tejcurrent

x2 on the big truck, and I'd love to go fishing some time soon...

^ posted at the same time, otherwise I would've just 2nd the motion

1 and 3- It can make a difference if the batteries specs are too far off. Generally it's a good idea to run the same type of batteries throughout just to prevent any issues. 2 The same good as adding a battery with an isolator, unless you like to park your car and play music for hours with the car off.

Pretty much the point of the isolator is to prevent your system from draining the front (starting) battery if you're playing with the car off. Chances are you don't need one, and could do exactly as you mentioned: Run a + line (fused of course) from the front to the + of the battery. Easiest with the - is to just find a good point to ground it to the chasis.

Ok, so there goes the idea of active with the current h/u. Thanks. I was actually looking at picking up a used 9855 a local guy who works at a shop had, maybe I'll do that. Also, thanks for setting me straight with the single 8 idea. I never even considered how that would effect things negatively like that, sooo back to square one. I guess if two tweeters is a bad idea, a single set of of 6.5 components with a set of 6.5 or 7" mids would fit in the factory location well. Does anyone see a reason why not to run with that-- or why I might be better off with one nice set of 6.5s? Thanks.

Ok, well I just got a newer vehicle (2001 chevy tahoe). After spending my limit to upgrade my substage, I had my alpine 9831 from about 2-3 years ago die on me. I am thinking I'll get a cda-9887 to replace is since it will be pretty much a drop in change, and I can save some of my older cables. I'm really not that happy with the eq it has, so I'm considering adding one in there. I've never done this before, and while I've been researching it everyone has a different opinion as to what I should look for, so any suggestions will be appreciated. I have been considering adding 2 sets of 6.5 components up front, so I can keep my factory look without a large pod sticking out for an 8" mid woofer. I'm considering several different brands and models, but I honestly don't know who to go with, or whos opinion to trust. I know several of you on this forum have experience with the equipment I have in mind, and might have some suggestions to help guide me. No matter what I'll be going with 6.5 components. I was thinking maybe 2 sets of focal polyglass v2s, or MB Quart Premiums. I was looking at Diamond Hex or d6 components as well, I just haven't heard much about them. I really haven't considered any other brands because of availability, but I am open to suggestions. I can give them 80rms up to 200rms a set, or I'll even buy an amp to match whatever would be my best option. Thanks for any help I can get.

M5, I know you know your stuff, maybe you could offer some advice. I got things working with the 9831, it was a simple problem with the factory amplifiers (it doesn't brag an upgraded sound system, but aparently it has a few amps I missed when I was behind the dash the first go-around.) It's all working good now. Would I be able to run an active setup well with the 31, or would I be better off getting something else? I've been considering just getting a better single set of 6.5 comps with an 8" mid in the center console, but I'm not sure how it would sound compared to just two sets by themselves. Did you have any advice on a good location for the tweeters? Like I said, pods that interfere with passengers feet are out of the question because I use my vehicle for work and hauling stuff/people around, but anything else is pretty much open. Thanks.

Vids!

Do you have d2 or d1 voice coils? What kind of amp is it?

So as soon as I was driving in to town to get started on the build again, it starts pouring rain, and I don't have a workshop or garage to speak of soooo nothing happened. I might just ghetto-rig the box (no fiberglass, not pretty, etc.) so I can get things running for the comp tomarrow- and then take it back out on the first day I have to finish it. I don't know what classes I'll be competing in, but with one amp I know I'll be in the 1000w truck/suv. With 4 18s I'd have a huge cone area advantage over the closest competetors with 4 15s.. so I'm going to see if I can't get a rough box in today/tomarrow morning. Then again, I'd be at a huge power disadvantage in the 3-4sub class. Either way I'm sure it'll be fun, and being that it'll still do a hair trick all day it should be fun to play with more than anything. I guess I'll just update tomarrow evening, either with pics of the show or those of the build. I'll find out what 4 btls with only 1/2 rms, or one btl with 2x the rms will do with no tuning. Again, it'll be fun regardless.

Alright, well hope to see you there. I've got two guys coming to help me today, I hope to get a lot done. Like I said, I'll either have 1 sub or 4, so it doesn't matter. Scott- the other two subs came in yesterday, I haven't opened them yet, but I just wanted to say thanks.

