2016 slow as molasses build

I've been meaning to get this build underway for too long now. I don't anticipate that I'll get the install complete as quickly as I might like too either. Between house projects my wife seems to find, the weather (so damn hot and humid), and low blood sugar from diabetes I've got a little working against me. Parts have been sitting around gathering dust for awhile and it is time for me to get done what I can.

Like others here I want to do as little cutting as possible if not none at all, and retain the factory look.

Here is what I have to start with. There is some more hushmat and little odds and ends not pictured but you should get the basic idea.



I chose 3-ways for the rear. Not sure how it's going to end up sounding but for the price I paid they'll get a shot.


First order of business was getting the Metra harness ready for plug and play.

All hooked up to the stinger speedwire.


Finally decided to get the parts in the truck but a thunderstorm moved in and decided otherwise. Now I'll be waiting for the weekend to get more done. Only the amp power was routed into the cab before shut down.



Next will be pulling off the panels for the hushmat and speaker wiring.

 

Heh, you sound like me. Every time I get to working on the truck, I unintentionally summon some sort of weather.

Lookin' good so far

 

Nice so far. You use the big rubber grommet on underaide of cab by back wall?

 

Yup that's the one

 

Thanks. I feel part Native American. Go outside it turns to shit

 

I ran mine along upper frame with zips then in the cradle of the cross member then straight up

 

Quoted wrong post^^

 

Nice!

 

So it stormed like crazy in the early part of the afternoon today. A few hours later the temperature dropped as a result. I cut out of work early to try and take advantage.

Got to work pulling out rear storage to put hushmat on the back wall.

Then started applying. Didn't want to cover the entire wall.

Forgot to get finished photos since the heat and humidity decided to come back. And then another thunderstorm warning so things were cut short.

I did manage to get the rear driver door cover off but couldn't do anything with it.

Went to the workbench and figured I'd at least get one end of the wires for a speaker ready. Wife then said it was tie to eat.


If the weather holds out tomorrow, doubtful, I'll get photos of the sound deadener and get it done on the driver rear door.

 

Wherea the front door oem tweet at on the 16s

 

Oooo, I think I like that Titan crimper. I have one of those auto-strippers - LOVE that thing.

 

It's not in the door it's up on the dash

 

Yup in the dash

 

Makes it so so so easy. I'm all about being lazy

 

I feel like an old man bitching about the weather all the time but I'll do it again anyways. Cut out early again to try and get more shit done. Left and it was 82 an hour later it was 92 and humid. Managed to go sunburned. Guess I'll be trying to squeeze the truck in the garage tomorrow not sure that or will back in well though.

Photo of the rear wall deadener after I decided I was done:


I have a new hatred for moisture barriers. I'm sure being in the sun and heat didn't help me any. Black goo everywhere!



Some hushmat and routing of the wires....later...



It looks like a kindergarten water color project. At this point I was thinking who gives a shit. It's on there and all under the plastic.

Taco tunes adapter bracket. This worked out nice.


And finally ready for signal and installed


Before putting the panel back on figured I might as well put some hushmat on the back of the thing. Because hey it can't hurt!


I did manage to get the passenger side rear door panel off before calling it quits outside.

I'll put some hushmat on it and the back of the storage bins tonight to keep busy. Tomorrow I'll try to fuddle with that nasty moisture barrier again and finish the install on the passenger rear.

And now I'm exhausted and it's time for a drink.

 

Yeah 4 hours of getting the front tweeters crossovers and front door speakers set up and ready for wiring to the amp. It was a lot of sweating and there was no way was going to mess with the the moisture barriers this go around.





All set to get the front seats out and route the speedwire to the lc7i and wires to the amps. So close I can taste it!

I think my wife is getting jealous of the time I've been in the garage. I can hear her working on house chores in her head for me now

 

So ran into a problem with the tweeter adapters. They are too thick for the panel to go back into place. I checked to make sure the tweeter would fit underneath but failed to take the factory bolts into account. With the factory bolts the plastic cover doesn't even come close to fitting over.

Dumb me had completely installed it and zip tied and electrical tapped the wires. Now I'll have to undo it all and work on a solution.

Taco tunes says they don't make a thinner adapter. I'm thinking I might try to drill the mount holes in the adapter with a 1/2' to a more shallow depth to get the bolt to sit lower in the adapter. Ordered an extra two to try this out, will also try to thin the bastards down.

In the meantime I've got some back straps I'll hook them up to and experiment with the mounts. Not looking forward to undoing all that work but what can you do. At least it was only on the passenger side.

I did get the driver front door speaker wires run and ready.

 

Well, with all the work you have to do (or redo) luckily by your thread title you don't have to worry about time right.

 

Exactly! It will get done, just a matter of when

 

If you have a best buy store close to you, then go to the install bay talk to the installer becAuse they carry sheets of black abs plastic. Maybe if you ask nicely they could give you a scrap piece or throw them a few dollars and they can sell you a sheet. Good because it's thin,black and easy trace your thick one and cut. Done and done!!!... Just my thought