Joe Kowtko
Member
So, I love to do custom AV installs in cars but as of late, I've had no time for such an adventure. Two weeks ago, I solicited Car Toys to install a system in my Sport Trac and I have to say, it's quite incredible. The only functionality I lost was storage behind the back seat (not like there's much there anyway) and lowering of the 60% seat (had to cram the subwoofer under it). All that aside, the system is grand... Just some details in case someone is interested in embarking on something similar...
First, I had the truck soundproofed from top to bottom. I didn't want the road noise anyway and it helps to contain the bass.
Next, just to keep things safe, I had a FULL alarm system installed. I won't divulge the brand but I will say that it is fully featured to include remote starts (nice in the cold pacific northwest winters).
For a head unit I chose the Alpine IVA-W200. This unit supports XM Radio, iPod, Nav, DVD Playback, and a whole host of other features. The unit didn't fit to well in the dash so the installer at Car Toys pulled the bezel out and customized it. Some Bondo, paint, and a few nights of work and the dash looks like nothing was ever done.
For front speakers, I picked top of the line, hardly beatable Focal 165 K2Ps. These very incredible speakers didn't fit so well so the installer had to bump the speakers up (inward) and push the window rails out. The speakers are component so the 6 1/2 inch drivers were mounted in a custom plate and installed once the room was made and then the tweeters were mounted on the flat spots near the top front of the door panels.
For rear speakers, I picked nearly top of the line Focal 165V2s. These fit a little better in the back doors. They were also component speakers so likewise, they were mounted on a custom plate and pushed forward in the door to fit. The tweeters were mounted just above the speaker grill (kind of low to prevent TOO much bright sound in the truck).
For a subwoofer, I chose the JL Audio 10W3V2-D4 which is a 10" subwoofer mounted in a ProBox custom enclosure made to specifically fit under the passenger side rear seat. This is a downfiring enclosure with about 2" of space between the woofer and the floor.
For a subwoofer amplifier I picked the JL Audio 250/1. This is a 250 Watt RMS amplifier with new RIP technology which enables it to provide 250 Watts regardless of input power or speaker impedence.
For a 4 channel amplifier I picked the JL Audio 450/4. This is 150 Watts x 2 to the front and 75 Watts x 2 to the rear with the same power story as the 250/1.
To "cap" it all off, I picked a Street Wires 1 Farad Capacitor. This helps my battery not croak on those demanding bass notes!
The amplifiers and the cap are mounted behind the rear seat. Power is provided by a small 2 AWG cable :lol: running to the rear and 4 AWG wire from there to each amplifier.
I'll just say that this system is very incredible. With the exception of being challenged for bass because there isn't much space to put an enclosure if you want to keep the back seats, its very awsome.
Just thought I'd share... I know audio is a challenge in the Sport Trac and since I have recently overcome that challenge, I wanted to give my story.
Best Regards,
Joe
PS. Comments are, of course, welcome!
First, I had the truck soundproofed from top to bottom. I didn't want the road noise anyway and it helps to contain the bass.
Next, just to keep things safe, I had a FULL alarm system installed. I won't divulge the brand but I will say that it is fully featured to include remote starts (nice in the cold pacific northwest winters).
For a head unit I chose the Alpine IVA-W200. This unit supports XM Radio, iPod, Nav, DVD Playback, and a whole host of other features. The unit didn't fit to well in the dash so the installer at Car Toys pulled the bezel out and customized it. Some Bondo, paint, and a few nights of work and the dash looks like nothing was ever done.
For front speakers, I picked top of the line, hardly beatable Focal 165 K2Ps. These very incredible speakers didn't fit so well so the installer had to bump the speakers up (inward) and push the window rails out. The speakers are component so the 6 1/2 inch drivers were mounted in a custom plate and installed once the room was made and then the tweeters were mounted on the flat spots near the top front of the door panels.
For rear speakers, I picked nearly top of the line Focal 165V2s. These fit a little better in the back doors. They were also component speakers so likewise, they were mounted on a custom plate and pushed forward in the door to fit. The tweeters were mounted just above the speaker grill (kind of low to prevent TOO much bright sound in the truck).
For a subwoofer, I chose the JL Audio 10W3V2-D4 which is a 10" subwoofer mounted in a ProBox custom enclosure made to specifically fit under the passenger side rear seat. This is a downfiring enclosure with about 2" of space between the woofer and the floor.
For a subwoofer amplifier I picked the JL Audio 250/1. This is a 250 Watt RMS amplifier with new RIP technology which enables it to provide 250 Watts regardless of input power or speaker impedence.
For a 4 channel amplifier I picked the JL Audio 450/4. This is 150 Watts x 2 to the front and 75 Watts x 2 to the rear with the same power story as the 250/1.
To "cap" it all off, I picked a Street Wires 1 Farad Capacitor. This helps my battery not croak on those demanding bass notes!
The amplifiers and the cap are mounted behind the rear seat. Power is provided by a small 2 AWG cable :lol: running to the rear and 4 AWG wire from there to each amplifier.
I'll just say that this system is very incredible. With the exception of being challenged for bass because there isn't much space to put an enclosure if you want to keep the back seats, its very awsome.
Just thought I'd share... I know audio is a challenge in the Sport Trac and since I have recently overcome that challenge, I wanted to give my story.
Best Regards,
Joe
PS. Comments are, of course, welcome!
