Jump to content

Kicker Tailgate Speaker

inquenciocha

By inquenciocha
in Modifications & Accessories

 Share

Recommended Posts

inquenciocha Enthusiast

inquenciocha

Posted
Posted

Ladies and Gentlemen, lend me your rears...  has anyone installed or heard the Kicker Tailgate Speaker?  If so, worth it? 

inquenciocha Enthusiast

inquenciocha

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well I purchased it anyway. There's a 25% off coupon with GMC right now.  I'd still like to hear reviews or tips on installation. 

  • 4 weeks later...
migrabill Enthusiast

migrabill

Posted
Posted

Where did you get this coupon? My ordered truck is being built next week and i want the dealer to install the kicker system upon delivery.

inquenciocha Enthusiast

inquenciocha

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 1/16/2020 at 11:51 AM, migrabill said:

Where did you get this coupon? My ordered truck is being built next week and i want the dealer to install the kicker system upon delivery.

I got it off the GMC accessory website. Unfortunately it was a year end sales event and it's only at 10% off right now.  Not sure how long the delivery will take and this sale event but I suggest waiting until you get all your rewards points, use them at the same time. It's like a couple hundred dollars off.  Also, keep checking GMpartshouse.com. My dealership price matches but also takes in account for shipping, which ever is cheaper.  I'll post pictures when I get a daytime photo. Hope this helps.

inquenciocha Enthusiast

inquenciocha

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So after a couple weeks of playing with it... not worth full price.  Dont get me wrong, it sounds good but not pretty good. Definitely loud enough for just about any campsite, bonfire or tailgate party and you get the cool perk of saying, "look at what my tailgate can do". If its bass you want, I'd invest in a good boom box and plug in to the bed. In the end... No Ragrets

20200119_120011.jpg

  • Like 2
  • 4 weeks later...
Maverick0984 Enthusiast

Maverick0984

Posted
Posted

Has anyone done the install themselves?  I was watching an install video and it includes drilling 4 holes into the tailgate.  Being in a snow riddled area (Chicago) I always worry about opening up possible corrosion opportunity.  I suppose if the tailgate is aluminum it's less of a deal though.

jaybauman Enthusiast

jaybauman

Posted
Posted

For my 3500HD, I had to drill only 2 holes (unlike the 4 in the Youtube video).  The automotive industry has made great strides in corrosion resistance over the last 20 years; I am not worried.

 

The installation took me about an hour...with the most difficult step being the blind installation of the amplifier mounting bracket.  The parts shop at my dealer says they get 2 hours labor for this installation.

Maverick0984 Enthusiast

Maverick0984

Posted
Posted
On 2/16/2020 at 8:48 PM, jaybauman said:

For my 3500HD, I had to drill only 2 holes (unlike the 4 in the Youtube video).  The automotive industry has made great strides in corrosion resistance over the last 20 years; I am not worried.

 

The installation took me about an hour...with the most difficult step being the blind installation of the amplifier mounting bracket.  The parts shop at my dealer says they get 2 hours labor for this installation.

Do you like it? Was it worth the price of about ~$575 depending on the day/website?

 

Are you using it for work? Tailgating? Just curious.  Behemoth of a truck, congrats.  I'm fine with my 1500 AT4, heh.

jaybauman Enthusiast

jaybauman

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, Maverick0984 said:

Do you like it? Was it worth the price of about ~$575 depending on the day/website?

 

Are you using it for work? Tailgating? Just curious.  Behemoth of a truck, congrats.  I'm fine with my 1500 AT4, heh.

Yes, I like the speaker system.  It’s great to be able to listen to music when we’re sitting out by the truck (kids’ soccer practice, while sitting by the camper, tailgating,  etc.).  Is it worth the price?  Considering I’ve dropped about $80k on this truck, it’s only a small part of my investment.  We’ve actually used it quite a bit, so for us it has been worth doing.

 

I have a 31’ travel trailer that we use as much as possible, and I’m challenged to find a half-ton truck (with enough space) that can tow it while keeping within payload and axle capacities.  Therefore, I have this so-called “behemoth”.  With my previous 2500HD, I was exceeding payload capacity when fully loaded with trailer, family, and gear, so I opted for the 3500HD this time around.  I cannot really justify owning a vehicle for just the purpose of towing my RV, so it’s also my daily driver.    I’m probably not taking this thing off road all that often (who would?  It’s more than 20’ long and weights nearly 4 tons!), so I bought it for the looks—I’m not a big fan of the chromed-out Denali trim.

  • 2 months later...
sandman500lt New Member

sandman500lt

Posted
Posted
On 2/20/2020 at 10:37 AM, jaybauman said:

Yes, I like the speaker system.  It’s great to be able to listen to music when we’re sitting out by the truck (kids’ soccer practice, while sitting by the camper, tailgating,  etc.).  Is it worth the price?  Considering I’ve dropped about $80k on this truck, it’s only a small part of my investment.  We’ve actually used it quite a bit, so for us it has been worth doing.

