[shawnk]

Hey guys..

Well the weather finally warmed up a couple months ago and I was left with the dilema of trying to finish the Accord, or start and finish a system for my wife. Even though the Accord isn't finished cosmetically, the system itself has been running like a champ so onto the wife's car it is..... You all know the saying right "HAPPY WIFE = HAPPY LIFE "

So the goals for the system were really pretty straight foward. This is by no means any sort of competition level system. It's just something to provide better performance than what came stock.

I also wanted to use up some of the gear I have had just laying around. As of right now they system is comprised of a Pioneer AVX-H2500BT head unit (the only "new" piece of gear used), one pair of a/d/s/ 345is component speakers running actively off of four channels of an a/d/s/ PH30.2, and finally a single a/d/s/ A12s.2 running bridged of of the final two channels of the PH30.2

We'll start with the boring stuff first I guess

I didn't take too many pics of all the wiring and what not but here are a few anyway:





Originally I was going to keep the factory HU in place so here's the remote-lead ralay that I had installed a while back.

 

[shawnk]

Here's the oem HU:







I wanted a "cleaner look in the dash than what Metra or others offer for dash kits so I decide to go with an oem bezel which is used for the Navi option from Honda. This meant that I had to make my own brackets for the Pioneer DD which I did using 3/16" abs.

Here is the deck I'm referring to... this thing is fantastic for the $$ imo



and the oem bezel:







and here's the fabrication for the brackets:

 

[cobb2819]

Why not buy the dash kit for the OEM Bezel that you bought??

 

[shawnk]

The oem opening is a little larger than an after market DD so I had to fill it in with a trim ring:





So has anyone else done this to their kitchen table when working on an install???

 

[shawnk]

Why not buy the dash kit for the OEM Bezel that you bought??

You ask "why not", but I ask "why" when I can make my own brackets and save $20

 

[shawnk]

Here is the oem speaker which I gutted in order to utilize the mounting flange. I basically made a baffle using 1/4" abs which I ca glued to the abs oem speaker frame. It really works quite well and as an added bonus, it seals to the door panel perfectly.

 

[shawnk]

Tweeter pods for the upper door trim

 

[shawnk]

So the a/d/s/ amp worked well, but she was in pretty rough cosmetic shape. I figured I'd give her a new finish (after removing the factory powder coating)

Here's what she looked like before:



After 1 coat of "Air Craft Remover" and a quick sand with a wire brush:



2nd coat



3rd coat



4th and final coat



and a quick once over with a scuff pad and some acetone... I've always loved raw aluminum finish



The internals didn't really need anything but I did apply new heatsink compound and Kapton tape



I then gave the amp a good clear coat over the raw aluminum and applied a fresh new a/d/s/ logo that a local print shop took care of me.

I personally like the look better than the original

 

[shawnk]

Lots of fabrication pics coming later tonight! Stay tuned!

 

[bigdwiz]

Looks fantastic!! Can't wait to hear this or the Accord, which ever you drive down

 

[strong*I*bumpin]

Nice work Shawn,she's gonna love the HU.I have the X4500BT in my Accord and simply love it.

 

[edouble101]

I was hoping you would post this build. Nice work as always.

Now get this done so you can restore my ZPA's

TTYS

 

[Notloudenuf]

This is a ShawnK build. I'm subscribed because if he crimp caps 2 wires together somehow he does it with style.

 

[bigbubba]

Awesome job so far! Can't wait to see the rest.

 

[mrmill]

the amp refinishing is awesome. Can't wait to see the rest.

 

[GLN305]

If you ask me, that's the nicest looking A/D/S amp I have seen. Great idea!

[/COLOR]

 

[req]

right on dude!

looks really great so far

ADS logo is a real nice touch

 

[Navy Chief]

[/COLOR]

If you ask me, that's the nicest looking A/D/S amp I have seen. Great idea!

I agree with Glenn, nice upgrade. Makes me want to strip some of my old amps and try this.

 

[stylngle2003]

excellent job on that amp. gives me some ideas for an old kenwood i have lying around...

 

[shawnk]

Looks fantastic!! Can't wait to hear this or the Accord, which ever you drive down

Thanks buddy! Can't wait for the visit. We'll definitely be bringing the Accord. It's just a much nicer ride. I've missed it over past couple of months lol

Nice work Shawn,she's gonna love the HU.I have the X4500BT in my Accord and simply love it.

No doubt! It's been several years since I've been out of the industry. I can't believe how much the price has dropped on these nice decks. This thing would have easily been $800+ back when I was working :surprised:

Thanks for the compliment!

I was hoping you would post this build. Nice work as always.

Now get this done so you can restore my ZPA's

TTYS

Thanks Eric! The system is done.. finally. I'll finish up this build log by the end of the night. I'll pm you soon regarding the ZPA's

This is a ShawnK build. I'm subscribed because if he crimp caps 2 wires together somehow he does it with style.

HaHa! Well thanks man! :thumbsup:

Awesome job so far! Can't wait to see the rest.

Thanks Kelly! Can't wait to see the Power 650's up and running in your install

right on dude!

looks really great so far

ADS logo is a real nice touch

Thanks Andy! Can't wait to meet you in person bud!

And thanks to everyone else for the comments. I like to see this Va. group chiming in! I'm sure I'll be meeting you all face to face in the near future

More pics coming soon.... the good stuff