TungstonTiller

F150 Friends,

Thanks for the support and comments.

I agree, $1xxx is a LOT to spend on a head unit. I splurged! Part of me bought it because it was a good price. The other part bought it because it does so much.

I've been reading www.mp3car.com forums for 2 years now. I really want to build a car computer but don't have the time. So this was the next closest item to fullfilling that desire.

However, it has pushed my other mod's on the back burner. Items like the diamondback cover, TTT mirror mod, Line-X, and rear-seat delete sub box & hound seat/platform, are all on the "To Do" list this year.

I think my hobby is starting to catch up with my wife's purse fettish?!

-Tung

Hurricain

Any thought to where to mount the center channel speaker and what type od speaker to use?

TungstonTiller

Hurricain,

Yes, actually I've given this alot of thought. I doubt I'll be able to meet my objective 100%, but this is what I've come up with in concept.

1. Home theater center channels should be the same power output as the other channels (except sub). LF RF C LR RR

2. This would also require similiar speakers at each location. This is a difficult objective to accomplish.

3. Prepackaged, car audio center channel's are typically 100 watt output RMS.

4. Location, the F150 affords a few locations of adequate size.

Conclusion, my design will be incorperated in the center, top, tray on the dash (aux. input jack location). Have you seen the 3 gauge cluster/pod that fits into this location? I'm thinking of a similiar design facing the windshield with 2-4in woofers and 1-1in tweeter.

Closure Design-
I would like to fabricate the 2-4in woofers to face the windshield at aprx. 45* angle with a slight upward projection. I would like 1/2-3/4in of the speaker to be below the plane of the dash.
A center mounted 1-1in tweeter, slight upward projection toward windshield.
The speakers would have a dark wrap-around grill \__/ . The back or surface facing the passenger compartment would have arpx 30* angle with a recessed tray similiar to that of the exsisting factory tray.

Down the road, I'd like the closure to double as a place to hide a hidden radar detector reciever. This would be located above the tweeter. I am planning on a Beltronic RX75 or STI-R (something along these lines). But these are even more spendy then my head unit. So I'm thinking atleast 18 - 24 months on this purchase, perhaps.

Now, the question is how do I power it? Im considering several options for AMPs. But thats another conversation.

Have a good weekend.
-Tung

Ty

WOW, after drpooing all of the money into a system, I might have to live in the truck, lol.

Hurricain

Tung

I found this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Kenwood-KSC-...2em118Q2el1247
Looks pretty cool, comes with a small amp. The only thing is I'm sure where I would put. It could be mounted on the plastic tray, but then you will still see the mounting bracket.

TungstonTiller

Hurricain,

I've looked into that. However, Im not sure how it will sound for two reasons. 1. I think it is way underpowered. Im only going to be running between 80-100 watts to my other channels. But 20 watts? Not sure about that. 2. Plus the speaker wouldn't be voice matched to the other front channel speakers.

Those are two basic rules of surroud sound. If your interested in that one, I think you could mod it and build it into the front tray.

Basically, take the try out and build a mount for it to be placed into. If you desire a more factory finish.

Thats what I'm after. A customized to my life style factory finish. Plus I am excited to finally be in a place to build the truck I've wanted for years but have had other priorities. IE.- College, Job Hunting, Start of a career, Wedding, House Purchase, Wife in Grad School.

I have a year or two window to splurge until the other half will want kittens.

What type of system are you after Cain?

Ty- I think the center channel will be one of the less expensive pieces to my truck. Time, 1/4 plywood, some poly/rubberized spray & a couple of speakers. Or maybe some fiberglass... But lots of time...
-Tung

TungstonTiller

Hurricain,

You could also mount that in the center counsole below the HVAC controls, where the cig. lighter & back up sensor switch are located.

If you wanted to spend a little money, I think a car sound shop could install it there.

-Tung

Hurricain

Tung

To give you an idea of the setup that I have or the setup I would like to have in the near future. Currertly I have Alpine Type R 6 1/2" model SPR-17S in the front doors and Alpine Type R 5 X 7 model SPR-57C in the back doors. I am awaiting ny new Kenwood DNX8120 . Once I get it installed I am going to hook up my 2 Kicker 10" CompVR that are being pushed by a Kenwood KAC-8152D http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=14935 with a 2 Fared Cap. I will also be installing a back up camera. In the future I would like to install an amp to run the door speakers and install the center channel speaker as well. One of the other things I would like to do is get a touch screen and mount it where the tray is on the dash using ethier the KOS-L432 or the KOS-L702 so I can keep the Nav up all the time while having the other controls on the stereo. Last but not least i want to put in some rearseat monitors for the kids.

TungstonTiller

Hurricain,

That sounds great! Like the thought of double screens.

If your thinking of dropping the second screen in the dash tray, why not place the center channel behind it facing the windshield?

Or does someone have a premade kit for our truck? (To fit a screen in the dash tray.)

Will you be having a 3rd AV input? 1st-DVD, 2nd-Back-up camera, 3rd-?
Option A- TV
Option B- Game counsel
Option C- Forward facing camera
Option D- ?

Do you have plans for the 2 relay switches?
Does your truck have homelink?

By the way, you've got the same series voice speakers, I'd stay with Alpine Type R's for the center channel if I were you.

Great discussion.
-Tung

Hurricain

Well the new radio finally made it here after a 2 and a half month wait. I am going to try to get it installed this weekend. I have so much to do in order to get it right. I will try and get some pics posted when I get it in.