13" sub in factory location and rest of stereo upgrade

[Cruising68]

Got three doors done with sound deadening and speakers. Man is it labor intensive. Takes me about 6 hours a door. Now I am ever motivated to finish the stereo as I am down to one door and the center channel for my listening enjoyment.

Another day for the driver's door and a few hours to get the speaker wires into the amp, setup the Nav-TV, and install the sub.

 

[-REDRUM-]

Things are looking great! Did a similar project in a 2012 Mustang as I wanted a sub in the rear window tray and 6” woofers in the doors.

 

[Cruising68]

Getting there. Got the last door completed. Now my sound system consists of one center speaker and two rear pillars. Hoping to work on hooking up the new speakers to the new amps to start some tuning on Sunday.

 

[Cruising68]

Got my amps hooked up and working. Spent a lot of time just getting sound out of the speakers. I have basic sound but need to spend much more time tuning.

 

[Cruising68]

It is alive!!!!

Sub is not mounted in place but I wanted to do some testing. right now it is sitting between the second row seats as I have equipment in the stock location that I am still working with. In my haste to hear SOMETHING, I fired up the amps and did a super quick setup. I have DSP amps so this was basically setting gains and crossovers. Got it working and was woefully unimpressed with the volume. Drove it today like that and couldn't stand it so i spent a few hours this afternoon properly setting the gains with test tones. I can honestly say after a little fine tuning it is likely the best sound system I have ever had in any car. I am also impressed how quiet it is at full volume outside of the car. Guess all that sound deadening really works. Now I am not disappointed every time I want to rock out in my Explorer.

I still have a lot of tuning to go as I have an RTA and mic to do real testing. Not sure where that will get me because I'm a noob with an RTA but I'm going to learn.

 

[-REDRUM-]

Glad to hear you have made some large steps forward!!!

 

[UNBROKEN]

I would highly recommend finding someone close that’s competent with the JL Audio Max Audio system and have them tune it. I know you wanna play with it…but what that system can do in a matter of hours you won’t be able to replicate in years. It’s that good. Seeing real time phase shift is a game changer. It took mine to a level I didn’t think it could get to using stock driver locations…it’s also the reason we’re about to 3D scan my dash and start playing with new locations. lol

 

[Cruising68]

I would highly recommend finding someone close that’s competent with the JL Audio Max Audio system and have them tune it. I know you wanna play with it…but what that system can do in a matter of hours you won’t be able to replicate in years. It’s that good. Seeing real time phase shift is a game changer. It took mine to a level I didn’t think it could get to using stock driver locations…it’s also the reason we’re about to 3D scan my dash and start playing with new locations. lol

Make no mistake, I am looking for a tuner. I am under no misconception that I am capable of tuning. I am more looking to learn about the process. My plan is to dial it in as best I can and then find a tuner to show me how bad my skill are

 

[UNBROKEN]

There’s a lot of great tuners out there…there’s just no other tuning system like the JL Max. In all my years playing with high end car audio I’ve never seen anything like it. Literally nothing compares. It’s rare that I’m blown away by new gear…this blew me away.

 

[Cruising68]

There’s a lot of great tuners out there…there’s just no other tuning system like the JL Max. In all my years playing with high end car audio I’ve never seen anything like it. Literally nothing compares. It’s rare that I’m blown away by new gear…this blew me away.

I'll keep that in mind when I talk to tuners, thanks!

 

[Redline8k]

Cruising Im not sure who in the area has a JL max. I dont think ABT has one, I know the few shops out in the western burbs dont either. Ill keep an eye out but keep us informed if you find one. I wonder if JL has a listing of the shops that have one for reference.

 

[Cruising68]

Cruising Im not sure who in the area has a JL max. I dont think ABT has one, I know the few shops out in the western burbs dont either. Ill keep an eye out but keep us informed if you find one. I wonder if JL has a listing of the shops that have one for reference.

Thanks for that. I have had little luck with people returning my email and calls. Found a place in Naperville but they won't tell me what they are using beyond "an o-scope and an RTA". Frustrating for sure. I can tell it needs help as it gets plenty loud but the stage is not right and it needs some EQ after a good sampling inside the vehicle.

 

[-REDRUM-]

Any updated pictures???

 

[Cruising68]

I don’t dare yet. My car looks like shit with all the trim panels off. The sub is wedged between the rear two arm rests and the rear box. I skipped the soundproofing pics since @UNBROKEN had that covered.

I still need to trim the panel around the sub once I mount it. I also need to fix the fan wiring as they run all the time rather than PWM through the controller running on temp. I think I just need to swap one wire. I also need to run my rear dashcam wire while the trim is off.

Going to Florida for a week tomorrow so nothing will happen for a while.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cruising68]

Here you go

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[-REDRUM-]

Hahaha, yeah that’s not the car porn I was hoping for. Have a great trip!

 

[Cruising68]

Hahaha, yeah that’s not the car porn I was hoping for. Have a great trip!

Thanks. Promise I will update with some pics as I get closer to finished.

 

[Cruising68]

Finally got to the point of installing trim panels. I had to run my rear dashcam to the front so I was waiting to start with the trim panels.

Here's a shot of the sub. Need a solution for trim around the sub. Thinking about either a plastic trim ring or fiberglass it for a smooth transition. Also going to build a platform on either side of the box and carpet it like to top of the box so it continues to the trim panel.

 

[Redline8k]

you could make a ring shape out of wood carpet it and riv-nut it in place on the plastic panel from the back. That way you can follow the shape of the box, hide any gaps and hold the panel solid and keep it from rattling and will look like a continuation of the floor.

 

[Cruising68]

you could make a ring shape out of wood carpet it and riv-nut it in place on the plastic panel from the back. That way you can follow the shape of the box, hide any gaps and hold the panel solid and keep it from rattling and will look like a continuation of the floor.

Excellent suggestion, thanks.