Suburban Stereo Install

[dhcomp]

EDIT: Thread changed to more of a stereo install than quesiton thread.


Ok, so this seems like a dumb question, but its valid when you look at it.

I'm doing a bunch of stereo work on my burb.

New sony deck, infinity 3.5's in the dash, pioneer 6.5's in the front doors, Crossfire 6x9's in the rear, 12" Jl w3 sub, Alpine sub amp, JBL 4x100 amp, Coustic processor, power distribution block

Where do i put the amps? Easy solution is under the back seat, but this 4x100 is huge. There's enough flat space under there for it, but add teh sub amp, processor, and power block, and im out of space. Plus, the back seats barely fold down when all that crap is under there.

Where have you guys put your amps? Any other ideas? Under teh burb front seats there is no space. Thought about mounting on the underside of the 2nd row seat, but the backrest won't clear when you go to fold it. Considered tearing apart the rear side panels and making panels in there, but that sounds like a ton of work.

THanks guys!

 

[5280k5]

What about building a simple amp rack to go behind the back seat. Maybe something low profile that runs along the floorboard with the amps mounted to the underside so you can't see them and use color matched carpet so it kinda blends in with the floorboard

 

[Greg72]

I've seen an entire amp and wiring setup on the ceiling of a truck before....

Save's lot of room, but does not qualify as "low effort install"...

 

[dhcomp]

Ok, so i came up with teh solution. The 4x100 fits ok under the back seat. Somehow, the sub amp fits behind the spare tire on the wall.

I was really not motivated to do this install, and was all bummed out until i figured out this solution. Now i'm jamming on it, worked prolly 5 hrs, taking a dinner break, and then going back at it. My roommate was helping me and got so cold he had to come in and warm up his toes, haha.

Lots of install pics to come.

 

[dhcomp]

Ok, so im deep in this project.

Hit the window regulator in the door where i cut for speakers, need to weld up the door panel again.

Also figured out that the 6x9's won't cover the 4x10 hole in rear panel, so i have to make custom panel inserts if i don't want it to look like ****.

I wired 3 power ports into the center console, 2 on the back for 2nd seat passengers, and 1 inside for a phone/ipod/etc. Will get detailed pics of that later.

I'm nervous that the new 3.5's in the dash are going to hit the gauges on the drivers side.

Sorry about the crappy writeup, no time, but thought i would post pics.

Ended up mounting the amp behind the spare tire.

Ask if you have questions!

 

[dhcomp]

More pics.

Damn, the duct taped wires look like crap, haha.

If it does the job though, and the cables are routed properly, i guess its not a big deal.

Stereo guys, is there a neater way to do this?

 

[dhcomp]

More pics

 

[dhcomp]

LAst few.

Excuse that sub box, will be replaced soon. Built it for our boat in highschool.....its sealed and strong as H*ll, but isn't exactly a looker

 

[5280k5]

More pics.

Damn, the duct taped wires look like crap, haha.

If it does the job though, and the cables are routed properly, i guess its not a big deal.

Stereo guys, is there a neater way to do this?

This stuff makes for a pretty neat, clean install. Look around this site a little, you'll probably find more stuff than you need
http://www.partsexpress.com/mfg/techflex/techflex.cfm?CFID=16961169&CFTOKEN=12703312

 

[dhcomp]

This stuff makes for a pretty neat, clean install. Look around this site a little, you'll probably find more stuff than you need
http://www.partsexpress.com/mfg/techflex/techflex.cfm?CFID=16961169&CFTOKEN=12703312

That stuff looks cool, but i spread wires out flatter on most of my wire runs i think. Especially when i'm running 4 gauge power wire, or 3 sets of RCA's. I feel like bundleing them like that would make them thick and noticeable through the carpet.

I realize how ****ty my stuff looks when taped that way, but that is about the only think sketch about the install i'm doing. Everything else that i know of is being done right.

 

[chevyin]

From looking at those pics, imo you should try to seal around each of those speakers. A speaker's front and rear sound waves should be isolated from each other (unless running a ported setup) otherwise they can and will cause cancellation issues. At the very least you'd certainly get more bass out of those speakers if you were to seal them up. As it stands now their bass reproduction will likely be pretty bad.

And when i say bass I mean midbass, something your main speakers should play. Even if you have a sub.

 

[dhcomp]

You're talking about the dash speakers? How would you reccomend sealing around them? Foam baffle deals?

 

[chevyin]

Its hard to say how Id do it, kinda hard to see what space/gap working with eactly from the pics. Just anything that would hopefully create an airtight seal.

 

[rjfguitar]

That stuff looks cool, but i spread wires out flatter on most of my wire runs i think. Especially when i'm running 4 gauge power wire, or 3 sets of RCA's. I feel like bundleing them like that would make them thick and noticeable through the carpet.

I realize how ****ty my stuff looks when taped that way, but that is about the only think sketch about the install i'm doing. Everything else that i know of is being done right.

You know... it's not that big of a deal. I ran my wires in my Dodge similar to the way you did, except I didn't even tape them down. They won't really move around once the carpet and matting sits on top of them. Infact, I think you taping them is fine, why would you care on ow that looks? You'll lay the carpet back over it all and you or anyone else will never see it again for years to come.

You are right on about not bundling wires together, thats why I didn't tape anything down. bundles of wire is thick, that bundle will get stepped on and it will be hard on the wires. With them spread out, it's less likely they will move around as you step on them while stepping in and out of the vehicle.

 

[dhcomp]

Thanks man, i needed someone to say that.

I'm past the 30 hr mark on this install, but it should be done some time today. I'll post pics of the custom side panel pieces i built. I can't belive how decent 6x9's sound w/ 100watts a channel, and the side area of the truck acting as an enclosure.

 

[Randy92782]

Do you actually have a psare to go in there in front of the amp? Just wonderin if it bolted up or what

Looks good to me. I also had my wires taped in the exact location.

Wish i had a pic but i had all my stuff mounted on top of the box in tha far back of my Blazer. The box was for 2-12's though and was pretty damned big

 

[dhcomp]

Yep, the spare will still fit. Barely sits on the amp. Its all back together, just have to clean up the mayhem in the garage, and i'll post some pics.

Sounds good

 

[dhcomp]

Ok, so only decent pics i have right now is of what i did for the rear panels.

The 6x9's don't cover the 4x10 hole. So i had to improvise.

Obviously not professional upholstery work, but it works for now. It actually looks pretty decent, cover the hole, etc. Its a project truck, not a show vehicle.

I had a spare set of door panels in a slightly darker color, so i used the upper part to make some filler panels. THe panels are just held in place by the speaker, so if/when i want to make nicer ones, i dont' ahve to deal with covering up speaker holes.

This post doens't make any sense, im exhausted. What counts in the truck is back together, and driveable. Only thing left is front door speakers when i get the trim rings in.


The speakers are Crossfire Marine 6x9's i pulled out of our boat. The grills that came with them sucked balls, so i removed the emblems from some roadmaster kragen specail 6x9's. Hence the black grill over white speaker. Was going to be very temporary, but they actually sound way better than i thought, so i may keep them.

 

[Randy92782]

I like it. What are those handles for??

 

[dhcomp]

handles? The lock bracket for the 2nd row seat?