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Custom Audio
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GJoyce
Dodge Dakota


12/05/2001
08:06:45

Subject: Upgrading Existing System
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Message:
I've got a 2000 club cab, w/factory amp, which i think sounds decent, but theres not much bottom end; well, there is, but the speakers can really only handle it at low volumes. Should a guy in my position, who is cash-flow restricted, try to put some kind of bass blockers on existing speakers, and add a couple of 10's, or maybe one 12" sub to the system? I still have my old punch75 from high school (which still works, 10 yrs later) that i can use, if i can figure out how to hook it in to the existing system. And I'll pick up some subs, depending on what i find. Any Ideas?? I beleive the factory cd/cassette i have is a decent HeadUnit (has to be, i'm po'), but i dont' think it has pre-outs.
Q: What would you guys do in my situation? Does scosche or someone else make a splice connection or something for between the headunit and amplifier, to provide wiring for an amplifier?
I'm planning on building a sub box for under the clubcab seats.
Thanks,
Gary J.

2000 cc 4x4 4.7v8




Bluethunder
Dodge Dakota


12/05/2001
09:39:59

RE: Upgrading Existing System
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Message:
Well I have an option for you, but three things are required:

1) Low cash flow
2) a little handiness
3) A want for decent bass(not great)

I was trying to figure out a way to get some bass(cheaply) into my system before I got my Thunderform. I had 2 JBL 8"s from an old box.

What I did was open up the driver side seat(rear) and measure the opening inside the "lip" Then I cut a 3/4" piece of plywood to fit in it flush. Then carefully cut out 2 holes for the speakers..I experimented with 2 8"s....1 8"....and 1 10"....They all fit and they all sounded basically the same.....I covered the plywood with grey carpeting and I filled the tool tray with polyfill. Then added a Sony amp under the driverside front seat to power it.

I didnt get a real "deep" bass but it hit very hard. More of a midbass. For the money it was a good solution, but it wasnt what I was looking for so I opted for the Thunderform...

Few probs that you will encounter..(not major)...When the seat folds down, its basically smothering the subs...and getting a speaker wire back there was a little bit of a pain..you gotta drill a hole in the bottom of the tool tray to get it in there.

If you need anymore help or directions...just holler.
sreill@optonline.net



GJoyce
Dodge Dakota


12/05/2001
10:29:13

RE: Upgrading Existing System
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Message:
Thanks, Bluethunder. Good Ideas.
I'm not against taking my tray out completely though, and starting with a new box. But your idea has merit, too.
How'd you do you amp install? do you have the factory amp? Did you splice into your wiring harness, or do you have an aftermarket headunit?
thx
Gary



Bluethunder
Dodge Dakota


12/05/2001
13:35:24

RE: Upgrading Existing System
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Message:
Well, when I bought my truck I got the crappy stereo system knowing I would be going custom, so no, there was no factory amp and yes I did change the head unit.

If you dont mind taking out the tray, then building a box yourself and mounting the seats right to it is a way to go...matter of fact, i just read somewhere that somebody is selling one

http://www.geocities.com/geek_farm/photos/dakspeakers.jpg

check out that link..I think he wanted 25 bux for the box....I lost his name and addy, but that will give u an idea on what u can do



SinCity R/T
Dodge Dakota
 Email

12/06/2001
01:43:46

RE: Upgrading Existing System
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Message:
Maybe you should try to pick up a spare factory tool tray and attempt to modify it to accomodate speakers. It won't be as professional as a Thunderform, but you could definitely get it done cheaper. I've occasionally seen the tool trays on e-bay, or I'm sure you could find someone who is going to use a Thunderform long-term who'd be willing to part with one cheaply. Only catch is they're really big so shipping might suck.

You'd at least have a form to build from that would look good while the seats were down, and you wouldn't have to worry about any goofups with your own factory tray.

SinCity R/T
2001 Silver CC R/T
http://www.dakota-durango.com
Dakota/Durango Information Archive






DarkFury
Dodge Dakota
 Email

12/06/2001
11:27:31

RE: Upgrading Existing System
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Message:
Hey SinCity R/T...

Please don't take this the wrong way but... would you mind making your signature graphic a wee bit smaller (in width stay below 500 wide and file size under 60K?) so that it doesn't force our browsers to stretch to accomodate it and will load up faster for those who aren't on broadband?

I'm not trying to pick at you... but that would be the "nice" thing to do as far as the community is concerned.



SlantyShanty
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
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3/01/2002
14:39:37

RE: Upgrading Existing System
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Message:
My room-mate owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota SLT ex-cab and is going through pretty much the same problems as you are talking about. He wants to add speakers to the ex-cab part, but doesn't want to lose the seat space and not be able to fit people back there (not that you can fit too many paople back there in the first place, he's about 6'4" so drivers seat is all the way back always) Anyway, I told him of a few options like taking the tool trey out and such... which we agreed would be the best thing for him to do, BUT when he took out his factory sterio, there was a problem. He bought the wiring harness that SAID it was for his truck, but it didn't work. Every wire was accounted for but one, one lone wire that didn't seem to do anything, but when he plugged his pioneer into it, there was no sound. It powered up and all , but no sound. We figured it might be a wire to a factory amp hidden in the dash somewhere, but we didn't go looking to see where it went. We looked online but didn't find anyanswers, but we read something that talked about factory sterios and how a lot of times, power went through the head units and out to something else, like the airbag? That seemed a little odd to us, and something that we didn't want to mess up, just in case, so he put the factory back into it. Any suggestions?



matwood
Dodge Dakota
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7/26/2004
12:25:32

RE: Upgrading Existing System
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Message:
rewire the speakers. cut and take off the factory amp's that are mounted to the speakers, rewire from the head unit to the speakers so that they run on the HU amp. that would do it



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