[GIJOE]

I've been reading various threads and where to mount stereo equipment etc. But if you were limited in space to just the front two dash speakers and the room inside the Tuffy Speaker/Stereo Center Console (roughly the same size as stock I think), what parts would you guys buy to get the best upgrade for the room? I saw one of the threads mentioning a new subwoofer that will fit in the space of the stock one, but I don't know a sub from a woofer from an amp from a tweeter. I think the stereo upgrade (and the learning process involved!) will be my summer project... Thanks, Joe

[mylt1]

go find a set of 5.25" speakers that sound good to you and buy them and the adapter plates to install. not sure about the console so i will look it up. and report back.

[mylt1]

ok, well it says it holds an 8" sub but does not mention the size of the space for the sub. so im guessing something like a shallow mount pioneer or something like it. then all you need is to find a matching amp for the sub, a wiring kit and your set. are you running the stock deck or after market?

[bman9089]

You'd need the inside dimensions of the tuffy console. Subwoofers will produce notes you can hear. Those notes are so low though that if turned up loud enough, you can feel them. The human ear can hear frequencies down to about 20 hertz, which is what most subs go to, most don't go lower than that and most music doesn't have notes lower than that for that reason. Bass guitar though will come through both the subs if you want to feel it or through the speakers too if you don't want that much bass. Depends on where you set your crossovers. I can easily feel my dual 8" subs from the trunk of the jeep. No rattling though, it's all very clear in sound quality. The upper bass notes into electric guitar and everything above that come from the speakers in my setup. My audio covers the whole range.

I'd put 5.25" speakers up front and in the soundbar. Not sure why you couldn't run speakers in the sound bar??

Try to squeeze an 8" sub or even 6.5" sub in the console. That's the only other place to fit it. Also, if you can manage to squeeze an amp under the driver's seat that would solve amp placement, but this isn't possible without some seat risers generally.

[GIJOE]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions! I'll have to do some shopping around now that I kind of know what to look for. Nothing going in the soundbar as I tore it out and replaced it with a Poison Spyder roll cage, and I have a roll up bag of misc tools stowed under the front seat, which gets wet enough anyway. I didn't want anything behind the rear seat as that is out most of the time anyway. So the center console and the two front speakers are my only options for upgrading. So a couple of good 5.25" speakers and a subwoofer to replace the factory unit. Just how big are amps anyway (physically)? Do you think it is possible to fit both the subwoofer and an amp into the center console? I think now that I know what to ask for, I will check out some local stereo shops and see what they have. I'll keep everyone posted on the outcome. Thanks again, Joe

[GIJOE]

Originally Posted by thedirt

I don't think you'll be able to fit an amp and the subwoofer in the console together...I would be willing to say is more secure than putting the subs and the amps in the thin plastic that is the center console.

I have the Tuffy center console. I agree that the original factory console offered no security at all. I guess I have never seen an actual Jeep Instatrunk but I just might consider that as a definite possible option. Thanks for the idea!

[GIJOE]

Originally Posted by GIJOE

I have the Tuffy center console. I agree that the original factory console offered no security at all. I guess I have never seen an actual Jeep Instatrunk but I just might consider that as a definite possible option. Thanks for the idea!

OOPS! I just looked up the Instatrunk - that's not what I was thinking of. I think there was a drawer unit that mounted UNDER the rear seat. That's what I was thinking of. I'm going to have to dig out my various catalogs...

[mylt1]

you could mount the amp up under the dash. which seems like your best option in this case. the amp will depend on what sub you want.

[GIJOE]

Originally Posted by mylt1

you could mount the amp up under the dash. which seems like your best option in this case. the amp will depend on what sub you want.

Thanks for another possibility - and explaining about the amp size. I have a power inverter up there now, but I'll bet I could make them both fit!

[gily25]

Arc audio has a mini amp on the market that puts out enuf power (250 watts at 4 ohm when bridged) to bump an 8" sub and both should fit in that console. They are expanding that amp line as well as Elemental designs is getting out a mini amp before the end of the year.

What stereo will you be using? If you consider an alpine then you can get an alpine power pack amp to power those front speakers. I would think that would create a good system.

For speakers a 5.25 coaxial as mentioned above with the 33 engineering adapter plate will be best. Focal, diamond, cdt, and Jl make good coaxials that will sound good in the Jeep dash. Look for deals at sonic electronics, onlinecarstereo, woofersetc and hifisoundconnection

http://www.arcaudio.com/productdescription_pages/amplifiers/ks-series/ks-125.2-mini.asp
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=alpine+power+pack&i=500KTP445

[GIJOE]

Originally Posted by gily25

Arc audio has a mini amp on the market that puts out enuf power (250 watts at 4 ohm when bridged) to bump an 8" sub and both should fit in that console. They are expanding that amp line as well as Elemental designs is getting out a mini amp before the end of the year.

