My audio upgrade
02-12-14, 07:36 PM
#1
My audio upgrade
Took a while to get this done. Thanks to everyone who's helped with advice, tips, and tutorials.
I basically just wanted a clean audio set up while maintaining a stock look to the best of my abilities.
The Gear!
Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS
Alpine PDXV9
JBL MS62c Components
Alpine SPR-50
Kicker CVR-10
Kicker ZCK44 Wiring Kit
Reverse Camera
Dynamat 10455
Safe to say dog didn't sleep in my room for a while.
Sprayed window tracks, and everything else I never plan on seeing behind the door panels again.
First time Dynamatting.
Mounted Tweeters...later had to remove the grill and backing as it was too big to get door trim back on, but they sure looked nice at the time.
Redid plastic liner on both doors and inner speaker surfaces.
Dynamatted the rear. I debated on removing that inner panel, but decided to keep it as it's probably there for a good reason.
Old 4" Speaker
New 5.25" Speaker
Measurements
Test fit
Test fit...these JBL's are HUGE, bigger then 6.5"...beware
Testing...didn't actually use this piece of MDF for final product
Pop out rear deck plates.
Drop in Crossovers... These seemed like a great idea, but if you go this route your going to need to dynamat on top of dynamat.
Sub brackets from my 92/96...this was annoying. I tried reusing my 96 heavy steel bracket but it at the time seemed impossible and I can't remember exactly why. So I grabbed the bracket out of my 92 SC and built two MDF rings around it. Secured with JB Weld's best stuff and MDF screws that wen't through the original bracket holes. Came out solid, but then I realized to mount it I needed to angle the outer bottom bracket to match the rear deck's mounting grooves.... It was a major pain in the *** but it came out perfect, I just wish I took pictures but I was pressed for time.
Old faded cloth sitting next to freshly wrapped grills from the doors.
I basically just wanted a clean audio set up while maintaining a stock look to the best of my abilities.
The Gear!
Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS
Alpine PDXV9
JBL MS62c Components
Alpine SPR-50
Kicker CVR-10
Kicker ZCK44 Wiring Kit
Reverse Camera
Dynamat 10455
Safe to say dog didn't sleep in my room for a while.
Sprayed window tracks, and everything else I never plan on seeing behind the door panels again.
First time Dynamatting.
Mounted Tweeters...later had to remove the grill and backing as it was too big to get door trim back on, but they sure looked nice at the time.
Redid plastic liner on both doors and inner speaker surfaces.
Dynamatted the rear. I debated on removing that inner panel, but decided to keep it as it's probably there for a good reason.
Old 4" Speaker
New 5.25" Speaker
Measurements
Test fit
Test fit...these JBL's are HUGE, bigger then 6.5"...beware
Testing...didn't actually use this piece of MDF for final product
Pop out rear deck plates.
Drop in Crossovers... These seemed like a great idea, but if you go this route your going to need to dynamat on top of dynamat.
Sub brackets from my 92/96...this was annoying. I tried reusing my 96 heavy steel bracket but it at the time seemed impossible and I can't remember exactly why. So I grabbed the bracket out of my 92 SC and built two MDF rings around it. Secured with JB Weld's best stuff and MDF screws that wen't through the original bracket holes. Came out solid, but then I realized to mount it I needed to angle the outer bottom bracket to match the rear deck's mounting grooves.... It was a major pain in the *** but it came out perfect, I just wish I took pictures but I was pressed for time.
Old faded cloth sitting next to freshly wrapped grills from the doors.
Last edited by Biddles; 02-12-14 at 07:42 PM.
02-12-14, 07:37 PM
#2
I had to modify every speaker grill in my car...more holes...cut outs...you name it. The results were worth it.
Only under rear deck shot I have at the moment...I cleaned up the wiring real nice afterwards.
Everything mounted up...
Steel brackets I made to size. These aren't going anywhere unless I get T-Boned.
Rear Camera
Mounted as close as possible to +Positive connection.
Amp rack came out pretty sweet. Mounted into the original amp rack bolts. Wish I had more pictures of this, there's a cutout under the amp to allow increased air flow in case it gets hot.
Just want to show the new speaker cloth on the doors.
Only shot I have of the rear deck at the moment, waiting to drop the subwoofer grill in just needs a little more modification.
