A couple questions about replacing a car stereo

[SarcasticDwarf]

So the cassette player in my truck (97 dodge ram 1500) all of a sudden decides to make horrible noises like it is trying to access a cassette every single time my truck is turned on. As a result, it needs to be replaces. Sadly, I am planning on selling the truck in two months, so I have no incentive to replace it with something nice.

Now, a couple of questions.


1) I know that newer decks output more wattage to each speaker channel than what is on my truck. Is there any way to limit the output to what they currently get to prevent them from being blown out?

2) What are the best cheap sites for car audio equipment?

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

....?

 

[TeamZero]

1) I know that newer decks output more wattage to each speaker channel than what is on my truck. Is there any way to limit the output to what they currently get to prevent them from being blown out?

Don't turn it up too loud.

2) What are the best cheap sites for car audio equipment?

Ebay

 

[minendo]

Your stock speakers will handle a new deck with no issues as long as you don't turn it up too loud. Crutchfield.com has some good deals from time to time. Otherwise, check out local shops or Best Buy, Circuit City, and the like for sales.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: TeamZero

1) I know that newer decks output more wattage to each speaker channel than what is on my truck. Is there any way to limit the output to what they currently get to prevent them from being blown out?

Don't turn it up too loud.

2) What are the best cheap sites for car audio equipment?

Ebay

lol, I never thought of it before, Ebay=Midnight auto parts on a grand scale.

 

[TeamZero]

Like minendo said, crutchfield is a good place to get mobile audio stuff...but ebay will probably cost you half as much.

 

[AMCRambler]

Sound Domain

One of my favorite places to shop for car audio. Their prices almost always beat Crutchfield but Crutchfield has a bigger selection. Also when you by from Crutchfield you can get the harness adapters to hook up to the specific vehicle you're going to be installing on. Sound domain carries some of the harnesses, so what I do is check which harness I need on Crutchfield, see if Sound Domain has it, and then compare the price of the deck plus harness between the two sites.

 

[funboy6942]

Walmart cheap ass radio with a mp3 and wma play cap for around $150, make sure to get a wiring harness and install kit, and your done. But what ever you buy just make sure you buy a install kit and wire harness, especially a wiring harness, guessing at the radio wires (they are not universally color coded from the factory) will save you the time and aggravation and well worth the $10 cost for it.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
So the cassette player in my truck (97 dodge ram 1500) all of a sudden decides to make horrible noises like it is trying to access a cassette every single time my truck is turned on. As a result, it needs to be replaces. Sadly, I am planning on selling the truck in two months, so I have no incentive to replace it with something nice.

Now, a couple of questions.


1) I know that newer decks output more wattage to each speaker channel than what is on my truck. Is there any way to limit the output to what they currently get to prevent them from being blown out?

2) What are the best cheap sites for car audio equipment?

1) The power they advertise is overrated. In reality, you can expect 12.5 watts RMS per channel out of most that claim 50, with 18 being the most you'll almost ever see out of a deck.

2) Sounddomain.com. Use the interweb to find a cheap price at an unauthorized store and ask Sound Domain to price match it.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: TeamZero
Like minendo said, crutchfield is a good place to get mobile audio stuff...but ebay will probably cost you half as much.

You'd be surprised...For the same model (not last year's model) and new/in-box, I've never found Ebay cheaper than the car stereo places I frequent.

Alternatively, you can check out a junkyard and get the same radio your car came with. Or go to a Dodge Ram forum and ask around for the OEM deck. Most people who have put in an aftermarket deck will likely give it away for next to nothing

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
So the cassette player in my truck (97 dodge ram 1500) all of a sudden decides to make horrible noises like it is trying to access a cassette every single time my truck is turned on. As a result, it needs to be replaces. Sadly, I am planning on selling the truck in two months, so I have no incentive to replace it with something nice.

Now, a couple of questions.


1) I know that newer decks output more wattage to each speaker channel than what is on my truck. Is there any way to limit the output to what they currently get to prevent them from being blown out?

2) What are the best cheap sites for car audio equipment?

1) The power they advertise is overrated. In reality, you can expect 12.5 watts RMS per channel out of most that claim 50, with 18 being the most you'll almost ever see out of a deck.

I blew out the speakers in my 89 Mustang when I replaced the deck, so I am trying to avoid that.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Or go to a Dodge Ram forum and ask around for the OEM deck. Most people who have put in an aftermarket deck will likely give it away for next to nothing

Wow, great idea, thanks!