New speakers/sub/amp and the spacial dilemma... a JBL story

Afters months and months of planning, pre-modding ( sound deadening and big-3 replacement by @BamaToy1997 ) and waiting for parts (of which I still need more), I have finally started my audio project. At some point maybe I'll reorganize this into a build thread, but for now, let it be a forum for my particular problems and general knowledge-base for dealing with the dreaded stock jbl amplifier.

Starting at the back wall, laying down the RAAMmat and test fitting the racks, very nice. You can see in the lower left corner, the wire harness for the jbl amp. I'm thinking, f*uck yeah, I might be able to get away with mounting the JBL amp without having to cut/lengthen wires or any other crazy modifications.


... that is, until, I started test fitting components on the rack. Damn, not enough room.

( kick-ass rack and sub enclosure courtesy of @Mr Marv )

In order to even get that POS jbl amp on the board, I had to fab up new end plates. You can see below, that the stock end plate is one-piece with the mounting bracket


Amazing what you can do with a little time, a jigsaw and set of files. Getting those little ears bent into the right position was quite aggravating; same with the screw-tabs on the other end.


I really want to keep these 3 components on the board. How can I do this? One thought I had was to stack the jbl and loc. Good idea? Super bad idea? I think I can get at least 1/2 inch clearance between the two, keeping it below the line of the sub enclosure, depending on how I fab the spacers/brackets. Or am I just SOL?


More pics/details to come as I move along, but I'm sure it will be slow as I fixate on the jbl mounting issue. Thanks, TW!

 

Components:
HU: OEM, entune with JBL package.
Speakers: Hybrid Audio Technology

• front: Unity stage 3 6.5 component
• rear: Imagine stage 2 6.5 coaxial​

Sub: JL Audio 10TW3
Amp:

$720 Arc Audio XDi 850.5 - Arc Audio 5-Channel 850W RMS XDi V2 Amplifier

Arc Audio XDi 850.5
LOC: Audio Control LC6i

Installation:
50' Stinger 16 Gauge Blue Twisted Speaker Wire (SHW516B)
50' Stinger 16 Gauge Gray Twisted Speaker Wire (SHW516G)
3x Stinger 8000 Series 3' RCA Interconnects (SI823)
1x Stinger 6000 Series 1750 Watts 4 Gauge Amplifier Wiring Kit (SK6241)
1x Stinger 100 Amp Shoc-Krome MIDI Fuse (SPF58100)

Sound Deadening:
RAAMaudio RAAMmat
Originally started with Package #1 (20 Sheets of BXT II [37.5 sq ft] and 3 yards of Ensolite Foam [41.625 sq ft]. Have since added a rear wall package (5 sheets BXT II and 1 yard Ensolite).

 

Pictures don't show for me

 

Damn, hang tight

 

how bout now?

 

Works now. Instead of stacking directly above...what if you just made a raised mount for one to make clearance for routing the harnesses.

 

Then you could keep everything like you have it in the second picture

 

Ya, that or try to fit it behind the corner panel above the seat belt retractor thing? Ill have to play around with it.

Edit: absolutely no room behind the corner panel.

 

I'm running into the same issue as you. I thought about putting my second amp in the cargo space beneath the seats, I don't know why stacking them didn't come to my mind. I might see if I can fab something up, but I would be pretty concerned about heat buildup. I don't know if that fear is justified or not though.

 

I would be worried about heat dissipation too. That's why I suggested not stacking directly over top. Looks like they fit, but you won't be able to connect the plugs....so just make a few spacers to raise one component and that should give you enough clearance for the connectors

 

Hmmm. So yer saying leave the jbl and loc mounted side by side but raise one on spacers so the wires clear? That could totally work.

 

Made some progress today, just need to fab up some plates to close up the two access holes. That dull thud when shutting the door is fan freakin tastic!

Edit: in case you were wondering, those weak jbl speakers will be replaced with hybrid audio components

 

Looks familiar...same door I was working on today. You got some good coverage in there, especially around the door handle. Did you take that inner panel off to reach inside?

 

Funny, I hadn't planned on getting 100% coverage in there, I just found myself doing it, but now I'm glad I did. I only used the access holes to get up in there, no additional panels were removed, and man are my arms cut the eff up. That is some sharp metal.

 

Anyone have anything against using this corrugated plastic board (like 'for sale' signage) as panels for sealing the access holes? I'll top it off with some raammat front/back and silicone around the perimeter.

 

Slow and steady. Ill throw on the ensolite once i get the new speakers ready to mount.

Edit: 100% coverage took approx 6.5 sheets of raammat; each sheet is 11.5" x 23.5".



Tip: remember to punch a hole thru the tip of your contractors tube of silicone...

 

Looks good! I'm working on a similar project

 

Thanks, I'm really liking how this is turning out so far. Attention to detail is key.

 

Moving right along...


Here's a mockup for the LOC spacing. Hard to tell in the pick, but the RCA jacks are just above the edge of the JBL amp, just shy of 2".

 

It is a bit flexible, but then again so is your door skin. So that's probably not a major issue. The bigger problem is not leaving an access door. If (when) something needs service in there, you have to pull that off & do it again. Or your mechanic does and he will charge you for it if he'll even do it.

And maybe I missed it, but why keep the factory amp?

Looking nice so far...enjoying the show.