I just popped in some polk db570's into my stock 03 extended cab. Due to the factory h/u it kinda is bland.

I have the same issue alot of people do, i wanna keep my 6x changer and factory look, so whats the best option?

I would replace the h/u if it was really needed,
But would an amp accomplish the same thing?

And i have no idea what this cleansweep unit is, but it looks good

Anyways, DB's & SQ for the $$ what is the best option?

 

I would get the CleanSweep (I did, heh) and then a 4-channel amp. Those speakers will work with a modest 50-75 watts RMS with GREAT results. I even ran those on a POS Sony Xplod amp back in the day on my first system before I got a quality amp and they still did fantastically.

But, in the end you will ultimately need a 4 channel amp for more solid sound and higher volumes...and of course a clean sweep will help to clean the sound up as well.

*If* you have to choose between the two...the 4 channel will give the most drastic results in that situation.

 

The stock HU isn't bad since it uses a DSP which can probably be found in aftermarket HU's. It's actually quite good with exception to the output amp stage which Ford skimped on big time... even the reference design that the power amp IC vendor (ST Micro) publishes is better 'equiped'

You'll have to run an external amp with a LOC unless your amp has high level inputs. Try that first. If good enough, you get to keep the stock look as I also strongly desire :-)

I haven't had any time since the beginning of the summer to hack the stock HU to prove it works, but it *is* possible to pull out the preamp outputs straight off the DSP fairly easily and bring them out on some RCA jacks to drive an ext. amp.

I have my amp installed but not completely wired up yet--hopefully I can do it over Thanksgiving weekend!! Then I can start hacking into the HU...