 

I have a 31’ travel trailer that we use as much as possible, and I’m challenged to find a half-ton truck (with enough space) that can tow it while keeping within payload and axle capacities.  Therefore, I have this so-called “behemoth”.  With my previous 2500HD, I was exceeding payload capacity when fully loaded with trailer, family, and gear, so I opted for the 3500HD this time around.  I cannot really justify owning a vehicle for just the purpose of towing my RV, so it’s also my daily driver.    I’m probably not taking this thing off road all that often (who would?  It’s more than 20’ long and weights nearly 4 tons!), so I bought it for the looks—I’m not a big fan of the chromed-out Denali trim.

Did you install the light kit? Is so, where does it plug in??

jaybauman Enthusiast

jaybauman

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, sandman500lt said:

Did you install the light kit? Is so, where does it plug in??

Yes, I installed the light kit when I was installing the audio system.  A plug-in harness and installation instructions were included with the kit.  This was a very simple installation. 

sandman500lt New Member

sandman500lt

Posted
Posted

I didn't get instructions.  I plugged them into the tailgate latch plug. That seemed to be the only plug that matched the harness. Do they come on when the tailgate comes down? Or some other way to turn them on? 

  • 1 month later...
Maverick0984 Enthusiast

Maverick0984

Posted
Posted
On 4/26/2020 at 4:53 PM, jaybauman said:

Yes, I installed the light kit when I was installing the audio system.  A plug-in harness and installation instructions were included with the kit.  This was a very simple installation. 

I installed my speakers and light kit on Saturday.  I'm pleasantly surprised with how it sounds and how it turned out.  I don't know if it's because my expectations were low because people on this forum really complain about them a lot but I really like them.

 

Just curious, what's the longest you've gone playing them without starting the car?  I can't seem to find a suggested hourly duration that's safe on the battery other than "hours".

 

Also, what's the capacity of the battery in your truck?  Mine's just a standard 1500 AT4 so stock battery but not sure if the larger trucks come with 2 batteries as that used to be an option years ago.

jaybauman Enthusiast

jaybauman

Posted
Posted

A few times, we've listened to the Kicker system for 2 hours at a time.  The system pulls a small amount of power, relative to the energy available in the truck battery.  

 

However, I have the Duramax, which gives me 2 batteries.

 

I say use it as much as you want.  Just be sure to close the tailgate when you're finished, as this is the only way to shut it off.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,972
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    Whit.the.COB
    Newest Member
    Whit.the.COB
    Joined

  • Who's Online   2 Members, 0 Anonymous, 938 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Jsdirt
      What did you do to your "other" car (aka musclecar) today

      By Jsdirt · Posted

      Even tougher is the 5.0 / 302. That's what this one has.    https://postimg.cc/Z9XRrCSg   https://postimg.cc/4n3F3yzY   Just realized I had the airbox removed in the engine pic, lol.
    • MikeBMW
      Installing tow mirrors

      By MikeBMW · Posted

      Yep! This should be a pin somewhere as @pgamboa really dives into all of this. Thanks for reposting the link!
    • Grumpy Bear
      TCM Tuning 6L80E

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      I did the new thermostat after doing a 'flip' for a year. Runs as cool one way as the other in the summer but in the winter there is a bit of a floor. Yellow with the new 70 C thermostat. My data over the life of the unit to date. Still need more cooler. Anyway that floor helped both winter fuel economy and shift quality in the winter. I found it a good balance.       
    • Grumpy Bear
      Food & Drink

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Evan Williams Bottled in Bond   So pouring the last of a bottle of Evan Williams Black label last night I set off the the state store for a refill only to be denied the by an empty shelf. Rats.    What the did have was a bottle of Evan Williams Bottled in Bond. 100 proof. Hum, a few bucks more but a known distiller. Lets have a swing at it. ( I have before )    Cracked it open and pour a serving over ice. Hum.... more heat, yes. More alcohol naturally. But the barreling not the proof brings the taste and this one came up short.    Oh is was familiar but the heat ran the barrel over like a Peterbilt runs over a squirrel. Could use a heavier toasting of the oak me thinks or perhaps a longer barreling. Who knows. But what I can say is ice or a water back isn't the answer. What kills one kills them both. Sad. It is a pleasant drink....if you have little to compare it to.  
    • Grumpy Bear
      Bridgestone vs Goodyear tires?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      I've had exactly one set of Bridgestone. Lasted five year and 125,000 miles and had I known better 15oK would have been a cake walk. I would have bought a like set had they not tripled in price since the first set. I removed them at said mileage with 5/32" remaining in dead even wear all four. They were fuel efficient, quite, comfortable and predictable.    Early on I got a very good alignment checked at least once a year, sometimes twice; kept the tires properly inflated, balanced and rotated. And I've found that many a tire issue can be avoided with great maintenance practices. Lot's of tire dealers will do rotation and balance (simple) for free for as long as you own the tire they sold you so no excuse not to.    Bead prep, alloy integrity and stem health have a huge impact on inflation stability. There are more mountings done poorly that perfectly. Finding a good tire guy is gold and as important as finding a tire you like.    That 3X price increase now two sets of "other tires' later is starting look like a bargain.      Bad maintenance kills more tires than bad tires. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...