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Some great info in this thread and will certainly help me with my new 2018 STX. Just curious though but how did you route the wires from the source to the FIX86? Did you also route the speaker wires from the amp to the door speakers back the same way?
Also do you know if the CARAV 12-240 harness will fit the 2018 Sync 3? It mentions that it is for the 2011+ (select Models)
Some great info in this thread and will certainly help me with my new 2018 STX. Just curious though but how did you route the wires from the source to the FIX86? Did you also route the speaker wires from the amp to the door speakers back the same way?
Also do you know if the CARAV 12-240 harness will fit the 2018 Sync 3? It mentions that it is for the 2011+ (select Models)
I am not familiar with that harness. I looked it up and seems to have unnecessary plugs. Look at post # 22 for how everything wired up to the harness. Yes, amp speaker wires come back to the harness and connect to the corresponding colored wires. On the harness I used, all the wires were labeled. Check this link for more info on the part number I used. This is a direct plug and play. The 3rd picture in post #1 is the part. All you have to do is cut the plug on the right off to access the needed wires.
Another harness option is found in this You tube video. Its a good one to watch for F150 installs. I think its cheaper too. Mine cost $60 on Amazon. If the link does not work, its found in post #31 of this thread.
I'm in Canada, does anyone know where I can get this harness? I just ordered an Alpine KTP-445U to go with my Kicker KS speakers. Also anyone who has added a small amp like this, where are you guys getting power from? Is there anything in the cabin, or are you all running the power wires through the firewall to the battery?
I have a 2018 F-150
I never did post an update on my build. I had bad mission creep on this project....
I was not happy with the Alpine Type S speakers so I replaced them with some Type Rs. Much better sound. I also added the JL TWK 88 for my OCD tuning needs. Its crazy how much control these units give you.
As far as the bass goes, I struggled to get good sound out of the Alpine shallow mount 10" sub. I built 3 boxes before I got the sound I liked. These subs like a bigger box over the Alpine "recommended optimum volume". I made one to their specs and the bass was severely lacking.
That box sealed or ported and are you willing to give up more space under the back seat? I’m always disappointed with a sealed enclosure and will only use as a absolute last resort. But, if space is an issue, you often don’t have a choice. Trucks present a challenge without losing a lot of space.
That box sealed or ported and are you willing to give up more space under the back seat? I’m always disappointed with a sealed enclosure and will only use as a absolute last resort. But, if space is an issue, you often don’t have a choice. Trucks present a challenge without losing a lot of space.
Its sealed. The size requirement for a ported box would take up the entire width of the floor. I am happy with the way this box sounds. Making it on the larger side of the specs gave me the sound/feel I was looking for. The Alpine max box size was listed at 0.80 cubic feet. I made it (with the sub) at 0.73 cubic feet.
The trick was to design a box with a wedge shape to maximize the space under the seat while still being able to lower the back set to the stops.
Its not the same bass I got with 2 10" Rockfords in a bandpass box I had in my 1993 Ford T-bird in college but hey...we drive trucks. Take what we can get without losing the utility we got the truck for in the first place.
I just purchased the exact same harness from the same vendor. Hoping for an easy install as you did.
My question was regarding the fix 86. I currently have the fix82, I only purchased it because at the time, JL had a delay and never released the 86. I purchased a crossover with a 8 band EQ. It sounded great in my 2013 fx2.
Now seeing you have the 86, Should I make the jump? I don't plan on running the twk at this point either. Will it make a noticeable difference in my soundstage?
As far as my system goes, I'm running c3 components and 2 tw3 subs. I can't remember the amp specs but everything is JL
I just purchased the exact same harness from the same vendor. Hoping for an easy install as you did.
My question was regarding the fix 86. I currently have the fix82, I only purchased it because at the time, JL had a delay and never released the 86. I purchased a crossover with a 8 band EQ. It sounded great in my 2013 fx2.
Now seeing you have the 86, Should I make the jump? I don't plan on running the twk at this point either. Will it make a noticeable difference in my soundstage?
