Sound System Install 07 Nbs

RaGeFeAr · April 30, 2009

So I was lookin thru 08 denali's thread on his install and I felt inclined to do one of my own. I have just started and haven't gotten very far but its beginning.

So far I have 2 gauge wire run from the battery to a distribution block that has 4 gauge outputs at the amp rack, which is going to be located behind the extended cab seats, never to be seen again (well, until more upgrades arise). I upgraded the "big 3" using 2 gauge power wire, a 200amp breaker, and 4 gauge grounds. I also made the amp rack out of 1/4" particle board.

I'm sticking with the stock head unit for now, thinking about a CarPC for the future, The subs are the main priority at the moment and the interiors will be coming soon.

For subs I have a pair of Audiobahn 10" DUBs rated at 600RMS

Amps are two Kenwood KAC-8152D's running at 550RMS x 1

and one Kenwood KAC-X541 rated at 124RMS x 4

I do have a Diamond audio component set as well which will eventually be replacing the stock fronts.

Altho you won't be able to see the amps I wanted it to have a more finished look when I have to get back there, so I dragged an interior panel into Joanne's Fabric and found a vinyl that looks quite like the same color tan.

I'm not going ape shit on the dynamat but I do have some laying around, not too sure if its going to cooperate being that its been rolled in its box for over 6-7 years but if not, I'm not worried. I figured I would lay it on the floor under the carpet where the subthump box will be firing the subs.

As always, any comments, concerns, criticisms are always welcome.

Right now I am just hoping the test fit with the seats back in position is successful!

08_Denali_22 · May 1, 2009

Good Luck! You will have to let me know how the back seat fits since at the rate I'm going it will be Christmas before the seat goes back in. I like the idea with the vinyl but why particle board? Just had some lying around? Like I said good luck on the install and I'm looking forward to the finished product!

GARB55 · May 1, 2009

Good Luck! You will have to let me know how the back seat fits since at the rate I'm going it will be Christmas before the seat goes back in. I like the idea with the vinyl but why particle board? Just had some lying around? Like I said good luck on the install and I'm looking forward to the finished product!

Keep us updated!

tallspawn · May 1, 2009

Good luck!! Let me know how it turns out, I'm bout to put my stuff back in my 09, been a little curious about the space back there...

Here's a small pic of my 06 amp rack if your interested....

RaGeFeAr · May 1, 2009

damn talls, thats a nice setup! Real clean!

The space is extremely tight! I did a test fit of the seats back there with the amp rack installed. They fit just fine with the seats in the bench position, but once you try and fold them up, the back half of the anchors for the child restraint system get in the way and smack the amps. I cut them off with a cut off wheel. Leaving the front part which is also a mount for the upholstery. With them out of the way, when you fold the seats up, they don't hit the amps, tho I wouldn't recommend using those restraints anymore. My thought is that most car seats don't have that ability to use them anyway, and I don't plan on a future with kids so I think I'm ok. So if you are looking to flame me for that, find someplace else. Just be sure to cover every part of the seat so not to burn thru anything...

oh, yea, the particle board was just layin around. I'm not really sure how I am going to mount the board to the truck tho. Denali, how did you mount yours? I really don't wanna bore holes thru the truck and all that's behind it the wall now is the outside. Any ideas?

tallspawn · May 1, 2009

damn talls, thats a nice setup! Real clean!

The space is extremely tight! I did a test fit of the seats back there with the amp rack installed. They fit just fine with the seats in the bench position, but once you try and fold them up, the back half of the anchors for the child restraint system get in the way and smack the amps. I cut them off with a cut off wheel. Leaving the front part which is also a mount for the upholstery. With them out of the way, when you fold the seats up, they don't hit the amps, tho I wouldn't recommend using those restraints anymore. My thought is that most car seats don't have that ability to use them anyway, and I don't plan on a future with kids so I think I'm ok. So if you are looking to flame me for that, find someplace else. Just be sure to cover every part of the seat so not to burn thru anything...

oh, yea, the particle board was just layin around. I'm not really sure how I am going to mount the board to the truck tho. Denali, how did you mount yours? I really don't wanna bore holes thru the truck and all that's behind it the wall now is the outside. Any ideas?

