A couple decades later I finally get to build my dream system and need HELP

[ads47]

Steve et all ..... first I have been following your this place for awhile and could't be more impressed.

Although I have wanted a custom SQL system every since I was a kid (I am 44 now) I never pulled the trigger on one because of space priorities with work. I was a Captain on the Fire Department for almost 20 years. One of my shifts collateral duties was maintaining our Mission Critical Data and Radio Systems. My Battalion Chief had trouble finding the on off switch on a PC so it basically all rolled down to me. A couple years ago I got injured in the line of duty and was forced to pension off and basically retire early. I work for the state now basically managing the same systems but have a state vehicle so I don't need to roll around with $50k worth of radios etc. in my vehicle. With that being said my personal truck a 2007 GMC crew cab with a diesel in it got stripped of all of the radios, computers and dual 15 inch touch screens pulled out and no longer looks like my triple black limo tinted FBI rolling surveillance platform it just a plain work truck ready to be converted for some fun. All of its going up for sale and the play money will now go to thumping. I have researched and researched have some questions and looking for some advice.

Although I routinely install very expensive systems for radio and data systems we never do custom fabricated like interiors, sub boxes etc. So phase one will be all the hard equipment installed and using prefabricated sub boxes and kick panels. Then after practicing on some projects like towers for my garage I will do full custom door panels and a sub box. So what are your thoughts on the system below.

Currently from the system that was in before for work I have a 1/2 MDF on the entire rear wall for amp installs, about 450 amps worth of alternators, dual gel cell 800 CCA batteries. Double aught cable runs from the battery and frame to a distribution block on the rear wall with a circuit breaker under the hood. I pre-ran three sets of Rockford RCA's from behind the head to the rear wall the last time I had the dash apart. I have a factory military third battery bracket that goes on the frame rail that is not installed yet. This spring I am pulling the dually bed off since I don't need the heavy tow capabilities anymore and will be putting an aluminium flat bed on it and 37in tires to make it my fun hunting/ thumping some beats truck. When I do the bed there will be an aluminum under bed tool box between the cab and rear tires on each side. I also thought about putting a pair of XS3100 batteries in one of the boxes if needed. If no one is in my truck with me I usually drive around with the stereo cranked as loud as it will go. The truck is loaded so it has the factory Bose system, I think I have replaced every door speaker at least twice since it was new so its time for a real system.

So here are the questions I would love some advice on.

4 Rockford T4's 6.5 inch components in the front. Two in Qlogic kick panel enclosures and the other two in the doors. Do the Qlogics need any reinforcement? I was planning on a layer of second skin in them and some in each door.

2 more 6.5 Rockford Fosgate in the rear doors but probably not T4 components.

2 DC Audio 10 inch either Level 4's or XL's in a Sound Off Audio under seat prefabricated box. The owner said if I had the subs dropped shipped to him he could assure they would fit right. ( they are a hair bigger than his spec). I plan on switching the terminals on this to SMD terminals.

Sub Amps I plan on 2 Rockford T2500-1bdCP. What are your recommendations on coil set-up etc.

Front stage 1 Rockford T800-4AD.

Rear doors 1 Rockford T400-2

Head unit probably Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX, any other units I should consider? When I was a kid Alpine was king with my friends. Looking for suggestions here I am open.

Sound Processor Rockford 3Sixty.3. Would I better off to go with two and eliminate the crossovers for the components?

Capacitor Rockford 10 Farad RFC10HB

Installation wise I plan on getting the full suite of SMD / D'Amore tools for Gain set up etc.

Is SMD planning on making a buss bar type set up for grounds?

Can the SMD fuse holders covers logo's be ordered turned 90 degrees.

I also want to put in a VU meter in the rear window like D'Amore did in the back window of his Jeep. With the size of my rear window I think I can get two on there and have it scaled to look right too.

Although I want to go all out for SQL how "pretty" the system is doesn't matter as much to me as it will be a daily driver and has 125,000 miles on it and will most likely get around 300,000 before I think about getting rid of it.

What are your general thoughts on the system? Am I way off on anything? Should I consider adding anything, taking anything away... stick with an 8 track.. lol

Thanks a bunch for your time in reading my ramblings and any advice you have for a rookie.

ADS

BTW when this truck is done next fall, my winter project will be a killer system in a 2013 Mustang GT500 with 826 RWHP

[ShadeTreeMechanic]

Welcome to SMD!

It sounds like you have a good plan. You should start a build page and post up some pictures. I have learned a lot in my short time here.

[all4spl]

First welcome, second don't let your age deter you in any way, hell I am 43 and I have a lot in my truck. Sounds like you have a plan. as for a couple things, the q-logics might benefit from something like a spray on deadener on the inside since they are simply plastic. Unless you are going with the Restyle kits from Alpine your insight on the Pioneer unit seems good. I have the 4100NEX and so far I love the unit, just got it a couple days ago.

It sounds like a lot of gear to not give up the rear seats, but if you are going to give up the rear seats you have a ton of room to be creative with. I wouldn't bother with the capacitor, I would suggest two D3400s or two D3100s from XS Power and it sounds like your alternator is already up to snuff, those 800cca batteries probably aren't going to be enough juice depending on their AH rating.

