Hey guys,

I have finally started my Ex on a journey of audio/video optimization. I have been collecting car audio and video equipment for over five years! After much planning, replanning and over-planning I am ready to start this major build up.

Here is the list of things I'm putting in the truck:

1. F650 Dash with six custom Carlington switches http://www.riffraffdiesel.com/mm5/me...Category_Code=

2. Xbox 360

3. Soundstream 10.3" overhead monitor with headphones http://www.crutchfield.com/p_530VCM1...DMH.html?tp=77

4. Tire Pressure Monitor System

5. Power Inverter

6. Tracvision Satellite Dish http://www.kvh.com/tcm/

7. Boyo Rear View License Plate Camera

8. Kenwood DNN990HD 7" double din head unit http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...eiver/DNN990HD

9. Wilson Electronics Antenna Cell Phone Booster http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/sto.../43/sleek-4g-a

10. JL Audio Stealthbox in center console http://www.jlaudio.com/car-audio-ste...xcursion-00-07

11. JL Audio 13w6v2 in spare tire area http://www.jlaudio.com/13w6v2-d4-car...-drivers-92131

12. Stinger Gameplate in rear of center console http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...inger-SGP.html

13. JL Audio XD 600/6 six channel amp (Bridged for right side) http://www.jlaudio.com/xd600-6-car-a...plifiers-98262 (200 Watts x3)

14. JL Audio XD 600/6 six channel amp (Bridged for left side) http://www.jlaudio.com/xd600-6-car-a...plifiers-98262 (200 Watts x3)

15. JL Audio XD 600/1 mono amp (Amp for Stealthbox) http://www.jlaudio.com/xd600-1-car-a...plifiers-98263 (400 Watts x 1)

16. JL Audio XD 600/1 mono amp (Amp for Spare Tire Subwoofer) http://www.jlaudio.com/xd600-1-car-a...plifiers-98263 (600 Watts x 1)

17. Sirius Satellite Radio http://shop.siriusxm.com/xm/ctl10600..._vehicle_tuner

18. Alarm System with Window Modules and Cellular Tracking (I'm not going to share my security on a public forum...lets just say adequate!)

19. Six Focal 6-1/2" Coaxial speakers in factory locations

20. An Incredible Amount of Sound Insulation from Second Skin Audio http://store.secondskinaudio.com/


What I truly love about this build it that I have been accumulating this stuff and owe no one a dime on it. I bought it all cash over the last five years or so. It has been a long time coming and I hope to enjoy it for many years to come! (Lord willing and the creek don't rise, ha)

I wanted the best installer in the galaxy and I had to get in line and wait a couple weeks for the guy whom I knew would hit this job outta the park! My car audio installer is none other than car audio artist Doug Gibson of Coastal Motorsports. This guy can do it all! When I dropped off my truck, he was delivering completed jobs in the form of Ferrari, Porsche, F250 diesels, and a custom camaro that he's just finished doing a hidden wiring setup(super trick and clean!). Doug has worked on my cars before and I TRUST HIM...you can too!

Doug Gibson
www.Coastal-Motorsports.com

I will be posting pictures of the progress and the completed build. If you like stuff or have suggestions, post em up! Thanks!

 

Here are boxes and boxes of the goodies that are supposed to quiet my truck's interior:




When it comes to ordering sound deadening, try and plan ahead so you can get in on free shipping deals. Shipping can cost a TON!







Damplifier Pro comes in manageable sheets like this...nice thick black foil and butyl based sheets








OK, my truck is BUCK NAKED!




Here is the side of the truck:




We discovered one of those roof rail bolts was rusty and leaking. Anyone else see this? We are treating this:





Here is a layer of Second Skin Audio's Damplifier Pro(This stuff is awesome!):





The next step is a layer of Second Skin Audio's Heat Wave Pro on the roof:





Fuzzy photo of roof near completion:





Behind each pair of Coaxials is a speaker deflex pad like this...they really do work:




Here are the ones from Dynamat(Just different, but no better) that I've owned forever, supposed to use superglue to mount em:




A closer look:




More to come!

 

Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

Good work, keep the pictures coming. Nothing wrong with over planning.

 

Very cool. 5 years is a long time in audio/video equipment, isn't some of it outdated?
How will you fix that rusted bolt ? Are you in a moist/salt or sea area ?
Anyways, what is involved to get the headliner down ? I need to pull mine down and fix the AC ducts since PO had the middle row ducts cut open for the monitor install and the wife complaints about it all the time. Need to fix it.
While I am at it I will also install the heat wave pro stuff on the roof. You think this will help with keeping the heat out a lot ? How about the damplifier stuff ? IS that needed when you already have the heat wave pro on it ?
Thanks. Great job.

 

Subscribed!

