Small Sound Upgrade 1

[ErnieBoling]

I had replaced the corner speakers and rear door speakers a few weeks ago, and the sound was amazing. But then I noticed my lack of bass lol. It never ends, does it? So I purchased a pre-made kit to pump up the bass a bit. This site is a bit different, because if you don't like their asking price, you can make an offer. They were asking $345, and I offered them $310 each for two packages (I am working on a 2014 Ram 1/2 ton 2WD Laramie and a 2014 Ram 3/4 ton 4WD Laramie Longhorn at the same time). They agreed, shipped it for free, and I had them 2 days later.
https://www.hifisoundconnection.com...b-Box-Enclosure-CX600.1-Amp-KICKER16-PACK1758
They have packages that are a little more, some a little less. I went with the Kicker package because I had used Kicker in the dash and doors and it sounded good to me.
From Crutchfield I ordered the
JL Audio XD-CLRAIC2-SW
2-channel speaker output converter (bare speaker wires to male RCAs)
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_136XDCLR2S/JL-Audio-XD-CLRAIC2-SW.html
I got my Kicker remote bass knob from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Kicker-43CXARC-Control-PXA-Serie-Amplifiers/dp/B01BDCAWUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548685246&sr=8-1&keywords=remote+bass+control&refinements=p_89:Kicker
All in with shipping and taxes, I am at less than $400 and about 2 hours of install time per truck.

Seats out, beer opened.

There is a small blank panel to the left of the steering column. A 3/8" hole was perfect for the power wire.

 

[ErnieBoling]

I routed all of the wires for the amp under the sill plates. I tied the power cable to the brake cable shield to keep it tamed and out of the way.

 

[ErnieBoling]

The box fit with no issues, and the little 600W amp takes up very little space. With this set up you do not have to have seat spacers, but it may help the sound a little. You will lose your fold out trays. Something I noticed on both trucks. The pressure relief vents in the rear of the cab do not have flaps to block dirt and dust and water. I thought my truck was just a fluke, but I checked the other truck and it is the same. I had been getting water in my truck occasionally, and assumed it was the third brake light. I sealed and re-sealed it ten times and was still getting water. Now I think it is coming through these vents. I will make some flaps for these for sure.

 

[ErnieBoling]

20 years ago when I did my last stereo install, we didn't have bass boost remotes. I thought these were pretty cool. I didn't like the flange mount design though. If I were to mount this under my dash, my 6'4" 210# body would knock it off daily. I decided to disassemble the switch and flush mount it in the blank below the shifter for the 1/2 ton, and in the blank panel of the console for the 3/4 ton. I wanted to put it in the same location for the 3/4 ton as the 1/2 ton, but the circuit board for the shift on the fly 4WD control is in the way.







View attachment 153534

 

[ErnieBoling]

Took it apart, drilled the holes, mounted it up. This looks very clean to me; almost looks factory.

 

[ErnieBoling]

This is the 3/4 ton

 

[Seth_5.7]

Great write up! And also great thinking on where to put that bass knob! I have my knob screwed into the little plastic cover that pops off on the left side of my console to get to the shift linkage

Edit: I should have waited for you to finish posting because I see that is where you put the knob on the 3/4 ton [emoji2]

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[ErnieBoling]

On the half ton, I tapped into the door speaker wires behind the panel next to the seats. Rear Left + Grey/Dark Green, Rear Left - Grey/Light Green, Rear Right + Dark Green/Light Green, Rear Right - Dark Green/Grey. For the 3/4 ton I just used the factory sub feed wires. Put everything back together and connected the inline fuse and battery. This package will not win any competitions, but it sounds really nice with the upgraded speakers. Much better blending of the highs and lows. But if you want a little extra kick, just give that bass knob a spin.

 

[ErnieBoling]

While I had everything torn apart, I took a good hard look at the sound dampening in our trucks. Or, should I say, the lack there-of. I have bought aluminum butyl tape, closed cell foam, reflectix, and 2lb per sqft MLV. My plan is to use the butyl as Dynamat, and hit all of the high resonance panels. Next layer will be Reflectix for the radiant heat barrier. the closed cell foam will come next as a decoupler for the MLV, and lastly the MLV itself. I will post a write up of that project when I get rolling on it. Also, a write up of how to fix our relief vents in the back. I would highly recommend everyone check theirs. If they aren't flapped on these two trucks, my guess is they are not flapped on any trucks.

 

[Graygoose]

Looks great!!

 

[turkeybird56]

ERNIE: Nice write up,. looks great. Now, that just too much for this boird, as I only have 1/2 of my hearing ne way (Friggin jets/artillery, etc), so would not make a matter to me. BUT I know U gonna have some kickin *** sound there, enjoy. JUST turn down near RR tracks, LOL...

 

[ErnieBoling]

ERNIE: Nice write up,. looks great. Now, that just too much for this boird, as I only have 1/2 of my hearing ne way (Friggin jets/artillery, etc), so would not make a matter to me. BUT I know U gonna have some kickin *** sound there, enjoy. JUST turn down near RR tracks, LOL...

4 years in The Corps, 21 years in construction. I feel you on the hearing loss. That's probably why I need so much more sound now lol

 

[turkeybird56]

4 years in The Corps, 21 years in construction. I feel you on the hearing loss. That's probably why I need so much more sound now lol

WELL,, remember to turn down at them un marked RR crossing, LOL. There was a school bus hit in Texas a Few days ago at an unprotected BUT marked crossing, and a student died, such a tragedy. NOT want U to be part of that statistic, especially East Texas, LMAO Nacogdoches, , hee hee not, LOL

 

[Irongoats]

Looks damn good great location for the bass knobs!

 

[ErnieBoling]

WELL,, remember to turn down at them un marked RR crossing, LOL. There was a school bus hit in Texas a Few days ago at an unprotected BUT marked crossing, and a student died, such a tragedy. NOT want U to be part of that statistic, especially East Texas, LMAO Nacogdoches, , hee hee not, LOL

I'm far from Nac; I'm in the Golden Triangle

 

[turkeybird56]

ERNIE: Best I could do, hee hee, only town popped in head from E TX w/o looking at a map, hey I just a Boird.....

 

[ErnieBoling]

ERNIE: Best I could do, hee hee, only town popped in head from E TX w/o looking at a map, hey I just a Boird.....

No worries. That was actually supposed to say "I'm NOT far from Nac", but I got fat fingered and forgot the "not". So it came out sounding like I was being an ******. Sorry about that.

 

[78Staff]

This is the 3/4 ton

View attachment 153539

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View attachment 153541

I like that access plate mounting - I just swapped in a full console and was trying to decide where to put my JL Audio bass knob. I was thinking maybe going in at that access plate and mounting with switch through the cubby side wall with the knob on the interior, but your way looks like it might work even better

 

[Midnight Storm]

I swear the things you guys can do to your trucks makes me feel like less of a man!

 

[78Staff]

Installed mine today, quick and easy. Out of the way but easy to get to as well.

Positioned it towards the rear in case I want to add other items later.