save yourself the time, and buy an adapter here

www.mjmautoinnovations.com/speakeradapters

 

[tooxshort]

I, for one, recommend going to car audio specific shops because they DO have a better selection of speakers, amps, everything! I never go to Circuit City or Good Guys ... but Best Buy does carry some decent things ... I definitely wouldn't go for my installs at any of those places neither ... I have several car audio shops in my town and they all do the jobs a LOT faster than any normal retail store ...

As far as equipment ... I think it's all a matter of how you set it up ... u COULD spend a lot of dough on ultra-high-end equipment, but I've been VERY satisfied with the set-up in my Tercel (I know, I know... my stereo was worth more than my car) ... I ran a Sony deck ... not too great, but I figure when you add an amplifier, the deck doesn't matter ... Speaker-wise, I had Inifinity Kappa components in the front and 3-way Infinity Kappas in the back ... I ran 2 Rockford Fosgate XLC's (12") and used 2 Rockford Fosgate Power Punch 400 Amps (1 for my inside speakers and 1 for my subs) ... and a Lightning Audio Cap ... It sounded great ... Oh yeah ... the crappy thing about the Sony deck was that it didn't have enough Preouts on it, so I ended up getting a Kenwood equalizer to give me more preouts to add the amps ... Also, I dynamatted the whole trunk and door panels ... and had 2 portholes from my trunk to the cabin ...

To sum it up ... I think the way it's installed is the key to good sound! Your car's acoustics and all ...