Powersports

Polaris Sportsman 4-Wheeler Stereo and Lighting Upgrades

August 26, 2022 By JOey Knapp

Side-by-sides and golf carts are a big part of the work we do at Pinnacle Autosound. A type of vehicle we are capable of working on, but don’t see as much of are 4-wheeler ATV’s. One of our Pinnacle team members recently purchased a Polaris Sportsman, so we were excited to get to outfit it with some of our products. Our plan was to upgrade the 4-wheeler stereo system and add some awesome lighting, so the ATV would look and sound good, day and night.

Rockford Fosgate Moto-Can Speakers

The rear of the pods feature Rockford logos that can be rotated.

The pod speakers were bolted to the front frame.

We used our laser to make some custom badges for the speakers.

Adding speakers on a 4-wheeler can be a pretty challenging task. There are not a lot of places to install traditional speakers. We had to look somewhat outside the box to come up with a solution on this bike. The answer for this 4-wheeler stereo speaker upgrade was to look to the Rockford Fosgate lineup of powersports speakers. Rockford Fosgate has a line of smaller tower speakers, called Moto-Cans. These speaker pods feature the great-sounding marine audio speakers we love, in a small, rugged plastic housing. In addition to offering great sound, the pods also include front AND rear lighting, something unique to this type of product.

Mounting the speakers took a bit of ingenuity. The speakers are designed to be clamped to a thicker bar, such as those found on a roll cage or wake tower. This 4-wheeler, however, only had thin metal tubes. We found that if we took apart the clamp assembly, that the bolt holes for it lined up perfectly with the thinner bars on the front storage rack. This allowed us to through-bolt the pod speakers securely to the front rack.

Clarion, JL Audio and Rockford Fosgate Electronics

Now that we had some speakers on the Polaris, it was time to send some audio to them. We accomplished this through the use of a JL Audio Bluetooth receiver. The Bluetooth controller was mounted between the handlebars, for easy access while riding. The output of the controller was sent to a Clarion four-channel amplifier. The Clarion amplifier is marine rated, so it can handle any punishment it may take on off-road excursions. The final piece of the electronics puzzle was to add in a controller for the lighting we were installing. The Rockford Fosgate lighting controller we chose offers the user many different color, and pattern settings via a smartphone interface. The lighting controller and the Clarion amplifier were mounted on a Starboard (HDPE) plastic board that we custom cut to fit the front storage area in the Polaris.

4-Wheeler Stereo Setup and Lighting

The lighting pods give great lighting coverage on this Polaris ATV.

The rear of the Rockford Fosgate pods feature a lit logo.

The front of the speaker pods have RGB lighting.

With the electronics secured, it was time to add the rest of the lighting to the ATV. The lighting source we chose were small lighting pods by LEDGlow. These little circular pods are designed for use on motorcycles and powersports vehicles. They put off quite a bit of light and have a very small footprint. The pods were mounted and then the wiring neatly routed to the lighting controller.

The final step of the stereo and lighting package for this Polaris Sportsman was to set the amplifier gain controls and crossovers and test out the lighting. The result of all of the hard work was a 4-wheeler stereo system that was loud and clear enough to be heard, even at wide open throttle. In addition to great sound, the 4-wheeler lighting additions would ensure the ATV looked great, and was even safer, when the sun went down.

We loved the challenge of fitting a full audio system and custom lighting on this 4-wheeler, if you have a similar ATV and would like to know what we could do to help it look and sound better, stop by with it sometime. We will take a look at it and go over with you options to fit your goals and budget.

Can-Am Spyder Speaker and Amplifier Upgrade

August 19, 2022 By JOey Knapp

Here at Pinnacle Autosound we not only work on cars and boats, but also quite a few powersports vehicles. The owner of this Can-Am Spyder stopped by to talk with us about upgrading the speakers on his bike. We discussed the options available, and for a unique bike like this, they are somewhat limited. The client agreed our suggested speaker and amplifier package was the way to go, and booked his appointment.

