I was wanting to replace my stock speakers with better ones. I stopped at two high end car audio stores in my area, and both advised that changing the speakers wouldn't make a dramatic difference. They said I should start by replacing the head unit. Problem is no-one makes one that will control the factory CD changer. Has anyone replace just their speakers, how did it sound? They were not just trying to make more money as the head unit's they showed me would have cost less than the speakers I was looking at.

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1999 F150 Lariat
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield, VentVisors, Class III hitch, Ford molded mud guards

 

I'm not too much of a car audio expert but I do know that alot of cars today can benefit from better AMPS. You may check out replacing the factory AMP with something better. Your speakers should handle some boost from the AMP but obviously not too much. The AMP will most definitely grant you more clarity.

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___________________

99 F-150 Lariat 4x4, 5.4, 3.73LS, upg. 4x4 pkg., 17" wheels, leather capt., CD Changer kit - pretty much all U can get from factory!

 

Spend some time at the "Poor Sound in F-150" thread. The subject is worked over pretty well there.

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Ben Mc.----'99 XLT 5.4 SC SB ORP Dk. Red/Dk. Grey----Fact. Cab Steps, Tonneau, Slider----Straight Duals, Superchip, Airaid/KN (non-sag), Prime Designs Air Deflector----PPI 4240 Amp,McIntosh 6x9's w/crossovers front, Polk DB 5.25's rear---Tuessssdayyyy Affffternoooooon----gotta love it!

 

JA_Stang

I have a 99 supercab. I replaced all four speakers (I had to wire the back to since i only have the work series). That alone, in my opinion, improved it pretty good. the real difference i noticed was when i replaced the head unit with a pioneer P4000. Ive head alot about replacing the amp. i plan on it sometime. but the speakers alone is a good start.

 

JA_Stang86

Ask yourself this....from what do you hear? The speakers. Stock speakers are crap. They have no range, bass or highs. To me, they sound like they're under water. I added tweeters, sub woofer, and amps. MUCH better.

 

I like the ergonomics (large buttons) of the factory head unit so I am going to do what I have found to work well in the past and change the speakers and add a amp(100-200 watts) no sub as I don't like to rattle anything and the door panels give the speakers plenty of bass support. I have found this combination works very well in the past unless you want to go compition. Also you can do this for under 500.00.

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Nastruck1

 

I have to agree with lovell1, I like the factory stereo looks, also my big concern is the cd changer, so speakers are my only option. I don't want to shell out $200 bucks for good speakers if I'm not going to get a major difference. Also I think thieves will be less interested in a stock stereo, which it will look loike with speakers in the factory holes. Thanks for all of your input, I am going to get with some local F-150 owners and see if anyone has made similar changes and hear for myself.
Jeff

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1999 F150 Lariat
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield, VentVisors, Class III hitch, Ford molded mud guards

 

Ja_Stang86: If you decide to go just speakers, I put in Polk Audio 5x7's They fit right in the factory holes.

 

Tina, do you know if 6x8s also fit factory holes? Am going to install those if they'll go or 5x7s if not.

 

Doobie, The factory speakers are 6x8 so 6x8 speakers are a perfect fit. Unfortunately not all speaker manufacturers make a 6x8. So many of us opt for 5x7 speakers in the type that we like because they also fit properly.
I put Infinity 572cf's in my truck, they sound great. However they are a low efficiency speaker so they aren't as loud as most speakers. To me sound quality is most important, and these speakers had the quality that I wanted. Hope this info helps.

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Michael Krieger
99f150@pickupman.com
99 XLT, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package
Accessories: Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings, Bug Shield, Bed Mat




[This message has been edited by mkrieger (edited 05-18-99).]

 

Doobie: I have some 6x9 that dont fit. The husband said the metal around opening would have to be nicked a bit. I decided I didn't want that and looked for speakers that would fit instead. So what I'm getting at is you can make speakers a little larger fit, you just have to do a little more work to install them.

 

Lots of helpful advice in this list. The only thing I would add is to not worry about replacing the rear speakers. I was told that no matter what you stick back there, the location will not help to improve the sound quality. Hope I was of help.

 

JA_Stang86,

Sounds like that guy was trying to sell you all sorts of stuff. The more efficient the speaker the better the sound no matter what power you are putting through it. Factory paper speakers cannot recreate the vibrations that aftermarket speakers with polymer cones can. I would say replace the speakers first then add the amps. If you replaced the head unit and amps it would still sound terrible because the factory speakers can't handle it. I plan on replacing mine, just haven't but in previous vehicles I've done that first and it's made a lot of difference. Just my 2 cents.

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dseibert,
'97 XLT S/C, 4.6L, 3-4 Bell Tech Drop, K&N, Leer Cap, 17" American Racing wheels
Dark Toreador Red...you know Maroon!
(see page 5 of the Owner's Gallery bottom picture)

 

wait a minute i just installed a punch amp
400a4 and got mtx thunderforms dual eights under rear sit,i still have my paper
speakers and i like my music loud and clear i plan to replace my factory speakers soon
but they still sound good. just a good amp will make a big difference.
mike k.

 

Joe,

Does the MTX Thunderform for the F150 have a built in amp? I was watching Shadetree Mechanics and they put one in an Expedition and it was self powered. Would really make installation a snap!

Don't get me wrong I like the way my factory stereo sounds just need some more deep end punch and relieve the factory speaker of some of the bass. Actually I was quite surprised at how good it did sound. My other vehicles I've had the first thing I did was amps, subs, etc etc. You'd hear me before you'd see me. I have the factory CD Changer in my F150 and some people are surprised that it's all factory after they listen to it.

I think the manufactures realize that if people are going to lay down major coin on a vehicle they want a good sound system also.

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----------
dseibert,
'97 XLT S/C, 4.6L, 3-4 Bell Tech Drop, K&N, Leer Cap, 17" American Racing wheels
Dark Toreador Red...you know Maroon!
(see page 5 of the Owner's Gallery bottom picture)