Bass adjuster, remote, flash drive connection, lug nut key, and E-Brake Bypass switch all tucked away neatly so no glancing eyes get extra curious if you know what I mean. Bypass switch is on ON and is actually in the hole.
Would you look at that? Another SC in the rear view.....well half an SC anyway.
Little Lexus background I made...the other one below is better though if anyone else wants to use it go for it!
Random thoughts...
I did a bunch of extra dynamatting not shown, the door's got more before I was done, the inner door panels got some, the rear deck and under the rear deck got more as well as some in the rear quarter panels. The only thing I didn't dynamat yet was the trunk as mine has two dents and I'm looking for a replacement before I waste dynamat as it's not cheap.
I also epoxied some known fragile parts on the doors, nothing broke, but I know key spots that are prone to weakness and gave them some added protection. I also did the double din bracket mod and a few other things I can't think of at the moment.
The bluetooth mic isn't pictured, it's tucked up by the rear view mirror. The wiring came out great, everything is nice and snug with no lumps in the carpet or anything ghetto. I had pics I was proud of but now I can't find them. My speaker cloth took two damn weeks to get shipped to my house so that put a dent in the progress at times, and of course the frigid weather. My only regret is not doing this in the spring because I really froze my ***** off many nights out there. Anyway, it's done, I'm happy I can relax now and enjoy the sounds I know and love. Just gotta fine tune the amp settings and enjoy. Peace, and thanks for all the tutorials guys I wouldn't have attempted it without them. Only thing I need for my interior is 3 spoke wheel, gated shifter and new ebrake boot. Other then that I need a little body work, new trunk, and some wheels.
Only under rear deck shot I have at the moment...I cleaned up the wiring real nice afterwards.
Everything mounted up...
Steel brackets I made to size. These aren't going anywhere unless I get T-Boned.
Rear Camera
Mounted as close as possible to +Positive connection.
Amp rack came out pretty sweet. Mounted into the original amp rack bolts. Wish I had more pictures of this, there's a cutout under the amp to allow increased air flow in case it gets hot.
Just want to show the new speaker cloth on the doors.
Only shot I have of the rear deck at the moment, waiting to drop the subwoofer grill in just needs a little more modification.
Bass adjuster, remote, flash drive connection, lug nut key, and E-Brake Bypass switch all tucked away neatly so no glancing eyes get extra curious if you know what I mean. Bypass switch is on ON and is actually in the hole.
Would you look at that? Another SC in the rear view.....well half an SC anyway.
Little Lexus background I made...the other one below is better though if anyone else wants to use it go for it!
Random thoughts...
I did a bunch of extra dynamatting not shown, the door's got more before I was done, the inner door panels got some, the rear deck and under the rear deck got more as well as some in the rear quarter panels. The only thing I didn't dynamat yet was the trunk as mine has two dents and I'm looking for a replacement before I waste dynamat as it's not cheap.
I also epoxied some known fragile parts on the doors, nothing broke, but I know key spots that are prone to weakness and gave them some added protection. I also did the double din bracket mod and a few other things I can't think of at the moment.
The bluetooth mic isn't pictured, it's tucked up by the rear view mirror. The wiring came out great, everything is nice and snug with no lumps in the carpet or anything ghetto. I had pics I was proud of but now I can't find them. My speaker cloth took two damn weeks to get shipped to my house so that put a dent in the progress at times, and of course the frigid weather. My only regret is not doing this in the spring because I really froze my ***** off many nights out there. Anyway, it's done, I'm happy I can relax now and enjoy the sounds I know and love. Just gotta fine tune the amp settings and enjoy. Peace, and thanks for all the tutorials guys I wouldn't have attempted it without them. Only thing I need for my interior is 3 spoke wheel, gated shifter and new ebrake boot. Other then that I need a little body work, new trunk, and some wheels.
Last edited by Biddles; 02-12-14 at 07:50 PM.
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02-13-14, 09:39 AM
#8
02-14-14, 10:14 AM
#15
Yea it does sound really good. I used to have an L7 in a ported box, it obviously can't come close to that, but I wasn't going for car rattling bass, I just wanted a very clean sound, and I'm really surprised it hits as hard as it does for a $100 free air sub. You can really feel it punch the drivers seat. Of course I have plenty of power for it, I could blow it if I make it too loud, still haven't fine tuned it yet as I've been sick the last few days.