I've been lurking here for a while and soaking up all the good info. Thanks. My question is this I'm trying to decide whether or not to replace my factory HU and CD changer on my 2002 FX4 SuperCrew. If I do I have just about decided on the Pioneer DEH-P8400MD along with a Pioneer 6 or 10 disc changer.

1. How hard is it to install both of these myself. I feel pretty confidant I can instal the HU but what about running new wires to the CD changer

2. If I invest in the above system, should I go ahead and replace my factory speakers. The man at BestBuy said I had to because the new HU would blow the factory speakers anyway. I have noticed some threads to the contrary here.

Thanks for the help and info.

 

I cannot help you on the speakers but, running wires is amazingly simple.

If you really look at your truck/vehicle, pay attention to how many places you can conceal a wire. The kick panels, the step plates, the plastic pieces... the possibilities are ENDLESS. It's VERY simple. I don't think you'll have ANY trouble running the wires...

I don't know much about speakers thus, I'm going to refrain from making recommendations in that arena...

GOOD LUCK!

RP

 

I would say to go ahead and do the speakers first. I say this becasue, after you replace the speakers, you will see a marked improvement in the sound quality even with the stock HU. I put Pioneer 6x8's in mine and love them so far - fit perfectly, then I added the Clarion sub (do a search for Clarion and you can see pics) and both of those mods alone made the sound pretty darned good. Look at my signature for the specific number and I put pics in my gallery of what I did to conceal the speaker grilles so you don't see the white speakers.. Some like that, I personally didn't and took some lycra and hot glue, stretched the lycra and glued the lycra to the inside panel to conceal them. Looks great in my opinion... See for yourself...

I too like the 8400 but I wish they made it in black. Personally, I think it would be too much flash for my dash but I really like the unit.. Very impressive! So, I am going to go with the 7400 or if I can find the 9400 for a good price (which I did at one time) I will get it... I also plan to add an XM unit like RockPicks... I will have almost the exact same setup as he does when I am done...

Best wishes and welcome!

Chris (ReelWork)

Oh yeah, since you got the door panels off, go ahead and invest the $20 or so and get the dynamat.. I noticed a little deader sound in the doors after I did. So far I only have about $240 invested with speakers, sub and dynamat.. Not too bad, ehh???

 

Ya know, Reelwork has really good taste.

Here are some photos of my set up.

Pioneer DEH-P7400 with XM

Clarion Camoflauge Sub-Woofer

Terk XM Antenna









If you have any questions about my set up, please feel free to email me using the link in my signature line...

RP *smiley*

 

Both of you guy's have good taste!

Pioneer 6400 (same as 7400 without MP3)
Pioneer XM tuner
Soundstream MC140 (will plug in when i get new speakers)
Three channel crossover (same as above)
Turk glass mount XM anntenna(soon to be the same as Rocks)
Dirt cheap pair of no-name 12"subs (need a box and a small cheap amp)


I'm still a work in progress. I'll be getting Infinity Kappa's soon. Right now i'm on factory speakers. They sound much better with the Pioneer H/U but it's immediate as soon as you turn on the H/U for the first time, you'll want speakers. But the factory speakers won't "blow". That sounds like their little sales pitch.