| Most people want to personalize their ride with | | | | equalization installed. For subwoofers you need a lot |
| stereo upgrades and the latest bling items. In this | | | | of power such as 2-1000 watt JL amps to provide |
| article we will discuss the latest options for upgrading | | | | power for a qty of 6 -10 inch W6 JL drivers in the |
| your vehicle's sound system. The first thing to start | | | | trunk. Image Dynamics EQ will allow complete |
| off with is deciding where to put all the components. | | | | adjusting to the system. |
| Many people will want the CD changer out of view. | | | | Installing an EPICENTER by Audio Control is a nice |
| Simple sheet metal brackets can be made to mount | | | | component that allows you to bring out more bass in |
| it inside a console below the surface to where the | | | | older music then it originally had. It features A Dial |
| console lid clears the unit and goes undetected from | | | | Rotation. Your fuse block needs to be upgraded |
| any one's view. The head unit with AM FM tuner can | | | | when you go this route to massive 1-0 wires and |
| be installed behind the glove box lid using 20 gauge | | | | relays to keep everything powered up safely. Hiding |
| metal and bent to hold the unit which is standard size | | | | wiring where carpet can cover over them and away |
| with a built in bracket system. To hide a sub woofer | | | | from heat sources like exhaust systems is very |
| there are many places. | | | | important and a door step plate channel is an |
| A good location is behind the rear seat up against the | | | | excellent way to run the wires front to back. We like |
| package tray where there is ample room to upgrade | | | | Optima batteries to power everything as they are |
| to a much larger speaker. A paper board mockup will | | | | gel and have no acid residue. Yellow Red and or Blue |
| allow you to know how big of an enclosure to | | | | top are built for marine use for extra reserve |
| purchase at your local supplier. Be sure the minimum | | | | capacity. Keep in mind that you may have to |
| air space required was met while holding it all in place. | | | | upgrade the amps in your alternator and these are |
| All major speakers MFG list their minimum air space | | | | available at most auto parts stores. XM satellite radio |
| requirements for any given speaker. You may have | | | | is another nice touch. On projects where other |
| to modify the back of the rear seat a bit to allow | | | | components are taking up space you have to |
| the sub clearance and removing a wire or two will | | | | improvise. |
| not make much difference in supporting your back. | | | | To build a custom Sub Box take MDF Wood and cut |
| Another place is where you rest your feet in the | | | | out 6 MDF rings on a router to accept JL W6 |
| front seat. The kick panels are an excellent place for | | | | speakers. Then mount/glue them in the right |
| the front speakers. You can angle them to still allow | | | | matching angles and you are then ready to start |
| good foot room while the sound waves hit the | | | | covering them. We take fleece and cover them tight |
| opposite side passenger directly for optimum sound. | | | | using a staple gun then they are wrapped and ready |
| When installing sound systems we always look for | | | | for some fiberglass resin work. Mix up and coat them |
| what the vehicle will offer for locations that allow | | | | with resin saturating all materials to get a strong first |
| different alternatives such as places to hide speakers | | | | layer to support thicker matting later. |
| and different sound box sizes depending on ones | | | | You can then use a porter cable tool and buzz out |
| desires. | | | | the speaker sections. The next step is to tape it off |
| If you're looking for first row, front seat sound then | | | | to get ready for the outer cover. Wrap it much in |
| a mid range front floor speaker where the floor is | | | | the same way but use polyester cloth and tape the |
| cut out to house 8 inch Dyn-Audio mid range | | | | edges around the cars trunk perimeter. Then trim it |
| speakers is the ticket. Pointing them directly at the | | | | out much in the same way and also cut out a shaped |
| front seat passenger's ear for max sound is the only | | | | hole in the back section to allow the sound to come |
| way because they are directional speakers. Right | | | | toward the front of the car, The trunk hinges get a |
| under the dash is a great place to install Image | | | | U pad treatment that stays with the hinge and fits |
| Dynamic Horn speakers for highs/tweeters that | | | | with a small gap when up, just behind it you can add |
| offer super crisp vocals and the lead guitars will come | | | | a trim piece to finish it out.You will then want to sand |
| to life. In effect it will sound like an entire band is | | | | it down and apply some hi build primer and you are |
| sitting on the hood of the car with unreal clarity and | | | | almost done. Simply mount the speakers with T-nuts |
| 0 distortion detected by any humans ear. When | | | | that have teeth which pull in to the MDF wood when |
| building hi-level systems such as this high power is | | | | tightened. |
| needed so the front speakers would be powered by | | | | Article provided by the Hot Rods team of Jeff Lilly |
| a JL 450/4v2 amp for max output with 1 gauge | | | | Restorations! |
| power leads and crossovers with separate | | | | |