My system build.

[Infantry1327]

I have been researching and researching this project for a little over 7 months now. About a month ago I finally started building my trunk. So hear is what I will be running.

2- 10" Alpine Type X subs2- Alpine PDX 1.1000 amps1- Alpine PDX 4.150 ampFront Components- Hybrid Legatia seriesRear speakers- change to 6x5 not sure which model probably hybridHead Unit- Kenwood Excelon DNX9140Controller- ??????????????Capacitors- ???????????????

I am sure there will be more equipment, and thinking about getting a couple capacitors.

So I have been working on the actual build for the last month. I work alot and go to school so finding time and money to finish this project is difficult, but I should have some money comeing to me in the next few weeks to get the rest of the gear I need.

So Hear is what I have donw so far.

I built one of the sub boxes. It still needs to be filled, sanded, and painted.There will be another one in the opposite corner.



I have about half the floor and amp rack built as well. This has been by far the hardest part of the build so far.

I slotted the panels surrounding the amps. That way I can just pull them out to access wireing and levels.

The top of the amp rack will be hinged in the back, and a locking handle in the front so I can just lift the top to access the amps. There will also be plexy glass over the amps.

The sub boxes will be painted winter frost. The floor will be carpeted in black velvet. Inside the amp rack will be painted winter frost.I am going to glass the 6x9 cover and paint it winter frost.the trunk lid will be glassed and painted winter frost. There will be some light design (undecided on what) built into the lid, and I may add a couple of component speakers to it.In the rear left or right corner, I would like to put in a little cubby under the floor, that way I can keep my jumper cables and a couple tools in there

This build is going to take awhile for me to finish, so stay tuned for up dates. This is my first build so if anyone has any ideas, feel free to give them. I am also open to suggestions on equipment. Especially weather or not I will need a capacitor.

[Infantry1327]

Also does anyone know if I can use the stock navigation antenna with the Kenwood head unit.

[AppleBonker]

Dude, this looks like it's coming together nicely. I see what you're saying about the base of the sub enclosure now though. That's going to be a good looking system once you have it finished.

On the antenna front, I don't even know where the antenna wire runs to. I never saw mine (assuming I have it since it would be easier to add the antenna to all cars than have special production for the models with Bose and nav) during my install. Unless the antenna wiring is just like 16 AWG cable, but then you'd have to splice a new connector to the end of it. Not sure what the Kenwood looks like, but my Alpine antenna looks like a mini-coax (I'm too lazy to google right now to see if that has a special name). Probably easier to just add the actual Kenwood antenna to the install.

Keep us posted with updates as you progress. I'm supremely interested in the conclusion of this build.

[srwong]

looks awesome man..... can't wait to see the final product....

[RaiderKID]

Looks good man! Kinda like my set up!

[RaiderKID]

AS far as a capacitor goes it would be nice to have one but me personally Im not running on. I did however switched over to a kinetic hc 1800. Which I highly recommend you to do, if you have not yet expirence the crappy stock battery lol.

[Infantry1327]

The kinetic is on its way. My battery all ready took a crap on me.

[Infantry1327]

Yea, its defenetly similar. But different at the same time. I really like your setup but I am trying to go a little more aggressive on mine.

[RaiderKID]

Ah nice youll def. see a difference with the kinetic. Yes, it is the boxes painted are going to look sexy. Cant wait to see the finish product.

[Vital]

I'm about to start buiding my own system, already have all speakers/amps/sub...... just need to figure how i want it all set-up and what kind of amp rack i should build (3 amps)...

So yeah, def looking towards finish product

[Infantry1327]

Well I got a bit more work done today. I hinged the top, and added a lock to the front. That way I can lock the amps up while keeping the lid securely down at the same time. I originally wanted to use a different kind of locking mechanism that had a handle built in that would sit flush. But went to like 6 different hardware stores today, and no such luck. so I put in a piece of wood attached to the base, then slotted it in to the key lock could engage. When the carpet is on, the lock wont even be noticeable. I also cut the 2 of the three plexy glass sheets and mounted them. I routed out the inside ring, so the plexy glass would be flush with the wood on the bottom. I would of had all 3 pieces done, but I cracked the first piece I cut, and of course I only had enough plexy to cut three pieces. So now i need to go buy some more plexi on monday.

I have really been thinking about trashing the first box I made, and makeing a new one after I finish the floor. I think it will actually be easier then trying to mold the floor around the box. Plus with a box bottom, it will be easier to duplicate the second box. The only thing I am not looking forward to is cutting the sub mounting rings. This project is turning out to be more wood working than anything. In 2 weeks I should be ordering more resin, body filler, and fiberglass cloth.

