Another Kickass Audio Build

Isn't there an airbag in the a pillar?

 

yup, that's another consideration.. They open up from the door edge side..

 

The wiring under the hood is done! I liked how it turned out..

 

For those of you interested; here's a snap shot of the Zapco DSP.. Nothing is set right now.. I've already played with it, works great.

 

My custom RCA interconnects are delayed, so I went ahead and finished the box! I really like the monsterliner product. Very easy to mix, apply, and get texture.. This stuff is going to replace carpet in my boat! It came out excellent..

A few tips.. Installing screws..putting some lube on the threads (frame) really makes the galling issues go away.. Its very easy to strip dry threads .. I replaced the original ground terminal with a low profile one.. The box install went in much easier.

I put ensolite foam on the back side, and CLD pads on all areas that the plastic can vibrate.. I should be good to go.. Anyway, I hope to turn on this system in the next few weeks!

 

Updates?

 

Getting close.. when I get my interconnect cables, I'm going to take a day and install all the speakers, and connect up the system. I'm still pretty motivated in this project, so I decided to make some speaker pods out of the tweeter covers. And, hopefully, the sound stage will be amazing.. Much better than shooting up into the windshield..

 

I LOVE TWEETER PODS!!! they are the solution to all problems

 

my custom RCA interconnects came in!

 

Here's a sneak peak of the speaker baffles for the front stage. I've been thinking about it for some time, and finally have an excellent strategy for building the pods! things are speeding up a little..

 

Say, I need help in figuring out the best way to run power to the amp.

A member said that he ran a wire from the HU to a relay which was connected to the battery; since he thought if the "remote" wire pulled more than 2 amps, it could damage the HU..

Suggestions? I did not have a chance to check if the "blue" wire from the harness actually gets power from the 2016 stock HU..

 

I'd be very surprised if the amp remote signal pulls more than 2A. The amp should just be sensing a voltage to turn itself on and then use the 12V primary for any decent load.

I tapped into the cig lighter in my previous vehicle without issues. That circuit has a pretty hefty fuse. Remote signal current draw wasn't my concern - it just so happens that tapping into the cig lighter was the easiest path to a turn on signal. Newer Tacomas probably have a 12V source that's designed for older cig lighter style power adapters. It should be sized big enough for your needs.

 

The remote turn on 'blue' wire going to the amp can tap into the red wires on the metra type connectors at the HU, that's assuming you're using the metra connectors.

 

thanks everyone.. I was looking at the power wires going into the HU, and the gauge seemed to be very small? I should have taken a pic.. Made me nervous to tap into using the Metra harness for remote..

I think I need to take another peek .. I like the idea of the cige

Getting to the cig looks to be a bitch on the 2016..

I looked at the HU tonight, there's a pin coming off the HU to the "blue" wire position.. The blue wire is not on the stock connector, but it is on the Mentra harness.. Not sure if its hot though..

 

Your amp is just looking for a 12v signal on the remote turn on line, it won't be drawing much current.

 

So after seeing all this, it has made me want to upgrade my stock JBL stereo with new components and sub. I also want to keep the stock head unit, for now. What do I need to know? Teach me oh wise one

 

I hit another milestone.. The wire harness works! I didn't want to get the aftermarket speakers installed , and have issues, so I hooked up the system tonight. Everything works fine so far..

The sundown was hitting too! We'll see if I like the sealed versus ported sound better..

As you can see, wiring is very simple (which I like).. I didn't need to worry about remote power.. turns out the hi inputs automatically turn on /off the amp. There's a delay, so no popping. Only minor issues like the metra harness into HU was tight and didn't want to lock in, and the RCA's were tight, so they were adjusted. Some amps, its easy to damage the internal RCA board connections if using too much force..

I heard louder than expected noisefloor from the tweeters, but I think its just because the gains are not set. It was pretty loud at middle volume.

 

lol..

So, keeping the stock HU means you don't have low level outputs which has several limitations with after market products.

Some options are:

HU --> LOC (line out converter)--> RCA --> amp
The HU has high level outputs. LOC converts from high level to low level that supports RCA's. Connect to AMP via RCA's

Or

HU --> high level outputs --> amp
Take your high level outputs and directly plug them into an amp that supports high level.

The above options don't have digital signal processing.. i.e., time alignment, active cross-overs, frf gain/atten adjustments, etc. Its very desirable to have DSP..

HU --> high levels inputs --> DSP --> RCA --> AMP
Several products out there ; 3sixty, bitone, zapco DSP, helix, etc..

My install is unique in that the high level outputs of the HU are converted into RCA's . However, they are still a high level signal! My amp only supports RCA's.. My amp also has a built in DSP. Its about one of the simplest 2way active setups there is..

 

This is a sweet build. I've done a decent amount of car audio installs over the years but nothing nearly this technically specific. This is extremely impressive! Your box/amp rack is so sic. The finish on it is legit. Did you apply the monstiliner directly or use body filler first? Came out so smooth. I love a clean install and especially love a sq set up. I can't wait to see how it all comes out!

 

I had a half day, so I installed the door speakers! Everything went in easy peasy..

Installing the door wires was a breeze... The trick is unhooking the wire harnesses to gain access to the rubber grommet.. Just follow the pics.

The system is getting there, running a one-way right now lol