Vehicle: Ford F350 (2002)

[synergyperf]

Name: Ford F350 (2002)

Date Added: ÚTE_ADDED%

Owner: synergyperf

Short Description: This is my work truck.. I keep it around for when there's heavy work to be done. Since I tend to run the highways with it, the electronics needed upgraded.

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[mcfalcon]

I saw your first post. Yes this forum will make you wanna do150s.

[synergyperf]

I'm trying to get the information compiled from an old build thread to post it here. But for now, a link to it will have to do. http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1008216-finally-got-started-on-my-stereo.html

NOTE: This is information pulled from the original build thread on another forum. The system has been finished and playing for several years. Other than tweaking the processor settings it's pretty trouble free. I did realize after going through all these posts, that I never did get around to doing Big3 upgrade on the truck.. I think I was waiting to see if I could find the factory dual alternator setup. Since I don't plan on that anymore, I guess I need to get that done. I don't drive this truck very much.. only put 45k miles on it in 6 1/2 years. Now it's even less per year since I drive the RSX everyday.

I've been gathering up equipment for my truck for the past few months. I got some time off work and got a wild hair to get some of the install done. The truck is my 2002 F350 XLT SRW 4x4 CC LB PSD.


I'm going to have to name the project something like Rerun, or DejaVu as a majority of the gear is older generations of product. The MBQuart components are from back in the day when they were still German. The Rockford Fosgate amps have long been discontinued. The only current pieces are the woofer (I was going to use some old RF 12's but got a deal on the Boston), Rockford Fosgate processor, and Kenwood Headunit.
Here's the woofer Boston SPG555 with a 2ohm coil:


So i started by installing some Dynamat Extreme



I ran a 0 ga main power cable to the rear as well as the 6 channels of RCA. I also ran AudioQuest Flex 4 (16/4) into the doors to prepare for the component install. blurry pic...lol.



The rear speakers were removed completely and the plan is to build speaker mounting plates on the lower portion of the rear doors to mount the 6.5" driver. I plan on vinyl wrapping them and may even incorporate the 'superduty' logo into the vinyl (like the tailgates on later model SD).
Basically, replace the 'dimpled' section with a speaker panel.


Removed the center 20% seat and console in order to fit the sub enclosure. I plan on building a top section that will have cupholders, storage, and possibly a place to hold my phone and the Edge Evolution CS programmer. Here's a pic of the raw enclosure..it's 2.1 cubic ft PORTED! The port will down fire just behind the front seats with the woofer downfiring just above the transmission 'hump'. Again, this is just the raw enclosure it will get trimmed out nicely to better fit in with the interior. I have to thank my buddy Danny M for the assist on the box.



The system will consist of the following components:
Kenwood DDX-814 headunit
Rockford Fosgate Three Sixty.2 processor
2- Rockford Fosgate Power 551x 4ch amplifiers (components)
1- Rockford Fosgate Power 551s 2ch amplifier (sub)
1- Boston Acoustic SPG555 Oval Subwoofer
2- 1 farad capacitors
mix of Monster Cable, Audioquest, Tsunami and Stinger wires, cables, and power distribution.
3- bulk kits of Dynamat Extreme (so far)

OK, I got my distribution block in yesterday and found out that the manufacturer's description is incorrect... It does NOT have 4ga outputs. I gotta get a different setup on the way, but I did spend a few minutes laying out the 'amp rack'. Can't decide which layout I like better, amps split or grouped to one side. If they are split I hope to fit the distribution below the RF cap. If they are grouped on one end, I can put all distribution and the cap on the other end. I like the aesthetics of the split setup, but functionally the grouped setup would be better (and give me way more room to mount everything).

split


grouped

551x #1 will power a set of MB Quart 6.5" components (biamplified configuration) and a set of MB Quart add on tweeters (I like my music BRIGHT!). 6.5" will be in the door, both tweeters mounted on far corners of the dash in a fabricated mount.

551X #2 will power a set of 6.5" MB Quart components (biamplified configuration) in the rear doors.

