Time to revamp the Stereo in the Stealth

[DrGonzo]

So for the past couple years I have not had much of a stereo in the car. An old HU, some cheap Phoenix Gold speakers and a Bazooka tube. I have just spent some much time and money on other parts of the car the stereo was just there to get me by. Well I have finally started work on getting the stereo updated in the car. As of now here is the equipment I will be adding into the car:

HU - Kenwood KDC-655U - I like the clean look and it has 6 outputs which will allow me to control all channels from the HU
Dash Speakers - Infinity 10.9T 1" - Nice clean sound and I was able to mount them in the old dash baskets.
Door Speakers - MEMPHIS 6.5" PR63V2
Rear Speakers - MEMPHIS 15-MC692
Sub - Single 10" either my Memphis DVC or my Polk Momo DVC, I have yet to decide.
Main Amp - Alpine MRV-F357 - 5 channel to power sub, rear & doors
Front amp - Alpine MRP-T130 - This is to power the tweeters in the dash
Sub Processor - AudioControl Epicenter - this will clean up the bass signal
Surround processor - I have yet to decide on what I want to use for this. Possible Audio Control


One of the main things I have to work around it the fact that I need to keep and have easy access to the spare tire. Considering what I am putting into the car this was going to be fun. I decided to go the route of making the amp rack a hinged door that will lift up and allow me access to the spare and tools. the sub is going to go into a corner box I built as I am only going to run one sub for this. So far I have gotten the sub box built "minus the hole cut", the frame for the hinge mechanism and the hinge door.

the hinge is a metal frame welded together and bolted to the floor and rear strut well.



Here is what it look like with the door installed on the frame.




The spot on the right side will be where the future battery will go once I get a dry cell battery. The current battery box behind the rear seat will be removed.

The door itself will mount the 5 channel amp, Epicenter and whatever processor I go with. Carpeted panels will be built later to cover everything up.

The truck itself has been rattle proofed some time ago using eDead panels I bought years ago. the cabin will also get the same treatment but I will add in a layer of acoustic foam also to help keep out the road noise as that is not the purpose of the eDead. All panels that are screwed to metal will get treated to stop them from rattling. The rear speaker pod will be sealed up and I'll add in some door pods to seal the door speakers also.

With me working 5 days a week and getting home so late the sun is down, I really only have time to work on this during the weekends. I hope to get the back rack done this weekend minus the cover panels. This would have gotten farther these last two weeks but I found some rust on the hatch where the grommets for the rear trim piece attaches that was allowing water in, so I had to cut out the rust, weld in need metal and bond over things. I still have to sand and paint where the rust hole was. I'm still waiting on a few items to come in and then I get to pull the interior for the sound deadening and running wires, yea fun!!

[2fnloud]

Let me know if you want AudioControl I have the 6 channel (in & out) Digital EQ (30 band + 2 paragraph band) DQS and AudioControl digital 3-way X-over (2 in 6 out: 2sub 2 mid 2 high) DXS

I have been on the fence about selling.

[mb3000]

Looking good! Love the spare tire idea!

[DrGonzo]

The DQS is one of the ones I'm looking at as I want to stay 3in-3out. Most Eq's are 1 or 2 in and 6 out. PM me what your wanting for it.

[2fnloud]

with or with out the the remote display controller?

[2fnloud]

mind you the DQS is 6 in 6 out unless you meant 3 pairs in and 3 pairs out. the DXS would be ideal for a front active x-over vs. passive...but not too many do that, that is high SQ setups.

[DrGonzo]

yeah, I meant three pairs...LOL

Without the DCC as I'm more of set it and forget it.

[DrGonzo]

So I now have an equalizer thanks to Steve

The Epicenter came in the mail today. Waiting on the rest of the RCA stuff to come in at this point. Along with the router tool I needed to cut the hole for the sub. I also use the router bits on the cover panels to make some nice smooth rounded edges and inserts.

[DrGonzo]

So today I got a little work done but not much. Little hard to work long hours outside in 30 degree weather.

Today I concentrated on a little interior work. I needed to run the RCA, wires for the tweeters and the remote wire. So I pulled the seats and carpet out. I use a metal foil tape to secure the wires and RCA's. This tape will help shield the RCA's from outside noise. I also added in a few panels of eDead tot he floor panels. After that I laid some carpet padding down. The padding is great for keeping outside noise out of the cabin. I'll also use the padding in the doors and hatch area. The roll I got from Home Depot was about $30.00 and should do the entire car. I used a spray glue to hold the padding to the floor. the padding is thin enough to not interfere with the stock carpet so it lays back in just fine. I just had to trim around mounting points like for the front and rear seats. Here are some shots of the work I got done today.


Seats and Carpet pulled. 6 channel Stinger RCA's run to secured


eDead laid down.




Padding laid down




Carpet back in the car. I need to steam clean it again...


More to come tomorrow!!

[mb3000]

Looks great!