It is DONE!. Started my B&O replacement stereo install.

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goblues38

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i will update this thread as i go along. (reserve first few posts) and answer any questions I can.

I decided to finally do it after the Nav-TV A2B price drop. Also, with the Blues winning the Stanley Cup, I have been listening to so much talk / sports radio, i wanted to get back to some music.

Here is what I have bought. (may add an Audio Control EQ if needed)(edit 6-19...decide to change from jl to hertz in the doors to save some cash...the sound was comparable)

$549 = Nav TV A2B (B&O) interface
$559 = JL Audio RD 900/5 (75x4 4 ohms + 500x1 2ohms)
$199 = JL Audio 10w1 v3 4ohm 10 inch subb
$199 = JL Audio 10w1 v3 4ohm 10 inch sub
$149 = herts 165.3 rear door 6.5 coax
$189 = hertz ex 165.3 650 front door and pillar components
$50 = self made custom up firing under seat encloser .60 ft3 per side
$50 = 4 awg power and ground to battery
$50 = misc supplies, rca's, fuse block, screws, fabric
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$2,064 = my all in price


I was an MECP certified mobile installer from 1987 to about 1995. I used to build and compete on the IASCA circuit in the mid-west during that time, and was an IASCA judge for one season.

I got married and got big into home theater. Recently updated my home theater to the latest Dolby Atmos gear and decided my $70k truck cant continue with a $400 stereo. I have helped others over the years install some car stereo gear, but this is the 1st time it is for myself in 25 years.

With the wife's blessing, I started to acquire the gear and began building the box and running wires this weekend. I will post pictures and commentary as i go along.

Keep in mind. I am not going for a cars and coffee show piece. Don't need to sow off any fancy amp racks with LED's or any of that nonsense. This is a mid priced system that will sound good to me. Everything else should be mostly hidden so anyone looking in the car won't see anything.

Thanks for all the help in the threads on this board. Let me know if you have any questions.
 
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goblues38

goblues38

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Reserved for power wire and sub box. (edit 6-19)

Got my power wire ran through the grommet on the passenger side of the firewall. ran 4 gauge power and ground, with appropriate fuse and terminals.
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I ended up building two boxes. the 1st one I tried to make flat, and I was not happy with the room between the woofer and the seat.

This is box 2. 1 enclosure with a brace in the center. 5/8 MDF top and bottom, 3/4 mdd on the side. glued, screwed, and caulked.


Testing the depth
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here it is with carpet, but before I cleaned it up
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I will take more pictures tomorrow.
 
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goblues38

goblues38

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Reserved for front door and pillar components and rear door coax. (edit 6--19)

My amazon delivery didn't come today, so my speaker adapters did not come in. I decided the rears were ok with out, so I went ahead and put them in. Soldered and taped the wire to the factory wire and kept the connector. in theory, if I ever need to, all the stock stuff will go right back in.
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Went real simple with the tweeters. used heavy duty cardboard and hot glue. they are solid and not going anywhere.
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I still have the stock 6x9's in until my amazon delivery comes tomorrow.

edit (6-23) got my 6.5's in the front door. decided to not wait for amazon and built an adapter out of 1/4 MDF.

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goblues38

goblues38

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Reserved for amp rack, crossover, and Nav-TV install / wire into factory B&O harness. (edit 6-19) here is where the fun begins.

removed the B&O amp and speaker. used some mdf and mounted a simple board to the factory Amp holder. Had to counter sync the screws, but all 4 went back. it is sturdy.
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painted the board black....nice and simple...and mounted the NAV-TV and JL Audio amp.
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I did the same thing with the B&O harness I did with the door wires. soldered in my own speaker wire to connect to the amp and crossovers. so the factory harness is in tact, meaning I can go back to stock pretty simple if needed.

48100679978_5e8a8a125d_c.jpg
 
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goblues38

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Reserved for final thoughts and tuning. (edit 6-23)
I am done. Just need to find a vacuum for the back floor area.

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Very clean install. you dont notice it at all until you turn it on :)

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Still retained my storage, and factory jack is still in place.

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Again, not trying to win any awards for an install. but the amp rack is solid. the cables are all wire tied under the carpet I put down. still have room for some jumper cables or tie downs behind the seat if need.
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All in all I am very please with he install. My only gripe is that each of the sources through the factory head unit, all have slightly different volume out puts. CD's are the quietest. Max volume on the knob is 27. HD radio is a 25. 320kb Spotify maxes out at around 22. Sirius is like 19.

I guess the more compression being used, effects the output some how.

So I have it dialed in for CD's, and just compensate for other sources with the volume knob. and the JL bass control knob.
 
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Why are you building your own box? To save money? Or do you feel existing offerings lack in some way?

I desperately want to upgrade my stereo and sub, but I can't sacrifice the floor space.
 
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