i have a 05 extended cab with all the stock audio stuff. i was looking to completely upgrade everything, and add an amp and sub. just wanting to see what setups you guys are using. i want to spend about 1000 bucks on everything.

thanks

 

$1K is a modest budget. I think you should leave that budget strictly to your speakers, amps, sub(s), wiring, installation (i.e. sound dampening, etc.). Set aside a little more funding for a HU.


I could definitely pick/piece out a system that would rival ALOT of systems on this forum for a grand.

HU: eclipse CD4000/5000/7000 or an older eclipse...8053, 8455, 8445 ...alpine 9815, 9833, etc. (this is your downfall price wise)

amps: Zapco AG series (mostly used but very awesome amps even used) or reference series.

subs: ID, AA, Arc, the list goes on.

speakers: Rainbow (right now pound for pound the best speaker out)

 

Just using Crutchfield as an example for pricing:

Alpine CDA-9856, $200 (and gives you satellite/MP3 ability for later)
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4tkpEVk...p&I=500CDA9856


Boston Acoustics SL80, $300 (front doors only, leave the factory rears for fill, you don't hear them that much
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4tkpEVk...1900&I=065SL80

Alpine MRP-F450 Amp, $300, running front speakers and bridged to the sub. Rear speakers only get power from the deck...once again, for a minor amount of fill.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4tkpEVk...0&I=500MRPF450

Polk Audio db104 Sub, $90
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4tkpEVk...520&I=107DB104

This leaves $110 for wiring, dash kit, and wood to build yourself a small box to put the sub in.

This kind of system wouldn't be earth shaking and wouldn't meet the high standards of the folks who will tell you there is only the high dollar route, but you would have greatly improved sound over stock, and would have pieces which work with each other. It would work good like this, or can be upgraded over time (another set of speakers, then a dedicated sub amp, satelllite tuner, MP3 plug in, etc)

Best thing to do is shop around car audio retailers, and find someone who not only wants to work with you, but that you want to work with. If your budget can be stretched, start with the head unit, then do amp, then speakers, then sub. You may end up with more money in it, but even a $300 bump from the $1000 budget would greatly change any recommendations I or anyone else would make.

The big thing to remember(and I'm sure someone will come along to tell you how wrong I am in recommending this setup) is that yuo have just asked the world for an opinion. Like Grandpa used to say: opinions are like a$$holes, everybody's got one and they all stink. Some folks will even go out of their way to show you that the a$$hole is the biggest part of their personality.