Upgarding stereo in 2011 F-150

[IHateMyJob2004]

I ma considering upgrading the stereo in my new F-150. I want to keep the head unit and all that stuff.

My question comes with the possibility of addign an amplifer and sub while upgrading the stock speaekrs.

Given all the computerization in this truck, are there preouts available for after market amplifiers? I'd basically want to drive the new stuff with an amp. To save money, I might just need to use an amp for hte 8"ers I want.

Also, is it easy to get 8" subs under the back seats of the extended cab's seats along with an amp? I might just power some subs and upgrade the stock speakers. And have the stock speakers driven by the stock head unit. Maybe toss some x-overs in so the stock speaker locatins don't go uner 80 Hz or some other cutoff.

Thoughts and help appreciated.

This is hopefully going to be a sub $1000 project but you never know.

 

[NutBucket]

Pre-outs: I'd bet $1,000,000 there are none.

Honestly, usually the headunit is a pretty big limitation since it will have an eq curve designed to protect the speakers while sacrificing sound quality. Adding an amp and/or upgrading speakers won't help you any.

For your sub, check out crutchfield. Given the popularity of your truck, there's probably a custom fit box designed to fit under the rear seats.

 

[jtvang125]

If you're set on keeping the stock HU you'll need a line-out converter. The simple ones will just take your speaker outputs and convert them into preamps while more sophicated ones such as JL Audio's Cleansweep will take the signal and "clean" it up for better sound. Unfortunately it only outputs 4 channels (F and R) so you'll be out of the sub channel if you want to use rear speakers. I'm sure there are ones that will output 6 channels.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Well, my truck has all that Synch stuff that idon't want to loose. And quite frankly, looking at the dash, I can not see how a headunit could replace what is already there without major rework. What ever happened to the 1 dinn, 2 dinn days?

 

[SearchMaster]

Well, my truck has all that Synch stuff that idon't want to loose. And quite frankly, looking at the dash, I can not see how a headunit could replace what is already there without major rework. What ever happened to the 1 dinn, 2 dinn days?

They're pretty much gone.

 

[3chordcharlie]

They're pretty much gone.

Also, factory audio doesn't suck nearly as much as it did in the 80s.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I'm going to hit up a local shop and see what they have to say. Stereo is not horrible but I know it is far from good. Lacks alot of bass and everything sounds muddy. Not shocking. Cheap, small speakers.

Are there speakers mounted near hte windshield somewhere? Sounds like there are but I don't see them.

 

[SearchMaster]

You'll probably be able to help out a lot with just a subwoofer, which should be a pretty easy/cheap solution even in a truck.

jtvang's suggestion of something like the CleanSweep is a good one - it will be the best way to use the existing electronics and improve the sound. Just replacing the speakers is often disappointing because, as said before, the existing implementation does not have a flat sound curve so you'll continue to have the muddy sound if you don't work on that. You should also check some F150 forums to see what analysis has been done by others - when I was looking at sound changes for my Mazda 6 it turned out that the sound curve was actually pretty flat on the stock HU, so just replacing the speakers was enough to improve the sound significantly.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I might upgrade the head unit. Use that to drive new speakers and toss in an 8 or 10 sub or two. And an amp of some sort for the subs. If I upgrade the head unit though, alot of the integrated system goes away. Steering wheel cotnrols are lost and the Synch system is history. Thus the need to get a head unit that replaces the Synch system pretty much. Not sure what happens with the old radio dispaly that also does direction (NORTH, SOUTH, etc) and the ext temperature.

Underliend stuff is sjust what I think I want to buy if I do this.

This underlined thing is a question:
How many speakers does an 2011 F-150 ext cab (super cab) have?

Sad to see that Eclipse no longer does head units. Those were awesome back in the day.

 

[NutBucket]

Eclipe definitely made some awesome HUs. Anyway, first go to Crutchfield and enter your vehicle info. They will show exactly what you need, what will fit, and what adapters you may need including one to retain use of the steering wheel controls.

For example, the SYNC system can supposedly be retained:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_541MSFR...e.html?tp=3486

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Went to a local shop and got quotes.

RF = Rocford Fosgate
JL = JL Audio

Subs:
Thinking RF amp w/JL sub(s). Might have to get 8" but want the 10" if they fit under my trucks back seat. These are the W1 line however I might be tempted by the W6 line w/ ports seeing you can port those with a very small enclosure.

I actually like the RF speaker sound more. Bottom line is that I need to get my music in the shop to try out the different speakers.

Just sold some stock .... thinking that money is going to be used for the stereo.

Kenwood head unit for like $350-$300. Bluetooth with USB and headphone jack line ins. Pretty much all I want. The stearing wheel controls will be tied into the new head unit which is cool.

Cost is about $1500 if I do two 8" subs. Would rather do one ten inch if possible though. We'll see.....

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I hate the stock stereo in my F-150 (2011 ext cab). I've read that the stock head unit sucks big time and that you can get better sound with better speakers but the head unit greatly reduces the possible gains.

