New speakers
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 837
From: knoxville, tn
New speakers
Anyone installed speakers lately? I found the correct sizes but I haven’t bought any in several years so I didn’t know who is still making quality components. I see a lot of Kicker options available. Surprisingly Amazon has a lot of options, but I don’t think I trust them. It has some really cheap Pioneer speakers now so anything other than stock would probably be an improvement
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,269
Likes: 1,654
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
You want just in stock location? Or plan on doing a component set up?
Speakers is alot like oil discussions, with
that said.
Personally I like American Bass if your going with a 2 way speakers or coaxial, if your head unit can produce clean power to them, get the SQ series they sound clean.
components systems are great when running an amp to them but they do require you set them up properly to fully get the full potential out of them.
if you haven't already install some sound deadener inside the door skins, think will help tremendously with sound quality as the door on our trucks do rattle when you pop up the volume., same for the back.
Speakers is alot like oil discussions, with
that said.
Personally I like American Bass if your going with a 2 way speakers or coaxial, if your head unit can produce clean power to them, get the SQ series they sound clean.
components systems are great when running an amp to them but they do require you set them up properly to fully get the full potential out of them.
if you haven't already install some sound deadener inside the door skins, think will help tremendously with sound quality as the door on our trucks do rattle when you pop up the volume., same for the back.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 837
From: knoxville, tn
I plan to just do stock location replacements. I am planning to do some sound deadening when I pull the door panels. I am planning to do some on the door panel shell itself and do some on the back side of the plastic door panel. I have a decent head unit so it should give good power to the speakers.
Out of curiosity I pulled a rear speaker just to see what was there. When I pulled the cover, the wrong size is there and it was an ultra cheap speaker so I figure now is a good time for some better components. There are several “kits” with 5x7s and 6.5s for stock replacements. I am good with ordering them separately as long as the pieces work well together.
I will check out American Bass to see what they have to offer.
Out of curiosity I pulled a rear speaker just to see what was there. When I pulled the cover, the wrong size is there and it was an ultra cheap speaker so I figure now is a good time for some better components. There are several “kits” with 5x7s and 6.5s for stock replacements. I am good with ordering them separately as long as the pieces work well together.
I will check out American Bass to see what they have to offer.
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 63
Likes: 28
I put a pair of Infinity Kappa 683XF speakers in my Ranger and have been very happy. They're a little expensive, but sound great without an amplifier and have plenty of sensitivity. I'd definitely recommend staying away from the usual suspects like Kicker, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc. They're good for sounding muddy at high SPL levels and that's about it.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 5
I installed a new stereo and speakers in my '97 Crew Cab about a week ago. It was pretty straightforward. I bought my speakers and head unit from Crutchfield, they provided me harnesses that plugged directly into the factory harness, no cutting needed. Be ready to replace the panel fasteners, all mine were shot and wore out. Back speakers were much easier than the front speakers. With the front speakers you need to remove the inside door panel, it's a pain, but very doable.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 5
For the front of the cab: Kicker 46CSC654
For the back of the cab: Kicker 46CSC684
They bolted right in. The front speakers the mounting points were not exactly at right angles. The speakers had the offset holes to accommodate the front door panels.
I installed it with a Boss Audio Elite system with a back up camera. Sound is real crisp and clean, I wish it had more bass response. Overall, I'm real happy with how it turned out.
For the back of the cab: Kicker 46CSC684
They bolted right in. The front speakers the mounting points were not exactly at right angles. The speakers had the offset holes to accommodate the front door panels.
I installed it with a Boss Audio Elite system with a back up camera. Sound is real crisp and clean, I wish it had more bass response. Overall, I'm real happy with how it turned out.
Last edited by THFraser; Sep 8, 2025 at 09:29 PM.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 33
Likes: 7
From: atwater ohio
in my verrrrry professional 18 year old opinion...
kicker is %100 get what you pay for while Kenwood and pioneer are all just ok, American Bass is a very solid company it's where I personally get all my speakers amps and subs, however if you want perfect replacement Crutchfield cannot be beat. in my personal opinion ( I do have a decent amount of experience with systems) I would find a good quality head unit from Crutchfield and a complete set of all speakers from American bass. If you want to run an amp American Bass also has plenty of different amps for bass and normal speakers
kicker is %100 get what you pay for while Kenwood and pioneer are all just ok, American Bass is a very solid company it's where I personally get all my speakers amps and subs, however if you want perfect replacement Crutchfield cannot be beat. in my personal opinion ( I do have a decent amount of experience with systems) I would find a good quality head unit from Crutchfield and a complete set of all speakers from American bass. If you want to run an amp American Bass also has plenty of different amps for bass and normal speakers
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,519
Likes: 2,027
From: North Texas
I just put some Pioneer coax 6x9s in my beater Caravan, they sound better than one working paper cone POS original unit and shockingly decent on the OE headunit. They are their basic 'A' series. The dually has some old Polk DXs which I really dig as they are smooth, I have Pio better series in the Expedition, solid with nice power to them. All will sound very similar with just headunit power anyway, you put an external amp on that stuff and then you can really tell SQ differences.
Amps I use are old PPI Sedona or Art series, Kicker ZR, or first gen JL slash series.
Some pics in my build thread about my install. I did some deadener on the doors and a foam baffle, works well to keep resonance down. Back too. Floor has some stuff from https://www.accmats.com/
Amps I use are old PPI Sedona or Art series, Kicker ZR, or first gen JL slash series.
Some pics in my build thread about my install. I did some deadener on the doors and a foam baffle, works well to keep resonance down. Back too. Floor has some stuff from https://www.accmats.com/
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 837
From: knoxville, tn
I ended up getting the SQ series from American Bass. I got them on sale and they gave another discount on top of that. Once I get them installed I will updated the build thread for the truck.
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