86 2001 audio upgrade.

[mann1ba]

I have been searching around the interwebs, ie. PN and CCF, but couldn't really find what I was looking for. Can you guys help give me some ideas and advice. Also, I would love to see what any other 2001 owners have done with the limited space. I have read almost every post on here that pertains to 2001's already, but maybe i missed a few. Thank you in advance everyone.

Here is what I'm looking to add/upgrade.

New head unit:
-Should I keep it in the same location? (not going to cut a hole in the dash)
-advice on what to get?

Sub:
-same as above
-mostly for sound quality, not for impressing the ladies

Tower speakers: (Monster M1 tower)

Amp:

Extra battery:

Overall not looking for top of the line, but not too cheap either.

Untitled by mann1ba, on Flickr

Boat 040 by mann1ba, on Flickr

Original owner put this GM car head unit in!

Ski Nautique 2001 (47) by mann1ba, on Flickr
He even wired up the controls under the dash.

Ski Nautique 2001 (46) by mann1ba, on Flickr

[s_kelley2000]

I'm far from a stereo expert but I have a few minutes so I'll add what I can. Do you really need a head unit? I pretty much always just plug in an iPhone. If you'd be doing the same id consider skipping the head unit and plug right into an equalizer like a Wetsounds 420. That will cost less than a head unit, give all the RCA outputs you'll need and excellent zone control between in boats, sub and tower. It's also smaller than a head unit and should be easily mountable under the dash.

For tower speakers a lot of that depends on budget. If you wanna hear them at wake range then kicker gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Wetsounds are great but much pricier. I have been happy with my kicker tower speakers and have no problem hearing them 75 ft back.

I have heard that a sub firing forward towards the nose works well in the 2001s but I have no personal experience.

Your amp choices will largely be determined by the tower speakers and sub you choose to run.

I have to admire the previous owners "ingenuity" on that stereo install haha.

[mann1ba]

I like the equalizer idea better than a new head unit.