Yeah...the Alpines are easy cause you push the volume **** and you can adjust sub, bass, treble, mid, etc.

I have seen ignorant buddies buy a decent system thats 500 watts, and then skimp on the kit and say "it will work." Again, different equipment for different budgets, and I, by no means, have a lot of money. I would just rather wait a little extra time and save a little extra so I dont constantly dish out money on more cheap replacements. This is ME, not everyone. So, get something and have fun!

By the way, along with the matching correct gauge wire with correct wattage...in order to get your amp and your subs most potential...match correct ohms. You would think a 2 ohm amp would go with a 2 ohm sub, right? Maybe in some cases, but, I have always used one sub...if its a dual voice coil, it requires more power and I believe you wire the sub to 4 ohms with a 2 ohm amp. ANYWAYS, there are plenty of websites, and maybe someone can help me explain this. Im keeping my posts shorter on this topic from now on lol.

Later

 

http://www.amazon.com/JL-Audio-6W3V3.../dp/B002PB3UG8 I would never pay that much for that sub (I got a set for 50 bucks through a guy I knew).... however, I used to install car audio as well, and depending on what kind of music you listen to, that is the only sub, in my opinion, that fits in a second gen ram with a good looking ported box (where you can see the speaker)...

JL audio also has a custom box that goes in you're center console (the one in the back seat is 2 subs, more expensive and honestly less kick for you're buck because it's not right next to you)

Anyways, as far as subs are concerned, you said you weren't trying to rattle the whole block but those 6 inch subs (I have a set laying around somewhere but they're kind of older) would blow your mind inside the cab but hardly be heard outside the cab over your midrange speakers.

As for midrange speakers, it depends what you want to spend. I have Polk components that sound great. I have tried Kenwoods in my truck too, but sold them after a week because they didn't sound as good. To be honest, I think Boston Acoustics are some of the best sounding but at a ridiculous price so I would stick with Polk or the alpine speakers are pretty good. I had 5x7's in the back before I got the Polk speakers and they sounded pretty good. I can't really attest to the difference because the quality will be better in a 5x7 and louder in a 6x9 that I upgraded to (quality sounds the same)

As far as a head unit, it's really up to you. I wouldn't go cheap on that though. That is most definitely the most important part of you're audio system. You can go out and spend 2 grand easily on speakers, amps, and equalizers and if you hook them up to a ****ty head unit you might as well have used that money to start you're fire since it's getting cold outside.
I would stick with the higher quality namebrands though... The best ones in my experience have been alpine, kenwood, and pioneer. There are other good ones out there, but those are the three that come to mind.

I'm pretty hammered and apologize for not posting links, if I get the time tomorrow I will add or edit as needed. Typing in coherent sentences was challenge enough for the night.

 

used to have a apline radio loved it. As for a system kicker is the ish. the cvr's are nice. I had my fair share of alpine speakers and pioneer.
heres the radio I have now and looooove it

 

ok this is true to a point.....but the dual stereo at walmart is of good quality....compitition quality with as many bells and whistles you dont need? no....better than oem yes..... You dont always need to most marked up marketed brands unless you are really seriuos about it or want bragging rights...just my opinion from installing systems for years.(I believe dual makes sony's speakers for them btw)... Some good quality but cheap components would be jensen/phase linear, power acustik, dual...vr3/roadmaster,pioneer/radioshack,pyramid (made by lanzar)even audiovox and boss are ok....these are all designed to hold up and while wont be the most powerful stuff and may not sound quite as good as the top of the line they will compare with middle of the road and lower priced top name stuff (priced twice as much) out there as long as they are paired with the right components they sound pretty damn good.....I reciently installed a new system in the ram...I decided to use whatever I had lying around for a change (stuff I pulled from old installs) I mean cheap stuff like an 800watt rockwell/eagle amp I bought for 12 bucks on ebay cheap lightning bolt 6x9's and i bought new power acustic 6.5's for the rear....I am using a 200 dollar innovatek stereo/dvd/mpg/mp3/tv/ipod/gps/usbsdcard head unit (sounds great on everything but fm's antenna doesnt work very well (need booster).....
now for the sub I have better stuff lying around like an audio art 800watt amp and an infinity 10" sub....all in all I am very impressed with the whole system and besides the tinny sound of the cheap lightning bolt 6x9's which I'm going to replace as soon as I get my pioneers back that were in my boat the system is loud crisp and clean....and the best part is most thieves wont bother with it because they want big names they can sell to kids..also keep in mind I have used many of the top brands including the alpine 7 inch flipup CVA hu and orion hcca amps and orion pioneer and polk speakers in my vette and I'd say while this system isnt quite as good sounding (or loud) its pretty damn close for about $1500 less...worth it.

sorry for the long point...just stating experience tops conjecture and many who use cheaper components dont hook them up properly in many cases and use them with factory speakers or vice verca...
btw brands I would steer clear of are thump, lightning bolt and many of the brands you can only find online because stores dont want to deal with the high return rate...

 

Thanks guys for you info. Here is what I picked so far.

Head Unit
http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_5...5.html?tp=5684
I pick this HU because I don't listen to CD's anymore. I like the idea of using flash drives.

Front Speakers
http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_2....html?tp=27919
Good brand and a good price.

Rear Speakers
http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_2....html?tp=27919
Same as front.

Ok so far how does it look? I also can't figure out what sub to get or amp?

 

You are aware the holes in your doors are 6x9 holes right?....you will have to fab up an adapter plate ...otherwise all good choices....btw 6.5's are easy to fit without cutting in the rear....I used a dense foam weatherstrip around mine because they do not fit flush because on the curves in the sheet metal....but all I had to do was drilll new screw holes and they fit behind the panels well too....just an Fyi, 5 1/4 is a good choice also...
besides usb sticks they aslo make them with sd memory card slots for a more permanent less prone to damage connection as well as hu's that play mp3/wma loaded dvd's that hold a couple thousand songs per disc....mine has all three but I usually just use the bluetooth function to play them all wirelessly from my blackberry...(another very valuable feature to have)
why not stick with kicker on the sub?...the solo baric subs are perfect for your application since they are designed for compact spaces and require a smaller enclosure...the type of music you listen too makes a big difference as to what type of enclose is ideal.... mainly rock/country your best bet is a sealed enclosure for tight clean bass.... rap/pop would do better with a ported box or band pass.

 

Hmm everywhere I looked they say the doors are 5 1/4.

 

not on my ram...factory speakers were 6x9 and rear were 5 1/4///mine is an ext cab but front doors should take same speakers.

 

There never was 5 1/4" in the front door. Did you NOT read my post?


Not to mention, you made a boo boo.

The H/U you picked out can provide 18W RMS or 4W RMS per channel This is peak. The speakers you picked out need at least 6W RMS per speaker. This means that your H/U is short by 2W. It will sound much better over stock, but those wont sing near as well as you think they should for the money.

 

Front speakers are 6x9 on the Ram from the factory. Many like me put an adapter plate up there and then use 6.5" speakers. Not sure for 100% what size the rear factory speakers are but I am 100% sure you can put 6.5" speakers in the rear doors on the extended cabs like mine without any modification. I have 6.5" Polk DB's in my rear door and they fit perfectly. I think the factory speaker looked slightly smaller though.