troutspinner’s Budget SQ 2014 Crew Cab Build

[rpr]

And stock electrical is plenty for what ur running. I've got 12 x 200 watt channels and 3-12"s on stock electrical with no dimming or issues.... Knock on wood

I would tend to agree, but I just completed an upgrade and my battery died on me yesterday in my 4th Gen truck.

I have a two Alpine PDX amps, a PDX-F4 (100W x 4) and a PDX-9 (100W x 4 plus 500W for sub). So the total system is rated at up to 1,300 Watts.

I had a local shop do the install and they kept all my electrical stock, but the battery died on me after tweaking and listening to the system for only about an hour yesterday (with the truck not running).

Does that sound right and is that all you can expect, one hour on accessory and your battery is completely dead?

I did not notice any headlight dimming while driving.

 

[BradKnob]

Yea that's about right, I would say an hour on accessory is asking a lot from the stock battery. The longest I've ever ran my system with the truck off was 15 min or so while taking measurements for tuning.

 

[rpr]

As usual, live and learn (the hard way). Tx.

 

[troutspinner]

Adding my additional amp will require some additional RCA cables and splitters so this past week I visited all of the popular audio sites for pricing. I wanted a good cable, not over the top extreme but also not the cheap cables you can pick up at any box store or be charged an arm and a leg from a local audio store....and still of questionable quality.

Finally, I ended up at Knuconcepts website and was redeemed with a very cost friendly cable in the Krystal series. I opted for that series as the quality and the price seemed right and their splitters matched the cables.....cause I am **** like that.

They arrived today and I am truly impressed. I know many people use Knuconcepts but when you see a price half that compared to a mid-quality cable sold on other sites you question if you are making a good decision. It turned out to be a great decision as they are of very good quality.

Here is a link to the Krystal series of cable if you care to look. Krystal RCA Kables

I am only lacking one thing to get moving on installing the additional amp.....warmth! At this rate, it could be a couple months.

 

[DavidRam]

Adding my additional amp will require some additional RCA cables and splitters so this past week I visited all of the popular audio sites for pricing. I wanted a good cable, not over the top extreme but also not the cheap cables you can pick up at any box store or be charged an arm and a leg from a local audio store....and still of questionable quality.

Finally, I ended up at Knuconcepts website and was redeemed with a very cost friendly cable in the Krystal series. I opted for that series as the quality and the price seemed right and their splitters matched the cables.....cause I am **** like that.

They arrived today and I am truly impressed. I know many people use Knuconcepts but when you see a price half that compared to a mid-quality cable sold on other sites you question if you are making a good decision. It turned out to be a great decision as they are of very good quality.

Here is a link to the Krystal series of cable if you care to look. Krystal RCA Kables

I am only lacking one thing to get moving on installing the additional amp.....warmth! At this rate, it could be a couple months.

Yep, those look pretty high-end to me! Nice choice!

 

[Hipps2000]

Good to know trout spinner as I Have not purchased rca's as of yet. Waiting to receive my net audio box and audio out from head unit cable. Then I can begin to layout my system, amp rack. I will be coming out of the helix pro I to my 2 JL amps. I will be running 12" JL sub,HAT 6.5" doors, 3" in dash, and tweets in sails, as well as my rear 6x9 kickers for rear fill. I am not sure of how many rcas I will need?mI don't think they will be need to long because I intend to mount the helix and amps on same amp rack behind drivers seat with the fold down seat mod. The net audio cable provides audio out all the way to the back of truck with plug and play (no cuts harness) right into the helix pro. I would like to purchase rcas and will go knekonceptz as well. Any suggestions as to how many I will need to purchase? Also was looking at 1/2 meter vs 1 meter. I willl be running JL audio xd 1000/5 and xd 400/4 amps. Any feedback on rca count will be appreciated. My box should be here next week some time as I am right after lizard king.

 

[woojyee]

Adding my additional amp will require some additional RCA cables and splitters so this past week I visited all of the popular audio sites for pricing. I wanted a good cable, not over the top extreme but also not the cheap cables you can pick up at any box store or be charged an arm and a leg from a local audio store....and still of questionable quality.