I will try and post some more pictures of the completed amp rack on monday after I get the last piece of glass in. I may even go get the black velvet so I can get the carpet in. I am shooting for next saturday to finish the floor.

[AppleBonker]

The mounting rings aren't that terrible. What's the hang up? If you don't have a table router (I didn't), a jigsaw works nearly as well - it just takes a bit more time.

Glad to see that progress is being made, though.

[Infantry1327]

I do have a table router. I would be lost without it. I have used it a lot on this build.

[Mattv609]

goood stuff broo, brings back memories of the wrk n sweat, know what u mean took me a min. to make mine cuz of school, wrk and the money...lol hows the car smell..hahahaha reaks for resin right, one key thing i learned wen ur filling gotta put on thin layers so dot get alot of air bubbles, but u will get them and when u get up 2 sanding u gotta use a special finish fill its like red and u fill that lil dents n cracks to finish it up.. AppleBonkermight know wat its called...but its comin out sick man, and ur gunna love the space after...

[Infantry1327]

Yea a mechanic buddy of mine is getting me some high grade body filler. It doesnt leave micro holes like Bondo. He is also going to get me some high grade resin and fiberglass so I can redo the boxes.

And yes my car stunk for 2 weeks.

So I decided to go against the black velvet. I found some nice thick black material thats alot like the stock carpet texture, but a bit smoother and a deep black. I figure it will take a little more abuse than the velvet but still looks high quality. I plan on re upholstering the roof of the cabin in the same material. But I have a friend doing that for me for cheep. Plus he is going to paint all the hardware like light fixtures in white, including the air vents, door trim, and dash components.

By the way, does anyone have any suggestions on a Cap. I will be pushing 2600 watts. I would like to do two caps so I can install them under glass in the back next to the amps, but Not sure how I would wire it, because I dont want to run a second power wire from my battery. I could use the 2 channel fuse box then run both of them, that way each sub has its own capacitor. Still not even sure if I need one. This is what I was looking at so far. It gets good reviews and I like the look. Plus the blue lights will match the blue lights on the amps.http://onlinecarstereo.com/Car....aspx

Or getting to of these. I don't really know if there any good but they match my color scheme really well. lolhttp://onlinecarstereo.com/Car....aspx

This ones a;so pretty dope.http://onlinecarstereo.com/Car....aspx

This is by far my favorite, but $200 is alot to spend on a capacitor. I definitely couldnt do 2 of them. http://onlinecarstereo.com/Car....aspx

Modified by Infantry1327 at 2:22 AM 2/17/2010
Modified by Infantry1327 at 3:00 AM 2/17/2010

[Infantry1327]

So I got off work early today and got to work on the amp rack.

I got the lid carpeted and primed the main enclosure. There is still a little touch up work that needs to be done to the carpeting, so I should have a completed amp rack by tomorrow evening. Then I am going to pull the sub box, box out the the new enclosure then try and get the floor complete. It is going to be a few weeks until I can get some more resin and fiberglass mat. But luckily I still have a grip of wood and there is no shortage on work that needs to be done. Hear are a couple quick snaps of the amp rack.

I will finish it tomorrow and install it in the trunk for some better pictures.


Modified by Infantry1327 at 2:15 AM 2/17/2010

[chrispizzitola]

Loving the build man. I want to do something like this one day when i have the funds and time. you got some nice equipment and im sure is going to sound great. As far as a cap i would advise against it. Personally i would look into an upgraded battery under the hood if you havent already done so. Optima yellow tops are great and so are kinetics. seriously tho look into getting a kinetic 600 in the back if you have the room that will top any cap out there. as far as cable or fuseboxes if you need anymore a great website to visit is [URLwww.knukonceptz.com[/URL]

i dont know how much of a budget you have but i would definitely look into some sound deadening. looks like you might have already done so but cant really tell from the pics.

they have some killer prices and some good quality stuff. take your time do everything exactly how you want it and in the end i promise you wont regret it

[Infantry1327]

Thanks, yea the whole trunk has been covered in B-Quit mat. It has worked great. I still have a decent amount left, so I am going to hit up the doors, trunk lid and floor.

As far as the extra battery, thats a maybe. The kinetik 600 is pretty small. So I might be able to fit it under the floor. Thats if I lay it down. There site says it can be mounted in any position. I really dont have any where else to put it, with out building a separate box for it. witch I will not do unless I absolutely haft to. I am replacing the stock battery with a kinetik khc1800

[AppleBonker]

You can put the Kinetik on its side. I've got mine sitting like that in my trunk and it's been that way for about 1.5 years now. No issues to date.