Build Log: '99 Ford Explorer SQL Build

[funkycasey 10+ year member]

Well, I decided to get rid of the Kicker/Infinity system and upgrade big time....

Going Zapco, CDT and Audiopulse for a SQL build.

Got my Zapco Reference 1000.4 in as well as CDT CL-61A-25 PRO for my front stage. I will be using my Infinity Reference 5x7/6x8 for rear fill until I get a bit more cash to spend on some CDT Coaxials....

As for the bass, I have a Zapco C2k 9.0XD coming in the mail which will be here within the next week hopefully. I ordered a custom made Audiopulse AXIS 15" and will be putting it into a sealed box that I build myself. Have yet to decide on box dimensions/volume, but plans will be in the near future.

Since this equipment will be drawing a fairly big load, I am upgrading to a Excessive Amperage (Unless someone tells me otherwise) 300 Amp alternator, and will be upgrading my current back battery (Kinetic HC600) to a much larger battery.

Anyway, today I got all of my new speaker wire run for the front components. Got the tweeters installed on the front pillars (I think they are called A pillars?). I did not decide to do fiberglassing for the tweeter pod because 1. I have no experience with glassing. 2. I will be selling my Explorer in the next year or less and don't want to change anything up TOO noticeably.

Anyway, here are some pictures of what I've got so far....will be updating some more when I get the rest of my stuff in.

PICTURES:

OH, and yes I am going to clean up all of those wires....just wanted to show the current mess before I clean it all up, LOL

Click to read more...

 

[funkycasey 10+ year member]

Got my Zapco C2K 9.0XD in today, and I am very happy with it. Just tested it out and it works perfectly. Got it off ebay for $860 shipped, and I can say that it is worth every penny. As most of you know, these amps retail for around $3,000 and can be gotten at Woofersetc.com for around $1,900 brand new.

My 15" sub should be here within the next week or so hopefully.

Anyway, seeing as i have a day off work, I am going to finish the front door component install and will see how it works out.

Here are some pics of the 9.0:

You can see that this amp has no Zapco sticker in the middle, which will make for a very clean looking install IMO....

 

[jdc753 10+ year member]

dang looking like some good equipment. Hope you can get it all installed nicely. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

One thing I will say see if you can post the pics into the thread. Clicking links ****.

 

[funkycasey 10+ year member]

Well, I got the component set completely installed today (about time). Hooked them up to my Zapco Reference 1000.4 and everything sounds great. It got too dark before I had time to put the door panels back on, so I am not sure if they are going to fit back right, but I will find out Thursday when I get another day off work.

 

[funkycasey 10+ year member]

One thing I will say see if you can post the pics into the thread. Clicking links ****.

Thanks for telling me that....I never really knew how to do that until just now, lol

 

[jdc753 10+ year member]

Thanks for telling me that....I never really knew how to do that until just now, lol

no prob glad to help. Everything is looking pretty good so far. Hope it all sounds as good as it looks.

 

[funkycasey 10+ year member]

Yea, the mdf cutouts look fairly rigged up, but it's all about the sound...and nobody will see the rough cutouts when i put the door panel back on (if it fits back the way it is supposed to at least).

I'll post some more progress once I get the subwoofer in.

 

[Wkbdkid 10+ year member]

Everything is looking good. Baffles look a bit long an wide, might run into some problems there. I made a 6.5x8.5 baffle for mine an it barely clears it.G/L though

 

[funkycasey 10+ year member]

Yea mine is 7.5 x 8 with that one side sawed off....hope it works, LOL. I would hate to take it back off, but i guess that's the fun of car audio!

I'm pretty sure it will work though, because if i am not mistaken, the rough side nearest the inside of the door where the dynomat is sort of torn and you can see the black tar is where the door panel ends.

 

[46panel 10+ year member]

This is exactly what I was looking for, I got a 99 explorer and want to put the PG RSD components in there, did your baffle allow yours to work?

 

[funkycasey 10+ year member]

This is exactly what I was looking for, I got a 99 explorer and want to put the PG RSD components in there, did your baffle allow yours to work?

Sure did. Baffle is only 1/2" MDF. Now, i've still been too lazy to put the door panels back on, so not sure about that yet, but I should be able to get some time Tuesday to put them on.

In other news, the robot underground guy that I am getting my 15" Audiopulse Axis (TC 3000) from emailed me a few days ago and said that since they were taking longer than expected to do my custom picture on the dust cap, they would upgrade my subwoofer to the Neo motor....which is gonna be a nice upgrade //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Anyway, I'll see how the door panel fits and update on tuesday hopefully.

 

[audioqueboy 10+ year member]

looking good i have to do the same baffle work for my comps set im using polk db 6.5

 

[funkycasey 10+ year member]

Well, I finally got everything in the mail and had time to hook everything up....I decided to buy a Zapco C2K 4.0 as my 4 channel amp so that the amps would match (9.0 and 4.0). I found a crappy little sealed box for a 15" in a garage sale and decided to buy it since i completely **** at making boxes myself. Box is about 2.0 cubic feet which is a little on the small side for this sub, but so far it sounds good. I am slowly breaking it in at this point, and everything is looking good.

Oh, and i decided to buy a 250amp Mechman amp for those that are wondering. Here's some pics:

 

[splferrell 10+ year member]

that sub look bad ass, nice pics

 

[terra 5,000+ posts]

I just put the same comps in my 00 explorer..except I used 3/4 mdf.