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I thought I'd share on my new 2004 Disco audio upgrades and the few things I learned. Bear in mind, the truck is lifted 4" with 33" tires so it stands 7' tall. First I'll share the main selected gear list, then I'll share the install notes:
Pioneer 3800NEX - floating 8" screen head unit. Included the PAC controller to keep steering wheel controls. Boyo VTL17IRTJ - Backup camera and front mount camera JL Audio C2-600 - Front door & Backdoor speakers, tweeters and woofers JL Audio CF-275mt - Front speaker mid-range Kicker 46CXA660.5T - 5 channel amplifier
Head unit - for the head unit, we wanted a screen so we could install cameras front & back for easier parking. Given the Disco is a single DIN, we opted for the newer style "floating" screen. We needed a new dash kit, but that was easy enough to grab one from Amazon for $15. Fairly easy install, plenty of space in the dash and behind the climate control unit. I also ordered off eBay an emergency brake eliminator kit for $10 so now we can watch movies while we're driving. Also ordered a Scosche Powervolt Kit to replace the cigarette lighter which ties directly to the USB on the back of the head unit and still allows a USB-C fast charger port for charging. Pretty well plug-n-play from Crutchfield.
Boyo Cameras - Well, these were pretty easy to run front and back and ties in nicely to the head unit. I already knew that I'd be running speaker wire so this camera line was easy enough. Rear camera I mounted just below the bumper, we'll see how long it lasts but I'm optimistic. Tied it to the backup signal line in the dash behind the glove box so we can turn the camera on to watch the motorcycle trailer if we need. Front camera mounted it hiding just above the bumper but below the grill so you can still pull the grill with no disconnects.
Speakers - It was important to me to keep as much stock look as possible, so pulling the door cars and replacing speakers in-kind was the criteria. JL Audio provides a good sound for the price and while initially I thought to forgo the mid-range, I thought it was silly not to have the 3-way speakers that the original had.
Tweeters - The 3/4" tweeters only needed minor Dremel clearing inside the A-Pillar and the JL Audio snapped right under the stock clips of the original. Super nice and easy. Mid-Range - The 2.75" mids technically fit in the stock mounts, but to make an easier install, after some Dremel trimming of the new driver mount, removing the stock screen allowed me to push the new driver in from the front and it is held in place with some clever zip-ties. It ends up with a slightly raised/surface mount look, but allows me to completely revert to stock should I ever need. Very happy this turned out well. Woofers - Pretty much direct swap out. New speakers use 4 screws instead of stock 3, but all the hardware worked. No surprises here. Crossovers - The woofer/tweeter have its own crossover and the mid-range has a single high pass filter to incorporate. On the Driver side, removing the stock amplifier allows plenty of room to VHB the 3 crossovers (front, back, mid-range) all on top of the metal plate that holds the transmission controller. On the Passenger side, now that the 6CD changer is gone, I mounted the new Kicker Amplifier and strapped down the right side crossovers in the remaining space. Nice and clean Wiring - All new 16gauge speaker wire run along the doors, under the door sill trim plates. New amplifier 4ga wire came from the under hood fuse block, through the firewall, and then down under the center console along with the new RCA wires from the head unit to the amp. 8' RCA was just too tight, ended up having to use 12' which blew my mind, but the length is easily hidden.
Amplifier - The new Kicker amp was selected because it was on sale, 5 channels, and clean. It was nutted down to the rails under the passenger seat with the controls accessible through the plastic door trim that used to access the CD changer. This allows me to also switch the Cargo door speakers from either being a sub-woofer or full range with the push of a button for those back door picnic times.
Other bits: Fourby Ashtray USB - since I took the time to pull the seats and center console, I finally swapped out the rear ashtray (useless) for 8 USB ports we can use when camping or whatever. Tapped off cigarette lighter power. Fourby Clock - Did this a while ago but finally ran the temperature probes with most of the dash apart. Now I monitor A/C temps in the cabin and blowing out. Easy install. Dash USB - beware - this is DISCO 1 grey, not Disco 2 black. I hate it. Easy install, tapped it to the SCOSCHE cigarette lighter power. Scanguage II - came with the car, relocated it lower. This is great for tracking various metrics straight from the OBD. For me, it was an easy way to compensate for actual speed now that tire size had increased. Use it to track MPG, engine temp, speed, voltage.
What a great, detailed thread. Thanks so much for sharing and for the links! Lots of this is on my list, though I will need to research many of the audio technicalities.
Did my own install over 4 days - took this long because when I removed the front seats and center console I spent time neutralizing the door sill rust and seat frame rust. Best week off work I've had in a while, lol.
Disco Audio Upgrades
