New member from the UK. My first Audio Build. Vauxhall Vivaro (PICTURE HEAVY)

tomlester27

CarAudio.com Newbie
19
1
UK
Hi, I'm from the UK and i'm new to the forum. This is my first ever audio upgrade. Even though i'm a noob i'm trying to do everything as professionally as I can based off all the youtube videos i've been trying to learn from.

The project is in my 2014 Vauxhall Vivaro work van. The plan is to sound deaden the entire front cab, install component speakers and i'll be building a custom sub enclosure for a 10" sub. nothing over the top. Trying to keep it simple for my first go.

I'll be posting progress here as I go. I'd appreciate feedback so if i'm doing anything wrong i can put it right with your help :)

I started off cleaning and sound deadening the doors (very time consuming!)
20211218_105723.jpg
20211218_105736.jpg
20211218_135453.jpg
20211219_134322.jpg
20211219_155411.jpg
20211219_155538.jpg
20211220_141259.jpg
20211221_134920.jpg
20211221_144828.jpg
 
The speaker adaptors i bought were pretty flimsy So i covered both sides with sound deadening. I used the speaker gaskets that came with the speakers and I also used foam tape to seal the adaptors to the door. Doing all this has made them a hell of a lot more solid.

20211221_203504.jpg
20211221_203850.jpg
20211221_204847.jpg
20211222_104816.jpg
20211222_110756.jpg
 
Next job was to run all the wiring into the doors. I learned this really nice trick on youtube to get the cables nice and neat through this plug by drilling out the unused pins.

20211222_124744.jpg
20211222_125030.jpg
20211222_132438.jpg
20211222_132710.jpg
20211223_132010.jpg
 
I was going to put the new tweeters under the grills in the dash where the original ones were but there wasn't really enough room so I decided to mount them to the A pillar trim. I quite like how they look.

20211222_122153.jpg
20211222_122158.jpg
20211223_130501.jpg
20211223_131245.jpg
20211223_131615.jpg
 
Next I wired up the crossovers. I found this really nice indent in the door panel which was a perfect size to fit them. I bought a rivnut gun so I can properly mount them the door with bolts. I also added some foam speaker rings and wrapped all the wiring up neatly with tesa tape.
20211222_114201.jpg
20211225_130801.jpg
20211222_120846.jpg
20211223_124342.jpg
20211223_124352.jpg
20211223_134419.jpg
20211223_135619.jpg
 
I made a start on on making the plastic panels to fill all the holes in the door to help increase the mid bass. (work in progress)

I used textured ABS plastic and threaded rivets to secure the panel.

Very pleased with how this looks. Just need to do the smaller holes then I can add a layer of mass loaded vinyl and the doors are finished.

20211225_134819.jpg
20211225_145519.jpg
20211225_145641.jpg
20211225_152723.jpg
20211225_154344.jpg
20211225_154351.jpg
 
This is slightly off topic but to make the plastic panels I needed a router table, but I didn't have one so I decided to make one out of ply that fits onto my table saw.

20211224_165919.jpg
20211224_170144.jpg
20211224_170233.jpg
20211224_170244.jpg
20211224_170435.jpg
20211224_170601.jpg
20211225_153517.jpg
 
Thanks. It's all taking a hell of a lot longer than expected. I've been doing it for a whole week and I still haven't even finished 1 door yet lol. I'm having great fun doing it though.
 
I finished making all the panels today. I ran out of bolts though. Should look nice when all the bolts are in then I can add the mass loaded vinyl.
20211226_140550.jpg
20211226_150415.jpg
20211226_150423.jpg
20211226_152744.jpg
20211226_155208.jpg
20211226_161115.jpg
 
Today I got all the new bolts for the panels in. Sound deadened the back of the panels. I put speaker gasket tape under all the cables to prevent rattle and I added a layer of mass loaded vinyl.

I fixed the vinyl with strong velcro but I'm not too happy with it. When you pull the vinyl it just rips the foam from the back of it before the velcro comes apart! Any ideas how to secure it better but also make it easy to remove? I've tried to get everything as neat as possible but i'm not very happy with this finish. I know it wont be seen but I am a perfectionist!

I feel i'm going a bit over the top with the install. I hope all this work actually makes a difference to sound quality.

20211229_121824.jpg
20211229_124122.jpg
20211229_124304.jpg
20211229_124312.jpg
20211229_124317.jpg
20211229_124326.jpg
20211229_132344.jpg
20211229_140114.jpg
20211229_144245.jpg
 
sorry if this was already asked cause i just started scrolling through the pics. if only one door is complete please do a sound comparison before and after with an rta and give your impressions please


nm i was too late
 
Hi Tom, this has been great! Thank you for posting!
I’m currently doing the same on my Vivaro, however it’s definitely no where near as good as yours has turned out!
I see you posted this a while ago and I was wondering if you still have the van and if you’ve made anymore progress?
 
Next I wired up the crossovers. I found this really nice indent in the door panel which was a perfect size to fit them. I bought a rivnut gun so I can properly mount them the door with bolts. I also added some foam speaker rings and wrapped all the wiring up neatly with tesa tape.View attachment 34868View attachment 34874View attachment 34869View attachment 34870View attachment 34871View attachment 34872View attachment 34873
Hello mate I know this post was made a long time ago but I’m just about to start ordering parts for my vivaro speaker build and wondered if there was a way to contact you just to ask a few questions
 
Activity
No one is currently typing a reply...

Similar threads

if you can read a simplistic book you can follow the directions to put together just fine. Its not rocket science. If you have questions about the...
3
185
Well, I've owned probably over 100 different drivers in the last 40 years and almost every single speaker in the NVX line-up over the last 8...
16
490
As the title states, I'm selling my 10W6v2D4. This sub is in excellent shape and was recently re-coned to replace all internal soft parts (you'll...
0
211
TBH, that is too many speakers for just a pair of 10" subs. The Skar 6.5s and tweeters are very efficient and can get super loud on moderate...
6
428

About this thread

tomlester27

CarAudio.com Newbie
Thread starter
tomlester27
Joined
Location
UK
Start date
Participants
Who Replied
Replies
16
Views
4,259
Last reply date
Last reply from
Chappers1998
IMG_0606.jpg

just call me KeV

    Apr 18, 2024
  • 0
  • 0
IMG_0597.jpg

just call me KeV

    Apr 18, 2024
  • 0
  • 0

Latest topics

Top