Simple/Affordable Subwoofer Install (2018, DCSB, Non-JBL Stereo)

Hi everyone,
First of all I really appreciate this community and all of the useful (and entertaining) information that you all provide. As a show of appreciation, I want to share some photos on a simple/affordable subwoofer install and a list of items that were used. When researching posts on this topic, I wasn't able to find a lot of information for what I was trying to achieve. I'm well aware that the stereo topic is very large area of brands, quantities, sizes, etc... and of course, personal preference.

We are all aware that the factory stereo in the Taco is sub-par and I've never heard the JBL upgrade so I cannot comment on that. About a year ago I replaced the dash/door speakers with the vehicle specific, Focal brand speakers. It was a HUGE improvement and I've been pleased ever since. Even though the clarity of the sound improved, it still lacked in low bass notes.

I shopped around for several months before I decided to pull the trigger one this idea, even though I had no certainty that the loaded enclosure would actually fit.

Purchase List:
Pioneer Amplifier w/ Wired Bass Boost Remote, 1,600 watt max, Part# GM-D8701
Pioneer Pre-loaded Enclosure w/ 10" Shallow Mount Subwoofer, Part# TS-A2500LB
Rockford Fosgate Battery Terminals, Pos/Neg, 0/1/4/8 Gauge Terminals, Part# RFDB1
Rockford Fosgate In-line Fuse Holder w/ 80 Amp AGU Fuse, Part# RFFAGU
Rockford Fosgate Speaker Line to Femaile RCA Adapter, Part#

$14 RFIF2SW Speaker Line to Female RCA Adapter

RFIF2SW
Rockford Fosgate Single RCA Cable, Twisted Pair, 16ft., Part#

$11 RFI-16 Rockford Fosgate 16-Feet Twisted Pair Signal Cable

RFI-16
Knukoncepts, 4 Gauge Kolossus Fleks Kable, OFC, Red, 15ft.
Knukoncepts, 4 Gauge Kolossus Fleks Kable, OFC, Black, 5ft.

Total cost (w/ tax & shipping): $395.32

Installation:
Please keep in mind, I did not use a LOC. I used the Rockford Fosgate speaker line adapter and tapped into the front speaker (not the rear speakers) wiring harness at the back of the head unit. The amp has an internal LOC that negates high/low inputs. Redundancy seemed like a waste of time and funds.

The pre-loaded enclosure is about 99% perfect fit for anyone who does not want to remove the factory storage cubbies or rear seat, plastic backings. Reason for not a perfect fit is that the front lip of the storage cubby is slightly bowed outward due to the speaker grille cover. Not a big deal for me and it asserted to me that it was a snug fit. The speaker grille also creates a small indentation to the rear seat, plastic backings. Once again, not a huge deal for me and it prevents rattle due to the snug fit. No noticeable changes to the way the rear seat latches/unlatches for upright/lay flat positions.

I did create a carpet covered mounting plate for the amplifier using 0.5" MDF with dimensions cut at 8.5"H x 13"W. I mounted it from the back with four 0.5" wood screws and flat washers. I did account for one of the original factory M6 bolts that the wooden mount covered. To overcome this, I simply drilled a 0.75" hole large enough to pass a 10mm socket through. The amplifier covers this hole, requiring the amp to be removed in order to access it. I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures of this detail.

I utilized the small, dash cubby on the left hand side of the steering will to mount the bass boost remote. It was the perfect location for me and ease of access to make tune adjustments on the fly.

Tuning:
Stereo Volume setting: 40
Equalizer settings: High +5, Mid +1, Low +3

Bass remote setting: middle range ~+9 dB
Amplifier Gain setting: The High (H) position ~4V
LPF (Low Pass Filter) Cut Off Frequency settings: ~80 Hz (subwoofer manufacture recommends this as the "sweet-spot")

Outcome:
I'm very pleased with the results. The sound is deep, rich and clean. No, it won't blow the doors off or rattle the dishes in your home. It was exactly what I wanted: Affordable, easy to install with minimal modification and it filled that missing void of low bass notes.

Note: I plan to clean up the wiring when I add soundproofing material behind the rear paneling...

Photos provided below and thank you for reading.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome aboard Josh

 

Correction: Amplifier part# GM-DX871

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW.

 

Maybe move to the audio section?