Thanks, the show was pretty interesting. The music makes me think of techno mixed with Tool or something, but it was interesting to see them play music on PVC, and some of the skits were pretty good. It was an experience, and everyone seemed to like it so that was good. My brother almost missed the flight back because he put a pack of energy drinks in his carry-on, and when they asked him if he had a coke he said "one" because he also had one coke and to him that answered their question lol.... almost an hour of interrigation later he made the plane with less than 10 minutes to spare. Definitely was amazed that you guys are pumping so much stuff from the 'Fi cave' - it's hard to believe even seeing it in person Good luck with the calcium thing btw- I saw a CLR commercial that made me think of that. Derrick, If I'm running all 4 subs off the one amp by then, great. If I'm there with one sub and one amp, that's fine too, but by god I will find a way there. Were you going? And hopefully you don't mind-- was that offer for time with your t/l still open? I'd like to here those BLs too. Thanks. I changed the port a bit, it'll really be around 240sq at 36.13hz, soooo that's not too bad hopefully.

Is that an expedition with no rear seats or something? Congrats on the win.

Thanks. It's really a simple design. CRX style, 240sq of port, 20ft, rectangular. I'll have a beveled trim plate, but again, nothing fancy. Thanks jybfan, Honestly I'd be happy if I got lower numbers than planned as long as it sounds like I want on music, but that's why I'll make sure I can change the tuning if I'm not happy. Today I got the top pieces, bottom, and the sides cut out. Tomarrow I plan on cutting the back, front piece, and putting in the bracing. Time permitting I'll fiberglass it, or I'll have to wait till wednesday. Then I'll make the port, and maybe carpet it, not sure of what would look good. I have a trim plate going on, but it will go in last. It will stretch to cover the box itself, the amps, and act as a theft deterant because it will be almost a foot wider than the rear cargo area door (and you can't twist the box once in place because it's so tight), and will have to be removed before getting the seat out. That'll take a good bit of time and some special tools I didn't get any pics because I was just cutting wood, but once things start going together I'll bust out the camera.

^x2 I like memphis amps, but I'd really go for a little more power. The kicker 2500 or those rockfords would be a great choice. I had a bxi-2006d on mine and it just wasn't enough power to get it moving a whole lot. Out of that list I'd chose the colossus or the ss.

OK, so the subs are on their way, and I still haven't started the box sooo they will be getting 5ft each, and I simply wont have time to experiment. I got a newer vehicle a few weeks ago, and decided to wait to build it for this tahoe. Thanks for everything scott, including the tour and the lift (BTW, the cab company called over an hour later ) The box will be tuned to 37hz, but with the port a few inches within of the rear door so I expect the tuning to drop some, and I'll have interchangable ports so if I need to tune lower I can. I'll just have to wait to see how it sounds. There is a 3x event near by the 25th, so I'm going to see if I can't be ready by then (build wise anyway). I don't plan to crank it up much until the stock alternators come in, but at least I'll have an idea of what's in it. I have the amps in, but I just haven't had time to build the box. Just did a little cardboard stencil to make sure everything will fit, and it's good to go. I'll post a link to the build section in this thread later in the week when I have some work done and some pics up.

Certain subs recommend that you break them in, but I don't believe there's really a need. The surround will soften up a bit, but it wont damage it to crank it up. A lot of spl guys will pop in a new sub right before a competition because they often get higher spl when still stiff. I'd beat on it like a red-headed stepchild.

There is a factory grill that covers what speakers are in there now (component set). It is big enough to accomodate 2 6.5 sets, or atleast 2 woofers and one tweeter, and I could set the other tweeter in the a-pillar. I want better midbass, and loudness as well. I'm considering adding an 8 in the center console to help the midbass a bit more, but that's a totally different project and farther down the road. I'll check out what you've suggested, thanks.

The loaded BL should fit your needs.

Hey derrick. Hope to see you at the next show- I might be hauling up 1 btl up there to see what it has in it before I rebuild. If you're sure the truck wants 41 hz a good rule of thumb is ~ 7hz lower. I forget where you said you were tuned to, but 34-35hz would be a good starting point, but I'd really try the crx style box. Why not make the crx box tuned the same as your current, and see how they compare? If you make it so you could interchange the ports that would save you a whole lot of time building different boxes, and you could really spend some time experimenting with the vehicle. Its my understanding that rounding the corners (or 45s in them) will help some too. More port area will generally help too. Again, interchangable ports could allow you to experiment with the port area as well. Hopefully someone else will have some more ideas, just thought I'd throw that out there. Good luck.

could try used: rockford 3k or 4k cactus sounds 4k memphis 4k sundown audio 3k or several others, I would spend a bit more for the benefit a better amp would get you, as jimj said. You electrical upgrades can really make or break the whole system.

Cooling fans. 2 facing in, 2 blowing out to keep things circulated well depending on size of fans. I've seen several done this way, but I have no idea w/ the computer cooling thing.

Congrats. great score.

What kind of wood did you use?

Congratulations! Great score.