Write-up: stereo system install

Okay........... finally looking to spend some time on the dash again.

Working on the gauge cluster now. Again with the foam.







Now for some rough shaping.





I am thinking the cluster might be too tall, but I'm not going to shave any more until I get it in the car tomorrow to take a look.





More to come.

never noticed this thread before. Very nice.

can't wait 'til tomorrow to see how it'll look in the car

Here are some shots with the dash in the car.





Definitely to tall, time for more trimming.







Now back in the car to see how it looks.







I like this much better.

Now for a couple of layers of fiberglass.

Awesome as usual!

yeah ,awesome

I removed the form from the dash to remove the tape and foam. Then replaced the form on the dash and applied a couple more layers of fiberglass. Now the gauge pod is permanently attached to the dash.










It was at this point I realized I had plenty of fiberglass mat but no more resin....

I am determined to make some progress on the car this week so I am starting on the amplifier rack. I have a tendency to try to "hide" the audio components as much as possible in my installs. I know it doesn't look like that will be possible at this point in the build. When everything is finished the only gear that will be visible, without removing panels or pushing buttons, will be the radio in the dash.

Here are the amplifiers. There is two amplifier chassis placed back to back to try to save some space, after all these things are NOT small. This is a lot of amp to try to hide.







The idea is to make a motorized drawer under the rear deck in the trunk.

First I will be removing the end plates from the amps and making new ones that will span both amps attaching them together (this is tomorrows project).



Here is the idea.....I will be attaching drawer rails to the amp rack to allow it to slide from under the rear deck to reveal the amps.





This is going to be a tight fit, but if it was easy everyone would do it right. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

Great idea! Im diggin all your Jet equipment!

man your car's going to become one sick showroom vehicle.

Here is today's progress. I got a late start so I didn't get as much done as I would have liked.

Here is the new end cap. 16ga steel, should be plenty strong.



Now both amps are attached together to make one huge amplifier.

Amp Armour.I like that

Got some 1/2" square tube steel for the framework of the drawer.

Here is the base for the amplifiers. I stink at welding, but I can grind, fill, and paint.....





Checking fit and marking mounting locations.






Amp mounted to the base.





Rails mounted to the amp.



Plenty of travel.



Now to move into the trunk to make the mounts and locate the rails.

What are you going to use to keep that metal rack tight? The steel drawers may experience some rattling in a hard hitting system, Yes/No?

The ball bearing rails are very smooth and tight, plus the weight of the amp will keep everything from rattling. Also keep in mind the subs are in the dash. There will be a second pair of rails on the bottom of the drawer as well. I have found that putting rails on two different planes keeps the drawer tracking straight. This will allow me to place the motor wherever I can fit it and the drawer won't bind up.

Wow, very well thought out m8! Can't wait to see the finished product looks stellar thus far.

ohh yes,yes....lookin' great bro.

Got the amp rack mocked up today. Still have a lot of work on the mount in the trunk, but this is the idea.

Here is the amp drawer in the "closed" position. Looks fairly stock.







Here is a lower angle.



Here the wire cover is clamped in place to check clearance. I don't want the amp scraping on the trunk as the drawer opens.



Here is the drawer in the "open" position.



The wood is to just there to support the weight until I finish with the brackets in the trunk.

Looks sweet don't blow your ears .

sicker and sicker every day.....

Looks wild!! how will you keep the amp from sliding rearward on acceleration? will you have a lock or velcro??

robotennis61 wrote:

Looks wild!! how will you keep the amp from sliding rearward on acceleration? will you have a lock or velcro??

The amp rack will have a linear actuator attached that will move the drawer in and out. The actuator will hold the drawer in whatever position it is in.

I used the same type of motor in a previous install. In the video you can see the motor mounted to the side of the piece of wood that is going up and down at the left side of the picture.



This guy races his Porsche from time to time so the mechanism had to be sturdy and not move around when on the track.

I wouldn't feel right not showing the car with the trim panels in place so here are a couple of finished pics. (sorry to go off topic, just trying to explain the motor)

pretty slick!!

No more wood supporting the amplifier, the mounting fabrication is finished.

Its not easy to hide 2000 watts worth of amplifier, but I am happy with the results. The rack is very sturdy. When the trim panels for the trunk are done you won't be able to see anything at all.













Now I just have to get the actuator and limit switches and the rack will be motorized.

cool!