Hey guys, I figured I share my recent stereo installation in the hopes of helping anyone who's considering doing it themselves. This is my second install so I'm still learning how to do everything My main goal for this build was to keep the cost under 1k while achieving a "decent" sounding system with a dedicated ipod interface.

Sorry for the cellphone pics..

Fronts: DD CS6.5 Components - $99
Rears: DD CXS6.5 Coaxs - $79
Sub: Sundown SA12 D2 -$195
Mid/high amp: Alpine MRP-F300 (from my previous car)
Sub amp: NVX JAD1200 - $189 w/ coupon
Signal processor/eq - Hifonics HFEQ - $50
Wiring/sound deadening/misc - $200
Sub box - $120

Looking online, I wasn't happy with any of the available ipod adapters. I wanted to bypass the radio altogether to provided the cleanest signal. That's where the HFEQ comes in One input for my ipod, one input for the radio if needed. As many of you know, the stock TL nav unit puts out a "balanced" signal. To get around that nasty inverse signal on the negative wire, I tapped into the front output between the nav and oem amp. I stripped back a rca cable and soldered the positive wire to the center pin and left the shield disconnected.



I mounted the HFEQ under that dash and ran my rca's along the left side of the car.



I made use of the front speaker junction behind the glove box instead of feeding new wires into the doors and dash. Made life a lot easier in that regard. I mounted the crossovers where the stock amp use to be in the passenger kickpanel.





Here are the T2 tweeters mounted in the factory location.





I decided to sound deaden the front and rear doors, along with the rear deck and trunk lid. I had to get creative mounting the rear speakers, my drill wouldn't fit back there. Ended up using industrial strength velcro and a lot of sound deadening strips. Has worked so far!









I mounted the amp to a piece of mdf and bolted the board to the back seat support beams. Not the prettiest way, but it works.











Taking a well deserved break



Here's what it looks like with the sub in. Box is about 2 cuft @ 32hz



That's all the pictures I remembered to snap, wish I had more to show you guys. I'm very happy with how it sounds, well worth the wait
If you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll try my best to help

 

great choice on the beer!

 

holy big box! Maybe I'm getting old lol

 

Very nice setup!

 

That amp setup looks real nice...never though of doing it that way

 

Thanks guys!

It took up more room than I had anticipated, I forgot that I had to leave room behind it for the amp rack. I may end up getting a smaller box if it bothers me enough.

 

My 1K system amp setup.
Value sub in IB

 

IB or a long, skinny sealed box like I had seems like the way to go IMO. My box was only 9" deep, but I had an 12" IDmax in it firing through the ski-pass. You can put 2 15's (or 2 12's easily) in IB and get some serious low end without taking up the entire trunk.

 

Next car, maybe