551x #3 will be bridged to a 2 channel and run the 8" Kenwood Shallows in the front doors

551s will be bridged to the SPG555 Woofer (2 ohm coil).

spent a little bit laying out the amprack. drilled all the holes for wiring and marked some other areas to be cut out. Just gonna wrap this in black trunkliner since it will match the material that Ford put on the back cabwall.

[synergyperf]

all cutouts and holes made

1/2 aluminum angle. these are setup along the mounting feet of the amps. eack amp now also braces the amp rack along with the angle AL.

front view after carpet

rear view after carpet.. not bad for freehand cutting IMO.

starting to layout the heavy gauge

the front side...kinda

closest end

middle section



Speaker wire is AudioQuest Flex4 which does complicate the install as it's a 4 conductor cable. It does allow labeling with a Sharpie though! I used the barrier strips to facilitate any maintenance or repairs. Plus I don't have to try and wire each speaker directly to whichever amplifier it's connected. I've still got 2 cables to string on this rack before it's "done". Also, I realized I miscounted the number of runs I needed front to back in the truck.

Next steps are to build my door panel sections and get the doors sound deadened.

Pulled a late night and got the sub enclosure covered (carpet for now), wired, and bolted in. Also, got the head unit installed. After using it for a few days now, I think I'm going to remove the RF Three Sixty.2 from the system. It is kind of redundant considering the level of adjustability the DDX814 already has included (which I have to admit, I was not aware of). More pics for your viewing pleasure.


head unit wiring

in the dash

close up

now we're gettin' somewhere! got the tweeter 'pods' made. basically, just 1/4" MDF cut to fit in the far corners of the dash firing off the windshield. Made 2 of them, clamped them back to back, drilled the holes through them, then drilled a hole perpendicular to the big hole. I centered the drill bit on the 'seam' between the 2 pieces, which made a nice little valley for the wires to tuck into. A little black rattle can, some spray glue and grille cloth and here's what I wound up with. These should rip your face off if you want... considering each will have it's own channel of a 551x!

you can also see the rear door speaker 'plate' just above the tweeter pods.

[synergyperf]

Sub box first: (I never realized how bad the seams in the carpet showed until I looked at the pics!) I'll have to rectify that someday.

[synergyperf]

Probably too many pics of the door pods during construction. I actually made enough panels to make 3 so I'd have a template to build a replacement if one was damaged or whatever.

The raw panels. Basically, just made cardboard templates and then transferred them to wood. Then I took the wood and used a flush trim bit on a router to make copies.


Then I cut spacers to make the proper depth needed to clear the speaker without protruding any farther than the stock pocket on the door.

[synergyperf]

My low-tech clamping system! LOL

a pic showing how close the clearance is on the backside of the woofer. I decided to cut a relief in that panel since it will be sealed with another piece anyway.


A little stretching and pulling of some trunkliner and this is the shape they made.


A couple shots with the speaker set in (not mounted obviously).

[synergyperf]

After saturating the trunkliner with resin it's time to reinforce the sides (that's why the back is cut out so much.) I had some raw Carbon Fiber laying around so I decided to use that for the reinforcement. Here's what I had when I started this morning...I'll have some more tomorrow. The pods are sitting at the shop curing overnight now.

more pics of the door panels. I ran out of the 'good' glue so I only got 1 finished.

sanding....

smoothing


wrapping





Getting closer to being done.. one day it will actually make music! LOL.

[synergyperf]

Spent a couple late nights and made some progress. Got the doors Dynamatted, door pods/panels installed, and speakers all wired. All that's left is moving the 0ga power wire (it's causing the carpet to ripple and rub on the DS 8" trim ring) and actually connecting the amplifier 'rack'.



Here's how they fit with the door closed

[synergyperf]

amps are in. had to re-run the 0ga under the truck so the carpet would lay down and not rub the 8" in the DS front door. I guess working so late at night I got some channels wired wrong, so I have some troubleshooting to do before I can go and setup all the gains and eq. Once that is done, I'll put the endcaps on all the amps to clean it all up. Also, I have to find an old RF amp to rob the light from for the logo that's missing. Almost done...

This is the end of the building.. this system has been finished and playing for a couple years now. All I do is enjoy it while trying to find the time/motivation to re-cover the front door enclosures.. LOL.