stereo upgrades piece by piece

[Traveler999]

I am very interested in any partial stereo upgrades. For example, will installing new speakers alone make a difference? Which ones would you start with? Is there a separate amp that can be replaced and will replacing that be easy? Any advice appreciated. Thanks. Rich

[Manoah]

are you planning on replacing the head unit also? one of the problems that ive found in the past is that sometimes certain components wont work together, my only advice is to try to stick to the same brand, whatever you choose to buy. speakers dont really matter though.

[Theohiomike]

I can give you advise but I need to know what stereo you currently have installed. Stock or JBL?

Lack of power distorts and blows speakers an amp is always recommended. I run twice the Rated RMS power to each of my speakers and they will never blow. Where people run into issues is running a poor quality amp to good speakers. The speakers distort and blow up. You can save some money ona head unit and spend more on the amp and speakers. Personally I would save an extra month and do it right the first time. Less wear and tear on the tabs that hold your dash/doors and sills together. Good luck my system ROCKS!!!

[Traveler999]

Thanks OhioMike. I've got the JBL unit and was hoping to keep the 'face' stock. Also, I am on a budget and replacing everything right now all at once might be a bit more than I want to spend. I agree with the wear and tear part. Been there, done that. I am open to doing the entire upgrade since the sound quality is important to me, but would like to stretch that out if possible. So, if I can replace the amp(s) and at least a few speakers to start to make it sound noticeable better, then that's what I might try first. I want good quality sound, but I don't need to have a stereo that is super loud. I understand the point about having enough power to drive the speakers properly. Thanks.

[Theohiomike]

Just replace the speakers with the same OHM load and you will be fine. Your screwed in the extra amp dept without getting another head unit. The JBL amplifier that runs your speakers won't allow for a signal procesor split to add rca cables and get a decent signal to add another amp. Better quality speakers will help. I would do 6.5 up front instead of the 6x9 so you won't have a speaker magnet size issue with the door. The rear doors are 6.5" and I got 3.5" to fit in the OEM rear upper panels in the back that really fill in the whole system. I also replaced the 2" front dash speakers with 1" JL tweeters. I just cut the OEM 2" center out with a razor blade and the 1" slid right in. Made it really easy. You can't see them with the covers on and the extra sound up front is nice. Total I have 14 speakers in my truck 1" to 10". You can feel it.

Just replacing the front 6 speakers will improve it drastically. The JBL amp will power them good.