What all do I need for the grounding mod?? What I mean is how do I improve all the grounds on my truck?? What is all needed to do this??

 

Grounding mod?? I assume you might be talking about the 'Big 3' which actually does include improving two grounds.

The first one is from the battery negative to the chassis. The second is the alternator ground. Since the alternator is grounded through its casing, to the alt. mounting, and to the engine, you can actually use about any bolt on the engine, or use a bolt on the alt. mounting brackets. From there ground it to the chassis.
The third part of the big three is to upgrade the wire from the positive terminal on the battery to the alternators positive terminal. You want to fuse this wire too (use a fuse that is the max of what that wire can handle amperage wise...for 1/0 wire that would be about a 300 amp fuse).

You could also upgrade the grounds from your cab to the frame if you wanted. Ideally, I would drill a hole through the floor and run a single bolt though it, with your amp grounded to it on the inside, and a wire running from the bottom side of that bolt to your frame.

 

Also, at the rear under the factory kickplate (which you may have off to install batt wire to amps) there is a big rubber grommet. I just dumped a 1/0G ground wire from my wall mounted ground distribution block down that hole and bolted it to the frame...no drilling in the cab and a clean install.

 

Hey Bartak, I just read the detail in your message. I did the big 3 (or 4) upgrade, but didn't think about the need for a fuse (300 amp) in the 1/0G line from the alternator to the +Batt terminal. Is this critical? Seems like there are fuses on all the various circuits in the truck including the new amps etc. Is it to proctect the alternator some how? Curious, and now a little worried. Thanks...

 

its to protect the WHOLE electrical system in the RARE event the alternator malfunctions and there is a surge in the system.
and to quote the master

 

Well I just dropped $20 on an in-line 1/0G fuse holder and a 300amp fuse at Knuconceptz + $5 shipping......better safe that sorry! I guess you're right that if the alternator failed, there would be a direct 1/0G lead that could pump a zillion amps from the yellow top toasting everything in it's path. Thanks for the feed back, and I didn't recall seeing this fuse issue when I looked at all the various "Big 3" threads. Thanks for the explaination!

 

If that wire would ever ground you would have a solid connection from your batterys pos. to a ground. With a fuse, it will pop before you can do any damage to your battery or start a fire.

 

Thanks Bartak. You make sense. Out of curiosity, does the factory +Batt wire have a fuse in it somewhere? Like everyone else, I just ran the 1/0G in parallel with the existing factory wire to the optima that I put side-mount terminals on for the "big 3/4 upgrade".

 

yes it does, there are 2 fusible links in a hard plastic case inline with the factory positive wire,

 

Thanks agin for the answer jmt0645. I guess you can see them if you unwrap some of the cable housing? At any rate, my in-line fuse for the 1/0G should be here for the weekend! Again thanks for the info.

 

again yes.
not a problem, after all, that what we're all here for anyways... to help and share info.
i can actually remember when i too was a "newb" to audio stuff, but with the help of bartak1/ Dconder and a few others i now consider myself "experienced" but no "expert" by any means... that title i'll leave to Bartak, Dconder, and f150Truckin. MAD PROPS to those guys .