1996 Exlporer 2DR Sport, MECA S1/S2 Build Log

[rushnrun 14]

Well I purchased this explorer the Monday 12-22-08. So I've had it a few weeks.

The truck is dent free, interior is near perfect, very good find IMO.

the only body issue it has is some rust on the rockers (hidden when the door is shut)--It'll be taken to the local shop to get those taken care of.

Anyhow this is a fairly undecided build other than it'll fit in the MECA class S1 or S2, needs to do roughly 150-154db (headrest on the T/L)

So far I have and think I'm installing:

1 Sundown 3000d, 2 Sundown Nightshade 12's D1 (however I plan on running a single 10" woofer and more power for the final setup--Need a company to get me a big beast of a 10 hint hint..)

The HU is a JVC KD-AVX44, gotta have DVD for those long trips to the shows

1/0 wiring

Mids and highs will be at a later time-I've got fairly limited time to get this thing ready for the carl casper show next month, followed by SBN in March. It'll be 3way-8" mid-bass, 6.5 mid, and 1" tweets, I've got 3 kicker zx250.2 that will handle the power or one 350.4 and 1 250.2... depends on what space is left over, SPL is the most important in this vehicle.. It's was solely purchased for that reason.

Shopping for batts so if anyone knows where I can get a good deal let me know

Edited January 11, 2009 by rushnrun

[dbjunior 0]

lvl4xl10, custom lvl510 must mount inverted, custom nightshade 10, custom bl10. those are the choices id look at. the lvl5 would look sick though with magnets bigger than the mounting hole.

[RobClay 20]

Ill be watching this one, sounds like a good build

[rushnrun 14]

lvl4xl10, custom lvl510 must mount inverted, custom nightshade 10, custom bl10. those are the choices id look at. the lvl5 would look sick though with magnets bigger than the mounting hole.

I've got a Custom Proto-type 10 being built, however being it'll be the first and only one I'm not sure how it will do (it's just being built with a bunch of "scrap" parts, cone, spider, surround, basket, motor, ect.... are all from different things-not some pre-made recone)

I've talk to Sundown about a custon N/S 10... I still havn't had a chance to really use the 12's yet (one is still sealed in the box..I've had them for 3 or 4 weeks) So we'll see how I like the 12's first.

Anyhow new woofers are my least of concerns right now. I'll make due with what I have... plus I'll be able to do my number quicker/easier with the 2 12's for now.. (the single 10 and 150+ in a stock class SUV will be some work)

[Nightshade 0]

I'm sure that you'll like the Nightshades. I have two custom built 12's with all the bells and whistles. They're powered by a pair of saz1500d's at .5 ohms each. The best recored score I've got so far is a 149.7 on the dash sealed and a 151.8 in the kick sealed. The box is tuned for music at 40 hz so I'm not going for all out spl, but the car still peaks at 52 hz. Are your Nightshades stock or upgraded? Let me know if you want any help with a box, but I don't know if you need any different type of enclosure for a MECA build opposed to a Db Drag/Bassrace built enclosure. I've never metered my car at the headrest, so I don't know what exactly works better for that type of style.

[rushnrun 14]

Let me know if you want any help with a box, but I don't know if you need any different type of enclosure for a MECA build opposed to a Db Drag/Bassrace built enclosure. I've never metered my car at the headrest, so I don't know what exactly works better for that type of style.

thanks for the offer... I'm a pretty seasoned builder so I should make it

*design is way different in MECA Headrest metering is 2-3 db lower than dash (atleast in my testing)

I have a set of stock Nightshades...

[B7L|BL4Z3R 4]

any more pictures yet brutha

[AlpineAndy 3]

In Street 1, haveing 2 12" subs you are only aloud 1 25amp fuse. I dont think a 3000D is goin to work for you. After all or the rule changes I dont think there will be over a 150db in Street one.

