Upgrading all audio equipment.

[Parthious]

Hello again everyone! Tomorrow I am upgrading the stock audio equipment, including a 8.4in radio to my 21 classic RAM. I am putting in Alpine S2 69 speakers for the doors. Upgrading the dash tweeter and putting a solo 12in sub in the back seat (quad cab). I am also putting a Wavteck Link 1000.5 amp. I am just wondering if anyone here has upgraded their audio in their RAM and has any input on the differences it has made in their driving experience. Thanks for reading!

On a side note... Unfortunately the radio upgrade is a Uconnect5 UBD upgrade and I won't be able to put audio control in my steering wheel as they won't work together. Does anyone use a third party track skip/replay on their steering wheel to make it easier to use while I drive? Thanks again!

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Hello again everyone! Tomorrow I am upgrading the stock audio equipment, including a 8.4in radio to my 21 classic RAM. I am putting in Alpine S2 69 speakers for the doors. Upgrading the dash tweeter and putting a solo 12in sub in the back seat (quad cab). I am also putting a Wavteck Link 1000.5 amp. I am just wondering if anyone here has upgraded their audio in their RAM and has any input on the differences it has made in their driving experience. Thanks for reading!

On a side note... Unfortunately the radio upgrade is a Uconnect5 UBD upgrade and I won't be able to put audio control in my steering wheel as they won't work together. Does anyone use a third party track skip/replay on their steering wheel to make it easier to use while I drive? Thanks again!

Congrats on the upcoming upgrades.... it changes the whole driving / listening experience for darn sure!

I would also consider upgrading to an H8 AGM battery and installing, perhaps, a db (or simialr product) digital capacitor (I use their 5-farad model in my truck) to help with the thump and load strain on the electrical system.

I would also add several new thick copper core grounds throughout your truck, too as this will drastically help the electrical system in many ways, including the audio.

Is your sub in a sealed or ported box?
If sealed; stuff the box will poly-fill and then put your sub in it. This is a great way to enhance the bass output.

 

[Parthious]

Congrats on the upcoming upgrades.... it changes the whole driving / listening experience for darn sure!

I would also consider upgrading to an H8 AGM battery and installing, perhaps, a db (or simialr product) digital capacitor (I use their 5-farad model in my truck) to help with the thump and load strain on the electrical system.

I would also add several new thick copper core grounds throughout your truck, too as this will drastically help the electrical system in many ways, including the audio.

Is your sub in a sealed or ported box?
If sealed; stuff the box will poly-fill and then put your sub in it. This is a great way to enhance the bass output.

I appreciate the input! I was originally thinking of upgrading the "big 3" in terms of my electrical components. I am getting all of this professionally installed at the shop then may look more into this afterward. With the amp and sub (enclosed underneath back seat) I do want to ensure that everything will work properly, especially with the electrical. Where could I obtain these parts that you mention?

 

[CanuckRam1313]

I appreciate the input! I was originally thinking of upgrading the "big 3" in terms of my electrical components. I am getting all of this professionally installed at the shop then may look more into this afterward. With the amp and sub (enclosed underneath back seat) I do want to ensure that everything will work properly, especially with the electrical. Where could I obtain these parts that you mention?

The battery is available from Odyssey (H8 AGM) and easily installed yourself.
Look up Odyssey battery supplier in your area.

Have the shop supply and install the additional grounds while it's in the shop
They have the materials there to d this.

The shop should also be able to supply and install a capacitor as well.

Ask them if they are stuffing the sealed sub box with poly-fill. If not, ask them to look into it as it is of benefit to subs that are installed in sealed boxes.

I've got a total of 2100W of power in my set up with one amp under my drivers seat and elevated on a platform. The other amp and my capacitor are under my front passenger seat and also elevated on their own platforms.

 

[Mojo88]

....On a side note... Unfortunately the radio upgrade is a Uconnect5 UBD upgrade and I won't be able to put audio control in my steering wheel as they won't work together. Does anyone use a third party track skip/replay on their steering wheel to make it easier to use while I drive? Thanks again!

I would not install a system unless I could retain SWC. I would recommend you contact the guys here: https://netaudio.com/ and see if they have something. They do a lot of RAM setups. It's a good possibility they have a PAC adapter or similar solution.

 

[Parthious]

The battery is available from Odyssey (H8 AGM) and easily installed yourself.
Look up Odyssey battery supplier in your area.

Have the shop supply and install the additional grounds while it's in the shop
They have the materials there to d this.

The shop should also be able to supply and install a capacitor as well.

Ask them if they are stuffing the sealed sub box with poly-fill. If not, ask them to look into it as it is of benefit to subs that are installed in sealed boxes.

I've got a total of 2100W of power in my set up with one amp under my drivers seat and elevated on a platform. The other amp and my capacitor are under my front passenger seat and also elevated on their own platforms.

