I finally got around to doing some things I have been meaning to do to my car.

First, I debadged the rear hatch
before

after

I had to do some fabricating and cutting to get the dvd player in the hidden pocket where I wanted it...what a PITA that was!
before

after (the door on the pocket still closes)

Next, I finally installed my 12.1" LCD



I didn't install the amp and sub today, but here are some pics for good measure


What do ya think?

 

Very nice... All DIY? How hard is the install on that overhead monitor?

Looks great.

-THE DON

 

Yup, all DIY, didnt even have a buddy help me.

Honestly, the DVD player was probably harder than the monitor!

It isn't a "hard" job, but an extra set of hands while mounting it would have helped. Definitely follow the "measure twice, cut once" motto before you cut a big chunk out of the headliner!

I had a few problems, such as the screws they gave me to mount the monitor to the bracket were too short, so I had to improvise a little...anybody with a basic knowledge of tools and wiring can handle this install.

The de-badging was a breeze, although getting the glue off was a little tough.

 

super nice, guy. very clean dvd player install. looks pro.

 

That is Sweet!!!!! On the sub will you be able to take out if you need the extra room????? If so can you tell me how you did it. I might want to try that myself.

 

I like your choice of placement for the DVD unit in the dash, very nice.

 

Major League was better than II.

Nice work.

 

looks cool nice install

 

I might have to cop that idea

 

very bad place for your amplifier reason #1 someone robs your box amp and sub gone. reason #2 all of the vibration will destroy the electronics in your amplifier. but otherwise the rest is nice

 

I have mounted amps on my boxes in my cars for over 3 years. Also, in many installs I have done for other people I have mounted amps this way. As long as the amp is secured to the enclosure, it will be fine. As far as theft goes, my windows are limo tinted and nobody can see in to see what I have. I am not flashy about my equipment, I don't show off in places where I'd be at risk. I think you heard a little myth here about the amps being mounted on an enclosure.

Thanks for the comments guys.

As far as how I did the sub? I dont understand, its all right in the pic. Sure it can be removed. Really pretty self explanatory.

And yes, Major League was better than the sequel, hence why it was not in the $5 bin at Wal-Mart!

And tomorrow I am re-locating the dome light up front.

 

You may want to consider mounting the amp under the seat or in the spare tire compartment. . . I used to mount my amps to the box too. . . but if you mount it seperately, it's a breeze to disconnect and load up gear. But either way, if you're not really hauling stuff, it's not a biggie.

Good job on the monitor install! How does it physically mount up there? I'm hoping that it's not drilled into the sheet metal? I've never worked with headliners and monitors.

 

What kind of modifications did you have to make to that storage box to make the dvd player fit? I'm considering mounting my aftermarket headunit there.

 

I dont know about the amp on the box, my bud who works at an audio shop in Brick said amp mounted on box= bad news. Told me the same thing that italianrelic said. But its your call in the end.

Other wise very clean and sweet job!

 

I've heard the same thing, but I've also had an amp mounted on a box before and never experienced any problems. It's probably more true in extreme applications dealing with >1,000W.

I leave the amp off of the box because I think it looks better that way, but that's a matter of personal preference.

 

Nice job....the box is look'n real smooth!

 

Thats actually why I mounted it where I did. 5 wires, and the whole amp/enclosure combo comes right out. I think it's just one of those things that somebody "made up" when their amp broke, and because it seems plausible, people continue to spread it. Like an "old wive's tale".

As for the monitor:

There is a mounting bracket that comes with the monitor. I traced the bracket, and cut that chunk out of the headliner. I then drilled into the roof support running right in the middle of the car, where the domelight was. From there, you just bolt up the bracket, and the monitor screws right into the bracket.

Of course, the screws they gave me for the monitor that connect to the bracket were too short, but I just used some I had in the garage.

Ha, my mom was checking it out and she could care less about the hidden dvd, or the clean monitor install....she kept asking how I made it so there were no wires showing.

The DVD pocket wasn't hard, just took some thinking. The best advice I can give is to take your dash apart, and take the pocket out. From there, just cut the back of it and play with it until you get your source unit to fit the way you want. You will also have to cut the plastic behind the pocket, just don't cut into the white ductwork.

 

#2 is all kinds of misinformation. There are no adverse effects of installing teh amp on the box, vibration wise. The effect of an unsecured sub box sliding around the cabin could damage the amp, but not the vibration. Think about this for a second. One, when you drive down the road (not even with teh sub on) the vehicle vibrates, especailly when driving over bumps, etc. It's going to vibrate. They are designed with that in mind. Companies also know that they are going to be installed in the trunk with the sub. It'll vibrate just as much as it would if it were on teh box. Again, they're designed with that in mind. SPL systems, do they mount the amp's outside the vehicle seperate from it? Nope, and they vibrate a whooooole lot more than your standard install. Still, they're designed for that. People argue that mounting to the box vibrates the internals, and yes, the circuit board could, theoretically,be damaged from vibration, but you're not going to escape the vibration without taking the sub out of the vehicle, and mounting it in an off-site, remote location.

I will, however advise against mounting the amp on the enclosure based on the fact that it makes everything nice and neatly packaged for theives. And don't say "I have limo tint, so I'm not woried about it," or something of that ilk. That's the worst thing you can think. Secure your box to the floor with an unconventional method. Secure your amp with an unconventional method. For instance, I like to screw my amp to something metalwhenever possible. That, or to a large, and hard to remove piece of MDF. I also like to use hex head screws as most theives don't carry that kind of tool with them. I like to secure a box (if it's MDF or square, and removable, ie not fiberglass) with this method. Unload the driver. Put 4 2 inch or longer wood screws through the botton of the box from the inside, and reload the driver They'd have to take the sub out to get the box. Just make it harder for theives.

One thing I will suggest, if you're going to mount to the box. Don't mount it to the largest side, or longest side. This is where the box will tend to flex the most. it could, in theroy, weaken the box with a screw through it there. Just a thought.

 

Yeah. . . make sure you REMEMBER to tape your wires when you take it out. . . you can pull the fuse for the power wire, but the remote lead, and inputs need to be taped (if you are using high level. . . rca's no worry.

I used to mount to the box, but being the idiot that I was, I forgot to tape the wires, and ended up with a short (was in a hurry from a flat tire).

 

what do you mean by tape the wires. gonna install my amp and sub next week or so and im curious about precautions i mite not know about. thanks a lot.