I have a 2005 250 C/C. Buckets front and bench rear. I have the factory 6 disc in dash CD player.

I would like to uprade the factory sytstem to a system with more volume, cleaner sound and more bass (Nothing obnoxious though). I have a Mustang with the Mach 460 and something equivalent or a little better to that would be good.

If at all possible I would like to keep the factory head unit. I just don't care for the look of aftermarket stereos. I would be willing to give up some of the storage area behind the rear seat for some small sub stuff, but no where else.

I'm sure retaining the factory head unit will require an amp so any suggestions on where to mount that would be much appreciated also.

Darin

 

I am in the process of building my system. Being a Sound Quality competitor the stock system didn't cut it. Here's what I'm doing with my 05 SDcc:
Stock 6cd head unit
Kicker Resolution componants in the doors with the tweeters are in the B pillars
Kicker kc6.8 full range coaxles in the rear
Custom dual 10" sub box behind the seat w/ 2 Kicker Comp 10's
Kicker kx120.2 wired bridged 4 ohm
Kicker kx200.2 wires to frt componants
both amps under rear seat tray. I have the sub amp source wire ran to a switch at the dash, so I can turn the subs off when wanted. the frt speaker source wire is run from head unit and rear speakers are ran off of head unit, basicly using them for filler speakers. The front doors and cab conrners are covered in dynamat whick helps alot.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask any questions.

 

Sounds like a nice system your doing. I like the idea of the amps under the rear seat tray. I never looked closely but wasn't sure they would fit under there and still have room for air to get to them. I would like to keep my speakers all contained in the factory locations except of course for the subs. It doesn't sound like your finshed with yours yet. I'll be curious when it's done to know how much better it sounds.

 

The 6cd radio is an inferior unit for upgrades and not really a good starting point. They also dont like cds with paper labels and jam up instantly. Start with a better radio first.

 

Granted the stock unit doesn't compare to my Alpinetuner I compete with but it is a 6 disc changer, and as long as it's under warrenty and working it'll stay. I haven't seen paper lables on cd's in a few years, lol.

 

Call Crutchfield. Tell them what you have and what you want to do. They'll take it from there. I have bought three car stereos and the home surround system from them. Their expertise and customer servive is beyond anything else out there.

When I am ready to upgrade the rig's sound system it will make the fourth car system I buy from them.

 

I've got 2 eclipse 12's behind my seat, Eclipse components all around, a 5 channel eclipse Amp, and a pioneer Avic-n1 for a head

 

I'll start checking out evryone's suggestions. Thanks and keep em' coming.

 

I have an Excursion, so maybe room it more of an issue for you....but....

I installed a pair of older Bazooka Tubes in my Ex, to use with the factory 6CD changer. One tube is powered, and runs the second "slave" unit. They are behind the second row seat, and the sound is very good. I also installed a pair of 6x8 two way Pioneers that were in my former Bronco (as were the tubes).

To some it may not be audiophile quality, but I did not loose the rear seat controls, and still maintain the factory look. I work in TV & radio production, so I do appreciate a good sound, and while it is all personal taste...I am very pleased and see no reason to do any more.

FWIW, there is more bass than I need, so maybe a single tube would be plenty for a truck cab. I tapped into the rear speaker feeds from under the sill plates, so it was an easy install.

 

I put an Alpine amp behind the drivers side fold down seat, siliconed it to the back wall on a carpeted board. Also a Punch amp to drive the Kicker 10" stock sub box which fits behind the rear seat as well.

Boton Acustic's is the doors w/ tweeters in the A piller, and BA's in the rear pillers where the stocks were.

Stock 6 cd head unit is OK, w/ the Alpine Power amp driving the quality. It's a truck so it works for the space there is and it is all hidden and looks OEM.

 

for good clean sound i would go for the alpine type x 6.5 components in the front doors powered by the jl audio 300/4 and the alpine cda 9857 awesome head unit and i went with the jl audio 10" stealth box in the console powered by the jl audio 500/4 sounds nice and clean