New Sound System Installed

Theres something a little intimidating about taking your new truck apart to install a whole new audio system, especially when electronics and wiring isn’t your strong suit. Initially I was going to take my truck to a local shop but after reading several post here and hearing about @james@tech12volts i decided to go for it and do it myself. I contacted James and he was very helpful, answered all my questions and he put together an amazing system based on my wants and $ limit.

All the parts came in as ordered, packaged well with instructions and plug and play hardware. I won’t lie the idata controls freaked me out a little but I took my time and it all made sense. I needed to call James once to verify a thing or two and he walked me threw the setting on the amp. I buttoned it all up and Shazam it all works.

I mostly wanted to publicly say thanks to James and tell anyone sitting on the fence that this is a job you can do if you take your time and the payoff in satisfaction and of course a great sounding system is worth the effort!

 

What all did you get?

 

KENWOOD Excelon DDX 9906XR, 2 pair JL C2 650, 2 Jl 10W0 in tech12 sub box, JL 900/5 amp, side dash & center dash JL C1 tweeters, Sirius tuner, Alpine camera, 4 rolls of Sound Shield deadener, Maestro (retain steering controls) all the cables exc.

 

Looks freaking great!

I wish I would have spent more time deadening.

 

Hell ya! Looks great!

 

Schweeeet!

 

How did you mount the crossovers in the door? Is that a bracket provided by James?

 

Excellent work on the write up and the install. James did me up almost the identical set up with the sound proofing as well. Unfortunately, tore up my knee and had surgery two weeks back so everything (equipment) has been sitting on the garage floor calling my name for over a month. Thanks for the reassurance on the plug n play and DIY... I'm very mechanical but electronics is my weakness. I'm sure I'll reach out to James several times for his intel.

 

I used good old Velcro to attach the crossovers to the door!

 

Damn sorry to hear about the knee, I feel your pain, I’ve had knee surgery as well, now I have one that’s bone on bone and another that’s nearly there. 30 plus years of construction has taken a toll. Hope you get well soon. We sound alike, most of my life I’m the guy that would rebuild engines, build cars exc. but when it comes to wiring I’m SOL. The install really went well, I’d do a little every night for a few days then hit it hard this last weekend and was really surprised that I’m not chasing wire demons. Guess that speaks to the benefit of plug and play harnesses exc. Get well soon, I know you love your system when you get it in. Good luck!

 

Congrats on the new audio..

I used these...
One can find them at Walmart, Lowes, HD, etc.

$20 Command Large Picture Hanging Strips, White, Holds up to 16 lbs, 14-Pairs, Easy to Open Packaging

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073XR4X72/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1






It can certainly be intimidating, but think of all the $$ you saved on labor.






How did you wire the dash speakers and center dash?
I tried running the dash speakers off the HU and the door speakers off the amp, but the dash speakers where too 'in my face' with no way to fade them separate from the front doors...?
I ended up disconnecting the dash speakers and just used the front door components for my fronts.

 

I almost forgot I also installed the JL bass knob, I spent some time really thinking this threw and as you see in the pick I decided this was the most convenient spot as I can leave my arm on the console and just reach down and crank up the bass if I want. It’s a cheap cool little device that well worth getting.

 

I’ve lost enough of my high pitch hearing that the more I pump out the better it sounds. They were set up to just plug into the factory harness so honestly I didn’t do anything. I had read a install post on here were the op had the same issue that your talking about and he added some kind of a dial for volume or fading the dash speaker but that’s way past my skill set. By the nice job on demoing the interior and doing a full sound proof job, that’s a lot of work!