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36K views 102 replies 26 participants last post by  brad248  
#1 · (Edited)
OK, so thanks to the help of Matt and a lot of others, I have started my stereo build. I have come a long ways over the last two days...I have included pics below, with a lot more to come as I am probably only half way. I have everything except the sub (hahaha), takes a week to build :) I have pics of my in-hand products below (went with a Monster 2 gauge amp kit, sundown 1000 amp, 1.0 c/ft box and C2A-CHY3).

I have ran the wires for the remote bass knob, 2 gauge power and remote turn-on. I will run the RCA's on the passenger side of the vehicle tomorrow, along with finish ground for amp and install C2A adapter. I need to take some more pics, but I am happy with my progress so far...considering a total of 4 hours after work drinking beers and doing this for the second time (first on my Jeep)!!!

Any tips/tricks are appreciated for taking off the navi/bezel for radio access. I have the printouts from wkjeeps.com (what a cool resource:D) so it may be all I need...first time for everything. Also ask any questions you want, I am learning a lot about her!!!!!

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#4 ·
Awesome progress so far Brad!! Looks like professionally work!

As for removing the radio bezel.. pretty much follow the wkjeeps.com directions - just go slow and don't force anything. Once you have the bezel off I'd recommend removing the radio entirely (it's only 3 plugs if I remember correctly), this will make working with the PAC adapter and RCA's a lot easier with an empty cavity.

You are well on your way my friend, almost all of the hard work is already behind you (running the RCA's can be sort of a pain, but I had 3 sets when I was running mine and they were thick so you'll probably have better luck).

Keep the pics coming!
 
#5 ·
EZY - Thank you...I can't wait to have some bumps! I will def have more pics and hopefully I will get the sub soon to finish up

Kyle - You gave me the idea for the bass knob! Thank you

Matt - Can't wait till I get to hear this combo! Should be a space-saving beast!!! Thanks again for your help and guidance!!
 
#6 · (Edited)
No problem at all. That setup is going to pound!

Remember to set your gain properly since you are installing a remote bass knob.

Directions:

Car/stereo off - everything 100% installed/connected

  • Turn the remote bass knob gain all the way up
  • Turn gain on amplifier all the way down
  • Be sure all the settings on the radio are flat (bass/mid/treb set to 0)
  • Turn the bass boost to 0
  • Set the subsonic filter to ~25hz
  • Set the low-pass crossover to ~60-80hz, don't go higher than 100hz. Between 60 and 80 should be ideal.
Now, turn the car/stereo on

  • Put a familiar CD with a decent amount of low hz (bass) activity... most likely rap.
  • Turn the radio volume up as high as you usually go (take it to the point where the factory speakers start to show signs of stress or fatigue)
  • Now turn the volume down a few units... remember this # as once you are done setting your amplifier gain you will never want to take the volume past this #.
  • With your stereo blasting, your bass knob turned to its max, go to the amplifier and slowly turn the gain up... continue to turn it up until the sub seems to be stressed or to the point of distortion.
  • Now come back slightly on the gain and keep the gain there. Keep in mind your gain on the amp may barely be cracked, that's fine (and preferred).
  • Pop in some more test CD's that stress heavily on bass... if there are any points where the sub seems to bottom out or distort, go back and turn the gain down slightly.
Now, everything on the amplifier is set except for the phase. Phase adjustment is equivalent to switching the positive and negative wires for the sub at the amplifier (obviously you'll use the switch on the amp). Play around with this... this will essentially change when the sub will "hit" by milliseconds. Try it at "0" and "180" (180 = reverse phase). One will sound better than the other (for me, my phase is reversed on my sub).

Now that your amp setup is 100% complete, you can go back to the radio and make bass/mid/treb adjustments as you see fit. Don't go crazy with the bass setting though, mine is set to 0 and that is plenty, I'm sure you'll find the same. Try this;

Bass: 0
Mid: -2
Treb: +3

Balance: right 2 units
Fade: front 2 units

That should sound pretty good, but again, it's what sounds best to you that matters.

Also, since you set your gains with the knob all the way up, you won't risk sending a clipped signal to your sub if you decide to crank the bass via the bass knob.

After that you should be all set... happy listening!!
 
