Got it installed!!! Well, almost

Thanks...I wanted to integrate it as much as possible to hide stuff. I'll post up a few more pics later of the XM and it's cable install going to the AUX input. That knob is not a remote gain, that is the volume knob for whatever AUX input you have going into it. It automatically cuts in when you turn it on to play the AUX input. I have my XM going to it, but could plug in a MP3 just as easy.

 

Blue, I found the top of the b pillars plastic covers to have a funky attachment. I couldn't get a good look at the fasteners above the seatbelt and seems like they didn't just want to come off. Any suggestins regarding getting the plastic off?

 

I don't have anything for you double cab guys. I've never torn into one of those. Just make sure you don't have any screws behind hidden/removable panels. You can also pull it out a little and peer in there with a light to see what's holding things up. There could be a clip that is tucked under the weather strip being stubborn.

 

Here's the other pics...
The panel with AUX input/volume with the XM input cable installed/routed. If I want to input my mp3, I just unplug one and plug in the other.

Pic of the amp stuffed under the seat. Tight fit, but it should be fine under there. This is from the front of the seat.

Side view. The rear spacers pretty much disappear with the stock plastic bolt covers back on. Still need to clean off the carpet a little.

Drivers view of the controls...I use a remote for the XM so I don't have to reach up to mess with it.

The XM unit is secured to the center console. I had to run the wires and secure it BEFORE the console went back in. It's wedged in there nice and tight. Only way to get it out is to break it. No unsightly wires running all over the place like you normally get with these external units.

I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, and very happy with the sound quality I have. Even without a sub, this thing rocks pretty damn good. Now to come up with a solution for the single 10" sub.

 

Nice Job !

How much did the sound dampaning material cost you for the entire project? And I like the fact you painted it, it gives it a professional touch.

-Joe

 

What component speakers did you end up using? I am going to do the doors like you did and upgrade the speakers for now.. Until I can order a Mr. Marv Box for a sub...

 

1 roll of RAAMmat and 3 yds of Ensolite. I didn't paint it, that is the foam Ensolite covering it all. That is the actual sound proofing, it really quieted the interior space a lot. I ordered it from here:
http://www.raamaudio.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi


Make sure you tell Rick you are Tacoma World member, we get a discount.

 

MB Quart RSI 216

Unless you could take the time to try different speakers in the same environment, I don't think you could go wrong with any quality set of components. Your install can change the way they sound/perform so comparing them in a different vehicle IMO is almost useless.

I'd love to do a bunch of comparisons using the same truck (only swapping the components). But that would hugely time consuming and expensive.

I still don't know what I am going to do for a sub just yet...I'm in no hurry. This sounds so good right now that it'll get me by for awhile. It absolutely blows the stock system out of the water.

 

Wow thats a big project, looks like a very clean install nice job

 

How long did it took you to complete this project. (hours) I like it, especially when it reduces the cabin noise. I might just do this if it doesn't take too long.

 

Wow blue that looks fantastic. I am still a little nervous about putting in my RAAMAT. Yours looks great. Just to be sure, the metalic stuff is the ensolite, and the black is the actual mat, right? What is the purpose of ensolite?

 

Just the opposite. The silvery stuff is the matting, and the grey/black stuff is the ensolite foam.

The ensolite is the sound proofing portion of it all. It cuts down on outside road noise/tire noise/engine/muffler etc....

Don't be that nervous...just take your time, measure out your pieces and cut them into managable sizes to work with.

 

I figure I three solid days on it. I took my time and was in no hurry. Weather is beautiful and I just rode my VFR on the days the truck was ripped apart. It was about a weeks total time though, I only worked on it after work and part of last weekend.

Just to do the deadening, you can do that in a long day no problem. The interior comes out pretty easy, maybe about an hour.

 

Eh, I spent a longer time myself, and I only did the front doors. GoBlue didn't mention how he sealed the door holes, but I used some thin sheet metal and some rivets. Good results, but very time consuming and tiring.

This was my first experience, so learning how big of pieces to mess with, what you can muscle around, etc has a slight learning curve. Doing one door at a time helps you learn without having everything in pieces.

One thing that I made sure to do was to poke holes through the RAAMMat in the bottom of the door for where the drain holes are. Moisture accumulates and will drip out there - if you seal it up, you have a door full of water.

Ensolite is by far the easiest. Get one guy to hold the sheet up against the door, then cut it to shape - too big is ok, you can trim down later. Spray a 12" wide vertical strip of glue on the door, then lay it on there. The glue isn't instant, so there's a tiny amount of pushing around you can do. From there, you can begin making more sprays and sticking it up, making sure to cut holes for wires to poke through, etc. For small holes, I glue the ensolite over the top then poke through with a scratch awl or small screwdriver. After it's all up there, you can use a utility knife to trim excess.


I still have the back wall to mess with, muscle in the amps and sub, and call it good. Definitely tiring.

 

did you machined the seat spacers or got them from somewhere, also did you used the stock bolt afterwards?

 

Dumb question but did you replace your headunit?

 

See my gallery of the panels I made and how I installed them. Liquid nails works perfect for this application.

I kept my matting about an inch or so off the bottom of the door to make sure the drain holes were not compromised in any way.

 

Crazy thing is, I had this piece of aluminum already drilled and I just cut it in half and it was the perfect length for what I needed to clear the amp.


I did have to use some longer bolts though. I also had those laying around. The bolts just happen to be the same pitch and size as some of my motorcycle brake caliper bolts. Score.

 

No. I wanted this to be as stealthy as possible and yet still be totally functional. I listen to XM 95% of the time so I rarely touch the head unit with this set up since the AUX input uses a separate volume knob.