upgraded my jbl sub + some sound deadening

Long story short, i'm disappointed with my jbl system sound in my DBL cab . I like the headunit thought, the navi and the entune is ok.

So my first step was sound deadening. I just couldn't stand the rattle from the sub area at even half volume .

I sampled GTMAT ( all 4 types) , Fatmat , and milla mat . I chose Fat mat because it was the stickiest out of them all and the easiest to work with and bend . Im really pleased with the fatmat.

I also used thick rubber double sided tape and all of the plastics, and alittle clear RTV on the plastic clips . Even used the double sided tape inbetween the plastics that cover the rear of the back seats. ( I know some remove these but double side tape did the trick )








The jbl amp brackets also rattle, I took it apart and used some high temp RTV. Theres a bracket that attaches at the top of the amp I determined is the cause of most of the rattle. Once you take it apart and see the bracket that attaches to the screws below you'll see what I mean .




I also wrapped the JBL box.

Next came the sub, the oem jbl jub is paper junk, I replaced it with a rockford p3sd4.

Now I tested the sub with the oem JBL amp and it actually surprisingly sounded good. I was impressed, didnt think the jbl amp could do it.

I plan on adding more subs, so I went ahead and wired up my amp and wired it to the sub. My amp is lot larger then ill ever need but I got it for next to nothing so why not.

After some testing. The rockford amp pushing the rockford sub it to much, the bass sounds hallow and the poor plastic box just doesnt sound good. I think Im going to hook it up back up to the stock JBL amp. And use my rockford amp for my future subs.

What I would recommend to someone that is just looking to improve sound quality rather then add bass, Just sound deaden and get a new sub . The JBL amp will push it plenty if you get a average shallow mount. For example a 150watt rms rockford sub like I have , and if you get a 2ohm it would sound even better then mine.




heres my amp ,




-Overall verdict, all rattles and gone and I get nice clean bass. Not much bass though considering all the work. Now this is very involved and time consuming process , But with all the rattles and lose plastics I didn't want to just add subs. That would add bass but Im also looking for quality bass. The other benefit to my setup is I now can turn the bass way down on the headunit and the door speaks sound 10x better, I havent gotten around to upgrading those yet.

My next step is to actually add some bass, nothing crazy . I like the idea of maybe 2- 8" subs under the rear drivers side seat, or a 10 behind the rear drivers side seat.

If anyone wants to share what they have that's similar to my two ideas please share

 

I've been looking to do a little sound suppression in my 12 DCLB w/entune and have been up in the air on what material to use. I'm torn between the Fatmat and some Peal & Seal Roll Roofing (I hear it is basically the same stuff). How much of the Fatmat did you use? More specifically, how much should I order to do the same thing?

Thanks in advance

 

I used 25sqr feet of fatmat . Out of all the stuff I sampled , it was the best . I didnt sample dynamat or rattle trap cause it was just to expensive for my needs .
The double sided tape and rtv honestly helped alot , and the amp rattle is a simple repair but i highly recommend it . After doing some reaserch the roofing stuff smells , the fat Matt had a Oder for just a day then went away .

 

Thanks for the info. Should be getting started with this project real soon

 

I put the roofing stuff on my doors today. Got in the truck and I noticed the smell. Do you know if it will go away?

 

I realy don't , some say it does go away . Some say the smell comes back on hot summer days . I decided not to go try it though the low cost is tempting . Good luck and try to leave your windows down and let the truck air when ever possible .

 

Update:

built a small box today for another shallow 8" sub.

This box drops right in to the compartment behind the rear drivers seat. doesn't require any cutting, hacking , or etc . Drops right in and and comes right out if needed. And retains the child seat clip.

Heres a sneak peek pic, still need to sand the seams a little and im waiting for the other sub and carpet to come in.

Cubic ft is right at .20 which doesn't include the sub so I'm a hair under whats recommend (.20 for my sub) , but I think it will be ok I'm not looking to win any competitions.

 

I was just wondering how you wired your amp to the stock head unit? I have a 2010 DC with the JBL system and want to add an amp and a better sub but not sure how to wire it to the stock head unit.

 

I used a Plc high output converter . Wired It right at the jbl amp , and tucked the converter box under the jbl box .
My 12v amp turn on is run from the fuse box . I piggy backed the accessory fuse .

 

UPDATE:

Added another 8" shallow mount and a custom box.

Now I finally have some bass I can feel with the 2 - 8" subs

I made the box myself, it drops right into the compartment behind the rear drivers seat. No major cutting required, child seat hook stays useable. And its easy to pull out if need be.

Pics









This little center divider is the only thing i had to trim. I just used a razor blade to trim it flush to the bottom.

 

subbed, i wanna see how this all turns out. might want to upgrade mine eventually

 

Specs on this box!!!!

 

ahh sorry I forgot to share.
Box width is 14.25"
Top depth is 3.5"
Bottom depth is ~ 4.5"

Mouthing depth is about 3"

The cubic foot space of the box is only .20 which is min for the rockford shallow mount. But if someone has good woodworking skills you can easily make the bottom of the box deeper to gain some more air space.

 

Thanks for the post and pics. I went with the Fatmat per your recommendation and applied it to the entire back wall and under the rear seats. I also put some on the back side of the covers. I did a little around the sub box and amp, but not as extensively as you did. I also discovered during the disassembly that the bolts holding the covers were loose so I applied some loctite blue (medium) to all bolts when I put it back together. I haven't noticed any rattle coming from the amp bracket, but looking back at your post I now wish I put some mat there too. That will have to come later. I've got 3 sheets leftover and I'm thinking about doind the doors.

Planning on starting with the front doors. Any advice on how to best attack this project? Exisiting how to threads?

Thanks

 

Ill be doing the doors next , saving up some money for some doors speakers just have a few house projects to do first . I plan on doing the fat Matt aswell , and double sides tape on some of the plastics will help since the toyota clips are alittle on the cheap side .

 

This may help...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/264146-sound-deadening-doors-raam-audio-products.html

 

Could you please run by me what a PLC high output converter is? Maybe a link to where to buy... Sorry i don't know much about stereo conversions of these types.

 

Wait, so you can upgrade the stock woofer fairly easily?

Is there a write up on that? I'd love to throw a higher quality speaker in mine!

 

heres one, I cant find the actual one I have.

$29 PAC SNI-50A Adjustable High Power 2-Channel Line Out Converter

http://www.amazon.com/PAC-SNI-50A-A...UTF8&qid=1379813485&sr=8-32&keywords=pac+high



It turns your amplified audio signal and knocks it down to a low signal RCA so you can feed a amp.

Honestly the OEM JBL amp is just fine most 8" subs. Try to get one thats DVD 2 ohm if possible.
most importantly once you tighten everything up and fix the ratting the system sounds alot better.

 

Sub