Finally, I ended up at Knuconcepts website and was redeemed with a very cost friendly cable in the Krystal series. I opted for that series as the quality and the price seemed right and their splitters matched the cables.....cause I am **** like that.

They arrived today and I am truly impressed. I know many people use Knuconcepts but when you see a price half that compared to a mid-quality cable sold on other sites you question if you are making a good decision. It turned out to be a great decision as they are of very good quality.

Here is a link to the Krystal series of cable if you care to look. Krystal RCA Kables

I am only lacking one thing to get moving on installing the additional amp.....warmth! At this rate, it could be a couple months.

You need to change the title of your thread to

troutspinner's over budget SQ 2014 Crew Cab Build

 

[dodtbdm]

Good to know trout spinner as I Have not purchased rca's as of yet. Waiting to receive my net audio box and audio out from head unit cable. Then I can begin to layout my system, amp rack. I will be coming out of the helix pro I to my 2 JL amps. I will be running 12" JL sub,HAT 6.5" doors, 3" in dash, and tweets in sails, as well as my rear 6x9 kickers for rear fill. I am not sure of how many rcas I will need?mI don't think they will be need to long because I intend to mount the helix and amps on same amp rack behind drivers seat with the fold down seat mod. The net audio cable provides audio out all the way to the back of truck with plug and play (no cuts harness) right into the helix pro. I would like to purchase rcas and will go knekonceptz as well. Any suggestions as to how many I will need to purchase? Also was looking at 1/2 meter vs 1 meter. I willl be running JL audio xd 1000/5 and xd 400/4 amps. Any feedback on rca count will be appreciated. My box should be here next week some time as I am right after lizard king.

How much is that harness from netaudio?

 

[dodtbdm]

You need to change the title of your thread to

troutspinner's over budget SQ 2014 Crew Cab Build

I originally came here because of the title, but still enjoying every piece of the build.

 

[woojyee]

I originally came here because of the title, but still enjoying every piece of the build.

LOL, yeah.. mine started as a budget build too but I ended up spending more than I should have....

 

[Hipps2000]

I think about 125 but didn't want to cut oem harness and this will provide audio out into the helix pro. So was worth it because he provides enough wire to the back of the seat with a plug that connect into oem harness. Call Paul net audio he customized the cables to your needs.

 

[rpr]

I will be running 12" JL sub,HAT 6.5" doors, 3" in dash, and tweets in sails, as well as my rear 6x9 kickers for rear fill. I am not sure of how many rcas I will need?

You've got 9 speakers and only 8 outputs from the Helix (I think). I'm in a similar situation. I wanted as close to a full active configuration as possible so my shop only used one channel to connect both rear speakers and one channel to connect the sub.

I'm not overly happy with the outcome.

What is your plan? Passive crossovers up front?

 

[troutspinner]

I originally came here because of the title, but still enjoying every piece of the build.

Yeah...I thought about making a new thread but I guess this is my little diary as well. I still do things with budget in mind though....hence the cables. For example, had I bought good Stinger cables from Sonic, it would have been triple the price and I don't think the quality would have been any better.

I also decide to go cheap on the 2nd sub this time around and bought one to match my existing sub. Originally I wanted to get 2 new 10" subs but the truth is, I like the sound of my current sub and with the low amount of power I am sending them (in comparison to other builds), they do just fine.

I could always upgrade in the future and get some return on re-sale but I'll cross that bridge if I come to it. The ONLY reason I wanted 2 subs was for aesthetics as I want an enclosure with a seamless look across the back seat.

With that being said, I originally wanted a Netaudio box as they look great but I may have scored another higher end brand for 1/4 the price via a CL sale. I have to see it in person yet but it looks promising.

So.....I guess what I am saying is that there is still room to be cheap when building audio and getting great sound.

 

[troutspinner]

Any suggestions as to how many I will need to purchase? Also was looking at 1/2 meter vs 1 meter. I willl be running JL audio xd 1000/5 and xd 400/4 amps. Any feedback on rca count will be appreciated.

