I've read through a lot of this thread. I guess I'm a car audio enthusiast... I've added head units, speakers, and amps to just about every vehicle I've owned except the F150 I daily now. Modern vehicles have audio systems that are often too integrated to mess with. I can't wait to start building in the LJR.
For head units, my needs aren't exotic, but I'm having trouble finding one that meets three basic criteria:
- has WIreless CarPlay (so, double-DIN)
- has physical volume knob
- fits in the dash--that is, doesn't have a screen that juts out of the dash
There are some Boss Audio offerings I think... but the brand turns me off. The options open up if I maybe go with an older head unit w/o wireless and try a wireless CarPlay adapter... but I have no experience with those at all and don't know how well they work.
Any ideas on head units?
I'm not going too wild with this:
- 4-channel amp, 60W-75W RMS
- 5.25" in the dash
- 6.5" in the roll bar pods
- maybe SI OPTI-PODS with 6.5" speakers in the rear. I'd drive the sound bar + OPTI-POD speakers with the two rear channels of the amp, either bridged mono for all four or left & right pairs in parallel, depending on the amp
- powered sub mounted to the underside of the rear seat (not the floor) with quick disconnects for connections so it'll come out with the seat. I don't want a sub taking up floor space if I remove the seat. In its place--if I find the need--I could build a sub box with a sub amp on it to replace the seat and just plug in when the seat is removed. However, I don't see doing that for quite awhile.
I've searched and not found one person with experience with the OPTI-PODS--only
this thread with OP asking if anyone has tried them. I agree with the poster in that thread that said 6.5" subs would be a poor substitute for an 8" or 10"; I'd be running full-range speakers in those spots, because why not. They look cool. I think the armrests might get hot in the sun, but they might be worth a try.
EDIT: The OPTI-PODS product page on
ExtremeTerrain.com has a single review with some info... not worth linking, really.