First Install – Any Advice Appreciated!

[Ski Bum]

I am a newbie to DIY car audio, but I have spent the last couple of months on several forums and websites researching and learning. Sometimes, there is so much to consider that it makes my head spin!

I decided that my game plan would consist of three phases:

1) Purchase audiophile-grade components at a value price that hopefully will allow me to dial in great SQ. (See signature)

2) Install carefully. I’m determined to do this myself, but I want to make sure that I consider all of my options before I make some permanent modifications to my brand new Tundra DC.

3) Figure out how to actually dial in the SQ of my system with cross-over points, slopes, phases, parametric EQ, and a bunch of other terms & concepts that I haven’t really attempted to understand yet. I will deal with this in a future post.

Phase 1 is completed. As you can see in my signature, I went with a lot of Elemental Designs stuff – good price, great warranty, and I figure that there is one place to call for the majority of my questions. I also bought my HU from Crutchfield to get their legendary support. Got a great price from their Outlet store PLUS used a $50 off coupon!!

Phase 2 has begun. My plan here is to take the install in 4 steps over several weekends.

2A) Replace the factory HU with the XXV - completed last weekend. I soldered and heat shrank the connections. Seeing how I am 46 years old and this was my virgin install, I felt pretty good about the results. Sat in my truck all evening reading the manual and fiddling with the setup while drinking some well earned cold ones.

2B) Deaden the doors – this upcoming weekend’s project. I plan on using the paint on eDead v3 for the hard-to-reach inside of the outer door panels. And then I will apply v1SE to the panels closest to the inside of the cab. Might also do the back wall if I am extra motivated.

I also plan on switching out the factory speakers with my new front components and rear fill coaxials. ED built me some baffles that fit my Tundra for the front. Not sure whether the CDTs will fit right in the back or if I need to build a baffle. I will hold off running wires until Step 2C when I set up my amps.

QUESTIONS:

>> Any eDead application tips?

>> Should I try to cover all of the holes in the doors with eDead? I saw one post where the author cut plexiglass to cover the larger holes and then used liquid nails.

>> Any reason why I shouldn’t put the tweeters in the stock Tundra location?

2C) Now here is where it gets tricky. Where am I going to put the amps? I figure it is either under the seats or on the back wall of the DC. Either way, I am going to have to do some modifications. My thoughts:

>> Under Seat: Easier install, location will hide mistakes. Have to remove and block off heater ducts to the back seat passengers. The NINe.2X is 15” long, which might stick out. I ski a lot with people who have snow/water on their shoes when they get in my truck, which makes me nervious about this location.

>> Back Wall: More challenging for a newbie to do a clean install. Not sure that the 2.25” height of the amps will fit. Q: How do I take off the plastic wall off of the back to measure? I unscrewed the one bolt I could find which didn't get me far.

Any advice, experience, and pictures would be very much appreciated.

2D) Modify the center console (CC) to fit the CD Changer. I already removed the CC to check it out. There are two metal braces below. The front one sure seems like it can be removed without any consequences. I will probably need to modify the back one and cut the bottom plastic of the CC to fit the CD Changer that stands 8 3/16 high. Has anyone done anything like this?

Thanks in advance for your help. This forum rocks!!

Bill

[tm311]

lots of stuff to dig thru there...WOW. Congrats on the system, it sounds similar to mine. where to begin...

edead. clean off the doors with IPA and do it on a warm say and you should be fine. I covered all the holes with my edead...plus I mounted it on the inside of the panel as well..both sides.

6500's. I bought some and am not in love with them, so am selling them. BUT...during my install and I am still working on it for tweeter placement I would have to say that IMO the stock location is the best ...so yes go for it. Down in the kicks the speakers are way to rolled off...up in the stock location and with my treble kicked up to 5 they finally start to come alive.

amp location. I have the nine.2 behind the seat...install was easy but it is TIGHT back there and the seat WILL be pushed back against the amp. I did not expect this, but it does. I put one amp under my passenger seat and it worked out GREAT. The other is fine too...but it will touch.


PS....nice to see a fellow 40 something guy(i'm 45) involved in car audio...most of them are my kids age.

[Rodge]

I have a Tacoma, and the Center Console is rather big. If I remember correctly from my test drive of the Tundra, the CC is even bigger no? Anyways I didn't do any major modicifactions to the CC. All I did was run the wires along the floor in the middle and up through one of the holes cut into the bottom of the console. Then I cut a hold in the cardboard/carpet piece. Then I stuff foam all the way around the changer itself. I stuffed a 12 disc in mine, so you shouldn't have a problem. Here's a picture of what mine looks like:



As far as the installation of eDead. As was mentioned, clean off the surfaces first before you apply it. Cut it in 6" by 1' pieces if not smaller. Use a roller after you've got it where you want it and press down as hard as possible. You can get a 1 inch roller from the wallpaper section of your local hardware store. This will ensure you get a good bond. Make sure you overlap all your pieces. A half inch is good enough.

For the tweeters, the best place to put them is either in the sail panels or the A pillers. Problem is, you'll have to cut holes to mount them. The stock locations are perfectly fine.

As for the amps, you're on your own as I have no clue what the back of a DC Tundra looks like. Anything else, let me know.

[longwoodklon]

Well, first congratulations. I was ~30 when I did the same to my truck. I had put in plenty of stereo's, but nothing with subs and amps. Let me tell you, adding a nice set of comps. running of an amp. is great. You can crank it up and it stays nice and clean sounding, it's great. When I first got everything working, I sat in my truck, with no rear seat, for an hour just listening to music.

The sound deadening makes a big difference, but it is time consuming. I covered the door holes with the deadener. There is one large hole that I could see covering with something like plexiglass, but you'll need to be able to remove that should you ever need to access inside the door again, so don't use liquid nails. I figured I'd just cut the deadener If I ever need access, then recover. I have pics in my gallery. And, you'll need new finger tips when you're done, that stuff sticks like crazy.

The amps, I like the hidden install look. I put mine behind the rear wall. It is more time consuming but I don't have to worry about theft. Even if they break in and steal everything else, I don't think they'll ever get the amp. But on a DC I am not sure it'll work. You have the window that rolls down, the motor, etc.. I think others have looked at it and given up.

Good luck. /Mike

[Ski Bum]

tm311, Rodge, longwoodklon:

Thanks for your feedback and encouragement!!



Bill

[czechm8]

Originally Posted by tm311

PS....nice to see a fellow 40 something guy(i'm 45) involved in car audio...most of them are my kids age.

LOL. That's funny. I'll be 42 this year and I thought I was the oldest SOB hanging around eD and ICIX!
I recently got back into car audio as well after many years away. - kind of like riding a bike. The thing that amazes me is how much knowledge some of these young punks have at their age! Granted, times were simpler when I was their age. Back then a Pioneer deck and a pair of 6x9's in the rear deck was the bomb! I still remember a lot of my friends that had 8-trac's.