[loudcav 1]

In Street 1, haveing 2 12" subs you are only aloud 1 25amp fuse. I dont think a 3000D is goin to work for you. After all or the rule changes I dont think there will be over a 150db in Street one.

what about 5 5amp fuses or did meca put a stop to that

[rushnrun 14]

they put a stop to the 5amper's

You're only allowed one fuse for s1 and 2 for s2

**nothing says the amp has to be run full tilt...

***I'd bet the number are almost equal to last season

I use to burp my amps off one fuse.. the multiples just held longer

[AlpineAndy 3]

sorry you are aloud 30amps of fuse and yes they put a stop to that rule. You can have 2 fuses in Street 2.

http://www.mecacaraudio.com/2009mecarulebo...lasses%20p7.pdf

[Nightshade 0]

Let me know if you want any help with a box, but I don't know if you need any different type of enclosure for a MECA build opposed to a Db Drag/Bassrace built enclosure. I've never metered my car at the headrest, so I don't know what exactly works better for that type of style.

thanks for the offer... I'm a pretty seasoned builder so I should make it

*design is way different in MECA Headrest metering is 2-3 db lower than dash (atleast in my testing)

I have a set of stock Nightshades...

Just an offer is all. But I do know that MECA vehicles are built to be loud at the headrest and not on the dash. For example I have a friend that competes in MECA and does a 151 at the headrest in one enclosure and does a 149.4 on the dash with the same box. Then he changes out his box for Db Drag shows and will do a 152.4 on the dash and only a 150.6 at the headrest with that box. It's pretty much how you set up the wave to peak and where you want it to in your car. I've never metered my car for MECA since I have no interest in competing there. I have metered in in Db Drag for fun since I go to Bassrace. I'm sure that I could do a build for MECA and be louder than my actual score for Db Drag now too. The wave just has less space to travel and I'm told that it's a bit easier to aim the box where it needs to be to get a good score. I'm sure that I could build a box that does good for Db Drag too, but I don't. I was just willing to offer you some info on what size enclosure and port area that works best for the sub since I've spent time and money figuring that out for myself. Also you kind of made it sound like it's harder to get a louder score in MECA and I don't agree with that. Your setup may be 2-3db down from on the dash, but it's not built to be loud on the dash

[rushnrun 14]

I've alway built for the dash sealed... I've had much better luck at the dash than the head. This will be my first serious meca build.

**and thanks for the offer... I wasn't trying to be and A$$ Just letting you know that I'm no noobie.. There'll be tons of testing and tuning going on for the next month..

so far I tried the NS in 1.5 tuned roughly 35hz and had poor results (there could be other pending issues).. it was in my suburban in a junk box that's been around for ever.. I'll build them their own box one the truck is at that stage, then I'll be able to tell how I'll like them.

[rushnrun 14]

well just got done removing the rest of the carpet and taking off the factory deadening...

***note to self don't ever use a heat gun to remove deadening in a sealed up vehicle or you may die... wow did it get smokey in there.. I didn't even notice till I snapped the pics.. Good ole headache now that I'm outta there...

Pics:

Looks like the hatch seal is bad, the whole back is covered in ice... the carpet padding was froze solid.. Guess I'll be fixing that...

The bare floor no cleaning that's just how it was, just a little dusty

Removing Stock deadening (yes that's smoke):

Edited January 12, 2009 by rushnrun

[rushnrun 14]

Guess I show a pic of the outside

It's the barney mobile... My son calls it the "the Dora Explorer"

Edited January 12, 2009 by rushnrun

[Tmax98 3]

the dora explorer

nice lol

[rushnrun 14]

He's 7 and always has something running outta his mouth.

When he first saw it he exclaimed:

"what the heck dad??? are you some girl??? You need to give that truck to my sister! It's the Dora Explorer!"

**it looks much more pinky/purple in person..

Edited January 12, 2009 by rushnrun

[Tmax98 3]

He's 7 and always has something running outta his mouth.

When he first saw it he exclaimed:

"what the heck dad??? are you some girl??? You need to give that truck to my sister! It's the Dora Explorer!"

**it looks much more pinky/purple in person..

"thanks son" lol :bigclap:

[rushnrun 14]

Well this will be delayed a little due to the bad heater core... I didn't think it'd be a huge deal at first but it seems that I was wrong

I'll post more if I get the heater core fixed.

[rushnrun 14]

Heater core is done... My buddy got it in his shop and got the work done in one day.... wooo hooo.... back to building..