I have till tomorrow to have a car audio place install a whole new system for $1500-$2000. Before you shake your head, I love music and I had a $3000 stereo in my truck 8 years ago and it was worth every penny. I've toned down my spending though and think I could get something killer in the $1700 ballpark.

I could save alot of money by doing it myself though. How hard is this to do? I don't know the first thing about pulling things apart in a truck.

FWIW: The dealership recommends a Kenwood Excelon head unit (also carries pioneer and something else). I am doing two JL Audio 10W1 sealed subs if they can fit. If not I am going with 8W1s ported. Not sure about mains yet. I want to replace all 4 but i might get better speakers up front. Not sure yet. The speakers will be Rockford or JL. Amps, same story. JL or Rockford.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

NutBucket,

I've read enough to know that if you upgrade the speakers, you will get a big sound quality boost. The head unit ends up limiting the improvements, like you said. If you want to spend $200 on 4 new speakers, you will probably get your money out of it.

NutBucket,
The local shop by me said they tried out the harness to keep the Xync system intact and he said it was a crappy solution that did not work well.

All,
I think I am just going to go balls deep. New head unit. subs w/ amp and external amps for the 4 door speakers.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

NutBucket,

I've read enough to know that if you upgrade the speakers, you will get a big sound quality boost. The head unit ends up limiting the improvements, like you said. If you want to spend $200 on 4 new speakers, you will probably get your money out of it.

NutBucket,
The local shop by me said they tried out the harness to keep the Xync system intact and he said it was a crappy solution that did not work well.

All,
I think I am just going to go balls deep. New head unit. subs w/ amp and external amps for the 4 door speakers.

 

[NutBucket]

In general its a bit of a waste to replace rear speakers. I'm sure you know your money is best spent up front.

As for speakers, check out Boston. I put a set of 6.5" components in the wife's WRX (properly amplified) and they sound great.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Finally figured out the Ford Sync USB navigation. Not bad once you figure it out but Ford and Microsoft get an F- for the manual. And the intuitiveness is a F. No minus as it could be figured out without a manual in under 16 hours. What a steaming pile of garbage this Sync system is. And the stereo sounds like crap.

I can not swallow the $1500+ price tag for an aftermarket stereo. I almost want to go as low end as possible but what is the point of that.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

This sucks. Every time I listen to music in this truck I cringe. Every time I think about upgrading I cringe (at the cost)

 

[LTC8K6]

You didn't check out SYNC and the stereo before buying?

SYNC seems to either be loved or hated.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Sync?

There was one truck in stock that had RWD and an extended cab. I didn't even notice the Sync. Now that I understand it a little better it is not bad. The menus are very inconsistent though. It is quite pathetic in terms of polish. I'd be embarrassed to release such software as an Alpha release. The menu text is not consistent nor is the navigation behavior.

Anyways, there are literally less than 10 trucks or so in Connecticut that were what I wanted so far as Ford goes. Within an hours drive, only 3. And the first dealer already sold 1.

The truck is everything I wanted. I didn't think that Sync would be so unintuitive.

Still, can not fathom dropping $1500-$2000 on a stereo.

 

[LTC8K6]

See if there's an update to the system?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

See if there's an update to the system?

The Sync web site sucks. I don't know if I can do it or if a dealer needs to do it.

But ya, the thought has crossed my mind.

 

[LTC8K6]

Hit an F-150 site. They probably know more tips and tricks about the system than the dealers.

 

[Pulsar]

You will find a large number of double-din dash kits that will fit the '11 F-150 and look just like they were factory installed for under $50. That's what I did because I wanted bass speakers but wouldn't compromise with a line-out converter from the rear channels.

I'm using a Pioneer AVH-P4200 and it's frankly the best stereo I've ever owned. Great sound, intuitive, just absolutely wonderful.

I've got a pair of JL audio 10's in the back of mine. 2 10 inch subs are an absolute bitch to fit. You will not have the ideal air space. In addition, to maximize the box size to get near the minimum required air-space, I actually cut out the carpet directly under the speakers so they had enough throw.

In retrospect, I'd go with some kick-ass 8's if I had it to do over. I used a street edge amp which was more than enough power for my 10's. The base speakers in the truck are actually not bad - it's the head unit that makes them sound as horrible as they do.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Pulsar,

I am thinking about doing 2 8W3s from JL Audio. Those should fit nicely and give a little more excursion than the 8W1s. With some attention to detail, you could always port 8"ers.

If one were tempted, they could easily fit 3 or 4 8" subs back there but you have to move the jack to a new location.

Checking out the Pioneer AVH-P4200.

For now, I am putting in some new Rockfor Fosgate 6x8s in the doors that are 2 way coaxials. I thnk they are the entry level Power series 6x8s (T1682). It's a comprimise for now. I want to see if this is enough to make me happy without spending $1100 on a headunit and subs. I am mostly upset over how muddy the stock speakers are. I am hoping the new speakers are enough to make me smile.

The 6x8s:
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/prod...y_id=15&item_id=112900&locale=en_US&p_status=

 

[BassBomb]

JL Cleansweep or something of the like? Better than a LOC