So I've finally decided to get going on some audio for my Supercrew. I opted to have the work done rather than to do it all myself, frankly, because I couldn't bear to see my baby all torn apart

I'm having the work done this Saturday, Here are the essentials:

- Front stage: JL Audio XR650CSi
- Rear fill: Kenwood (little guys, just fill)
- Subs: (2) JL Audio 8W3V2
- Amp: JL Audio 500/5

Topped off with a PIE LOC because I'm keeping the in-dash changer for now.. I see no reason to replace a perfectly working deck when the LOCs work just fine.

The sub box is going to be custom built, both 8's are going on the back wall (along with the amp, probably) behind the 60 portion. The face panel will be wrapped in matching vinyl, and I'm thinking we'll go with a trap door to keep the jack in the factory spot on the 40 side. I'll be sure to post new pics in my gallery when it's all done. I just had to post because I'm stoked about finally getting it done.

-skoal

 

I like everything you got going on except the kenwoods in the rear. If available, look into the Alpine type S coax or a JL 5.25 mid.

Unless you get real picky about the sound (clipping at high volumes) , the stock deck is awesome and hard to beat for ease of use and they sound great.

I bet you are pumped! Have fun with the new system

 

Congrats on your new system! I'm in the process of doing a new system in my '01 Screw and am using the same JL separates in my front doors that you've selected. Absolutely sweet sounding components. I'm using JL XR650CXi's for fill in the rear doors and a JL stealthbox (http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/f150_CTR3.html#) to handle the lows. If you haven't heard this stealthbox, you might want to give it a listen before re-doing the whole area behind your rear seats for the two 8's. That one JL 10W3v2 is amazing with a little clear power driving it. I also opted to use LOC's and keep my CD-6 radio. It does everything I need it to do and it provides for a stealthy system install by not sticking an aftermarket headunit in the dash.

My biggest holdup has been deciding on an amp to power my system. I considered the JL 500/5 too, but after further research, I felt I could get a great deal more bang for my buck with something else. I 'think' I'm going to go with a Directed Electronics 1200/5, which will be mounted behind my rear seat too. It pushes a true 75 watts to the four full range channels and 275 watts (Class D) to the mono channel (all 4 ohm), all the while maintaining a very high S/N rating and a very low THD rating. I've also read several glowing reviews of it on a couple audio sites. Best of all, I can get it for around $100 to $150 less than the JL 500/5.

When your new system is in, please share some pics with us. I'd love to see what it finally looks like.

Good luck.

 

Sounds like it's going to be nice.
Good luck!!

 

Hey guys,
I have an 02 supercrew with similiar setup.
I have:
JL XR components front
JL XR coaxial in rear
JL Stealth box
JL 500/5 amp to run it all

The system sounds great imo, but then again it is my setup.
Words of caution...
For the components up front make sure your installer makes some good quality custom mounts for you. These do not simply fit in, and you want to get the best from them. Consider some type of sound dampening material to really get the mids from these.
Really listen to the 2 8 inch subs you are considering. Make sure you dont want more low range.
If you get a Stealth Box for you console, you REALLY should sound dampen the inside of that console. I didnt at first and when you turn the base up... it really rattles. I had to go back and cover the insides.
The one thing you will not have with your factory head unit is good base control. But you can use the bass control **** that JL has for that 500/5 amp. It works well.
Any other questions let me know.

 

Steve,

I asked about the rear fill as well, I thought the kenwoods were kinda cheesy, but I was talking with my installer (I've been doing business with these guys since high school) and he made a good point. He said "Do you sit in the back seat?". I giggled, but he was right. He elaborated by noting that from the front, it would be near impossible to tell the difference between mid grade and high grade seperates. The front stage is where all of your imaging happens, and the rear fill is just fill. The 500/5 puts 100w to the fronts and only 25w to the rears for that same reason. But if I'm not happy with those rears, its not a problem to upgrade them later.

Regarding the sub situation, I think I'll be happy with the 8's. My mustang hatchback had a pair of 12"s and a single DVC 10" firing directly at the glass in a sealed box (powered by a Kenwood KAC-921.. 50 points if you remember how bad *** that amp was!).. I've had my share of silly *** bass, now I just want some really good quality and really good balance.

I considered the stealthbox, but I'd rather lose the space behind the seat than the console depth. I use that space up front. I'm getting stoked though, only a few more days. I'll be sure and get some pics up asap.


-skoal

 

theres 1 difference that you'll hear. its kinda minor, but sometimes can be a pain, and thats echoing from your rear fill. offset sound can range from anywhere between .000001 seconds to 1 second, depending on how far off the quality is, mostly, look for mids that have close enuff power levels -- XRCSi can handle 90 watts i belive, get or power your rear fill about the same give or take 20 watts -- thats jus my opinion, i could be wrong, so flame me.
anothering thing: if you like to leave your seat back jus a bit while driving, u kno with a recline so that your arm stretches out while driving, then you tend to hear your rearfill alot more than you expect.

 

I just would not want any grade Kenwood speakers in my doors little lone some bottom line model. They will drag down all that nice JL stuff you got going on. If you have to have rear fill, i'd highly suggest mid only and no tweeters. They will throw off your imaging no matter how low they play. You also have the option of bridging that 25x2 which is what I suggest you do and throw that to a center channel or leave it stereo and run some pillar tweets. Anything in front of your head will sound better than anything you can get behind you.

Rear fill works best on low power configs like what comes stock. "Makes it louder"

I hear you and what your trying to do, which is why i'm trying to push you down the SQ road.

Have fun with it and make sure to come show it off.

 

Hey guys, check out my gallery for some pics. I've had some difficulties getting this project done.. Ran into some pitfalls:

- The shop underestimated some time tables, so I've been back a few times.

- They didn't have the 8w3v2 subs I ordered on time, the order was delayed because the other store ordered at the same time so they doubled it up. Still waiting on the subs (the put in some w0's as loaners, and even THEY hit pretty hard)

- The vinyl they ordered was a generic "gray" and was way off. There was too much blue in it, it just didn't look right. My guy at the shop ordered some OEM L-Vinyl to match it 100%

- The custom rear panel is done, but I'm waiting to have it covered when the vinyl arrives, so it's not installed yet (no pics of that yet, sorry )

I was originally going to keep the factory deck, but I listened to it for a couple days after the initial install and was not happy with the sound. I decided on an Excelon deck, the KDC-X879.
I'm VERY happy with this deck so far.

I've been playing with the SRS WOW features and I'm pretty impressed with what it can do. The front stage is amazing with these drivers, and they've got another few hours before the mids loosen up and really start screaming.

I'll be sure to post more pics when the panel is finished (Teaser! : the box has a brushed aluminium formica on it!)

Sorry the pics aren't really impressive, but the mods will appreciate the display of my deck.. I decided to plug the site as a thanks for all the help and info I find here

Let me know what you think!

- skoal