gaterose '17 DCSB Audio Build - JL, Kicker, Audison

Thought I'd share my audio build here, it's kind of been a slow process..

Specs-
OEM Entune (non-JBL)
Kicker 40CS6934 6x9 in front doors
Kicker Tweeters in dash (Subaru OEM upgrade tweeter)
Kicker 43CSC674 6-3/4 in rear doors
Audison APS 10 D in custom box (replaced JL Audio 10TW1-4)
JL Audio FiX-86 OEM integration sound processor
JL Audio RD900/5 5 channel 900W amp
Custom Lexan Electrical Panel
Kicker PK4 4 Ga. ofc amp power kit
Kicker FHD dual fuse holder
JL Audio XD-CLRAIC2-3 1M Twisted-Pair RCAs (replaced Kicker KI21)
JL Audio RBC-1 bass control knob
********* amplifier harness


Very soon after I got the truck I was regretting not holding out for a JBL model and decided to upgrade the speakers following a budget upgrade thread from here on TW. Ordered everything except the tweeters from Crutchfield and used the included adapters.



Kicker CS 6x9s in front doors


Subaru Kicker Tweeters in the dash



Kicker CS 6-3/4s for back doors


It was much clearer but still not nearly loud enough so I started stocking pieces to build it up...

I got the Taco Tunes amp kit and was pretty disappointed that for that price they don't give you any loom. So I figured out where everything had to go and bundled it together and wrapped in tech flex, black for input blue for output (or maybe I have that backwards now?). This made it much easier to run the wires as well as identify what goes where.


My original amp setup with the Kicker RCAs and un-trimmed wiring


Electrical panel v1


Fused dist block, blue sea fuse panel, relays for accessories




Original box and JL 10TW1


Electrical panel v2, decided to redesign after needing access to the fuse box and finding the original to be a PITA






I cleaned up and shortened my wiring after running the system for a while and being certain length was ok. Also added a fuse panel under the seat for interior accessories, will be replacing this one with a Blue Sea unit in the near future because I'm not happy with this cheap off brand one. I also upgraded to JL interconnects because the Kickers were noisy. Also moved the ground to the frame.


I was unhappy with the 10TW1-4 in part because it didn't seem as responsive as I'm used to and also because it was only pulling 250W at 4-ohm. I've run other 4-ohm subs on 250W, but this seemed especially weak. So I decided to try an Audison APS 10 D following the recommendation of another Taco owner.

I could've reused my old box, but I got rushed putting it together and the angles didn't come out as well as I wanted so I decided to start fresh for the new sub. I did my best to base it off the Audison APBX 10 DS which is built with this sub, but we have more horizontal space than vertical so I had to reconfigure the numbers a bit. I also used 3/4 MDF instead of 5/8, not because it's stronger but I didn't see 5/8 locally.

Recessed sub, rounded corners, flush edges, much cleaner than version 1. Also had to notch out the overlap a bit to allow for clearance

(please ignore the feet)

Cut a channel in the bottom to hide the speaker wire and flush it up against plastic


Used the previous box as a template to locate and drill holes to mount to factory bolt holes

After 4 coats of Duratex. You can see I got bored waiting on the Duratex to ship and decided to try my hand at engraving a Toyota emblem into the MDF. I think it came out pretty good for a first time.




I also cleaned up the overlap clearance notch


I only did 2 coats on the backside because it's not exposed



Mounted using 2 OEM bolts



Seat reinstalled



First impressions, I think it's more responsive. Definitely hits harder than my 4-ohm 10TW1, but that was expected with the increase in power. Could just be placebo effect combined with extra power though, we'll see if the feeling sticks after I get some butt time in the seat.

 

Now take some of the scrap 4awg you cut off, add ring terminals on each end, and add it from the factory ground location on the right side of the engine bay to the negative battery terminal

 

The big 3 upgrade is on my short list and that's part of the big 3 right?

I forgot to mention that when I cleaned up wiring, I moved my amp ground to the frame.

 

Yes, it is part of the big 3.

 

Just saw your avatar- I just moved to San Antonio from T-town last year. ROLL TIDE

 

Roll Tide!