Radio Upgrade

[98chevy2500SS]

The stock speakers in the x-cab's are pretty shallow, I had some Kicker 4x6 speakers in my 97 x-cab and it wouldn't sit flush on the 3rd door passenger side, the bracket was bending as I tightened the speaker down. I thought the driver's side sat flush though, but I can't remember exactly. You might have better luck on the passenger side of your truck since you don't have the 3rd door.

 

[Spareparts]

Crutchfield says the Kappas will not fit. I can see why they probably don't fit. The speaker sitting lower and the tweeter sitting high probably means the hole itself is not tall or wide enough?
I bought some Rockford Fosgate punch 4x6 speaker with the more traditional design.
Crutchfield says they will not fit either. I imagine the hole is either not big enough or it's not deep enough but i think it will require less modification than the 4x6 plate speakers.
Guess im going to find out.

 

[Spareparts]

So i was finally able to get my system installed. Man what a job took me 2 1/2 days. Had to take out all the back panels, rear seat, front driver's seat, both door panels, mostly rebuilt the driver's inner door, install sound deadener in doors - back and sides of rear cab, figure out where to mount the amp and powered sub, run power wires from battery to back of cab, run all new 14 gauge speaker wire, install front door speakers, install rear pillar speakers, clean everything before reinstalling,
The only thing that did not fit was the rear 4x6 speakers, but the fix was easy and took about 5 minutes.
On the inside of the hole is a little lip that keeps the speaker from sitting in flush. Some light tapping with a hammer fixed that as it just needed to be bent in a small amount.
Once i had it all wired up i made sure there was sound coming from each speaker as it should then i put it all back together.
Really impressed with the sound deadening! Man it is a LOT quieter inside now only regret is i did not do more! Believe it or not the truck just feels and sounds more solid.
Don't think about it just do it
The system really does not sound good it's ok but i know it needs to be adjusted and sense there really is no one i know who can help me with this ill have to watch a ton of videos and figure it over the next month or two. I have never messed with HPF, LPF, Whatever slope is or anything this modern. Last real stereo i had was in the mid 90s
Anyway here is a couple pics because we like pics of trucks.

 

[HeavyAsAChevy]

When I did my rear speakers instead of removing all the panels I just cut the plastic and am gonna put some grills back over it. All those old plastic tabs snap and then rattle all over the back and I wanted to avoid that.

 

[Eveready]

Congrats on getting it done. You certainly earned it!. My ordinary radio install was a bear so I can only imagine what an effort yours was.

 

[Spareparts]

When I did my rear speakers instead of removing all the panels I just cut the plastic and am gonna put some grills back over it. All those old plastic tabs snap and then rattle all over the back and I wanted to avoid that.

I thought about doing that but did not want to cut the interior panels. Never seems to look right to my eye, but that's just me.
About 1/2 my clips broke but i figure if i get rattles in them i can always put some silicone behind the panel and glue it in place. That would be the only time i ever would take it apart again.

 

[Spareparts]

Congrats on getting it done. You certainly earned it!. My ordinary radio install was a bear so I can only imagine what an effort yours was.

Thanks.
It was a job for sure and i still have a little more work to do. Where i put the amp and sub is under the rear seat and it never occurred to me that they are too tall for the seat to go back in so i do need to move them a little to get the seat back in.
I'm not in a hurry though as i need to adjust the amp and sub and before i can do that i need to learn about them.
Kinda funny you mention earning it.
I was sitting in the back stripping wires and crimping connectors and the thought occurred to me. Is this normal for a 60yo guy to be doing this?

 

[Eveready]

I was sitting in the back stripping wires and crimping connectors and the thought occurred to me. Is this normal for a 60yo guy to be doing this?

It is "normal" for 60 year old guy (or older) to do any damn thing he feels like doing. Anyone putting you on an "old" list can roll up that list and place it in an area where the sun never shines!

 

[618 Syndicate]

I was sitting in the back stripping wires and crimping connectors and the thought occurred to me. Is this normal for a 60yo guy to be doing this?

Who's in charge of normal?
I'm just now (51) getting kids out the house so I got time and money to do what I wanted to do 30 years ago!

 

[Spareparts]

Yup. Kids are out. Only me and the wife at home now. Sometimes when i tell her what im gonna do she does look at me kinda odd though sometimes.
Bought new quads last summer after some begging and man we have a blast on them riding/camping.
Figured it was time to have some good tunes in my truck after about 30yrs of nothing but talking or road noise. What got me started on wanting good tunes again was listening to some Steely Dan at work on a ****** old work radio.