I ran the iPod control wire under the carpet to the little cubby hole in the front of the console between the front seats. Almost out of sight unless you know it is there. Have it actually covered with a small box of tissues.

 

I was thinking of doing that but got lazy so I took the easy route LOL. Did you have your sunroof installed if so what did it cost and have you had any problems with it leaking? I miss having a sunroof especially now when the weather is so perfect (75 to 85 in Tucson, AZ)

 

Dizzy,

Check this thread: Sunroof Issues

It answers your questions.

 

4wdbeast, when you fold the 2nd row seats flat, do the amps interfere with seats being folded?

 

There is no interference.

Two points:
1. The space beneath the seat cushion is limited. I had planned on mounting a thin plate on the plastic runners and then mount the amp to it...not enough clearance. The front of the cushion is not the problem, it's the back where it "clicks" in position.
2. I ran the wiring out the carpet at the very front of the seat mount (to the floor) so that I have a "loop" of wire to come forward when the seat slides forward.

Why didn't I mount the amps in the back? Believe it or not but with captain seats you lose the best site to mount the amps (IF you want a stealth looking system that doesn't scream "please steal my truck" :-)). The third row folding seat is limited because of the mounts. You can mount two larger amps, but diredted frot-to-rear, between the floor mounts. While you can still use the third seat, remove, or fold it, you then have to have some cover or other protection from trunk content.
There is almost zero space under the front seats. It was even a pain to get the small LCD screen box under there and I put it in the center console, behind the rear controld where there is a lot of extra space for stuff like that.

 

Does anyone recommend one of those "all in one" amp/subwoofers for a guy that just wants to improve the overall bass of the system? I have already upgraded the speakers with some 4 way Pioneers that I like.

Just looking for an easy, fairly inexpensive sub set up that does NOT take away fromn space.

 

I used one of those Clarion Camo Sub boxes in my F150. I think it was an 8" with 100Watts and fit right in the front - looked like a center console/cupholder. It filled out the sound nicely but wasn't going to shake the truck by any means. Doesn't sound as good as something like a Bazooka, but it was fairly invisiable, for being in plain sight. I tried it in the Ex, but the center hump and controls on the dash didn't allow it to work.
Not sure about any of the new 'all-in-ones' since you can't fit much under the front seat.

 

I had the center console in my old Harley F-250 customized with a 10" sub mounted facing the rear. You would lose the radio controls in the rear though.

 

When I upgraded the sound system on my X, I went with a JVC AVX810 double din head unit and a JL Audio Stealthbox for the sub. I went old school with the amps, cross-overs and speakers - using all ADS (including 3 sets of 320is component speakers) that I had from a system I built in the 90's.

The JVC was a bolt in after grinding away some of the dash trim ring. It doesn't need any type of an adapter kit and was probably the easiest part of the whole install. Once in, it's a pefect fit. I know the original OP didn't want a DVD unit, but most double din units these days do play DVDs. One nice thing about the JVC is that the screen is fully detachable so you can remove it from the vehicle when not in use.

If you don't want to lose any cargo space and maintain a stock look, the JL Audio Stealthbox works pretty good - it replaces the guts of your center console, so you lose a bit of storage/cubby space, but it's better than losing the space in the cargo area. The single 10" with 400 watts pounds pretty good, but it won't keep up with the really big systems that tradeoff space for SPL. Because the sub's right beside you, you can really feel the thumps, and it's fun to watch quarters get bumped out of cup holders. The JL unit is pricey though.

Good luck with whatever system you go with.

Brian

 

Good thread. Subscribed....

 

The Stealthboxes come across ebay and craigslist from time to time as well. Need a good amp for the sub though.