Audio System Upgrade Thread 04 Tahoe

[04whitetahoe]

Hi All!

I bought a 04 Tahoe last month and it has a blown driver’s side front door speaker. Knowing I also want to upgrade the head unit to one with USB & Bluetooth (and also looking at XM or HD radio) I started reading the audio system threads and getting reflective on how much money I want to put in to my new system - I’ve concluded about $1,000, but there will be more to it than that because of Big 3 upgrade with new dual post battery.

Since I have a blown front speaker with a stock sound system (it’s the OnStar without Bose), I decided to start at the speakers so I could at least hear sound from the front. I’m blown away at the prices of the components (Big $$$) and yet still wanting a pretty cranking system, I decided to go with these speakers that will handle 100 watts RMS each, a 4 channel amplifier that puts out 100 watts RMS X 4 and a powered sub:

Already purchased:

Front Door Speakers: Alpine SPR 60C

Rear Door Speakers: Alpine SPR 60

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Not yet purchased - pretty convinced these are my components:

New dual post battery to facilitate Big 3 upgrade: Optima Yellow top dual post – also looking at Die Hard Platinum dual post. About $200

Big 3 upgrade using KNU Konceptz wiring and battery terminals and maybe fuse. Around $150?

Plan to use Dynamat in the doors ($100+) and use new speaker wire (Another $100?) throughout.

Amplifier: Rockford Fosgate R600 4D Prime series 4 channel amp 600 Watt RMS Class D Full Range 4 Channel. Rated RMS 100Watt X 4 @ 4ohm. Priced at about $220.

Amp install kit: $50ish?

Sub: Infinity Basslink 200-Watt, Dual 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer System. I plan to mount in the rear cargo area. About $180

Head Unit, looking at: Kenwood DPX 500bt (I am definitely not committed to this unit at this time). $200ish

Steering wheel control interface: About $50
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My plan is to upgrade a piece at a time to ease the strain on my pocketbook as well as to allow time for install of each of the components – so each month, I’ll do around $200.00+ worth of purchases for the next step of my upgrades.

This month I’ll be mounting my speakers and moving on to the next piece. I’m thinking I will go for the battery next, followed by the Big 3, then amplifier – and so on, but then again, I might do my whole sound system first, then the battery and Big 3 – that way I’ll have my music sooner than later!

I have a 145 Amp alternator and my sound system is about 600 watts total with powered sub, so I’m thinking I should be fine in the juice department not needing to upgrade my alternator or use a capacitor in the system.

I am not an expert on sound systems and am open to learning, so any suggestions or constructive comments appreciated. If there are different components at around the same price that could be substituted that are “better” in some way, feel free to chime in and make suggestions.

Thanks, Joe

 

[NathanJax]

 

[jdpber]

Should prove interesstinh

 

[04whitetahoe]

Battery - Went Die Hard Platinum

I was looking at my options for car batteries and after reading enough and getting $26.00 worth of bonus points at Sears (for a different purchase), decided to go Die Hard Platinum. This is not only a great battery (it's the same battery as an Odyssey, made by EnerSys), it will make my Big 3 upgrade easy! I thought I was going to wait and get this next month, but just couldn't help myself!!

 

[YukonXL04]

Hey, looks like you got a decent plan. No way will you spend $100 on new wiring for the door speakers. Maybe $30. The alpine speakers are great. I used to have 6.5 components and 5.25 coax in the front doors. They definitely get loud. I am 100% sure they are going to drown out the infinity bass link. Your going to need more bass to hang with the speakers. My RE's would drown out 2 8's sealed @500 watts on rock and country, rap it wouldn't though. Just a heads up.

 

[04whitetahoe]

Suggestions for Sub?

I am 100% sure they are going to drown out the infinity bass link. Just a heads up.

Hey Shawn, Thanks for the heads up about the sub. If you have any recommendations, I'm open! What kind of power would you think I would need and what size of speaker? Was trying to stay around $200, but that might not be doable? How about under $300?

Maybe the Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch 300 Watt Powered Loaded 12-Inch Subwoofer Enclosure?

I just ordered some Damplifier Pro for my doors, so I will be deadening my doors and mounting my door speakers soon - won't get to my sub for a bit, but will need to know what will work for my application.

Thanks, Joe

 

[YukonXL04]

That rockford 12 setup doesnt look too bad, I have never liked those all in 1 setups though. They just cant compete with a proper seperate sub/amp/tuned box.

What about this, http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_39895_Polk-Audio-PA-D5000.5.html

Thats a 5 channel amp to drive all speakers and a sub. It know its only 70w x 4 but it will run those alpines just fine.

Then http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_45530_Alpine-SWS-12D2.html to keep with the alpine theme. This place shows to be out of stock, but you can call them and they may not be. If you get that 5ch amp and a separate sub make sure its a dual 2 ohm subwoofer.

Then this box for it http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_951_Single-12-Sealed-MDF-Subwoofer-Enclosure-Belva-MDFS12.html

Wire the sub down to 1 ohm to match the amp and your golden. and it looks like only $35 more than your original plan. and you will get way more than $35 worth of extra output and sound quality.

