I have an 04 SLT with standard radio.
I want to keep the factory radio.
Has anyone just replaced the speakers with good results?

Can I wire an amp to the standard radio?

I am not looking for a rolling ghetto blaster...just some better sound.
Not a big fan of big base.

I was thinking of just replacing the stock speakers with Pioneer units.

Any advice?

 

Yes you can just replace the speakers and see an improvement. The factory speakers in new autos are junk $2 "helpincreasedodgesprofitmargin" specials. If you end up purchasing a paricularly deep speaker with a large motor structure (magnet) then a small mod will be needed to the window track to get it to fit. Essentially you space the window track deeper into the door with a spacer and one longer bolt. Any questions, PM me and I can talk you through it.

If you have an amp that has speaker level input then just tap into the speaker wires and feed them to you r amp. If you have an amp that only accepts RCA inputs then purchase a "line level converter" from any stereo shop. It changes those speaker level outputs from the radio into something that the amp can use.

I always remind my customers to try the easy way first and just put speakers in. If that's not enough, then think about more power for them.

 

Alpine makes some of the best "low cost" speakers and audio equipment IMO. You need to listen to diff ones and judge for yourself. You can add amps, cd changers, subs, and so on. But car audio isn't very cheap.

 

I just put in Alpine Type R's up front. They sound good. They are more of a low and mid speaker. I would suggest adding an amp for them. I will later on. I did not have to modify the door. Good luck.

 

I swapped out my fronts for Pioneer 6x9s(yellow, cant remember PNs)
And the backs are Pioneer 6.5s, also lined my doors with RAAMmat, sounds MUCH better than stock, still have the stock headunit.
Only thing ill change later is ditching the stock CD player(skips, messes up with CDs quite a bit)
And might go with a single 10" in the area under the back seat and a decent amp to power it all, but ill worry about that later on...

But just replacing the factory speakers makes a big difference...

 

Biggest bang for the buck change will be speakers. Heck if you can find a set of infinitys from a laramie (which I have an extra set) you might be able to pick them up pretty cheap...

 

I read this and wondered.......

What/When were different speakers used?

One thing I have found is that more is NOT always better. REMEMBER...the more a speaker can handle (watts) "generally" the more power it "soakes" up. In a non externally amped situation, efficiency is KEY!

 

I also added some small speakers with tweeters in the dash where they have a place for them but nothing is there. That really mayde mine sound good. Also 6x9 Sony Explodes in the door.

 

My new 2006 3500 was so bass-heavy - even with the treble and midrange turned all the way up and the bass turned all the way down - that I sounded like a pimpmobile. Even just listening to NPR!

I upgraded to Polk Audio speakers all the way around and, while it was better, it was still too thumpy for me.

Next step was an Alpine deck. Voila - perfection.

This was really simple, too. No external amps, no component speakers, no mods to the doors or the dash (other than a $20 fit kit for Dodge's weird dash cutout). Perhaps three hours into it total. Words cannot adequately describe the difference it made.

I still have the factory-new stock radio sitting here waiting to go on eBay. Any offers? [grin]

 

Oh man, this is definately the main week point of these trucks. Speakers should help but the factory radio is WAY bass heavy! I miss my stock 96 Chevy factory radio but that's the only thing I miss on that truck.

 

i changed my 6X9's in my doors to Boston acustics and i have to say i love them. they have two one inch tweeters in the cone so they offer a good sound range from highs to lows and good bass even with out a amp. but with a amp they would really rock and they were about 300 bones for the set.

 

If you just replace the stock speakers do you have to match impedences or resistance or something? Are the standard factory speaker wires marked somehow for polarity?

 

I have the diagram saved, ill post it when I get back to the home pc, but its pretty easy, two wires for each speaker, cut off the factory connector, solder on the aftermarket one, piece of cake....


EDIT: here it is....


Thanks to handymantim....

 

What if I have the factory amp? I have heard in the past that I have to try to match something or another and it never seems to work out too well from what a audio guy said. Maybe he was just trying to sell me something.

 

the infinity speakers in the laramie are not too bad with the exception of the upfront 6x9's. I could not believe the difference when I upgraded. The 6x9's are the standard paper garbage woofer crap. who the hell puts 6x9's up front anyways?!?! thats the most retarded thing ever. If you are going to upgrade your speakers do yourself a favor and get 6.5" speakers up front.

Also if you are looking to retain your factory steering wheel controls my PAC SWI-X works perfectly, I mounted it in the overhead console (temp/mpg) thingy.