This base model XL F-150 came in to our shop looking for better connectivity and sound quality. Rough and tumble work trucks can always benefit from bluetooth handsfree calling and for the time that drivers spend in these vehicles, having more satisfying sound is well worth the investment as well.
This car only had a base 2 speaker system with no tweeters or rear speakers as it's a regular cab truck. The factory 6x8 speakers are a unique size predominantly used by Ford (and Mazda) vehicles and a few manufacturers make direct fit speakers for these applications. We opted for Alpine's R-S68 which is one of the best speakers in a 6x8 size. It offers much better bass and power handling compared to the cheap factory speaker and is a perfect fit meaning the same holes and screws can be used. The Neodymium magnets used on R-series speakers offers excellent power while being fairly efficient and low-profile. These speakers also happen to be a 2-way coaxial with a 1" silk dome tweeter that offers excellent clarity.
For the head unit, we went with the Pioneer DEH-S5120BT. Our customer wanted a receiver that was able to play his burned CD's as the factory radio on this base model truck only offered AM and FM tuning. Beyond CD, this deck also adds USB, bluetooth, and AUX connectivity. Not only that but the slim single din mounting means he gets a nice storage pocket for keeping his CD cases.