8.4 base 6 speaker upgrade

[rojo_143]

Looking for some advice/input here. I have had experience in the past with car audio mainly replacing speakers or adding and amp and subs, but it was all on aftermarket head units and older vehicles. I have never added an amp to a factory powered system before so I am now in unfamiliar territory. I have been reading over every speaker upgrade thread that I could find for the base 6 speaker system and that has led to some questions. I will be looking to upgrade the speakers on my 18 Ram when I return home next month but I am unsure of what path to go. I noticed @Graygoose talking about the Kicker Key 180.4 amp and I like the idea of running that to the front & dash speakers and then just upgrading the rears and leaving them powered by the stock head unit. My question comes if I run the Key amp that would essentially change the ohm rating for the dash speaker from the factory 8 ohm to the 4 ohm rating now being supplied by the amplifier correct. Which would then open up my options for speakers I could put into the dash. Lastly, there is very little info on the forum or the internet for that matter about this amp other than stating it is out or it is an option. So when it comes to installing it, from the videos and tutorials I have watched it appears that you essentially splice it inline with your factory speaker wires correct add the required power and ground wire and then go through the tuning process. I normally drive with my windows down and would have to turn the radio up to almost 30 while at highway speeds in order to be able to hear it. So my end goal is to have a stereo system that is clearer, crisper, and has a little more bump than the current factory setup. I am not looking to rattle any mirrors loose or win a DB drag race just have an overall better sounding stereo without overdoing it. Thanks for any input or advice in advance.


Justin

 

[Ecofx86]

Go look at my 8.4 non alpine kicker 900watt build thread. You will need an amp to hear music with the windows down. That's one of the reasons I installed an amp. I originally replaced all factory speakers with kicker DS series speakers. The stock unit is just not enough for me! That's why I added a 4 channel amp! Makes a world of difference over the stock unit.

 

[rojo_143]

Go look at my 8.4 non alpine kicker 900watt build thread. You will need an amp to hear music with the windows down. That's one of the reasons I installed an amp. I originally replaced all factory speakers with kicker DS series speakers. The stock unit is just not enough for me! That's why I added a 4 channel amp! Makes a world of difference over the stock unit.

I read it and great work!! It is a little more than what I am trying to do on a brand new truck. I am trying to add the Kicker Key 180.4 amp but I will only be using it to push the dash and front speakers.

 

[Ecofx86]

Do yourself a favor and change the Dash speakers to kicker KS 3.5 and run it off your stock deck. It takes 5 mins to do this. two 7 mm bolts per side and lift up the plastic grill. Try that n see if its loud enough. Bc its night and day from stock, just by changing the 3.5. In my buddy truck (2019 ) we changed dash to kicker and the 4 door speakers to kicker DS 6x9. He has it running off the stock unit and its loud enough for him. You can hear it good distance away from the truck with the windows down.

 

[Ramm5.7]

I read it and great work!! It is a little more than what I am trying to do on a brand new truck. I am trying to add the Kicker Key 180.4 amp but I will only be using it to push the dash and front speakers.

Are you planning on swapping out the speakers first or a amp at the same time?
I bought a set of Kicker DS and swapped from oem , head unit only. Great improvement and I never swapped the dash 3.5s. Much clearer and could reach higher volume.
Wanted a bit more so swapped Kicker to Focal IS690s and added a Rockville USS8 8" powered sub. World of difference, can EASILY cruise with windows down and hear the tunes with no distortion.
I have a amp I was planning on installing but as of yet I dont feel its worth the work required now that my speakers and bass are working to my liking.
Of course sound is subjective to each individual and Im an old fart that doesnt need to make his ears bleed like back in the day, lol
Good luck with whatever you choose to do

Edit...FULL DISCLOSURE....in cruising with the windows down I have a magnaflow D18 with 5" tips so exhaust volume is NOT STOCK, and stereo works flawless for me

 

[rojo_143]

Are you planning on swapping out the speakers first or a amp at the same time?
I bought a set of Kicker DS and swapped from oem , head unit only. Great improvement and I never swapped the dash 3.5s. Much clearer and could reach higher volume.
Wanted a bit more so swapped Kicker to Focal IS690s and added a Rockville USS8 8" powered sub. World of difference, can EASILY cruise with windows down and hear the tunes with no distortion.
I have a amp I was planning on installing but as of yet I dont feel its worth the work required now that my speakers and bass are working to my liking.
Of course sound is subjective to each individual and Im an old fart that doesnt need to make his ears bleed like back in the day, lol
Good luck with whatever you choose to do

Edit...FULL DISCLOSURE....in cruising with the windows down I have a magnaflow D18 with 5" tips so exhaust volume is NOT STOCK, and stereo works flawless for me

The plan as of this moment would be to swap out all speaker and add the amp at the same time since it has the built in sound processor and digital equalizer. But as I said in my original post I am about a month out from coming home off my current deployment so a lot can change between now and then. Plus I am always open to hearing other inputs, options or all around better ideas. The one thing I am sure of is I do not feel like routing speaker wires and cables for a full 4 channel amp install. Just looking for an easy yet effective upgrade over the current base system.

 

[Michael]

I put JBL Club series speakers in my six speaker truck and they’re a major improvement over the oem speakers. I’m still running the stock head unit.


I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas.

 

[Ramm5.7]

The plan as of this moment would be to swap out all speaker and add the amp at the same time since it has the built in sound processor and digital equalizer. But as I said in my original post I am about a month out from coming home off my current deployment so a lot can change between now and then. Plus I am always open to hearing other inputs, options or all around better ideas. The one thing I am sure of is I do not feel like routing speaker wires and cables for a full 4 channel amp install. Just looking for an easy yet effective upgrade over the current base system.

I too wanted more yet not the added wiring involved in a fullblown amped system(yet,lol), hense the speakers and easybreazy powered sub

 

[Ecofx86]

If u have to takeout the stock head unit to get behind it for an install that's the hardest part , if any part is considered hard. Pulling up the plastic trim and laying wire down is super easy. ITs harder to take the door panel off and change out the speaker than run speaker n power wires lol

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Install 3.5" infinity kappa perfect midrange's in the dash, and a rockford punch 75rmsx2 amp to them, and either components or rockford power 3 way 6x9s in the doors. Sounds amazing in my truck!

 

[Irongoats]

Has this been completed? I'm interested in how you wired the Key into the system. T-harness? or wired speakers direct to stock harness via tapping into it.