85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by ultrahd4me

Looks great Ken. I may have missed it, but how are mounting the speakers boxes after you wrap them. Thanks bud

Bobby I have tried several ways to avoid drilling holes. In this case I just couldnt help it. The Kicker Hideaway sub enclosure is heavy and needs ample support. I opted to drill two holes through the bottom of the box. I used a tap to cut threads in the floor pan for mock up. On final install I will add sealer, then install a nut and washer to ensure it doesn't damage the floor.

[N2TRUX]

Sanding, sanding, and more sanding. Maybe theres a better way to ensure a clean fit and smooth transition between panels, but I havent found it yet. Last night a pulled the passenger side 6x9 enclosure and sanded it smooth. It now fits like a glove and has nice radius edges.

[N2TRUX]

Chris got the last bit of wiring done. He discovered that KMC 20 does not need a constant hot unless you want it constantly hot. We did not, so that was changed. Once more he double checked everything and covered it all in duct tape.

I worked more on the fit of the boxes. I fine tuned the gaps and added the last close out panel to the top of the 6x9 box. I added Silent Coat to the back of the box and closed it up for testing.
Chris linked his phone via Bluetooth and we fired it up. We started the tuning process by going neutral with all the settings. The #kmc20 processor has plenty of tuning capabilities so we spent some time roughing it in.

For our first round of tuning we turned the bass off and slowly brought up the mids and highs. We tried a variety of songs and found a happy place so we brought the bass back in. I like really tight lows so I want to play with frequency settings more, but so far we have a good base tune and we are pleased.

Before we blow it apart, I shot a short video. (Link) Now it's time to wrap the enclosure and get this segment of the build done. My next project is already underway.

[Desert1957]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Chris got the last bit of wiring done. He discovered that KMC 20 does not need a constant hot unless you want it constantly hot. We did not, so that was changed. Once more he double checked everything and covered it all in duct tape.

I worked more on the fit of the boxes. I fine tuned the gaps and added the last close out panel to the top of the 6x9 box. I added Silent Coat to the back of the box and closed it up for testing.
Chris linked his phone via Bluetooth and we fired it up. We started the tuning process by going neutral with all the settings. The #kmc20 processor has plenty of tuning capabilities so we spent some time roughing it in.

For our first round of tuning we turned the bass off and slowly brought up the mids and highs. We tried a variety of songs and found a happy place so we brought the bass back in. I like really tight lows so I want to play with frequency settings more, but so far we have a good base tune and we are pleased.

Before we blow it apart, I shot a short video. (Link) Now it's time to wrap the enclosure and get this segment of the build done. My next project is already underway.

Ken,
Isn't the seat going to change any settings for sound your making anyway?
I know the low frequencies are omni directional, but mids and highs from the rears?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

Ken,
Isn't the seat going to change any settings for sound your making anyway?
I know the low frequencies are omni directional, but mids and highs from the rears?

You are correct sir. I factored that in, and considered setting the seat in place. No doubt the seat, carpet, etc will have an impact. I was more concerned with balance and staging on the initial tune. Once we get it together I will see if my worn out eardrums will allow me to tune it properly. If not, Chris has a pretty good sense of sound too.

[gringoloco]

Looking great! What's the next project?

[aggie91]

Great work on the sound system. I hope the next project is what I think it is. It was missing at LST...

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Looking great! What's the next project?

Originally Posted by aggie91

Great work on the sound system. I hope the next project is what I think it is. It was missing at LST...

I was asked by many people at LST 2017 "where's the 77?" When you going to bring the 77 back out" "you still have the 77?"
In response to the inquiries #the77remix is my next project. I made a commitment to my family and several vendors to bring it back with a fresh look. Don't worry, I promise to pay tribute to the look it has now. Stay tuned for more details soon.

[Low Elco]

For your Ramjet issues on the 77- 'bout halfway down.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=657509&page=2

It opens up a bunch of possibilities, good luck!

https://www.google.com/search?q=obd+...F-8#q=mefiburn

[gringoloco]

Ooh, finally wide wheels out back?

[mcbassin]

Awesome work Ken! Very clean!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

For your Ramjet issues on the 77- 'bout halfway

Thanks for sharing

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Ooh, finally wide wheels out back?

It depends on tires available.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Awesome work Ken! Very clean!

