First major installation project
 

So other than putting in an aftermarket jvc deck I am completely new to car audio stuff. I've done a lotof research on what I want to buy now I just need help with putting it all together. I plan on ordering JL C5-650 components (or something similar), a rockford fosgate 2 channel amp, dynamat speaker kit, and dynamat door kit. I am driving a 2003 4dr "sport"

So a few questions:

1) My car does not currently have tweeters so I'm going to put in some custom mounts, where would be the easiest place to install them? dash, sail panel, etc?

2) where is the best place to mount the crossovers?

2) What will I need for a wiring kit?

3) Should I dynamat the metal part of the doors or the inside of the plastic door panel?

4) how in the hell do I wire all of this? where do I start and what are the easiest places to run and conceal the wires/amp.

5) ANY other relevant information pertaining to this install that may be beneficial.

any help is greatly appreciated

RE: First major installation project
 

1) I think you'll probably find that the door panels might be the easiest place to mount the tweets... If you're going to do a dash install I think you want them firing up at the windshield... Sail panel install looks clean - does anybody know if sail panels from a coupe with the tweeter mounts will fit a 4dr? In terms of audio fidelity, apparently a kick panel install is your best bet. Q-Logic makes good products that are colour-matched to your interior

2) Mount the crossovers in the door panel... Just find a location out of the way. There`s lots of empty space in there. I wrapped mine in some foam and then plastic to ensure they wouldn`t get wet or rattle around.

3) You`ll want one of these. You`ll probably want one of these as well.

4) I didn`t use any dynamat in my install and I have zero rattle from my doors. I don`t know if it`s really worth it.

5) Remove all interior panels that run along the sides of the car - your kick panels, etc... I think with 7th gens people usually run the power cable for the amp down the passenger side (battery is over there and there`s an accessible hole in the firewall) and the RCAs down the driver`s side.

6) I just realized you used 2) twice... anyhow... Other than the above links, this might be of use (removing door panels), as well as this (removing factory stereo)... But this is definitely the best document you`re going to find - it`s Crutchfield`s install document for 7th gen (covers coupes and sedans).

HTH.

RE: First major installation project
 

Put your tweets down low in the kicks..... unless you like your ears to bleed.... it will take away some of the harshness and the further away you get them from your ears the better they will image...... use dynamat .... in my opinion it's a must it might sound ok without it but once you use it you'll know what i'm talking about..... i like to mount the crossovers somewhere clean and DRY.... since phase is crucial in tuning componets you'll want to be able to get at your crossovers..... hope this helps

RE: First major installation project
 

Ok thanks a lot for the advice, those links are especially helpful. So when I put everything in, how do I wire the stuff in the front? for example getting wire from the speakers to the back of the deck, or to the kick panel? thanks again

RE: First major installation project
 

There's lots of room in the dash - just find a spot where the cables aren't going to interfere with any moving components... There's lots of space in there to route wires... I ran my speaker wires and RCAs pretty much along where the hood release latch runs on the driver's side, down behind the hood release, through the kick panel.

You'll get varying opinions as to how to get your speaker wire into the door... Your options are either:
[ol][*]Wire through the door molex. More difficult of the options but would make for a nice install. Didn't do it myself, but here is a howto.[*]Tap into the existing speaker wire in the door. This is how I did it. Just make sure that you make good soldered connections if you go this route... You've already got speaker wire going through your door molex, why not use it? Just locate the wires that come from the back of the door speakers, make note of the colours, and then find the corresponding wires inside the car.[/ol]

RE: First major installation project
 

ok thanks, and another thing, does anyone have a diagram or chart of the proper wiring for a set of components? Like showing the route and connections for deck to amp to crossovers, etc in whatever order its suposed to go.

RE: First major installation project
 

It's pretty straightforward... RCAs from deck to amp, amp remote wire from deck to amp. Speaker wires from amp to crossovers, then speaker wires from crossovers to speakers.

The crossovers will probably be pretty clearly labelled. Just make sure that you keep your + and - wiring consistent or else your speakers will be out of phase. Test everything before you put your interior back together.