Typo's Reg Cab Box Build

[WhiteExpress]

If they hooked up subwoofers to their rear channel... Damn, they aren't even making their subwoofers move. It's a more and more common problem with trying to integrate to OE radios. (Hence I knew to check for it!)

 

[typo_joe]

I had read about the cross over but i thought it was worth the question.

So now comes a new question...

How do you remove the dash/stereo in a 2013 ram express. The fact i dont know and havent found anyone who does is the reason ive been trying to avoid pulling the HU.

As for the loc power wire, it has to be a constant 12v not a switched like a remote wire. I still may try to find a constant to tap into under the seat (i dont have heated seats).

On DIYMA it was suggested for me to run it to a distribution block off my amps power. That may be the route i go. A lot cleaner then tapping (imo). Thoughts?

 

[typo_joe]

Anyone know where the rear speaker crossover point is at?

 

[cableguy_hd]

if your going thru the fire wall with 4g wire a little wire to activate the loc shouldn't be to much harder to push thru.

 

[WhiteExpress]

I had read about the cross over but i thought it was worth the question.

So now comes a new question...

How do you remove the dash/stereo in a 2013 ram express. The fact i dont know and havent found anyone who does is the reason ive been trying to avoid pulling the HU.

As for the loc power wire, it has to be a constant 12v not a switched like a remote wire. I still may try to find a constant to tap into under the seat (i dont have heated seats).

On DIYMA it was suggested for me to run it to a distribution block off my amps power. That may be the route i go. A lot cleaner then tapping (imo). Thoughts?

I would assume there are still a couple of screws under the top tray deal (does it have a small rubbery piece that removes?) and then gently pull around the edge.

 

[typo_joe]

I would assume there are still a couple of screws under the top tray deal (does it have a small rubbery piece that removes?) and then gently pull around the edge.

Im not sure what your talking about and i cant go out to look at my dash. Heres a picture from google. Any ideas?

 

[TwoWheelSqueal]

In the top center tray of your dash where it says ram. Lift up the platic cover and there will be two torx screws. Once you have those out just pull on the dash, they are just pressure clips.

 

[typo_joe]

In the top center tray of your dash where it says ram. Lift up the platic cover and there will be two torx screws. Once you have those out just pull on the dash, they are just pressure clips.

Thank you sir!

 

[cableguy_hd]

You got to pull pretty hard as well. At least I did

 

[Etroze86]

There are trim removal tools out there also that are made out of plastic so you can get a bit more leverage. New vehicles shouldn't have to worry about breaking clips but I would still becareful.

 

[typo_joe]

Thank all of you for the help. I did find the screws under the rubber mat. I put the mat back in, I'm not ready for that step yet... actually, that will probably be one of the last things I do.

I bought the carpet and spray glue on the way home tonight. For inquiring minds, I bought it from O'Reilly. I also found the exact same stuff at Auto Zone. When I post an update of the carpeting, I'll include a picture of the roll (again for inquiring minds).

It has been suggested to me (on another forum) to add a second baffle (front panel) and flush mount the sub. This never crossed my mind, but now that it has, I'm seriously considering it. I grabbed a couple scraps of MDF and put it up there to see what it would look like (or something like it). I'm thinking it would look pretty sweet. Albeit a pain in the a$s to remove the sub, but it should help the sq slightly by solidifying the enclosure a little more... maybe?

The biggest stopping block for the double baffle... I can walk over to the box and slap the carpet on right now, but... not if I add the double baffle. Decisions, decisions... suggestions welcome... help me decide, please.

 

[gmzvip23]

Looks a good plan man. The 2nd baffle will make the speaker look flush with the box and cleaner in my opnion. I have to ask why not hide the amp and LOC under the seat?Or in the side tray you made lay it out.

 

[typo_joe]

Looks a good plan man. The 2nd baffle will make the speaker look flush with the box and cleaner in my opnion. I have to ask why not hide the amp and LOC under the seat?Or in the side tray you made lay it out.

Every truck ive owned had the amp tucked under the seat and ive never had a clean install with it that way. With my lazy a$s, 'hidden' turns into 'out of sight out of mind' and becomes a mess. If its in plain site, i gotta keep it clean.

I did consider putting them into a false floor in the tray. Possibly covered with plexi, but thats way more then i wanted to get into. Its already gotten carried away from my initial thoughts. Once i started thinking in that direction, i had to put the brakes on.

Also, on top of the enclosure gives me the easiest access for adjustments. Although, thats a minor thing.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[typo_joe]

Put in some work on the build today. Unfortunately I haven't taken any photos yet.

First, the 2nd baffle isn't going to happen. I was set on adding it, but apparently my tape measure didn't work right today. I had only enough scrap MDF to try this once. The amount it was off was minor, but I wasn't happy with it. So... I scraped the idea.