I assume you will be powering your rear doors and all other speakers will be controlled via the Helix Pro.

If true then 5 Pairs of RCA Cables will be needed.

As for size, I went 1 meter. My amp board is 36" wide. Amp on Left, Amp on Right and DSP in the center. By time I connect to the DSP and then nicely guide the cable up, right or left and down to the amp, I am looking at least 22" and a half meter is 19 1/2" +/-.

If you mount 2 amps next to each other and then the DSP centered above them, 1/2 meter would work pretty well I would think as long as all RCA inputs on the amps are pointed in the same direction and the DSP outputs facing the amp.

 

[Hipps2000]

Yes I am gonna amp everything and run new speaker wire as well, the helix pro has 10 channel out! I thought I would need 5 pairs wasn't sure because I am only running 1 sub. I might order 6 pair as to have an extra set. Troutspinner how tall did you make your amp rack? As high as back seat? I am gonna install behind the passenger side rear seat. Is this where you put yours? Do you have any pics of your set up?. I am gonna order some of these cables, tonight since you really like them. Are they sold in pairs? I really like there 0 ga dual amp kit.

Also do you know if all 4th gens 2011-2015 all have the same front a pillars? The ones with the handles up front. Was thinking of making some speaker pods for the tweets and 3" and was looking to purchase some used ones.

 

[Hipps2000]

I went with these rcas as well! I have been very pleased with knukoncepts wire. I orders 5 pair of Krystal Kable 2 Channel 1M Twisted Pair RCA Cables.

 

[dodtbdm]

Did you have any pictures of the fox box for the rear driver seat? I am wanting to go with one sub and keep the cargo storage on the passenger side for my Saint Bernard.

 

[troutspinner]

Troutspinner how tall did you make your amp rack? As high as back seat? I am gonna install behind the passenger side rear seat. Is this where you put yours? Do you have any pics of your set up?.

I have not made it yet though I do have the board and all of the components. No pics to speak of yet either as it is a work in progress. My new setup is a mix of new and existing do I don't want to tear out what I have in the truck already cause I can't go with music. So when I finally do my install, it will be a weekend blitz.

Also do you know if all 4th gens 2011-2015 all have the same front a pillars? The ones with the handles up front. Was thinking of making some speaker pods for the tweets and 3" and was looking to purchase some used ones.

I am not sure. If you do a search you should be able to find the specific parts for your truck. I think new replacements are pretty cheap also. Maybe $35 a piece.

 

[troutspinner]

Did you have any pictures of the fox box for the rear driver seat? I am wanting to go with one sub and keep the cargo storage on the passenger side for my Saint Bernard.

I don't think I took any pics....that I remember, not to say I didn't and already posted them. I like to drink beer as my main hobby. LOL

I am sure a forum search here will yield some pics. It's one of the ways that helped me make a decision to pull the trigger on that box.

 

[troutspinner]

Picked up this Unloaded MTX Thunderform Sub Enclosure today from a craigslist ad.

Other than it needing a general cleaning it's in good shape. I have no idea how it will sound but for $125 when they are currently selling for $350, it's worth a shot. It's actually more gray than dark color, it just shows up in pics weird but it matches the back seat color perfectly.

At the very least, if I do not like it, it will hold me over to order and wait for a Netaudio box and then I'll sell this for the same amount.

It does not require seat spacers though I think I will leave mine in so I still have access to the back wall. You can't see it in the pic but the terminal wire attachment has just + & - for a mono setup. I'll have to replace that with a dual + & - as I am running the subs L & R.

Other than the terminal, I have everything I need to conclude my double wattage plan. I just need some motivation....warmth would really help that motivation out.

Oh FWIW, I'll be selling my 10" Driver's Side Fox Box. You'll have to get seat spacers depending on your cab/seat configuration or make them yourself. It's in perfect shape, maybe 6 months old. I'm thinking half price plus shipping is an honest and friendly number to fellow ram guys. Contact me if you want it.