What you need to know about installing a car stereo
Oct 03 '00
Installing a car stereo can be the easiest or hardest thing to do on a car! I’m not going to tell exactly how to do it for a variety reasons such as different makes and models and the different ways of doing it. I will though try and explain what to consider, materials you need and way’s of doing things.
I have also written an opinion on “Choosing a Sound System” which I think would be a good read before reading this.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
First you need to consider the cost and how much you are going to spend. Doing this yourself if done properly should be a whole lot cheaper.
I must state if you are installing a high quality stereo system I would look at getting a professional to do it for you. They know all the tricks etc. and will be able to do it faster and better than yourself.
You will need to draw up a plan to work with, this will make things a whole lot easier in the long run.
Your plan should contain the following:
1) Budget
2) Materials
3) What speakers, decks, amplifiers etc. you have
4) Where you are putting them.
5) If using door build-outs, sub boxes or anything that isn’t included with the car than include pictures of what they should look like and correct measurements plus the extra materials.
MATERIALS
You will need:
A soldering iron
A wire cutter, stripper etc.(this tool I forget the name of but you can get it from hardware and car audio stores)
Ply wood, say 10-20mm thick and a bit of it
A saw or jigsaw
A drill
Screwdrivers
The actual Speakers, deck and amplifiers(note: all things needed for these components should be supplied by the manufacturer)
Speaker and power cables.
Carpet for the finishing touches
Some Glue for carpet etc.
These are the basics I can think of the more complex the more materials but I won’t ramble on!
METHODS
Decks: These are usually quite easy and simple depending on the type of car and the type of deck it already had in it.
Even a cd changer is easy. I won’t tell you how to do it because it alters from car to car and I only have experience with Australian Cars.
If you don’t have a CD CHANGER your choice is easy it should go in the dash. Most cars came with a factory deck making it easy to put in!
A cd changer I have found works good in the boot especially under some sliding perplex with the deck in the front dash.
Front Speakers and Tweeters
With front speakers door build-outs are commonly the best idea hiding the speaker with add on to the door. You can by templates from some car audio places but a simple teardrop shape is ideal. This can be done by using some ply and shaping it into the right shape then covering it with the same interior material as your car.
Tweeters should go just in front of the person at about ear height. On the dash, near the top of the door or near the middle pillar is good.
Also try angling the speakers upwards for better sound also leave a good spacer to stop rattling of the speaker.
Rear Speakers
These are easy and they usually come with there own template.
Put on the back shelf is an ideal position for these types of speakers. Remember first the sound come from the front not the back!!!!
Most manufacturer shelves are not good enough and therefore you may need to make your own. Thickness should be about 10-20mm’s with 2 small vents.
Amplifiers
This is where it is simple to make things look good! I always put amps in the boot. Either on a sideboard hiding the spare tire or on the floor under a piece of perplex. Make sure the cabling is neat and tidy for presentation purposes.
Subwoofers
Subs should go in the boot or back of the car. In a custom made box or some type of confined area is preferred. I always put them close to the rear seats in the boot. If you make a box don’t make it square not only does it look ugly but it isn’t the best way. Have it slanting and rounded sort of like a computer monitor but rounded.
Cabling
Cabling should be at all times hidden and kept neat and tidy. Hiding it behind and under back seats and under skirts is a good idea.
Finally remember always to keep it neat and tidy and maximize the sound by taking no shortcuts.
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Hutchy
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Location: Perth
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