My Budget Daily Driver :)

[labragg1]

First let me apologize that I don't have some pics during the install--but I forgot to take pics when I was working on it a over the past few weekends.

This is an '01 Mercury Sable--it's my daily driver.
I had to be very budget conscience as we have twins on the way in a few months and the doctor's bills are already rolling in.

Anyway--I was just wanting to add some descent sound to it as I am spending a lot more time in my car than I used to.

Here's the equipment list:

HU:
--factory (couldn't put in an aftermarket as the factory has digital climate controls all integrated. No dash kit was available that I could find).

Amps:
Infinity Reference 7541 4-channel (110x4 RMS)
Infinity Reference 611a 2-channel (456x1 RMS)
--thanks DejaWiz

Front speakers:
Cadence CWM-6KIT (6.5" components)
--i'm very impressed with this set

Rear speakers:
Kenwood KFC-C5780 (6x8)
--just for rear fill

Sub:
MB Quart RWE-302 (12" DVC)
--thanks twistedfreak

LOC's:
David Navone NE-774V (4-channel loc)
David Navone NE-7V (2-channel loc)

MP3 Player:
Microsoft Zune 2nd Gen (80GB)
Soundgate Zune Cable Pack (awesome kit)


So far I'm very happy with the the outcome. Overall sound is a huge improvement. Even with keeping things in the factory locations I found the sound quality to be very pleasing--to me at least.
Bass is nice and tight (roughly 1 to 1.5 cubic foot sealed box). Plenty punchy.

I still have a few minor things to finish up--wrap a few amp wires, etc, but overall I'm finished.

Please feel free to comment. I feel that for the minimal amount of money I spent I ended up with a nice little system.
I was also trying to keep it very stealth-factory looking.

Ok--so here's some pics.


The car
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9480/DCAM0022.jpg

Factory HU and MP3 player--you can also see the bass knob in the left part of the factory pocket below the HU. I'm still thinking about other ways to make the MP3 player mounting better--but it's ok for now.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2696/DCAM0019.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1827/DCAM0018.jpg


Amps--you can see there's some space between the amps and where the back seat folds up--I couldn't bring the amps forward any more as they were too big--I'm thinking about building a little tool box to go in there to stash more stuff--not sure yet.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9538/DCAM0015.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2533/DCAM0016.jpg

Right Door--I put the tweeter in the a-piller to keep a factory look.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2963/DCAM0017.jpg

Trunk (sub) I was tired of stuff roaling around in the trunk--so I put small pockets on both sides of the sub to put stuff--fuses, ice scraper, typical stuff. I also had to try to keep as much trunk space as possible as I haul a lot of junk. This configuration aloud me that.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8082/DCAM0011.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5287/DCAM0013.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1006/DCAM0014.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8011/DCAM0012.jpg

[bjayjr5679]

nice. clean.

[labragg1]

Thanks man--I've always been more of a "keep it simple" kind of guy.
I had all kinds of other things I thought about doing (more visual) but in the end I decided to try to keep things as hidden as possible.

I'm still thinking about making a little platform with some sort of toolbox to go in between the amps and the back seat--it would also cover up the little bit of wiring you see.
Any other thoughts???

[turbotuli]

Looks good. People seem to like that Cadence set for budget components
Just a hint - if you put [img] url here [/img] around your picture links, people don't have to click on each one.

[BlueAc]

I'm bored tonite.... thought I'd help you out!
By the way looks good...

Originally Posted by labragg1

Ok--so here's some pics.


The car


Factory HU and MP3 player--you can also see the bass knob in the left part of the factory pocket below the HU. I'm still thinking about other ways to make the MP3 player mounting better--but it's ok for now.




Amps--you can see there's some space between the amps and where the back seat folds up--I couldn't bring the amps forward any more as they were too big--I'm thinking about building a little tool box to go in there to stash more stuff--not sure yet.



Right Door--I put the tweeter in the a-piller to keep a factory look.


Trunk (sub) I was tired of stuff roaling around in the trunk--so I put small pockets on both sides of the sub to put stuff--fuses, ice scraper, typical stuff. I also had to try to keep as much trunk space as possible as I haul a lot of junk. This configuration aloud me that.

[syd-monster]

+1 on the clean. It just works, really well done. Best to you and family.

[niceguy]

Very nice...

[labragg1]

BluAc--thanks for re-doing the pics.

Thanks everyone for the comments--like I said--there's still a few little things I'd like to do, but I'm happy so far.
THis was the first box that I've built and carpeted myself.

Thanks again--you guys have given me a lot of inspiration.

OH--and I still have full access to my spare tire!!

[labragg1]

OH--and fyi--those David Navone LOC's work awesome. They are probably the best, cleanest sounding loc's that I have ever used. He also has great customer support for his products. I called him a few times for recommendations and he was very helpful--really seemed to know his stuff.
Definitely would use his pruducts again.

[coffee_junkee]

Originally Posted by labragg1

OH--and fyi--those David Navone LOC's work awesome. They are probably the best, cleanest sounding loc's that I have ever used. He also has great customer support for his products. I called him a few times for recommendations and he was very helpful--really seemed to know his stuff.
Definitely would use his pruducts again.

Yes, Navone knows his shit!

Clean, I like it!