I also learned that carpeting a box is not as easy I thought it was going to be. The box is carpeted, but it isn't pretty. Sad thing, I watched a few videos online of people doing it. Although after I started working on mine, I realized mine was a little different. I wouldn't say more difficult because truth is, it wasn't really difficult. The biggest issue I have are my seams. A part of me believes this may have been a small part due to the carpet I used. I got it at O'Reilly and it looks nice, but I wonder if I would have used some carpet from somewhere like Parts Express if it would have hid my seams a little better. BTW, my guess, the seams wont be noticeable in the photos to come. I am curious if anyone knows how to get spray glue off/out of the carpet... I got a little messy. So, any ideas?

In addition to failing at the second baffle and the mediocre carpet job, I also got the following knocked out:
• Mount hole positioned, drilled and test fit.
• Wire holes positioned and drilled
• Amp and LOC mounted to box
• Amp power, ground, remote and RCA cables attached and ran through the false walls
• LOC power, ground, remote and RCA cables attached and ran through the false walls

Tomorrow I have to:
• Install and secure enclosure in truck
• Wire and install sub
• Run Amp and LOC power wire
• Ground Amp and LOC
• Run Remote Wire
• Pull HU and tap speaker wires

One thing that's odd to me is the direction I'm running the wires. Not that it's a big deal, but I've always ran my wires in the opposite direction. Example, typically, I would run the power wire from the battery to the amp; not from the amp to the battery. Shouldn't matter, but guess I'll find out in the morning.

I'm not sure when I'll get the update up, but I'm going to try to remember to take pictures while doing the wire runs. Hopefully, I'll have something up this time tomorrow.

 

[typo_joe]

I got it all installed today. I didnt really run into any major headaches but im glad its in.

Some info for inquiring minds:
• power wire for the amp and LOC were run under the door kick panels, then tucked under the carpet under the dash and out the grommet in the firewall (ill have to get a picture tomorrow and edit). The grommet is where the trailer brake (i think thats what it is, something to do with the brakes) should be installed. If you have one, thats probably not going to work for you.BTW, I call it a grommet but it a plastic cover for the hole needed for the trailer brake. Its held in place by two pretty massive bolts. i drilled a half inch hole and run both the 4g and 18g through it.
• the tap wires for the LOC also ran under the door kick panels but continue under the carpet and up through the center of the dash. Word to the wise, running signal cables with power cables is a bad idea. I took the risk in this case because its only a sub but noise can be introduced by doing this. If i do begin to hear something i will reroute the wires but my fingers are crossed. There is some separation in my wire runs but not much and not the entire length of the runs.
• the ground wires for the amp and LOC were ran to the inside bolt of the drivers seat. The bolt and washer are black and the seat bracket is painted black. To be sure i had a proper ground, i took a drimmel to the washer and bracket to expose bare metal. Then i sandwiched everything together.
• the tap wires for the LOC tap into the following wires on a 2013 ram express with a uConnect 3 factory head unit: L- to gray w purple stripe, L+ to gray w yellow stripe, R- to green with purple stripe and R+ to green with yellow stripe. From what i found these are the front door speakers. I used four inline splice terminals. Sorry but i did not take pictures of this part.
• as for the dash pulling, it was as suggested, two screws under the top 'ram' tray liner. Then pull to unlatch clips. I did lose three clips inside the dash. I was able to find one but i have no idea were the others went. Reassembly went smooth though. Another word to the wise, if you care about scratches, i taped up the face of the head unit with a couple layers of tape just in case.

I think thats it, if someone wants details on something i didnt mention please let me know and ill see what i can do to help.

How does it sound?
It sounds pretty good, imo. Its not head turning like some of my older systems but its clean and solid. Id say im 90% happy with it. After i figure out how to adjust all these levels so it sounds exactly like i want it to, then maybe that percentage will get closer to the 100% mark.

Tomorrow (when the sun is up) ill try to grab some additional pictures. Heres a few i have to share now.

 

[chuck]

Very impressive write up, that's gonna be really valuable info for a lot of people I'm sure. Glad to hear you're so happy with it! 90% is much happier than I am with my stock system haha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[Etroze86]

Very clean I like it. I agree 90% is way better than the stock stereo in my RCSB.

 

[WhiteExpress]

I think a Reg Cab makes it pretty hard to have an 'impressive booming system' with it's limited air space. I'm sure someone will strike down my comment with fact, but it's always seemed like it takes less stereo when the speaker isn't firing into a seat, or into the floor.

I'm about 93% satisfied with my setup, and until I swap out the crappy factory seats it'll stay.

Oh yea, that's a nice clean install. I like it.
How to get glue out of carpet? Uhh new carpet?