Ive been around stereos for a while and know without replacing the head unit I'm not going to get as great of quality as a replacement, but there will definitely be an improvement.

Looking to put put components in front/rear doors and run them off a nice 4 channel amp, keeping factory head unit and adding no subs. Anyone done this on an LMM yet?

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=220502

He put subs in too but also changed the rest. Should give you what you're looking for.

Never mind, you posted to that thread. :)

I read in "Kidder"s thread that he had his factory deck programmed to the "bose" unit so the amps have more control of the sound... If you're doing speakers this seems like a good idea... he said less bass comes from the back now so you'll get a "better" sound. If you were only doing a sub I wouldn't think this matters, but if you're doing full speakers and amp I would do this. What speakers are you thinking of running? JL components sound great! :D

Yes have it programmed to Bose and set your amp to low level inputs. It sounds great set that way.

Already have Bose... its an LTZ....

Infinity Kappa Perfects, Boston Acoustic Z6s, RE Audio XXX series, Focal VR3s, something pretty high end. I just like the integration the stock HU has and its features.... Ill prob just end up dumping it for Alpines W205 replacement when it comes out though :D

Already have Bose... its an LTZ....

Infinity Kappa Perfects, Boston Acoustic Z6s, RE Audio XXX series, Focal VR3s, something pretty high end. I just like the integration the stock HU has and its features.... Ill prob just end up dumping it for Alpines W205 replacement when it comes out though :D
Oh no you don't! You'll void your warranty!




Sorry, I just had to. All of the "you'll void your warranty" talk cracks me up.

I am in your shoes. I want to retain the factory NAV unit and add everything else. I have always preached to other people to change the head unit first, as all stock stuff is crap. But, I want 100% integrity, so I ordered the truck with DVD and NAV with full intent of yanking everything else.

Now I also see there is a pre-fabbed box for our trucks from "PROBOX".

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=60807&d=1206898503

I will probably go with the Focals all around. I was happy with my Eclipse stuff in my last truck, so I may go that route. Not sure yet.

LOL @ Warranty... my truck is voided so bad I wouldnt even know where to begin. Why did I buy that 100k extended bumper to bumper? hahaha

Focal makes some nice high end stuff. I as you used to always preach HU first, but it just looks damn good in there, and it has all kinds of the MP3 sorting capability, etc etc.

I wish I had an LMM to try installing a -900 Y91 lux amp or the -900 Z75 amp (that bling-bling 5.1 bose amp that goes in the new 'sclades) on...

I wish I had the money to fly you out here and do it Ben :D

I have Focals in all four doors. They are run through a JL Audio 4 channel amp and it sounds great. You wont be dissapointed at all.

I have Focals in all four doors. They are run through a JL Audio 4 channel amp and it sounds great. You wont be dissapointed at all.
Did you leave the stock head unit or change it out?

I had all the stock speakers changed out to JL Audios but still have the stock head. They sound good, but will sound better once I get them amped up...I'm going to have it done once I get my tax return from Uncle Sam. The stock head just doesn't have the juice to feed the JLs. :eek:

Did you leave the stock head unit or change it out?

I kept my factory Head Unit I like the features and the way it looks

I had all the stock speakers changed out to JL Audios but still have the stock head. They sound good, but will sound better once I get them amped up...I'm going to have it done once I get my tax return from Uncle Sam. The stock head just doesn't have the juice to feed the JLs. :eek:

Hence the Amp :D

I'm in the same boat as you guys as far as wanting to keep the stock HU. All I have done so far is add a an amp and two tens to the system. Prolly the easiest and least intrusive upgrade. But eventually the stock speakers need to go and when they do I will probably change out the HU too....

Still, just adding what I have so far has made it sound so much better. I'm not one for booming bass, not anymore anyway, so tens are perfect!

I put in this amp http://www.audioque.com/aq/AQamps.htm with these subs http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=163
In a Subthump box. Pretty happy all around. Great 1000 watt amp for the price.

I just ordered my DynaMat Xtreme bulk pack, roller, and 5.25 Eclipse PointSources (for rear doors).

Later, I'll order the 6.5 Eclipse Components for the front and one more bulk pack.

Once I have all of that, I will DynaMat all of the doors as much as possible and replace all of the speakers - at the same time putting on my chrome door handles. Work smarter, not harder. :D

you guys should look into the alpine vehicle hub pro. it keeps the factory screen

you guys should look into the alpine vehicle hub pro. it keeps the factory screen
It costs as much as a new head unit. Might as well just go with an AVIC-D3 or similar.

There are several "hubs" that plug into the factory unit and provide RCAs for external amps. No problem.

Good suggestion, though.

It costs as much as a new head unit. Might as well just go with an AVIC-D3 or similar.

There are several "hubs" that plug into the factory unit and provide RCAs for external amps. No problem.

Good suggestion, though.


yeah it is kinda spendy im just a alpine fan. I like the menu systems and look of the alpine stuff. Dont get me wrong there are many great brands out there to! Hell before the latest alpine i got the avic n1 was in my truck and i loved it. Just pioneers sound wasnt to my likeing.

I would probably by the Pioneer everyone seems to like so much because it's rather cheap, but the single cd slot turned me off. I have always liked Alpine a lot but didn't see anything that sparked my interest out by them at the moment. Maybe in the future...

I'm figuring on running an AudioControl LC6i to turn the factory speaker-level outs to RCA. Plus, it's a line-driver for clean signals and has a 12V turn-on lead to trigger the amps.