$135 Budget 6 Speaker Upgrade on 2014 Crew Cab

[JRockDetroit]

I went into this project aiming to get a better sounding system with no fabrication and with less than $200. Ultimately I spent even less and I am very satisfied with the improvement in sound.

I purchased new 3.5" dash speakers and all new 6x9's for the doors. I also made sure to get the speaker harness for each so I wouldn't even need to clip any wires. The 6x9's fit the shallow depth in the doors without any spacers or modification. Everything dropped in place and even matched up with the existing mounting holes perfectly. For these reasons, I think this upgrade was perfect for the stock system.

2 - Kicker 40CS354 3-1/2" 2-Way Speakers $40 Crutchfield
4 - Pioneer TS-A6965R 6" x 9" Inch 3-Way (2 7/8 in mounting depth) $95 eBay

In less than 3 hours, I was able to install all of the new speakers (with the help of the Cruthfield directions). For the price, I think the Pioneers were a huge improvement. Obviously there are better options, but I don't think you can beat this price.

 

[14hemiexpress]

Great job! I have debated new speakers for some time and I couldn't bring my self to spend $100+ a pair (I'm a cheep ass). This will be something to look into.

 

[JRockDetroit]

Thanks, I too had better things to spend my money on.

 

[lilzilla2008]

I spent $145 shipped for all my kicker speakers in my truck, 4 6x9's and a pair of 3.5's. They sound good but the fitment isnt great with them. The dash speakers were fine but the doors and rear speakers (I have a regular cab) fit like crap. I know they mount deeper but the rears shouldnt have been a problem and they were. Im going to upgrade soon as I originally got all those speakers for another project

 

[AmoAgave]

Did those pioneers drop in? Or use a baffle?

 

[EagleChief]

Very nice! Great job of finding those deals. That's my kind of shopping.

Eventually, I want to do something like this, too. But, as you say, there are other things to spend money on.

 

[JRockDetroit]

Did those pioneers drop in? Or use a baffle?

Dropped right in without any additional modification or parts. I even reused the factory screws and the existing holes lined up perfectly with the new speakers. Sounds too good to be true but all of the speakers went in that way.

 

[zap]

How does it sound now that you have had it for a little while? I replaced my dash speakers with the same ones and it is so bright now. I am hoping that replacing the rest will balance it out. Are your dash speakers to "high" or dose it all blend well? Thanks for the post.

 

[SATXCTD]

I soldered and re soldered the capacitor from the stock tweeter onto the new ones.


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[ironhead3fan]

You normally get what you pay for here. I have about $250 in my upgraded speakers, and while I know there are better speakers out there, the Mopar Kicker upgrades were a direct plug in and they sound great. The only speakers that I didn't upgrade were the ones in the rear headliner and the sub. No need to upgrade the sub, as the new Kickers in the doors have much more bass than the stock speakers ever did. BTW, has anyone found a suitable replacement for the speakers in the rear headliner?

 

[NUTT00]

I have an Express with the base system, and have never seen the headliner speakers. Can you snap a pic so I can see the location by chance?

 

[Igolo]

That's an awesome deal for a 6 speaker upgrade. I may have to follow your lead on this project.

 

[JRockDetroit]

How does it sound now that you have had it for a little while? I replaced my dash speakers with the same ones and it is so bright now. I am hoping that replacing the rest will balance it out. Are your dash speakers to "high" or dose it all blend well? Thanks for the post.

Definitely sounds better but the biggest improvement was from the 3.5s. They balance well with the new door speakers but they over powered the stock door speakers. Overall, the system still lacks any real bass. The 6x9s didn't do a whole lot, but they did improve the midrange sound.

With time and money, I would like to add a sub to get a full range of sound. For now, there is a noticeable improvement.

 

[lilzilla2008]

I agree my 3.5's were the biggest improvement. I'm planning a single 12" sub and amp soon