Just asked them! I am going to hold off on the other things for now because I can't afford many more upgrades after this one. Going to test the waters for a bit then look more into what you are suggesting. I don't think I will be pushing 1000w of power with this initial setup anyways. I basically got mid-tier speakers with an individual sub. Just want things a bit louder/full. Going to blast Primus to break them in I think hahaha.

 

[Parthious]

I would not install a system unless I could retain SWC. I would recommend you contact the guys here: https://netaudio.com/ and see if they have something. They do a lot of RAM setups. It's a good possibility they have a PAC adapter or similar solution.

Just sent them an email. Hopefully there can be a solution! I appreciate the referral.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Just asked them! I am going to hold off on the other things for now because I can't afford many more upgrades after this one. Going to test the waters for a bit then look more into what you are suggesting. I don't think I will be pushing 1000w of power with this initial setup anyways. I basically got mid-tier speakers with an individual sub. Just want things a bit louder/full. Going to blast Primus to break them in I think hahaha.

Fair enough, but a better battery and capacitor aren't upgrades when putting together an aftermarket upgraded automotive audio system
They are pretty much necessities!

Your electrical system, battery and alternator aren't items that favor blasting music with upgraded audio components (amp/sub/speakers) without having some sort of protections / upgrades in place to help stabilize the strains you're going to be introducing to the system overall.

It'll all become clear when your lights are dimming at night, and your battery & alternator calf.

I do hear you though about costs Brother, and I don't disagree that all these things cost money.

However, IMHO, your professional installer should have reviewed all this with you when you were getting quoted for the upgrades in the first place.
Also, without these components your clarity and music delivery at higher volumes and with those tunes having good & deep bass will be muddier in their sound reproduction, too.

A bigger battery and a capacitor (especially when adding an amp and a sub) are kind of Automotive Audio Upgrades 101.
This is however, all just my own opinion.

Do I Need a Capacitor? Power Up Your Car Audio | BOSS

Wondering "do I need a capacitor" for your amp or subs? Unlock crystal-clear sound with zero dimming lights. Discover when you need one & how it transforms your audio journey.

bossaudio.com

 

[Parthious]

Fair enough, but a better battery and capacitor aren't upgrades when putting together an aftermarket upgraded automotive audio system
They are pretty much necessities!

Your electrical system, battery and alternator aren't items that favor blasting music with upgraded audio components (amp/sub/speakers) without having some sort of protections / upgrades in place to help stabilize the strains you're going to be introducing to the system overall.

It'll all become clear when your lights are dimming at night, and your battery & alternator calf.

I do hear you though about costs Brother, and I don't disagree that all these things cost money.

However, IMHO, your professional installer should have reviewed all this with you when you were getting quoted for the upgrades in the first place.
Also, without these components your clarity and music delivery at higher volumes and with those tunes having good & deep bass will be muddier in their sound reproduction, too.

A bigger battery and a capacitor (especially when adding an amp and a sub) are kind of Automotive Audio Upgrades 101.
This is however, all just my own opinion.

Do I Need a Capacitor? Power Up Your Car Audio | BOSS

Wondering "do I need a capacitor" for your amp or subs? Unlock crystal-clear sound with zero dimming lights. Discover when you need one & how it transforms your audio journey.

bossaudio.com

No I appreciate all of that imformation! I’m thinking soon I’m going to do those upgrades as well. I just got it back and the CarPlay is very nice. I do notice that the USB’s in my bench seat aren’t working so I’m going to ask them to take a look at it. I think I’m going to go with your suggestion next week and purchase a battery and alternator. Where would I get the electrical system upgrades?

 

[CanuckRam1313]

No I appreciate all of that imformation! I’m thinking soon I’m going to do those upgrades as well. I just got it back and the CarPlay is very nice. I do notice that the USB’s in my bench seat aren’t working so I’m going to ask them to take a look at it. I think I’m going to go with your suggestion next week and purchase a battery and alternator. Where would I get the electrical system upgrades?

If you're alternator is currently working properly; no need to change it

Look up the closest Odyssey battery dealer close to you, call them and ask if they have an H8 in stock. If they do, pick one up and install it. If they don't, ask them to order one in for you.

The additional grounds can be done by your audio installer, or you pick up some thick weather-proof grade insulated copper cable, ring terminals, solder them on and seal with a quality shrink tube product.

 

[Joes1500]

The single biggest improvement you can make to your audio system is a full sound deadening and insulation job.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

The single biggest improvement you can make to your audio system is a full sound deadening and insulation job.

Very true; no disagreement here!

I too, had my truck plastered (properly, mind you ) with high quality sound-mat / insulation and it made an entire world of acoustic improvements with my upgraded audio system!

I've a pair of competition grade 10" subs in engineered-sealed boxes stuffed with poly-fill, and there is not one single rattle anywhere to be heard on the outside of my truck at higher volume. Just pure, clear and quality bass and detailed mids/highs, inside and outside.

This is also Audio Upgrades 101.... quality audio reproduction comes from quality components that are properly installed and tuned, AND, sound deadening / insulation (plus a quality source for the music as well).