As far as my system goes, I'm running c3 components and 2 tw3 subs. I can't remember the amp specs but everything is JL
I don't think it will make sense to change to the Fix86. They only real benefit would be if you want to keep the factory fade capability on the head unit. The Fix82 as I understand it only needs one full range signal to sum everything up. If I follow your set up you are only running front component speakers and a sub system. No rear speakers are used, correct?
If you were going to upgrade anything, I would put the money into one of the TWK units. For your set up the TWKD8 pairs with the Fix82 perfectly.
My original intention was to only go with the Fix86 but after reading about how awesome the TWK units are I just HAD to spend another $380 bucks and get the TWK88. I have not been disappointed. These have a crazy amount of control and tuning ability. I don't use the crossovers on my amp. I use the ones in the TWK. I can set them more accurately than the crappy dials on the amp.
How are your subs set up? Behind the seat, under the seat? Sealed/Ported? Where did you get your sub box? I struggled with finding a box that sounded good. I purchased a prefabbed and hated it. I built 3 myself before I found the design that worked for my sound taste.
I don't think it will make sense to change to the Fix86. They only real benefit would be if you want to keep the factory fade capability on the head unit. The Fix82 as I understand it only needs one full range signal to sum everything up. If I follow your set up you are only running front component speakers and a sub system. No rear speakers are used, correct?
If you were going to upgrade anything, I would put the money into one of the TWK units. For your set up the TWKD8 pairs with the Fix82 perfectly.
My original intention was to only go with the Fix86 but after reading about how awesome the TWK units are I just HAD to spend another $380 bucks and get the TWK88. I have not been disappointed. These have a crazy amount of control and tuning ability. I don't use the crossovers on my amp. I use the ones in the TWK. I can set them more accurately than the crappy dials on the amp.
How are your subs set up? Behind the seat, under the seat? Sealed/Ported? Where did you get your sub box? I struggled with finding a box that sounded good. I purchased a prefabbed and hated it. I built 3 myself before I found the design that worked for my sound taste.
thanks for the reply,
im running c3 front and rear components. 5x7s for the front and 6.5s for the rear doors. (Speakers were removed from my 2013)
my subs are tw3d4 if I am correct. As for my sub box, I love it. Custom built.
This this off my 13 model but fits the same on my 16. No modifications needed. Spent around 320 for it locally.
Back to my build, i didn't plan on buying the twk only because I don't know how to properly adjust it. For my previous build, I purchased a clarion 8 band eq and had Best Buy tune it. They were pretty knowledgeable and trusted their opinion. So that is why I'm on the fence about the twk. If there is much to gain I might aswell get rid of my 82 and cop the 86.
i do understand I only need 1 feed of full range signal to the fix82, but I've seen several threads that state that you need the rear channels to be able to retain chimes etc..
thanks for the reply,
im running c3 front and rear components. 5x7s for the front and 6.5s for the rear doors. (Speakers were removed from my 2013)
my subs are tw3d4 if I am correct. As for my sub box, I love it. Custom built.
This this off my 13 model but fits the same on my 16. No modifications needed. Spent around 320 for it locally.
Back to my build, i didn't plan on buying the twk only because I don't know how to properly adjust it. For my previous build, I purchased a clarion 8 band eq and had Best Buy tune it. They were pretty knowledgeable and trusted their opinion. So that is why I'm on the fence about the twk. If there is much to gain I might aswell get rid of my 82 and cop the 86.
i do understand I only need 1 feed of full range signal to the fix82, but I've seen several threads that state that you need the rear channels to be able to retain chimes etc..
Tuning is a matter of sound preference. Cant say I would trust the "Best Buy" installers. Just my honest opinion.
There are some low cost options for self tuning. I used an iphone app used by Audio Control called Mobile Tools. The base app is free and you can buy each full tool individually for only a few bucks. I purchased the full version of the RTA and the Polarity checker. Maybe 15 bucks total. Then I picked up a calibrated microphone on Amazon for $25. I got the Dayton Audio IMM-6. http://www.daytonaudio.com/index.php...icrophone.html
The TWK products come with a CD of audio tools for tuning and other diagnostics. I ran the pink noise tack and set the EQ's to balance out the frequencies that were either too high or too low. I am really happy with the effort I put into my system. There are several YouTube videos on how to approach RTA tuning. This one is my favorite to get started.
01-04-2018, 06:47 PM