 

[04whitetahoe]

Will think on it

That rockford 12 setup doesnt look too bad, I have never liked those all in 1 setups though. They just cant compete with a proper seperate sub/amp/tuned box.

Thanks for your input Shawn. This gives me something to think about in the option department!

Joe

 

[ezdaar]

Nice engine bay! all clean and gunk free. GJ!

 

[Danzigman]

What exactly is the big three upgrade?

 

[NathanJax]

What exactly is the big three upgrade?

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1349

 

[04whitetahoe]

More Stuff - Damplifier Pro "B" Pack

Nice engine bay! all clean and gunk free. GJ!

Hey, Thanks!! Here's a couple more shots:

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What exactly is the big three upgrade?

Hey There, Nathan gave you a link - it's about making better and thicker wire gauge grounds from the battery to the alternator case, frame and chassis as well as to upgrade the thickness of the positive wire between the battery and alternator. It's so you get less resistance from your wiring to get the max amps through your electrical system for running audio and other electrical devices. Google Big 3 upgrade and you'll find tons of info.

Here's another good write up I came across that explains it nicely:

http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/f63/how-big-3-upgrade-extremely-pic-heavy-5536/

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http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1349

Thanks Nathan!

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I received my Damplifier Pro from Second Skin Audio yesterday (http://store.secondskinaudio.com/damplifier-pro/) , so I'm armed and dangerous for my speaker install next Friday. I'm looking forward to getting them in. More to follow next Friday!!

I bought the "B" pack for a little less cash, I'll show how it turns out.

A few that are REALLY wrinkled:

I can hear those new tunes already (in my imagination).

 

[04whitetahoe]

Making progress - Door Deaden and Speaker Install

I'm making some good progress on getting my doors deadened with Damplifier Pro and getting my speakers in.


After some wrestling, I got my passenger front door off and deadened:

Got my tweeter in after using my Roto Zip to make a bracket from the old tweeter:

Back doors deadened:

With any luck, I'll be wrapping up this phase of my project tomorrow!! Drivers door and speakers.

 

[04whitetahoe]

Finished Speaker Install

I finished my speaker install and it sounds really good. I'm not done with my audio upgrade, but I'm glad I went for the speakers first, now I at least have stock tunes!

Picking up where I left off from Friday, I loaded up and installed my rear door speakers:

Made pigtails:

Installed rear door speakers:

Front Passenger door:

Got driver door apart:

Sound Deaden:

Install Speaker:

DONE:

Now a bit of rest, let time go by so the 'ol bank account can recharge - then on to the next step!!

 

[1/4milecrazy]

Nice install. similar to what I am doing, but if I may, I have a question for you. Your OP said you did not have a Bose system. My 05 Suburban has Bose, and I am installing the same speakers, yet when I went to install the rear speakers the SPR-60s don't fit. It looks like the Bose system uses 5 1/4s?

Does that make sense to any one else?

 

[04whitetahoe]

Crutchfield vehicle selector

My 05 Suburban has Bose, ... It looks like the Bose system uses 5 1/4s? ......
Does that make sense to any one else?

Hey there - I went to Crutchfield.com and chose your vehicle -

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Car/outfitmycar/car.aspx

When I do a 05 Suburban with Bose and navigation, go to speakers, rear door speakers, it says they fit with minor alteration- if they don't and are just too big for the holes/brackets, you may need to find suitable 5.25"

My SPR 60s fit in the factory brackets perfectly in the rear doors of my 04 Tahoe. The rear doors of our vehicles may have differences in speaker mount/size used.

Good Luck! Joe

 

[YukonXL04]

My 6.5 re components needed a 3/4" spacer to not hit the window . So you can probably put the spacer in there, by the time the speaker enters the door it should be smaller diameter and should fit through the hole.

 

[jdpber]

Use 1/8 leuon ply it is $12 for a 4'x8' sheet.

 

[1/4milecrazy]

I ended up using the spacers included with the Alpine speakers. I will try to take some pictures when I do the other side.

Depth is not a problem, the SPRs are tiny speakers. I was determined to use the factory brackets without too much modification due to the covers that protect the speaker from dripping water. With the spacers I only had to bevel the edge of the factory bracket to fit them in the holes. I am guessing the Bose trucks have a 5 1/4 rear speakers. I also didn't have tweeter holes in the front doors, but the door panels are marked from behind which made locating where to put my holes super easy.

The other thing I encountered, I dont know if it is with the Bose trucks or with all of them, but after using the spacers, which obviously pushed the speaker out some, the surround was VERY close to the opening in the door panel itself. So I ended up opening up the hole in the door panel itself to be sure that the surround didn't hit the door panel when playing.

My next plan is to have my old trusty speaker box recovered with tan carpet.

 

[04whitetahoe]

KnuKonceptz Cable FINALLY in!

I ended up using the spacers included with the Alpine speakers.

That's cool you got that figured out!! I'll take a look at your profile for some photos.


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I'm jazzed I could finally order my Big 3 upgrade cables today. Knu had been out of stock on the cables for a bit, but now, I've got my order in!

Time to gather the rest of the supplies to do my Big 3 upgrade. Likely after Thanksgiving at this point - need to get my Christmas lights (or holiday lights for you PC types) up on the house this weekend.