My latest project

[Sully008]

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to share with everyone my latest stereo project. Because my MM is a daily driver, I always build thing to look stock or better than stock, yet vastly improving stereo performance. It should look like it came right from Ford that way. I don't do this for a living. I used to compete in IASCA and it's my hobby. Here are some pics:

Now you see it. This is the Kenwood DDX-7015 DVD player.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/HeadUnit2.JPG

Now you don't. I built this cover out of a factory deck I bought @ the wreckers for 10 bucks. I didn't want to take apart the one from the car. It's not exactly the same, but it does the job.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/HeadCvr.JPG

Here are the hand made fibreglass kickpanel speaker pods. The kickpanels are considered the best place to install speakers for proper staging/imaging. I wrapped them in vinyl and used Ford OEM interior spray paint to match color.

Driver's side:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/DriversKick.JPG

Passenger's side:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/PassKick1.JPG

There's a couple of more pics in my gallery. I haven't installed the aftermarket speakers in the pods/doors yet. I'll be doing that this week. Once that's finished, I'll be starting on the trunk. If you think the front stage is cool, wait until I get started on the back end. If anybody has any questions, I'll be happy to answer them as best I can.

[Petrograde]

looks great!!!!! :D :bows:

I'd like to hear more about those kick panel speaker pods... hand made? How difficult to fabricate?

:banana2:



...one more thing.

I cropped this image from Crutchfield.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67 40&stc=1

how did you make it fit? :confused:

[Sully008]

looks great!!!!! :D :bows:

I'd like to hear more about those kick panel speaker pods... hand made? How difficult to fabricate?

:banana2:



...one more thing.

I cropped this image from Crutchfield.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67 40&stc=1

how did you make it fit? :confused:

The pods took approx. 12 hours to make over several days from routering out the base plates from MDF, to hand sanding the fibreglass and bodyfiller to gluing down the vinyl. I worked on them when I had a spare minute or two. The grilles are also hand made, routered out of 1/4" MDF, with a metal mesh grille sandwiched in between. Those are wrapped in black grille cloth. They are removeable to view the trim panel and speakers underneath. I'll take finished pics when ready.

You're right, the DDX7015 doesn't fit the MM right out of the box. Apparently the hole in our MM isn't quite double din size. What I basically did was trim some of the dash panel just large enough so the face would fit through the hole without visible gaps. It's also backstrapped from behind, and when I put the dash panel back on, the pressure of bolting the panel back in basically keeps the deck from moving anywhere.

[Blackened300a]

It's also backstrapped from behind, and when I put the dash panel back on, the pressure of bolting the panel back in basically keeps the deck from moving anywhere.
From past Experiences, Thin little plastic Panels dont hold back 4lbs of Stereo Equipment for too long! I tried putting in a In-Dash DVD player in My avalanche that I got for a good deal. however It was made for a Ford expedition. Well I shaved a little here and there and managed to get it in. I used the backing plate to hold the unit in and the plastic panel gave it a snug fit to keep the up and down movement out. Or so I thought!!!!! Some NY Potholes, Full throttle starts and 10k miles later and the my Dash Panel Was Cracked in 3 Areas!. I assumed to let it go for a while and another 2k miles later, the Plastic panel piece that separated the Radio from the Climate controls snapped off. I broke out the ole Glue but it just looked like Crap. So Off to the Dealer I went and $245 later for a new dash Panel, I put the old Radio back in and sold the DVD player on Ebay to get my $245 back. I dont want to be the rain cloud on your installation but Im just passing on my Costly "whoops". But on a lighter note. the Speaker installation looks Great. From the Pics I assumed you Bought them until Read that you fabricated them yourself! you are quite the Handyman If I do say so myself.

[Sully008]

From past Experiences, Thin little plastic Panels dont hold back 4lbs of Stereo Equipment for too long! I tried putting in a In-Dash DVD player in My avalanche that I got for a good deal. however It was made for a Ford expedition. Well I shaved a little here and there and managed to get it in. I used the backing plate to hold the unit in and the plastic panel gave it a snug fit to keep the up and down movement out. Or so I thought!!!!! Some NY Potholes, Full throttle starts and 10k miles later and the my Dash Panel Was Cracked in 3 Areas!. I assumed to let it go for a while and another 2k miles later, the Plastic panel piece that separated the Radio from the Climate controls snapped off. I broke out the ole Glue but it just looked like Crap. So Off to the Dealer I went and $245 later for a new dash Panel, I put the old Radio back in and sold the DVD player on Ebay to get my $245 back. I dont want to be the rain cloud on your installation but Im just passing on my Costly "whoops". But on a lighter note. the Speaker installation looks Great. From the Pics I assumed you Bought them until Read that you fabricated them yourself! you are quite the Handyman If I do say so myself.

Thanks for your concern, Blackened. I was at my friend's Install shop when I put it in (he's the install manager of one of our local electronics stores) and I showed him what I was doing. I should clarify that 95% of the weight and postitioning is handled by the backstrapping and brackets I made. The other 5% is the panel. It's solid as a rock in there. Trust me, if I was doing something wrong my friend would've told me (He won the Pro 300-600 Watt class at the IASCA World Finals in 1996).

[ckadiddle]

That's slicker'n owl-hockey.

[Warpath]

What vinyl did you use?

[fastblackmerc]

What vinyl did you use?
Sweeeeeeeeeet!!! :banana:

[jgc61sr2002]

Nice job. :D :up:

[martyo]

You need to come do the hook up in my Yellow car!! Feel like coming across the border?

Your work looks great!!

[CRUZTAKER]

Utter sweetness on the install.

You do good good. I love the concealment.
I would probably still like massive sounds if I could just stop listening to the damn car.:shake:

[Sully008]

Thanks for all the compliments, gentlemen! Like I said earlier, I don't do this for a living, just a real serious hobby. Not unlike drag racing for some of you. :D

Warpath: I don't know the exact name of the vinyl, but it's specially designed to be heated and stretched a ton. I'll try and find out what the brand name is called.

[Warpath]

I had a link to an online dealer that sold heat stretchable vinyl. But, I lost it. They sell other stuff there like speaker rings, glass, bendable plywood. They are expensive. But, their stuff comes highly recommended. I'd appreciate it if you could forward the info if you find it.