Amp question

[alvinator]

ok, i have a friend who is getting ready to build me a stereo system for the 68 truck and I am wondering about the alternator and anything else i should change out for the power going in, what do you suggest?

Here is a list of what we are planning on putting in:

in-dash stereo
500w amp
800w amp
2 10" subs
2 mid-range 6x9
2 tweeters
6 cd changer
GPS
custom built console behind the seat and probably another one under the dash.

[rjewkes]

i would swap upto a 100 amp or higher alternator. And run new wires off of the harness for just the amps with isolators.

[Fake Name]

I'm going to assume you're asking opinions about the system, not just the electrical. If I'm wrong, stop reading.























Still with me? I think you have way TOO MUCH STUFF AND TOO MUCH POWER. This is a relatively small listening environment. I'll grant you, it's also noisy. First fill all the cavities with soundproofing material. I used 2-3 layers in the doors, but also behind the tank and in the rear corners of the cab, as far up as your hands will squeeze. But it's still too much stereo. I like it loud too, but i also like it accurate. That much sub is just for show, not for listening. Seriously, OSHA would require hearing protection for anything that can produce that much volume. I'm running 80 clean watts into a pair of Infinity 6.5 components and it will drive me right out of the truck. I'll grant you, I'd like a sub, but I'd rather have a fuel tank.

Further, why in the world would anyone use a cd changer? For the cost of the changer, one can buy an iPod or iRiver and have 100 times the capacity with far greater accessability for the music, and greater reliability. I consider the cd changer the 8-track of the '90s. Just as reialble and just as useful. Get a HU with an AUX input and use a Blitzsafe charger/line in adapter. Forget the "iPod ready" hu's. I own the highest rated (Alpine 9857(?)) and I hate it. Yes, it's fast, but the navigation in the iPod mode is simply foolish. With the AUX/Blitzsafe, you can retain the iPod's navigation- a much better thing. And I paid a premium for the HU for it's iPod capacity.

In any case, I'd not only upgrade the alternator, but I'd run new primary wires as well. When upgrading the alt, be sure to look at the output at idle, not just the output claims overall. Lots of posers (I'm sure you're not one of them!) spend a lot of time posing and idleing while thump-thump-thumpin' in the parking lot. A second battery, a yellow-top Optima, would also be a great idea, and use an active automatic battery switch from a marine store that automatically reads the charge state of each battery and devotes the appropriate amount of charging power to each battery.

Only my opinion...

fn

[rjewkes]

a 100 watt Fosgate ran me out of the cab with 6x9's in the doors and two regulars up front under the dash.

[alvinator]

well, i guess I should add this to my previous statement. Normally, I wouldn't put that much system in a truck but here's the deal. I worked at a Haunted House part time and one of the guys that worked there was telling me about his job doing system installations and selling. He has done over 500 installation and about half of those were for show trucks and cars. I relocated my gas tank to the rear of the frame of the truck, so i have plenty of room behind the seat and he also told me that he would do all the installation and charge me $600.00 for all the equipment. I just couldn't pass up a deal like that. He is letting me have the equipment at his cost.

[alvinator]

oh and forgot to mention, he works for Sony, so it will be all Sony equipment in the truck.

[Big D's 69]

Good luck with it and post pics when it is finished.

[Fake Name]

That's great! But I'd install an empty storage compartment with a small dock for an iPod before I'd ever put in a cd changer. Trust me- if you don't have an iPod yet, you'll throw away the changer when you get one. And it's only a matter of time...

fn

[alvinator]

he is coming over this evening and we are going to take measurements for the box and talk about the stereo. He also suggested to me about a new one that came out that will handle Ipods and also a Hard Drive that I can download music to the USB HD and play on the stereo, so I may just go that way.

[rjewkes]

They also have HU's with the usb 2.0 Flash drive and mp3 mwa and XM.

[Fake Name]

I've installed Sirius on two of my cars + my office and I hardly use the iPod anymore.

fn

[Dropped 68]

As the Kotton Mouth Kings Song Goes--- "Bump, Bump, Bump, That's the sound of the Fifteen's hittin' in my trunk" or in the cab in your case.

let us know how it turns out!