As for your tweeters the factory tweeters should be similar to my truck feel free to take a look at my build log to see the A-pillars I made they are pretty simple and get the job done for 4 tweeters total.

Second if i can help in any way don't hesitate to PM me, our trucks are very similar and if you have any questions just ask!

[boom50cal]

hmm, lotsa rockford gear in a LLY(or LLZ)

the underhood batteries you have, may not be up to par, would definitely ditch the Capacitor.

Since it's a former government vehicle, I'm assuming it's running DC Power Alternators?

You can fit two d3400's under hood, running 6kw with that much charging power, I bet you would be fine running a few(maybe 4?) XP950's behind the seats with your amps. No need to run a bunch of extra cable to rear battery boxes

But overall, badass plan dude. Seems like you've most definitely done your homework. There's a REALLY sick LB7/Y/Z CCSB with a badass center console setup...and rear bucket seats. If I wasn't playing BF4 I would link you to it. Somebody help me out? 4 DC XL10's on 2 5k's

[Mauro376455]

Bro that guy frm sound off audio is beast and has 110% Customer service!! i believe his name is Matt lol

he mad a box for my silverado for 4 8"s

You will be very happy with the box if he does make it!!

[ads47]

Thanks for the replies. When the actual build starts I will post pics of the entire process.

Awhile back I picked up a sample pack of the different types of Second Skin. I don't remember which one it is right now but they have one thats pretty stiff and dense that I was going to use on the QLogics.

For the component tweeters the Qlogics have a space for one set and I thought the other set would go in the A pillars in the factory location??? Does that sound good?

Although my truck is an 07 its a 3500 so its the Classic body style so I can't use the Alpine restyles, so it will most likely be the NEX.

I won't be losing my seats. I just won't have storage behind or below them. I haven't completely figured out posting pictures on here yet. I got two of them into the garage but can't seem to get the pic of the rear wall in here. The last time I had to move some equipment around in the back I made a template of the wall and then made templates for each piece of equipment and it will all fit.

What are the thoughts on not using the Rockford T4 or T5 crossovers and just running two 3Sixty.3 Having two of those would save me some space over having 1 3Sixty.3 plus three of the Rockford crossovers.

I will have to see if I can fit the bigger XS batteries in the factory locations or just add them in the under bed tool boxes when I switch the beds out.

[sharedmedia=garage:vehicles:3148]

[ads47]

Oops double posted.

It's actually not a government truck. Its my fully loaded LBZ series Duramax that I used for work and consulting on the side.

The dual alternators are a factory option, I just upgraded mine to I believe 225 amp units.

Thanks for the heads up on Sound Off, I really like that box and he said he would make it a bit over size for the DC Audio Subs

[Jsolo53]

I'm wondering about the front set up of your truck. Why are you planning on two pair of two ways? That's just gonna smear the sound stage. Lose the door speakers and focus on solid, rigid, tight kick panel enclosures. For SQ, less is usually better than more. Also for SQ, you should spent some considerable effort on dampening and deadening the truck. Use second skin damplifier pro in all the doors and on the entire floor, the roof and the hood. Use luxury liner pro on the floor and doors. With the truck's new, lower sound floor and resistance from resonating, the stereo will seem to deliver improved dynamic range, imaging and detail, and wider frequency response. I say 'seem to' because the stereo itself will do whatever it is capable of doing whether you sound treat the truck or not. The difference is in what you will hear.

Good luck with your system.

[ads47]

Why the dual sets up front? Basic and dumb I see now, most of the builds I have looked at over the years and videos I have seen where they were spending more than just basic money had more than just a pair of speakers up front. So I went with two sets, and the rear doors to just help balance the two sets up front. I thought with the 3sixty.3 being able to balance and time everything I could balance any issues like that. So.... another point learned prior to build ... just what I was looking for education.

I was planning on doing as much sound deadening as possible.

Doors as much as I can get in with the limited openings, then full cover on the inner door structure.

Floor, full front to back

Roof, full front to back ( I need to replace my sun roof assembly so it will be done at the same time.

I'm wondering about the front set up of your truck. Why are you planning on two pair of two ways? That's just gonna smear the sound stage. Lose the door speakers and focus on solid, rigid, tight kick panel enclosures. For SQ, less is usually better than more. Also for SQ, you should spent some considerable effort on dampening and deadening the truck. Use second skin damplifier pro in all the doors and on the entire floor, the roof and the hood. Use luxury liner pro on the floor and doors. With the truck's new, lower sound floor and resistance from resonating, the stereo will seem to deliver improved dynamic range, imaging and detail, and wider frequency response. I say 'seem to' because the stereo itself will do whatever it is capable of doing whether you sound treat the truck or not. The difference is in what you will hear.

Good luck with your system.

[MotorCityFats13]

i look at it less of balancing fronts and rears and making the rears inaudible from the front seating locations... if you hear the rears then the staging is thrown off and with lots of people if you dont have rear passengers then they are not needed.... and this opens up more budget for the front stage