85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

I ran in to an issue as I was bringing to Kicker Audio install to completion. After our last tuning session on Scarlett, we pushed her back in to her storage spot. We had the key on and heard a weird rumble coming from the Hideaway sub. I researched the issue, but no luck. It would play fine then this deep rumble would come in. This is frustrating.

I contacted Tim Smith from Kicker. He suggested checking my ground. I ran an additional ground wire direct from the frame, but this wasn't the problem. Tim put me in contact with his coworker Jerimy for a more in-depth analysis. Jerimy suggested unplugging the remote gain control. I unplugged it and the rumble stopped. Great, this should be a simple fix.

Last night I chased the trouble and thought I had resolved it. The input to the controller gain uses a mini RCA that appeared to have come partially unplugged while securing all the wires under the dash. I pulled the controller and added a strain relief to the wire to prevent this from happening again. Problem solved, I thought but the super short screws used to mount the controller were now stripped. This lead to a search for new screws and an hour long ordeal in changing my mount design.

I tested the system and breathed a deep sigh of relief. I had solved the problem and now I could put everything back together. I left the system on while I replaced all the cover panels. When I got to the point of securing the Hideaway sub, the rumble came back. What now?

[gringoloco]

Boo. I hate gremlins, especially after midnight

[NewType72]

It's the kicker stuff obviously.. arc audio ahem arc audio hmm that's definitely odd, I've chased similar stuff before but it always was solved with a loose wire or rca. My buddy just replaced an end on his system where the rca was actually the bad contact point and was making the alternator whine through the system. I'm not really sure how you test that other than having to cut out connectors tho..

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Boo. I hate gremlins, especially after midnight

Its never fun, but I resolved this rather quickly

Originally Posted by NewType72

It's the kicker stuff obviously....

While I have no doubt there are many great brands on the market, Kicker Audio is at the top. I research customer reviews before I buy or endorse any product. My research allowed me to be very comfortable with endorsing Kicker Audio.

[N2TRUX]

Problem solved!
In my effort to make the storage area of the box as large as possible I condensed the size of the Hideaway compartment. I gave it adequate space for ventilation but failed to realize the 3.5mm input plug for the remote bass gain controller needed more space.
After my make over on the controller mount I plugged it back in the Hideaway and tested again. It worked fine till I snugged the woofer in place. The rumble came back once again. I realized it was in a bind and was bent.

I did some research and discovered the solution to my issue. They offer a 90 degree mini rca connector or an adaptor. I opted for a pigtail and replaced the connector entirely.

This proved to be a good choice. The original connector was now damaged, so the new one resolved multiple problems.

[85/Silverado]

I'll take one in Black...

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 85/Silverado

I'll take one in Black...

I can do that but I work by the hour. The good news is I only charge 10.00 an hour. The bad news is I have a gazillion hours in this one😎

[N2TRUX]

Chris and I had a productive in the shop yesterday. With the Kicker Audio system working properly it was time to get the seat back in the cab.

Before we did, we had work to do in the doors first. It's much easier to work inside the door sitting on the cab floor so we took them apart.

The power locks weren't working again. The connection on the drivers side actuator came loose so we secured it and resolved that issue.
The exterior door handle wouldnt open the passenger side door so we replaced the clip on the actuator rod.
With everything working correctly again we installed the new arm rest pads from Brothers Truck Parts. They fit fantastic and are the final piece for door panels to look new again

[N2TRUX]

With the doors back together we set the seat back in. Now we could begin the final system tune. We tried several videos via Bluetooth on YouTube as well as FM channels.
The XM20 gives you the ability to tune on screen so you can do it from the comfort of the drivers seat. We spent an hour testing with a variety of songs. We are really happy with the sound quality. Currently the Hideaway is still set at 50% and has plenty of punch.

[N2TRUX]

With the tune set we called it a day. There are still several minor details to be wrapped up under the hood. We will be working on those concerns soon, but here's a short video for now.

Kicker Audio install by N2trux -link

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

With the tune set we called it a day. There are still several minor details to be wrapped up under the hood. We will be working on those concerns soon, but here's a short video for now.

Kicker Audio install by N2trux -link

That sounds Perfect & Awesome!!

[85/Silverado]

My truck was the exact same color as yours when i bought it, now it's all black except the headliner and bench seat. oh and the seat belts.
I have to find some bucket seats in black and grey.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 85/Silverado

My truck was the exact same color as yours when i bought it, now it's all black except the headliner and bench seat. oh and the seat belts.
I have to find some bucket seats in black and grey.

There's a grey set that was just posted in the parts section today.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by TKCR

That sounds Perfect & Awesome!!

The song was probably not the best choice to show sound quality but it was playing so I went with it.

Originally Posted by 85/Silverado

My truck was the exact same color as yours when i bought it....

The red is factory correct, but the secondary color was replaced with GM warm nickel.

