Hey everyone.. I am new to the forum and would like to present a dilema I have been having that I cannot seem to find coverage or enough info on. I hope someone can help.

I just purchased a factory ordered 2010 Ram Sport 4x4, pretty much base model except I added the Remote Starter a Spray Bed Liner and upgraded the radio to the 430 Media Center. Problem is for whatever reason I doubted the need to upgrade the speakers, or better yet, add the Sport Premium Package.. I have been kicking myself in the a$$ ever since. I would have liked all the extra features for $800 but I failed to do enough homework before buying I guess. The base 6 speaker setup sound like crap and I should have gone with the Alpine system.... Although not the best but more than enough for my needs.

I have been back to the dealer inquiring about the different wire harnesses to see if my truck is still harnessed to accomodate the speakers and amp... The parts counter did spend a lot of time with me trying to decifer the differences but we came to no deffinite conclusion if the harnesses for a truck equipped with the Sport Premium Package is the same as without. They seem to think so.

So far all I have found is the wire for the sub woofer in the back.. I have tried to find the Center Channel wire to no avail (just not routed I guess) and I am not sure if the wires for the ceiling speakers are up in the headliner or not. I have torn off my rear pillar covers to trace wires and get thier colour codes but I can't find a wire colour diagram anywhere let alone a wiring diagram for the truck period. The best I can do is just peek up in the headliner but the airbags are in the way to see past. The dealership parts counter says they have no acess to the wiring diagrams... only the technicians do. I really do not want to pull down the whole headliner if I dont have to. If I knew the wires were there I would just cut the 2 holes in the ceiling to install the speakers and connect them.

The other more important question is about behind the dash where the amp goes. I looked under another trucks dash with the amp and it seems the harness was different but the truck was a Laramie Crew and mine is a Sport Quad so I just dont know. If I can't connect the amp then whats the point at all.

Also in the photo of the Alpine System in the brochure it shows 2 amps.. Where does the second one go? I assume it's for the Sub.

 

Probably the best option on my truck and the best value. I can't offer much input except that My headliner has buldges where the speakers are, like it is specifically made to accomidate those speakers. I would double check to be sure that you can just cut the holes.

 

I seriously doubt all the wiring is there. And it would probably be quite costly to do. The cheapest fix would probbaly be to go with the Mopar Kicker Upgrade.

 

I would go to a custom stereo shop and price out a decent sound system. Most likely it won't cost more than trying to retrofit a factory Alpine system and most likely it will sound better.

 

the alpine system is all paper and doesn't sound that great. better choice is to go with a nice component system up front and good co ax in the back. the alpine upgrade in my sport has a high pass filter on the front door speakers and i cant hear much out of the sound bar in the back headliner. you also need to consider the ohms of the stock speakers vs. any after market speakers you get installed. 8 vs 4 ohms. I plan on putting a 6.5 component in the front doors with the tweeters in the dash. i swapped out the factory head unit for a kenwood doudle din dvd unit.

 

I like the full range of sound from my wife's 6 speaker system over the Alpine that is in mine. Now for movies the Alpine is far better.

 

I was a little disappointed with the Alpine system. You would think the sound would be amazing with 10 speakers. I agree with sking that movies sound great on the system.
My wife has the Dodge Journey with the upgraded factory stereo with sub and that system kicks a$$!

 

Thanks for all your replies... I am starting to consider stearing clear from the alpine system.

For the record..... What does component in the front and Coax in the back mean. Also if the factory speakers are 4 ohms than how will the factory stereo function with 8 ohm speakers. I know aftermarked decks are probably 10 times better but I kinda really like the factory deck and hate the look of inserts/deck kits and filler strips.

I wish they made decks to accomodate the exact size of the opening.

As for a Subwoffer, Should I just go with the factory casing with an aftermarket speaker or can I gain enough bass with just the door speakers? I am not in need of severe thump just better sound.

 

I've got to agree with this one. The Alpine system is nice, but not blow your socks off by any means. The cost to put everything in won't be worth the result you'll get. After spending all that money and headache, you'll have a decent system at best.

If you're interested in factory head unit, then look at the REN or RER and then just plan on having a local shop do all the speakers. They can easily upgrade all your interior speakers, add a nice amp, plus put some subs under your rear seat for fairly cheap. Oh, and as you look at the sub boxes, keep in mind that the 3rd Gen Quad cab boxes will fit under the 4th Gen's rear seat.

 

Don't get me wrong. The Alpine sounds good but if you are really into the thumping loud kick a$$ sound then the Alpine will disappoint. The Alpine system works well for me as I don't really blast my stereo.