Planning your install

[sierra mist]

So I have this bone stock 04 Escalade. I'm going to do all the work myself. Luckily I have a garage and another vehicle to drive while I work on it. Even though I have installed stuff for years, every car and every system has been different. My main problem after all these years is planning! For now, my system will consist of:

• Big 3 upgrade
• Pioneer AVIC-X940BT
• Clarion EQS746
• RF T165 (2 sets)
• RF Punch P400-4
• Hifonics BRX2400.1D
• RF P2D4-12 (4)

I'd like to get some ideas of how to phase this install. I'm off on vacation, but I would rather spend the last half of it enjoying my system. I don't want it to be Thursday and just have the big 3 and HU installed . So when you guys are installing a lot of equipment from stock, how do you plan it out. BTW, the box is already contracted.

[evermaxx]

Wire then hook up everything lol. Not much to do differently.

That or place everything where you want and start wiring.

[bbeljefe]

I would plan where the amps will be first, then run wire and connect it all up. But I don't really make plans like that unless its a large project... maybe because I'm so old and it's just kinda like getting ready for work in the morning. I just start from the beginning and work to the end. And of course, if I have something to do that requires dry times, I do it first and then do other tasks while it's drying.

But if someone else is building your box, you probably don't need to worry with dry times.

[sierra mist]

I would plan where the amps will be first, then run wire and connect it all up. But I don't really make plans like that unless its a large project... maybe because I'm so old and it's just kinda like getting ready for work in the morning. I just start from the beginning and work to the end. And of course, if I have something to do that requires dry times, I do it first and then do other tasks while it's drying.

But if someone else is building your box, you probably don't need to worry with dry times.

I planned on putting the amps under the 2nd row of seats on an amp rack.

[bbeljefe]

I planned on putting the amps under the 2nd row of seats on an amp rack.

How much of an amp rack can you build under the seats?

EDIT: Never mind that... I was thinking of front seats even though you said rears.... see what I mean about old?

[sierra mist]

I planned on putting the amps under the 2nd row of seats on an amp rack.

How much of an amp rack can you build under the seats?

EDIT: Never mind that... I was thinking of front seats even though you said rears.... see what I mean about old?

It's all good. For some reason, I'm kinda dreading this. My install seldom go according to plan. With my last right, it was running speak wire to the front doors. Man, that took several hours. Of course, looking back...I'm glad I did it. Still sucked though...

So I'm trying to streamline this ish.

[john253a]

Have you thought about doing 2x 15 or 2x 18

So you save some coin on the subs and you'll also get some better gear

Personally idd do 2x p315 ofer 4x p212

That's just me

And for the same price as 4p212 you could do 3 p315

On sonic the t and p 400.4 are the same price

So idd do the t at 249

Then idd do the t-1500.1 on 3x p3

Or t1000 on 2x p3

So going from you list

It would cost 300 more

To have

T1-165 2sets

T400.4

P315 3off

T1500.1

And you'll have 25%more cone but less power(40% if you go of rated) and we no the 1500 will 18-1900@1(so that 40% will be close to 25)

[sierra mist]

I appreciate your input. My stuff has already been ordered. The hifonics will arrive tomorrow. That was all the scratch I could mustar as the rest went to wiring and accessories. Stuff added up quickly on me. I'll try this setup and go from there.

[Sergeant_Skyrim]

I'd definitely start with the electrical first. It's the foundation of everything you're planning on running. So start with the Big 3, headunit, and eq. Run RCAs while you've got the dash apart for the HU. Then get the amp rack put together and all and wires all ran. Save the box and subs for last since you're not having to build it.

A big time saver: Don't reattach panels/put everything back until you've made sure it works first. That's the biggest pain in the rear is ripping the car apart, putting something in, then putting the car back together only to find out that it doesn't work xD

[BigManAC]

I always make a mental plan of what is going where and what else is connected to that or needs to be installed with it. That just helps me keep from putting something back in the car only to have to pull it out again. Like Chris said if you take the doors off I just leave them off till I k ow everything is done. Also run wire on the outside of the car just to show where it's going and label everything so no confusion occurs. And always take pics! Looking forward to a build log if your doing one.