Best standard cab sound possible

Hey what do you guys think is the best way to get good sound out of a standard cab 2001 taco? Now it has a small tweeter and 5" x 7" speakers and a pretty weak head unit. i would like to put in a set of 6x9 speakers i have lying around or maybe some 10" subs i have lying around (as well as replacing the stock speakers and head unit) but where do i put them? i need the seat to be able to go all the way back and can't seem to find the room in a standard cab!

Good question,

I have a 2001 standard cab that came stock with bucket seats and a nice center console and want to get some good sound out of a very small space. Any ideas would be great considering i really like the function of the stock cd/tape/radio head unit.

Thanks
INACOMA

the best possible way to get good sound depends on location of the speakers and the type of music you listen to. tacoma factory speakers locations are in a bad place, since the sound is aimed towards your legs and not your ears. The best option would be a 3 way component system with the low and mid in the factory spot, and the tweeter in the top of the door panel - the only problem with this is component systems are pricey and custom work would be involved to place the speakers. If your looking to keep the price down, go with 2 way or 3 way speakers with an adjustable tweeter. bass can go pretty much anywhere, but now you can aim the tweeter (highs) towards your ears instead of your legs. As for subwoofers, MTX thunderforms and JL audio stealth boxes are special designed boxes that fit in standard cab tacomas without sacrificing legroom that go directly behind the seats. Custom building a box is also an option. You can find these items on ebay. also, if you are upgrading the speakers you might as well updgrade the head unit becuase the factory stereo does not have high voltage or power output therefore making your nice aftermarket speakers distort and sound bad. Any aftermarket head unit will have all the factory features plus more. If you decide to go with subwoofers, an amplifier is absolutely neccesary. most importantly, keep in mind what kind of music you mostly listen to, and how loud you like to play it. and INACOMA, that is what my license plate says!

Cool!

thanks for the help, I want to get my truck lower and then move on to looks and interior. Are the Thunderfoams from MTX good? That option does make a lot of sense.

Thanks again

INACOMA

I will say that MTX makes high quality products, I've heard the subs inside various stores, and a friend of mine had 2 MTX 10's in the back of his integra and it made me see blurry. Ive also visited their factory, (here in AZ) and id say that the process that goes into building their stuff is careful and efficient. As for the thunderforms for the coma ive never actually heard them and i dont know their power rating, how loud would you want the music and what kind of music would be mostly playing?? That can determine the kind of amp you want

I listen to a lot of different stuff but i want something that hits on lows like hip hop nad reggae but also doesn't overcome vocals on hardcore or rock. I am fearful of buying a thunderfoam and not being able to actually feel it hit but just hear the bass. Does that even make sense? Oh well

Happy New Year and Hope all is safe and well

INACOMA

I have heard the Thunderform playing all variations of music from rock to rap to classical. It all sound great. I'm looking to get one to replace my two 12" Fosgates.

maybe you can consider this idea; put components in your door flash-mount the tweeters maybe 1/2 inc below the window, put amp under passenger and driver sit, take-off the console and place the tube as your bass. if not fully satisfied add kick panel.

right now i have 2 10s sealed...do u think ported might sound better? im planning to make another box and this time im gonna make this one ported...let me if u know the difference!
thanks

That really depends on whether your speakers were designed for a vented or sealed enclosure, check the specs on them. But generally speaking ported enclosures will giver more boom, with quaking bass volume, while sealed enclosures will give you a tighter, more accurate, punchy bass...it really depends a lot on your taste for bass sound and also on the type of music you play most. I'm personally an audiophile and kinda prefer the accuracy of a sealed box, but if you want people down the road to turn heads at the rumble coming from your truck...go ported.

i agree with OGSpacePimp

Ok well here's the scoop. I've installed alot of systems; and for trucks the best way to get some bass while keeping your space is to 1. MTX thunderforms. They're good for the cost and sound ok with the MTX sub in it and you get to keep your leg space. You can change the sub and amp later on too.
Or 2. go to an audio store and get them to make you a custom box. You'll keep the space, it'll sound alot better since it's tuned for your truck, it's stronger (less box vibration translates into more bass, more power, and a better sub you can put in.) Personally, I don't like MTX subs, there are alot of better ones out there like Fosgates, JL, Solo Barics are great esp the L7, but pricey. The amp that comes with the Thunderform is good, but only for the MTX sub that it runs, you're better off with some other ones. Phoenix Gold, Sony, Fosgate, Alpine, all are great amps.

As for your front speakers, components are awesome. And everyone is right the Taco has crappy speaker mounts because it mounts to your feet. Come on my ears aren't on my feet! You can get a component, mount the mid range in the door (bass is heard at any angle unlike highs) and mount your tweeters in the front corner or your A pillar, door, and window, the little black triangle thingy. Or mount them high up on the B pillar right where your ears are. That's just some ideas, theres so many ways to go around this. Speakers and amps are a personal thing, and everyone will have their own "brand" and also how much money you can spend. But just like anything else you get what you pay for. Latez

if im running 2 10s, i have to put 2 port holes right? where does the port holes go, or it doesnt matter where it goes? im gonna out them on each side, but whats the best outcome for it?

usually the farther from the driver the better (less port vibration, cleaner sound) , and port them blowing to the front for max bass

Here's a basic layout of how i had my last box, it put out a really nice sound, ports on the lower corners, everything toward the front, though when i tossed it in the truck from out of my car I got better sound when I put it on it's back, drivers and ports aimed upward, but I have an extra-cab.

Porting and venting all depends on the enclosure and type of speakers...

I have built a box for my 98 tacoma. I have a 12" sub and 2 6x9 in box. I get plenty of kick from mine.

