BASS HEAD pulled a 142.something of a stock alt 2000 watts and two twelves. But thats just to easy it;s alot hareder to get a good than to just be loud you know. Now i'm strickly sq but at the same time i'm about to be running a little over 1500 watts but in a whole other way. Don't be intimidated by taking your whole truck apart its not as hard as one might think. By the way if your wanting to do a fully deadned truck with cld tile and closed cell foam and mlv the cost of all that is going to rival that of your actual gear. As far as taking it one step at a time you might as well do it all at once its alot easier to run all your wire and all that while your trucks already apart. let me know what kinda budget you have and ill be able to give you a little more advice.
Out of curiousity, how did you get into car stereo stuff? Also, are you more interested in SQ or SPL? I'm more interested in the SQ aspect of audio now. I'm about to be 34 and would like some bass, but nothing to abnoxious. I'm interested in doing the install in my 07 new body GMC sierra. I'm a little worried about taking the factory head unit out and concerned about deadening. Not sure I have enough confidence to take out the carpeting and headliner. Not really sure if the headliner removal is even necessary. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt though. I will have to do this one step at a time, but I am sure I want to deaden my vehicle, some quality door speakers, and a quality head unit with the ability to go active on the head. ANy advice on these items is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Nick