#9 ·
Because the driver seat is not centered relative to the speakers, so this will usually center the sound stage for the driver. The passenger, not so much, lol.

Chris said:
EXCELLENT INFO MATT! I had no idea there was that much involved in setting up the gain LOL I have always had the shop's do it during install. (atleast I hope they did :p )
Click to expand...
It's a very important part of the installation process that should not be brushed off in the interest of preserving and protecting your equipment; especially when a gain knob is added to the process. Most guys will simply set the gain (properly or improperly) and then add the knob after the fact and once they go to turn that knob past zero you introduce the likely possibility of clipping the signal being sent to your $250 sub and... kaboom! Time for a new sub, lol... don't want that.
 
#13 ·
haha, I appreciate the kindness.

My brother and I are taking a road trip out west, thinking of hitting Pikes Peak and Yellowstone... probably not any further due to financial reasons, lol, but my calculations put us at about 2 weeks total. Should be a good time.

I'll try to check the Garage every few days or so, just to make sure you didn't screw anything up, hehe. I'll look forward to final install pics and reaction when I get back :thumbsup:
 
#19 ·
Damn Matt that is what I thought...that will be a drive. Have fun

I am going to finish up tonight!!! SUB just came in 5 mins ago, all 26 lbs of the 10" SSA ICON...what a great Friday surprise!!!! AHHHH I am excited. I will post all pics tonight...and Matt knows his stuff for sure
 
#20 ·
Alright I finished her up last night...WOW!!! Sounds great, the stock BA speakers really needed a little bass, well actually A LOT of bass!!! Took about 5 hours last night to finish up, so total of 9 hours spread over 3 days. I think that if you have all of the parts (I didn't hence over 3 days) it can be done in 6 hours by yourself, and maybe even 4 if you have taken the interior apart before. Please ask any questions as I did a lot of research and did encounter a couple things that may help someone. Here are the finished pics; I will post one of the amp in the cargo later...I cannot decide how I want it to sit!!!

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Ran RCA on passenger side...you DO NOT need to remove the rear passenger pannel, only separate enough to get the wire behind it
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It is a tight fit with the adapter...there is a ledge above the radio, this is where I tucked the P2A adapter so the NAVI fit back in the the additional wires/adapter
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All done!!! I am so stoked on having bumps again...System = FTMFW!!!
 
#23 ·
K Matt...after a couple hours messing with the EQ, these are the settings that sound the best (VERY CLOSE to the settings you posted... coincidence? I think not, thanks :thumbsup:) Reverse phase for me as well. The LPF and subsonic were within the ranges you said. I posted a little video with a little Too Short! I know I know the amp is crooked, it is the best way for it to fit in there as I did not want to run the power wires to the passenger side. I put velcro under the sub box, sticks to the rubber mat perfectly and adheres to the box...pull it in and out in 3 seconds! I did not secure the amp in the cargo box. I put chair/furniture pads in all four corners, and with the way the cables are it does not move (my cargo plastic is warped inward so it holds it in place as well). This is a great combo Matt as I only have the gain turned half way up, and when I go full gain and 26 volume there is no distortion! Sundown Amp 1000 Watts and SSAIcon 10" = FTMFW :D:D:D:D

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#26 ·
Yeah I added a layer all around before I put the sub in...I actually had to cut 12 notches/groves into the box for the sub to fit. I thought it was a right fitment per measurements online, Nope!

So I Techflexed the power wire under the hood. What do you think?

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After
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#29 ·
Thanks Kyle...I saw that Matt used it on his ride and I had to order some. I got 25ft on ebay for $8 shipped from Tenessee. Super easy to put on, only problem is the ends will fray after you cut them if you spread them out with wires...once you cut it put elec tape around freshly cut ends and you are golden. Looks good and will protect a little just in case. Let me knwo if you need the link from eBay where I got the stuff :)
 
#30 ·
Looks great!!. Im still doing my system, its up and running and now soundproofing the car. I did blow one of my JL XR mids in the drivers door somehow, so just bought a new set so I can have some spare componants in case. For my sub box I screwed a hook eye in the back then put a hook from it to the tie down hooks on the back of the rear seat, to keep it from smashing around everywhere.

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