I HAVE ONE 8W6 JL AUDIO SUB WITH A KICKER IX402 AMP AND IT SOUNDS GOOD AND I STILL HAVE ALOT OF SPACE.

Tacked Out,
To fit two tens did you have to remove the jack from behind the passenger side seat? Where did you relocate it to? I want to add another ten behind the passenger seat but I have no idea where I would stick the jack. Under the passenger seat?

Right now my box is up to the jack...but i just made another box that will take take the whole back (behind the seat) so...tell u the truth i dont know where to locate the jack...probably under the driver seat if itll fit. my amps chillin under the passenger seat.
is it sealed or ported? the box i have right now is sealed, but i just finished the ported one...jus gotta seal it and carpet it!

Dude The best thing you can do is get bucket seats I got celica gts seats. and I made my own box. What I did is I cut of all the extras in the cab like jack holder. all that stuff needs to go. I built a box 44 inches long, 11 inches tall and 3 inches wide.. I placed the speaker inside out in the center of the box and it sticks out magnet out.The box sits nice and tucked behind my seats. Bro Im 6'2" tall and sit very comfortable. I have a JL w3 and it sounds really good. WHen I turn it up my mirror spins in circles due to the bass. Im pushing the speaker with a kenwood 600 w amp. I got kenwood tweaters and pioneer door speakers.

Good luck any questions feel free to email me at tacomaracr@msn.com.

How did you remove that jack holder? How is it held on?

Right now all I have is one Fosgate 10" in a sealed box, which sounds good, and also shakes the hell out of my mirror but I always want more. The hardest part, for me, of making my box was conforming it to the funky shape of the rear of the cab. It was a pain in the ass.

on my old 92 single cab 4x4 i just took a hammer and beat the thing (jack holder )against the wall...dont try to pull it off b/c it will rip holes in the back of your, cab the metal is not to thick..cutting it would be the best idea but i was in a hurry and 16 yrs old when i did it but it worked fine. also as far as subs go i had two mtx 6000 10's in there and then switched to jl audio w3's they sounded cleaner but, i WOULD not recommend porting any subs in such a small area and if so only one 10" at the most...ported boxes require alot of airspace to function properly and the tall thin design of single cab truck boxes is extremely poor for ported applications. just get sealed boxes with ample power and you will be happy ,i used a fosgate bd500 to power my jl's and it worked great

bucket seats are also a good idea

I cut it all off with a grinder. I looks good. Everthing was cut out.

So where did you stick the jack? Does it fit under the seat? I haven't tried to fit it under there yet.
Since I want to add another 10" behind the passenger seat do you guys think that I should just make a new box that hold both 10's and goes all the way accross the cab or should I just make another single box that I can stick behind the passenger seat?

Here is my current setup (attachment). It's kinda crappy because I just threw it together one weekend and it severly limits seat movement. I'm hoping to make another box that fits better. If you look at the picture I have a piece of cardboard behind my current box, this is the shape I plan to make my next box. What's better 3/4 or 1/2" MDF? Right now I have 1/2 and it sounds good. Would 3/4 be better?

Later,

Here's another pic.

I want to put some sounds in my truck so bad!! I know it's been discussed before, but would you recommend MTX's Thunderfoams? I would love to have 2 10-s but always have s""" behind my seat! Is the thunderfoam on the passenger or drivers side? Does anyone have one? That is what is next for my truck and just want to figure out whats the best thing to do! i have the srunner bucket seats with the center console, what do you think?

The MTX box goes behind the driver's seat but I have no idea how they sound. I am also very curious.

Does anyone with a std cab '96 or newer have a picture of behind their seats? I ask because the thuderform from MTX is listed for Tacoma's '96-XX and I'm curious as to if something was actually changed by toyota in the design of the cab or if MTX is just listing their box incorrectly.

one of my friends has an mtx thunderform in his single cab ranger and for a 3000 seried mtx speaker it sounds good..its only one ten so you cant expect deafining bass but feed it plenty of power and youl be fine....tacoma kevin (not to be an a**hole or anything but that fosgate punch z is not going to make any kind of spectaculer bass ,look into possibly some HE2's or jl audio, cerwin vega vega series...just an idea if your not satisfied with one ten and dont want to use two...) but overall MTX thunderforms sound better than any box's made of MDF that are the same size...just my opinion

Well I have to admit it's not the best speaker but it sounds pretty damn awesome for a hand-me-down. http://www.CustomTacos.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

i have a made box with 2 10s, fits ery nice, and barely noticeable, hopefully ill have pics soon

anyone in here bought their thunder form box on ebay? that company is selling them cheap as hell "$195.00 " brand new.

That doesn't sound right! That is such a good price!!! Check it out and keep me posted! does it include the sub and amp?

If you could get some pictures of your box that would be great. I ultimately want to do two tens. The project is further down the road since I'll start having to pay for school soon but it'll be cool to have some ideas for when it happens.

no it doesnt have a amp but yeah you can buy it with the BUY IT NOW(auction ends you win when you click but it now) for $195.00 new.

im about to get one cause that's too cheap to pass off.

I can't right now cause i'm broke! Tell me how it is (fit sound) And i will in the near future! So many things,so little money!!!

true that! i'll keep you updated.

what size port holes do i have to make if running the 2 10" subs(2",3",4")? does it matter at all? and how long should it be(5",4",2")? can yall let me know...

before building a ported box please read jl audio's box building tutorial and they also have a box volume calc for sealed and ported applications that will let you know how wide the ports need to be and how long the port tubes need to be also ...jlaudio.com

thanks

hey ogspacepimp...what size port tubes did u use? how big was your box?