 

Thanks, I got some good ideas (some very expensive, yikes!) from this list

 

I just completed a similar build on my 04 X. Those JL XD amps are great, and will fit just about anywhere. I matched my 600/6 up to a set of focal components up front, and then focal coaxials in the back 4 positions. Then i used an HD750 to power two pioneer slim 12s in the barn doors. I would have loved to have gone with the JL subs, but they were way over my price range.

Any reason that you aren't doing Components up front? Are you doing luxury liner beneath the carpet? Lastly, what type of Focals are you using?

 

I want to do my roof so bad, would love to quiet it down a little

 

Isn't most noise coming from road/frame intrusion ?
I am more interested in heat shielding the roof.

 

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

 

Let's answer some questions!

1. Az; 5 years isnt too long for equipment, as most of it was being bought and sold and traded here and there til i finally got what I desired. The good thing about car audio is that as long as it is fully functional when you purchase it, it will continue to be functional until you start using it.(As long as you stored it somewhat properly I guess). It IS made to be utilized in the harshest of environments...car/truck interiors!

2. Az; I live in Central FL but that rusty bolt was the remnant of my trucks former life in Columbus, OH. I will be doing some scraping, wire brushing and POR-15 (I think it is) to seal that area we will use tha appropriate metal treatment(welds if needed and body filler). Can't be too sure with your roof and that evil cancer.

3. Az; getting the headliner down is a dance from every corner of the roof and all nuts, bolts and pieces connected to the roof. It is not too hard but it is pretty much a two person affair.

4. The Sound Deadening will cut down on the sound waves from turning the roof into a massive cymbal when bass is bumping along(I'm really a jazz and soul and Gospel kinda guy) and the heatwave will reject all the super high temps that my a/c has to fight alone in the rear of the truck. YES, heat wave will make a huge difference and I have noted 3-5 degree differences in my truck(My first Ex that I did only the Sound deadening) from others trucks while running with A/C on full blast. With the added help of the Heatwave Pro, I am sure to do even better with heat rejection. Damplifier has the thick foil shield and will do quite a job on its' own, but I want to do this as best I can and only do it once.

5. Alex; You are so right! This hobby can be quite addictive and even more expensive! It is not necessary at all, but quite enjoyable! Enjoy the ride! I will do my best to try and do a summary of the costs associated at the end of the build as I gather my receipts. I am also sure to do a professional appraisal at the end for insurance purposes(I've not had one before and it would have served me well)

6. Mohrgg; I love Focal and Dynaudio!(And by the way each of them sound TOTALLY different, but I love them nonetheless) I was going to do a three way set of Dynaudio speakers in this truck, but I was afraid that the subtlety and nuances of those precision drivers would be wasted on this loud obnoxious beautiful Excursion! Ha! I sold the three way set and started rethinking things. I appreciate Focals strong tweeter. I went with three pairs of Coaxials in the Polyglass line because they are a good middle of the road driver set for about $199 a pair. I would've loved to do components in the front and it isn't out of the question for a later date, but I am really going for simplicity on this.

My last custom audio job in a diff vehicle had Focal Components that were awesome! I did the JL Audio 450/4 front driving a pair of K2 Power components and then I put the rear channels to a pair of 6x9 polyglass for rear fill. I used a 1000/1 for two 10w7's in a bandpass enclosure...it was a thing of stinkin' beauty! I love JL Audio and Focal together!

BTW: I only paid about $200 for my JL Audio Stealthbox used...(WATCH EBAY) people are selling them cheap, they are $600 new! I bought the 13w6v2 on Ebay as well for around $300 new. That is one solid speaker! I also like DD (Digital Designs) and RE and JBL.

7. Mohrgg; I am using luxury liner pro beneath the carpet and inside the door panels. We already did the doors and I'm not sure we have pictures of them, I am trying to see if I can score some from the installer! I will definitely get some of the underlayment from the floors.

8. Az; nearly all sound deadening products employ the foil and some form of insulating property. This will help in heat rejection/cooling retention. The windows are incredibly inefficient in all areas and a good dose of dark ceramic tint will do wonders on keeping the temps down in your vehicle as well.


This build is soo fun...more information and pics to come!

 

I'm a complete neophyte when it comes to car stereo; I want to put in a DVD/touch screen double DIN unit so I get bluetooth for my phone and backup camera ability.

I also want to install Sirius/XM tuners and a NAV system... I'm looking at the for the head unit.

How many amplifiers will I need? I know there are speakers in each door and a big one in the back (actually missing in my Ex). I'm pretty sure the previous owner had a custom setup and ripped it all out before selling the truck.
I see you have several amps... I'm not as interested in the boom, I just want clarity.

Thanks

 

Oh, I like this....


A couple of quick questions.

Is using both the Damplifier and Heat Wave products redundant? It looks like Heat Wave would act as a sound deadener, too.

Since you've already installed both an know how much waste you'll have, how much of each product did you use?


Thanks....

 

Lot's of roll over and t-bone protection. I wonder if other suvs have that.