What stereo will you be using? If you consider an alpine then you can get an alpine power pack amp to power those front speakers. I would think that would create a good system.

For speakers a 5.25 coaxial as mentioned above with the 33 engineering adapter plate will be best. Focal, diamond, cdt, and Jl make good coaxials that will sound good in the Jeep dash. Look for deals at sonic electronics, onlinecarstereo, woofersetc and hifisoundconnection

http://www.arcaudio.com/productdescription_pages/amplifiers/ks-series/ks-125.2-mini.asp
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=alpine+power+pack&i=500KTP445

Thanks for some more possibilities. I guess I never even THOUGHT about upgrading the stereo! I figured upgrading the speakers, sub and hopefully adding an amp would be good enough. Maybe not?!? The stock radio/CD player has all the features I want except an MP3 player, but best of all, it looks stock. If I did upgrade, I'd have to find another one that looks stock - and doesn't have a removable faceplate, which seems would be a pain in the butt to me. I was looking at some "waterproof" systems, but they were white in color and I wanted to stay dark gray/black. I guess while I am out looking at the rest of the system, I might as well look at the stereos too! Thanks again for the help, Joe

[gily25]

If you will be adding an aftermarket amp/sub to the factory stereo that will mean you will need a line output converter (LOC). The good news is you will be able to add the sub/amp the bad news is you will have to find a place to install it. When I first got my Jeep I changed out the factory speakers for kicker coaxials. Then a few months into it, I did the center console sub upgrade (elemental designs DVC 2 ohm with the factory amp&enclosure). I was happy for about 2 years and I think the average listener would be.

[GIJOE]

Originally Posted by gily25

If you will be adding an aftermarket amp/sub to the factory stereo that will mean you will need a line output converter (LOC). The good news is you will be able to add the sub/amp the bad news is you will have to find a place to install it. When I first got my Jeep I changed out the factory speakers for kicker coaxials. Then a few months into it, I did the center console sub upgrade (elemental designs DVC 2 ohm with the factory amp&enclosure). I was happy for about 2 years and I think the average listener would be.

OK, thanks, but I just gotta ask - what happened after the two years?!?

[bman9089]

they also make factory signal processors. They aren't cheap, but you can hide them and keep a stock appearance, and it also has RCA hookups and clears up and improves the factory radio signal quality, making your music sound better. So, keep a stock look and get aftermarket improvements to the stock radio.

Now, I found out today that to get a $0 deductible for comprehensive which would cover theft (and hail, broken windshield, vandalism etc.) would be an extra $13 a month. Now, me being 18, that's a lot higher than what other people would have. It drops about $40 when I'm 19 and will go down from there. So, I think I'm gonna add it to my plan and not worry about my $300 stereo. Total system is around $1500 for me, and state farm covers anything that is bolted down, so they'll cover my amps, subs, speakers, everything. IMO, aftermarket stereos actually do look better, function better, have better sound, has more options (mine has USB and ipod hookups) and doesn't have as many issues (like CD skipping, which is the biggest reason I went aftermarket). So, keep your insurance in mind if you're worried about theft. It's not hugely expensive to get coverage for theft (and a lot of other stuff), especially if you're older, so keep that in mind.

[GIJOE]

Originally Posted by bman9089

they also make factory signal processors. They aren't cheap, but you can hide them and keep a stock appearance, and it also has RCA hookups and clears up and improves the factory radio signal quality, making your music sound better. So, keep a stock look and get aftermarket improvements to the stock radio.

Now, I found out today that to get a $0 deductible for comprehensive which would cover theft (and hail, broken windshield, vandalism etc.) would be an extra $13 a month. Now, me being 18, that's a lot higher than what other people would have. It drops about $40 when I'm 19 and will go down from there. So, I think I'm gonna add it to my plan and not worry about my $300 stereo. Total system is around $1500 for me, and state farm covers anything that is bolted down, so they'll cover my amps, subs, speakers, everything. IMO, aftermarket stereos actually do look better, function better, have better sound, has more options (mine has USB and ipod hookups) and doesn't have as many issues (like CD skipping, which is the biggest reason I went aftermarket). So, keep your insurance in mind if you're worried about theft. It's not hugely expensive to get coverage for theft (and a lot of other stuff), especially if you're older, so keep that in mind.

HA! At 54, I DEFINITELY am older! That's why I need the upgrade, so I can HEAR all those "Golden Oldies" of the 60's and 70's! But you have given me an excellent idea! What I need to do is look up my kids and have them translate all this for me. My son and his friends understand cranked up amped up music stuff alot better than I do! You reminded me of that when you mentioned your $1500 dollar stereo system! That's pretty much what he has in his Firebird - the kind where I can feel the bass from my living room as he drives by the house! Thanks!!! Later, Joe