[N2TRUX]

While working on the doors Chris took time to correct another item on my check list.
When we originally installed the vent windows that Precision Replacement Parts had restored, I did them incorrectly. It was time to rectify my mistake.

Based on my experience and looking at pics from the past, I thought the exterior seals should be out. Instead, they are supposed to be tucked in.

Chris loosened the window assembly and leaned it back enough to push the seal in place. It looks much cleaner now. Before the seal was wrinkled at the bottom curve. Now it's nice and flat.
Thanks to Derek at Precision Replacement Parts for showing me the correct way.

[aggie91]

Looks great Ken. What's left on Scarlet before you switch over to the #77remix?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Looks great Ken. What's left on Scarlet before you switch over to the #77remix?

Thank you sir. Inside the cab is almost done. We have tidy up some wires under the dash and put the A/C duct tube back in place.

Under the hood I have a few things to get back to. The Slosh Tubz need to be undercoated, and a few drips need to be chased down. One of the Wilwood calipers is dragging and Im not sure what thats about.

I have family coming in town after July 4th so I I have to get my yard and pool presentable for our company to enjoy. Im working on lining up the parts needed, but its probably going to be mid July before I can get to the #77_remix project

[85/Silverado]

That's why they invented Motels....

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

While working on the doors Chris took time to correct another item on my check list.
When we originally installed the vent windows that Precision Replacement Parts had restored, I did them incorrectly. It was time to rectify my mistake.

Based on my experience and looking at pics from the past, I thought the exterior seals should be out. Instead, they are supposed to be tucked in.

Chris loosened the window assembly and leaned it back enough to push the seal in place. It looks much cleaner now. Before the seal was wrinkled at the bottom curve. Now it's nice and flat.
Thanks to Derek at Precision Replacement Parts for showing me the correct way.

This is an update I've been waiting on for awhile. Whew, I'm glad I did mine right. I was worried I might have done mine wrong after you posted about the vent windows, sometime ago. I wouldn't have wanted to get into that again. Them vent windows can be a pain in the a$$.
Thanks for posting!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 85/Silverado

That's why they invented Motels....

We have rented a beach house to entertain, but my poor yard needs my attention anyway. My sprinkler system died and I have a new one in place. Now I have to get the weeds under control.

Originally Posted by TKCR

This is an update I've been waiting on for awhile. Whew, I'm glad I did mine right. I was worried I might have done mine wrong after you posted about the vent windows, sometime ago. I wouldn't have wanted to get into that again. Them vent windows can be a pain in the a$$.
Thanks for posting!!

I would have sworn that I was doing it right. I looked at every pic I had on file of my recent builds and all of them had the gasket to the outside. After you questioned this I confirmed with Derek at Precision and indeed I was doing it wrong. Fortunately all Chris did was remove the top screws and tilt it back a bit. Thats all that was needed to get them in properly.

[N2TRUX]

We are in the middle of a bathroom remodel project so my shop time has been limited. Last weekend I did manage to get a few hours in on Scarlett.

Saturday I used her to mock up the Kicker Audio system for The77_remix build. take a look here for more details The77_remix

[N2TRUX]

Sunday Chris came over and we worked on getting her cleaned up for a photo/video shoot by Ryan Brown from of @Gearswheelsandmotors. Ryan spent the afternoon shooting video that will soon be released for use by the supporting vendors on this build. Unfortunately I was so focused on his instructions while shooting, I failed to get pics.

Yeah, I know. I cant believe it either. I do get a couple of shots at a gas stop before the shoot.

[aggie91]

What's the latest on the tailgate insert for her?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

What's the latest on the tailgate insert for her?

Nothing new. I havent been able to locate one thats not priced insane so I am going to recondition the one I have. I keep telling myself I cant make it look much worse, but Im still scared.

[N2TRUX]

I have been working on my house and yard getting it ready for my sister and her family to come visit so shop time has been limited.

Chris and I got a bit of shop time in one Sunday. Since the hood was thrown on at 3:00 am before Lonestar Throwdown it was never adjusted properly.We got it close and called it done. Consequently the hood managed to shift backward and got to close to the cowl cover.

While shooting video with Gears, wheels, and motors the hood caught the cowl and put a slight kink at the back of the hood. Needless to say that busted my bubble on what had started as an awesome day.

I am pretty sure that my PDR guy can fix the hood. in the interim, we needed to get it fitting properly. That turned out to be a disaster as well. While opening and closing the hood for adjustment on the latch, the release cable decided to break. Chris came out of the cab with the handle in his hand and that deer in the headlight look. This was not good considering the hood was shut tight.

We managed to access the cable under the truck and cut it in half. We removed the cover and pulled the cable enough to get the hood open. I immediately removed the latch entirely. We were finally able to get the hood adjusted correctly by tweaking the hinges and now it shuts squarely.

I ordered a new hood release cable, and a new hood latch mechanism too. I'm not taking any chances on that happening again.