Thank you Sir!

Yeah I was concerned about the space, I wonder if it would be ok since I don't really need to lift the seats up much at all. My sub box will be there and I have a car seat and a booster back there....

I was nervous about that too, a buddy of mine did it and he basically use sheet metal screws and silicone. I never had any issues with leaks or anything like that. Just make sure the screws aren't too long and hit the bed...

RaGeFeAr · May 1, 2009

Thank you Sir!

Yeah I was concerned about the space, I wonder if it would be ok since I don't really need to lift the seats up much at all. My sub box will be there and I have a car seat and a booster back there....

I was nervous about that too, a buddy of mine did it and he basically use sheet metal screws and silicone. I never had any issues with leaks or anything like that. Just make sure the screws aren't too long and hit the bed...

ok, it seems to be alright as long as you don't want to lift the seats up, its going to be tight installing the seats back in tho. You might end up scratching one of the amps. My seat goes back up about half way without cutting off the attachments before hitting the amps. Like I said, I don't intend on having kids and you can always put a car seat in the old fashioned way anyway. I think I am going to go with the sheet metal screw and silicone route unless someone else has a better idea.

08_Denali_22 · May 4, 2009

Thats great to hear about the seat fitment. I figured that the child restraint system would probably need to go. You might be able to retain it if you place your amps in just the right spots on the back wall. Its not worth the headache for me though.

I attached the amp board to the wall using some heavy duty construction adhesive. IIRC it was the PL400 stuff from Home Depot. So far I haven't had any issues with it coming off the wall and I don't expect to in the future. That adhesive is hardcore to say the least. Once the board is on there it is NOT coming off in one peice.

RaGeFeAr · May 4, 2009

PL400? WoooooooooW! Really? Hahaha! I wouldn't have thought about doing that! I think I might look into it tho!

Yea, I didn't really have a choice with the child restraints, my amps are over 15 inches a piece, I believe if you wanted too, denali, you could get away with it as your amps are far smaller, about 5 inches.

Oh, and I didn't have room for the jack, it hits the amps, so I threw it in the spare tire.

08_Denali_22 · May 4, 2009

Yep. PL400. I like to bring the bazooka to the snowball fight. My jack and spare tire are long gone out of the truck. Excess weight. AAA FTW!!!

RaGeFeAr · May 4, 2009

lol, with all that extra weight from the sound deadening I can't imagine a spare and jack would mean that much more.

asilverblazer · May 4, 2009

I was able to mount my amp on a shelf style bracket as close to the back wall as possible, allowing me to raise my seat about 98% of the way up. No big deal to me beacuse with a seat cover on its a pain to raise it anyways.

RaGeFeAr · May 6, 2009

I think I am going to mount it to t-nuts that are going to be tack welded to the back wall. Pretty much the only way not to drill thru the wall that I can see. Not saying the welding isn't going to ruin the paint...

RaGeFeAr · May 7, 2009

well between the weather and werk I finally got a chance to werk on it once more! Thank gawd! I'm really getting tired of not driving it! For the most part all I have to do is tap into the wiring for the speakers and be done with it... for now. Interior speakers aren't getting installed just yet. Tho I may in fact change my mind.

I installed T-nuts in the back of the rack mounting the amps

Then I wrapped it in the tan vinyl

As you can see, I have no idea how you are stupposed to fold the material over internal edges (if that makes any sense) but I thought it came out alright.

Yup, I know I'm missing a screw, apparently some other lowes customer felt that they needed one of the screws from the bags I bought more than I did... and I didn't notice it.

Thats all for tonight, back to lowes tomorrow and hopefully it will be mounted and my truck back in one piece until I order the sub enclosure. Money is tight.

08_Denali_22 · May 7, 2009

Wow! That really looks good. You did a good job with the vinyl. I get to try my hand at that in a few weeks when I'm done fiberglassing my a-pillars. I hope they turn out as good as yours.