Well next week I'll be doing a big install in my truck. Dual battery kit from Wrangler NW, hideaway strobes from federal signal, Sony headunit, three Sony CD changers, three Crossfire amps, MB Quart front speakers, JL Audio rears, JL Audio stealthbox, dynamat extreme, all kinds of fun stuff.

I found an excellent post regarding door pannel removal for the front doors. I'm still searching for tips on removing the seats, carpet, and rear SC door pannels. Also any info on removing the headlights?

In the past I've always managed to break a couple clips here and there when doing installs on my vehicles. I'm going to try and set a record here and not break anything! lol

Thanks.
-Jay

 

cj what year ??? Ive done a few (4)all of my trucks all been s/c I'm going to work now will look to refresh memory at newest truck (05) later

 

It's an '04. Other details in my signature.

Thanks
-Jay

 

on rear doors,remove two screws that hold the window flipper-opener thing (lol). pry/push up the top part,above the armrest it should POP off. the lower part has two screws that u should now, remove them and grab the bottom lift up wards that should be it.the front seats are all torx t45 or t50 reel easy to do. put a Little loc-tight on the bolts for the sub-box (bass will loosen them).down by the doors them plastic rials will lift right out by prying up wards with a flat screws driver. good place to run those wires. once u have the seats and rails the carpet should out right out.i take that back not sure / forget about the back seats work , i believe they r bolted in( i had to leave my truck at work today, co-work left with my keys on accident)how do u plan on running your strobes ?feel lucky u don't have 05 headlights PITA. where do u plan putting all changers/amps?

 

Ok, real good info thank you!

Strobes will be in my front turn signals and rear brake lights I think. If I like them I'll probably add 2 more in my reverse lights,I hear it's tight in there but it's possible. Control unit will be behind the rear seat on the wall. Since it's only one sheet of metal there I plan to take some flatbar aluminum, drill and counter sink holes, then put some machine screws through it. Then JB Weld the bar to the cab wall so I have "studs" that I can put the controller on and then use some nuts.

The changers will JUST BARELY fit mounted to the floor facing upwards behind the rear seat. it will be hard to change CDs, but I've rarely changed CDs in my last vehicle so I don't feel the need to keep the changers that accessable. I still have a single CD in the dash for that new CD or whatever.

As far as amps, my 100x2 and 390x1 will be under each of the front seats. I test fit one and it just barely fits. That leaves a 50x2 that I'll need to try and mount behind the rear seat, just like the strobe unit. I haven't test fit it yet and I'm a little nervous.

In case you're wondering why I have this equipment, it all came from my last vehicle. obviously there are much better(smaller) choices for my truck, but I gotta use what I have.

I'll also need to put the CD changer Unilink splitter (2 packs of cigarettes), power distrobution block, and my 1/2 din active crossover behind the rear seat. I'll probably use the same mounting method that I plan to use on the strobe unit and amp.

I'm a little concerned about how many wires I'll have behind the seat, I'm gonna get some loom and some sticky cable organizer things and try to make it as neat as possible. All interconnect and speaker wire will be the shielded twisted variety so I'm not too worried about bundling sound wires with power wires.

I've ordered the bulk pack of Dynamat extreme and will be applying it any and every where. I was really impressed with my van how nicely it quieted the ride down.

All my equipment is ready to go except my front speakers and dynamat which is in the mail. It's killing me to look at all this stuff every day. lol

Thanks again for the help. Any other ideas, I'd love to hear 'em.

-Jay

 

Jay-

Where all are you going to apply the Dynamat? I've got my '05 SD on order, and would like to quiet the interior down to make the radio equipment easier to hear. How much of the stuff did you order?

Out of curiousity, what's your use for the strobes?

Terry

 

I will deffinitely cover the inner door skins and rear cab wall with the dynamat. That's where I think I'll see the biggest difference. I ordered the bulk pack which is like 32 square ft, you need like 5 sq ft for a door so I'm going to have lots left over I think. I will put some small pieces on the outter door skin if I can get to it easily. I will also put some on the floor, starting up as close to the firewall and working my way back. I am by no means a pro at this, but I've done a few systems in the past and played with dynamat on a few cars. I think this should give me some good results.

Strobes are for plowing active parking lots.

-Jay

 

Very cool. I may have to order me a bulk pack and play around with it. Any improvement would be welcome.

Strobes are possible in the front cornering lamps, brake lights, and reverse lights. The reverse lights are *really tight*. On the bigger housings (brake lights, for instance), you want to get as close to the center of the reflector as you can, without letting the bulbs touch.

Be careful regarding what colors you choose to run. If you strobe the brake lights, you'll be running red. I don't know the laws up there, but in Texas, even being equipped with (you don't even need to have them running) red alternating lights while operating on a public roadway is a citable offense (unless you're an authorized emergency vehicle.)

 

Yeah those laws exsist up here as well. Most cops are cool though, as long as you're using them where they need to be used, then they'll let it go. Now the guys that turn them on as soon as they get in the truck, and leave them on all storm, well, the cops don't let that go. I know quite a few guys on the force where we plow, so I'm not real worried about it.

Red in the rear of the vehicle is arguable. I've seen laws saying they're not allowed, but then there's laws permitting your standard hazzard flashers, which are red. In NJ clear is the same as red, an emergency color. Of course I got a "kit" for a good price which came with clear. If I get hassled I'll deffinitely buy amber bulbs.

Dunno if you've lived outside of texas before but I can tell you, people have NO respect for plow trucks. They'll drive right behind you, in front of you, everything. I'm just trying to do as much as I can to be noticed.

-Jay

 

i have mine in my back up lights and YES its a tight fit but do-able 1''spade or hole saw fronts have more room . on the 05's its a pain to drill the crap gots everywhere in the light , i learn a trick the 2nd time i done it. my head unit sits behind back seaton drivers side, i cut the carpet on srecw thru the floor, the matel helps keeping it cool.i have them on to differt switch ,fronts on rears on another

 

Jay-

I know exactly what you mean. I'm a volunteer firefighter, and it never ceases to amaze me what people will do around emergency equipment. And I've got plenty of warning equipment. It's especially fun watching a car get so close to the back of a ladder truck that the driver can no longer see the vehicle.

You're right on having common sense. The deputies in my county won't usually jack with people that have a few lights (for instance, my storm spotters with a few strobes (usually amber) in the back deck, etc.) They do get testy when you start running red to the front or blue anywhere.

Stay safe out there, and let me know if you have any tips/tricks on the Dynamat install. I think I'm going to order some and give it a shot when the new truck gets here.

Terry