Thanks

[N2TRUX]

Progress has been slow and shop time has been limited. This is the time of year that my day job keeps me busy. I have been glueing, filling, and sanding the enclosure. Once it's all smooth as a baby's bottom I can start to wrap it. Here's a few pics from last night.

[NewType72]

What a killer box, never though of adding silent coating to the inside of the box , that must help tremendously.. gets me thinking for my redo some decade haha

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by NewType72

What a killer box, never though of adding silent coating to the inside of the box , that must help tremendously..

Due to limited space I'm using 1/4" lauan for a backer board. Consequently I felt without sound dampening I would have issues with resonance or rattles. This was cheap insurance.

[NewType72]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Due to limited space I'm using 1/4" lauan for a backer board. Consequently I felt without sound dampening I would have issues with resonance or rattles. This was cheap insurance.

Absolutely justified. It makes so much of the difference having all the flat areas taken care of and solidified. Can't wait to see the box all wrapped

[N2TRUX]

Sanding and filling, then more sanding and filling. I could use power tools, but hand fitting is more precise. It's tedious work but it should pay off in the end.
I'm getting close to being ready to wrap the enclosure and get this segment of the build done.

[bigarmzz]

wow Ken, i'm late to this party I've spent all morning reading through all 44 pages lol

I don't get on here much, and I seen this, wow, darn sweet job and attention to detail.

what are your goals for this truck? are you selling it when your done, or is this a keeper?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by bigarmzz

wow Ken, i'm late to this party I've spent all morning reading through all 44 pages lol
I don't get on here much, and I seen this, wow, darn sweet job and attention to detail.
what are your goals for this truck? are you selling it when your done, or is this a keeper?

Dang Bigz, long time no hear. Glad to see you dropping by and getting caught up.
This one is going on the market as soon as she's done. It will be in the American Racing booth at C10s in the Park in Waxahachie in September.
In the meantime I have dusted off the 77. It's next in line.

[N2TRUX]

This time of year is really busy at work so my shop time has been very limited. I have spent the past two weeks sanding and filling as reported above but there's only so much of that to show.
Friday night was one last fit and finish session. It's time to wrap this rascal.

I have been doing research on audio install feeds and decided to step away from 3M glue. There are several brands the Pros use, but I wanted a product I could buy locally.

Home Depot carries Weldwood brand contact cement and it has good reviews. Its expensive at 15.00 a can but any good glue is not cheap. I plan to buy a spare on my next Amazon Prime visit.

[N2TRUX]

I looked at several options on vinyl to cover the box. I considered trying to match the grain on the seat but it wasn't what I wanted.
In the end I settled for using left of materials from my 84 Sierra build. I like the grain, and just enough to do the job. It wasn't even close in color, but I planned to dye it anyway.

[N2TRUX]

To dust off my skills I went slow on Saturday. Carefully planning and measuring each piece I cut was critical.
If I had calculated correctly there was no margin for error. One mistake and I would not have enough material to complete the job and no possible way to buy more.
The bottom was my starting point and it went fairly well. I moved on to the cover for the Kicker XM20 processor. Here's where I realized I still suck at making clean corners.

[N2TRUX]

Next up was the back of the box. I layed it out and worked from one end to the other. Once the wrinkles were stretched tight I used a wooden roller to smooth the vinyl. This also promotes a better bond.

If you don't have a wooden roller, I have been told that the small plastic pie crust roller from the kitchen drawer works too. Be sure to wipe it down with paint thinner before returning it though. That last part is important.

I wrapped the Kicker Hideaway powered sub bezel as well. Once again trying to improve my corner technique. They arent pretty, but the exposed side lokks great. This was the last of the loose pieces so I called it a night

[N2TRUX]

Sunday mornings shop session was going to be a test of patience. The remaining pieces to be covered would be more difficult. I carefully laid out each cut noting I was running out of vinyl quickly.
The Kicker 6x9 coaxial enclosures were next. I thought they were going to be more difficult, but they went surprisingly well.

[N2TRUX]

Time to do the pieces I had been putting off. Most would prefer the small parts, but I don't. They are tedious to wrap and give minimal satisfaction when done.
As I laid out my cuts for the upright dividers I realized I had a big problem. The long piece that I had saved for the top was missing. This was not good.