Car Audio

Epi

So I've been trying to research car audio so I can get some nice sound into my '94 4runner.

This research has unfortunately been unable to clear up my confusion about speaker setups.

My 4runner has speaker positions under the dash (4") in the front doors (5 1/4") back doors (5") the side panels in the back of the truck (6 1/2") and a pair of speakers above the trunk door (unknown). The speaker sizes were provided by Crutchfield.

It appears I have stock speakers in the dash, rear panel and above the trunk locations right now.

What are the recommended positions I should use for new speakers? Should I be looking to purchase speakers for every available slot? That seems like a lot. I thought I'd probably just replace what speakers are there with new ones.

Are 4" speakers going to be noticeably weaker than the larger models?

Do I need component speakers with separate woofers and tweeters for all locations or can I get away with components up front and just all-purpose speakers in the back?

That's a lot of questions. Any answers would be great.

Thanks!

illig

With that many speakers, your stereo is likely running some sort of weak stock amp or multiple amps and various other technology like crossovers, etc.

This means that the system is likely set up to take full advantage of the current speakers be they one two or three way, and replacing them with something better may not give you the sound quality increase you're seeking.

You will likely need to replace the head unit, and bypass the amps, plus rewire a bit to take full advantage of new speakers.

Spudge

Man when I did my 4Runner years and years ago it took a lot of cash but the sound was well worth it. Here's what I did:

Replaced factory head unit with something 45x4, 2 preouts
All speakers were replaced with Infinity units. One way dashes, two way front door, two way rear door. Rear 6.5s were replaced with Pyle 6.5" woofers
Mated door speakers with dash speakers using crossovers on front stdout, mids through doors highs through dashes
Rear doors were full control on rear stdout
Ran an amp off of sub control preout to the two 6.5" woofers in the rear

It sounded SO DAMN AWESOME

Be sure to use a good crossover for the front set up. The 4" units create really great highs (like super-tweeters) and leave the midrange to the door units. No reason to do anything with the over-the-trunk locations (I didn't even have that?)