Tron84

So i finally got around to installing the audio stuff that came out of the truck I sold.
It took pretty much the entire weekend, but I think it turned out pretty good.

I had a few goals in mind when starting this project;
1 - use the existing equipment from sold truck
2 - retain as much trunk space as possible (including being able to fold down rear seats)
3 - be able to access the spare tire if need be without the need for tools
4 - keep a professional look by hiding all wiring and using stock head unit

Heres what I had to work with
Two 10" Infinity Kappa subs
Two Infinity amps (one mono for the subs and one 4 channel for the door speakers)
One set of Infinity Kappa series 6X8's for the doors
One set of Kicker 6X8's for the rear decklid
AudioControl LC6i Line Out Converter

The trouble started right away when I realized the only options out there for subwoofer enclosures were 1-a small box for a single sub that sits in the rear right side of the truck and 2-a long box for 2 subs that mounts across the back of the rear seats.

Because I wanted to use both of the subs I had and not just one AND no one makes a box for the left side of the trunk, I ended up designing and building two boxes, one for each side of the trunk.

Now I think that this next part is the best idea I had in this entire project! I needed to find a way to keep the boxes in place and not tip over during hard cornering, so I slapped on the strut tower brace from up front and sure enough it was a perfect fit. Then found one on Ebay for $100! I had to modify the ends a little bit, but not much.

I attached it to the top of the boxes with wing nuts so I can take it off while I'm out on the road in case I get a flat or i need some extra space in the trunk.

As you can see, the amps are hanging above the trunk on a rack i made. And the LOC is mounted just behind the rear seat on the passanger side. Its almost hidden but I can still get to it in order to make adjustments.

I think the hardest part of the install was routing the new speaker wire into the doors through that rubber "tunnel" or whatever it's called. What a PITA!

OK so here are some pics of the finished product!! What do you think?


Here are some pics of the install


My wiring diagram



Here's my helpers

Hytek

Nice job!! Care to share how you made the boxes and what the specs were?

werm

Beautiful install, that's a really good idea using the brace to secure the boxes

Tron84

I designed the boxes using cad software on my computer, that way I could make sure my subs would fit into the design before ever cutting a piece of wood. Which was difficult on the driver side box because the subs are pretty deep and there is much less room on that side. ( maybe that's why no one makes a box for the driver side?)
They're made from 3/4" mdf board glued and screwed together cover in carpet from an audio installation shop.

Moustang

Very nice install. Looks really good, and I bet it sounds great....... from a block away.

Tron84

I still have more tuning to do to get everything sounding nice and balanced. I have enough respect for my neighbors and most everyone at night to turn the volume down. Don't wanna go around making enemies. Ya know?

GreatOz

Very nice install. Very tidy indeed.

I have to ask - on your hand-jammed diagram - what's the "LOL" component?

Tron84

"LOC" = Line out converter ....lol

newpony

Tron84 where did you hide the LOC?

Tron84

I forgot to add this picture, you can only see the top of it but it's mounted behind the rear passanger side seat. When I get home I'll take a better picture with the trunk fabric out of the way since i need to make some adjustments anyway

Hytek

Did you install the separate remote control for the Lc6i too?

newpony

Thanks Tron84. Are you using the factory subs mounted on the front doors? Part of me wants to leave them disconnected since the trunk subs will take care of the bass but the other part of me wants to replace them and add a amp to power them.

Tron84

Ok so here is a better view of the LOC


And here it is with the carpet back in place

Tron84

As of right now they are still hooked up to the factory amp. I think the only way i'd get rid of them is if they get in the way of getting the systems to sound the way I want it to.

So far it seems fine leaving them hooked up, the hopes were that they might fill in some of the mids.

Tron84

No, mine didn't come with one. Is that an extra that you need to buy?

On the other hand, the amp for my subs has a remote bass control that i'm not using in this setup. It is the same connection type, I wonder if it would work? Actually i'm going to try it

newpony

Thanks. I'm in the planning stage right now so I appreciate your help. Leaving the subs seems to be a common option among upgraders and don't hear any complains so I'll be doing the same except maybe replacing the speakers.

Hytek

It's sold separately, I think it was like $30. I can't seem to figure out how I'm going to mount it due to the bad design of it. I'll post a pic up later and show you what I mean. I bought it at the same time as my LC2i but haven't hooked either up yet...hopefully I'll get to it tomorrow. My amp came with a separate control too that I'm going to try and use for the loc because they have the same connections.

Tron84

I just tried out the remote bass controller from my amp on the LOC and it didn't seem to work correctly. It controlled the output of the channel somewhat, but it definitely did not allow the output it controlled to be turned up all the way.

I tell you what, mounting the LOC where I did was a major pain. I had to get into the trunk and curl up where the spare tire was to be able to mount it and wire it. It SUCKED. I really couldn't find anywhere else to mount it though.

What were you thinking?

Hytek

That sux. The remote has an open back to it with exposed wires, which is what I was referring to. The only place I can think to mount it out of the way of danger would be in the open panel inside the center console. As soon as I get home from work tonight I'll post up a pic of it for you.

Hytek

Here's the remote












It would've made more sense if they just closed it in a little box.