Help with virgin install 2003 Tahoe.

[Vetkllr]

Hello everyone,
Just as the title says, I plan on finally installing a system in my beloved Tahoe. All the Factory speakers have long been blown, torn, and otherwise a pile of paper at the bottom of the door. My Tahoe is not a Bose equipped rig, nor does it have steering wheel controls. I have a couple ideas that I wanted to pursue but I will look to you guys for recommendations and suggestions. i have looked on crutchfield.com at some of their stuff. But it is you, those who have real world experience, that I trust.

What I am wanting to achieve:
A clean install with options to build off of in the future.
replace all door speakers with quality products that sound clean.
2 12" subs for really low bass. Want to have the ability to easily remove the sub box in case I need to use the third row seats. Rare.
I am looking for a decent Double Din head unit that works with my iPhone and has the ability to display video via usb/dvd/you tube/ or Netflix from my phone.

I currently have a Zapco Z600C2-SL just itching to be used. I also have a line on other Zapco amps. Z250, Z200, Z150 and Z100. looking for a Z400C4-sl all white Competition Series. I am fond of the old school products as I grew up in the 90's and Zapco, Orion, RF Punch, Lanzar, and Precision Power were all the rage. Now there may be newer products out there that are just as good or efficient. i have heard good things about U.S. Amps and another brand, I cant think of right now, everyone brings up when they talk about affordable cheater amps. I just don't know enough about car audio to up to date on all of that.

So with all that being said let the suggestions flow.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Well, for starters these Kicker boxes for 10” subs fit perfectly behind 3rd and coupled with banana plugs it’s super easy to remove 1 or both...

Here’s the link to them so you can find the box size and find or build similar for your 12”..

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_206TCWC104/Kicker-CompC-44TCWC104.html

 

[Jason in DLH]

I just push the posts down and remove the banana plug and slip it under the rear trim (making sure they are well apart not to touch each other).

 

[Vetkllr]

That's nice and clean. I'm sure they sound great too. Plus you can easily remove them when you need to such as long trips with the whole family, 5 for me. Did you swap out the door speakers and head unit?

 

[Jason in DLH]

Just the head unit to a Kenwood DVD player (super easy to bypass the parking wire so you can watch DVDs on the go). Unfortunately it doesn’t play video from the phone though.

Here’s the banana plugs that are essential....

I’d be interested to see if you find a head unit that plays videos from your phone.

 

[Jason in DLH]

The Kenwood unit made my Bose speakers come alive, so I didn’t bother with replacing them.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Just the head unit to a Kenwood DVD player (super easy to bypass the parking wire so you can watch DVDs on the go). Unfortunately it doesn’t play video from the phone though.

View attachment 264275

Here’s the banana plugs that are essential....

View attachment 264276

I’d be interested to see if you find a head unit that plays videos from your phone.

Gotta find a HU that has "Mirroring" to display from your phone.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Nice! Didn’t even knew those existed!

I would assume the same technique of simply attaching the parking brake wire to a screw on the body of the head unit will trick other brands of head units so that you can have video playing while driving? This is how the Kenwood got bypassed.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Nice! Didn’t even knew those existed!

I would assume the same technique of simply attaching the parking brake wire to a screw on the body of the head unit will trick other brands of head units so that you can have video playing while driving? This is how the Kenwood got bypassed.

Probably. I have a switch for mine.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Nice! Where did you put the switch? I’m assuming it’s a simple on/off switch?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Before you go too much further, or before folks here can give you specific additional suggestions, you'll need to tell us what your budget is. Example, for speakers, you can go from $50 to $7000, for just a front set.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Nice! Where did you put the switch? I’m assuming it’s a simple on/off switch?

Thx. I try to keep it simple. If you look close you can see the switch in the cubby. It's just hanging there since I don't drilling holes in anything--in case it's not permanent.

 

[Jason in DLH]

It’s like “Where’s Waldo.” Haha! I lost and didn’t find it!

 

[Jason in DLH]

Before you go too much further, or before folks here can give you specific additional suggestions, you'll need to tell us what your budget is. Example, for speakers, you can go from $50 to $7000, for just a front set.

$7000 just for front speakers?! That’s crazy! What kind of speakers are those?

 

[Jason in DLH]

Thx. I try to keep it simple. If you look close you can see the switch in the cubby. It's just hanging there since I don't drilling holes in anything--in case it's not permanent.

Oh I see it now...was looking at the wrong photo. Nice!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Oh I see it now...was looking at the wrong photo. Nice!

Just in case--for the other guys.

 

[bigdog9191999]

yep, budget is a good starting place, but I would think some moderate components or good 3ways for the doors, with the subs you should sound pretty good without getting to crazy in price. also are you wanting more clarity or just db ?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

$7000 just for front speakers?! That’s crazy! What kind of speakers are those?

Focal Utopia Series. Actually, Focal now has an Ultima Series Kit for $24,000 for a front speaker set.

I did see and hear a cheaper Utopia speaker set, priced at $2000, that my audio dealer was installing in a car, and the speakers did sound great (no way $2000 great). While I did not see the higher priced $7000 Utopia speaker set, my audio dealer was using them in a $75,000 audio/video setup that they were installing in an Escalade.

I'm clearly not saying that they are worth the price, but merely acknowledging that they do exist.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Holy mackerel!

 

[Vetkllr]

Before you go too much further, or before folks here can give you specific additional suggestions, you'll need to tell us what your budget is. Example, for speakers, you can go from $50 to $7000, for just a front set.

You’re right, budget is a good place to start. I am definitely on a budget for now. But I may want to periodically upgrade components in the future. I would love to try and run an old school set up I.e. Zapco pushing a couple of 12” W6’s. I know the JL’s are not really old school like the Zapco from Modesto era. But I like them. Some earthquakes would be nice but finding a pair in good condition would be a bear. When it comes to SQ or DB its so hard to make that decision! I love both! The clarity of the miss and highs coupled with super low, air moving bass! AWESOME!!