Avalanche Stereo Install Finished - pictures.

EricEdelman · December 25, 2001

The stereo finally got finished up, so I thought I'd post some pictures. The equipment list is in my signature. My goals for this, were a powerful system with excellent sound quality, and most importantly, that everything remain hidden, so I wouldn't piss off my wife! Everything that was installed either went into a factory hole, or got hidden.

Here's the truck:

Pioneer DEH-P9300 head unit.

Terk SR-2 satellite antenna. (The satellite tuner is hidden under the dash.)

Here's the boxes of stuff sitting on the back of the truck:

JL Audio 300/4 and 250/1 amps installed under the rear seat on the pasenger side. The 300/4 runs the JL Audio XR-650cs components in the front and the XR-650cx coaxial speakers in the rear doors. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take any pictures during the installation of the speakers.

Here's the subwoofer box. It was custom built by Phil Salisbury of Woodlawn custom cabinetry:

Woodlawn Cabinetry

Phil did an OUTSTANDING job on this box, and if you're looking for some bass in your Avalanche, this is a great choice. The box fits tightly, and is removable if you want to fold down the seats.

The box has an internal displacement of around 0.8 cubic feet and the subwoofers are JL Audio 8w3's, which are wired for a 4 ohm load into the 250/1 amp.

Here's a view of everything under the back seat. Once the seat is positioned for passengers, nothing is visible:

I might be doing some more soundproofing in the doors once the weather is warmer, so I can take a few more pictures then.

Other stuff:

We used Monster Cable interconnects, and generic power and speaker wire. A 4 gauge wire runs from the battery to the back of the truck, and is split into two 8 gauge wires which feed the amps.

Here's some links:

chevy4x4trucks · December 25, 2001

Great stereo set up. Thanks for posting pics for all of us. How does that box affect the midgate use?

ChevyAGoGo · December 25, 2001

Nice looking truck and install. By the way, how do you post the pics?

chevy4x4trucks · December 25, 2001

Nice looking truck and install. By the way, how do you post the pics?

to post pics you have to upload them to a place like http://www.web-photos.com and then you right click on the pic > Properties > copy the web addy and then when you want to post it you should see a button above the text entry area that says "Image" Click on that and paste the html addy in there.

EricEdelman · December 25, 2001

The box is removable for when I want to use the midgate. We designed it so that I flip the bottom of the seat forward, and the box can be lifted directly out.

There's a minor issue with the exposed subwoofers (couldn't squeeze grilles under there), so when I do take it out, I'll have to be careful what it's near, so as not to damage the subs.

The amps are short enough that I can fold the back of the seat right down over them, so they're permanently mounted there.

BgBlkAvalanche · December 25, 2001

EE,

Wow, are we on the same page with our AV's or what?

Me: JL 10" sub, JL XR6500CS front doors, JL 300/4 amp.

I took the advise of the shop to skip the rear door speakers, but now I am wondering?! Do you like your rears & amp?

Here are some of my pics. I have my 10" sub down firing, yours looks like they are up? Whatz up wit dat?

EricEdelman · December 26, 2001

BgBlkAvalanche -

Great minds think alike, huh?

The stereo guy, box builder, and I all debated long and hard on the two 8w3's vs. one 10w3. I wish you lived nearby so we could compare them.

The rear speakers don't do much when you're sitting in the front seat, but I rode in the back today while my wife drove, and they sound great from back there. I do carry the occasional passenger, so I guess it was worthwhile. My headunit has an adjustable soundstage that you can tune with a microphone, and I can tune out the rears with that if I have no passengers.

My other choice was to get the 300/2 amp and run the front components from that. After having the installation done and listening for a few days, I'm glad I got the rear speakers put in as well. The 300/4 is more than enough power for the fronts, and the rear speakers do have some value when I have passengers.

EDZ Z71 · December 26, 2001

Ok, now I have got to ask the question. How much is this gonna set me back. I have been wanting to upgrade the stereo in my Av. You guys have awesome setups there. I just need a little more kick when I wanna rock.

You guys obiviously understand.

BgBlkAvalanche · December 26, 2001

EDZ Z71,.. you sitting down?

I paid fourteen hundred bucks for mine. That was amp, door speakers, and sub with custom box, all installed. I kept the factory head unit. The JL door speakers and amp were more than other brands, but the salesman assured me that the other speakers would be a little better, and the JL's would be a lot better. Which they are! I know I paid a premium for the system, but it was a high end reputable shop that did it, and they were the only ones aound that did not choke at the thought of a custom box for the sub.

Now I will probably choke when EE tells us his whole system was cheaper :0