Can-Am Spyder Speaker Installation

The mounting brackets allow us the angle the speakers toward the rider.

The speakers look right at home on this Can-Am Spyder.

The rugged grille on the speakers protects them from damage.

The black and silver colors of the pods were perfect.

The chosen speakers for this Can-Am Spyder speaker upgrade were the JL Audio VeX pods with the M3 speakers. The small size of the VeX pod makes it a perfect fit for the sides of the Can-Am Spyder. The rugged housing and sturdy sport grille on the JL Audio M3 speakers ensures that the pods will not only sound great, but look good for quite a while. The pods were mounted with the correct clamps and the wiring was run to the front storage compartment

Can-Am Spyder Amplifier Installation

The small size of the MX amplifier meant the client kept almost all of his room in the storage area.

The small JL Audio MX amplifier was the perfect choice for this Spyder.

The next step was to install the Amplifier and the Bluetooth source unit. To receive audio from the client’s phone, we used a JL Audio MBT-RX Bluetooth receiver. This receiver sounds great and plugs right into the amplifier. The power for the speakers comes from a JL Audio MX280/4 amplifier. The JL Audio MX280/4 is an incredible little amplifier. In fact, it is our most popular amp! The small form of the MX amplifier allowed us to install it in the bottom of the front storage compartment. The compartment insert was trimmed, so the wiring for the amplifier and Bluetooth receiver could be neatly routed behind it.

Setup, Cleanup and Go!

With all the new audio gear installed it was time to level match the amplifier to the Bluetooth receiver’s output. We also took time to set the crossovers in the amplifier to allow the speakers to safely play within their safe range of frequencies. The bike sounded great, so our final step was to clean up the panels, and call the client for pickup. The client was very happy with the installation and great sound his bike now had! He was so happy, he referred one of his Can-Am Spyder owner friends to us for a similar system. Keep an eye out for a post on his friend’s build too! If you are ready to enhance the ride of your Can-Am Spyder with new speakers, give us a call or contact us here!

Wet Sounds Soundbar for RZR Upgrades Polaris Audio

July 22, 2022 By JOey Knapp

We were contact by this client to see if there were any Polaris audio upgrades available for his son’s Polaris RZR. After talking a bit with the client about how the RZR was used and looking at the space available, we came up with a great solution.

Wet Sounds Soundbar Installation

We bolted the soundbar through the roll cage for maximum durability.

The soundbar was oriented to fire forward.

The controls for the soundbar were centered between the seats, the soundbar also has a wireless remote.

All of the parts we added to the electrical system were labeled, for future servicing.

The solution we came up with for the client was a six speaker Wet Sounds Soundbar. This would give the client’s son a rugged option that would sound good and keep his RZR off-road capable. We knew this little ranger was going to take a beating, so we wanted to make sure the soundbar could survive anything the son threw at it. To make sure the soundbar stayed in place, we drilled through one of the buggies roll cage bars and through-bolted the soundbar to the cage. This soundbar isn’t going anywhere! Our wiring was then neatly routed down to the battery. We made sure to label the added relay and fuse for the soundbar, that way, if anyone works on it, they will know what those parts are for.

Simple, But Effective, Polaris Audio Upgrade

When the client came back later that day to pick up his son’s RZR he loved the Polaris audio upgrade. He was happy to see how solidly the soundbar was mounted and appreciated the clean wiring. If you want to upgrade your child’s offroad toy (or yours!), stop by with it and we will talk with you about the upgrade options we offer. If you would like to setup an appointment you can contact us here.

EZGO Stereo System for Repeat Powersports Client

July 8, 2022 By JOey Knapp

We don’t only install great sounding stereo systems in cars, trucks, RV’s and boats, we also make golf carts sound good too! The owner of this EZGO golf cart had previously brought his son’s Polaris to us to install a soundbar in it. He was so happy with the work we did on his son’s Polaris that he decided to bring us his golf cart for a stereo upgrade. Follow along as we go over his EZGO stereo upgrade.

EZGO Stereo, Controls and Amplifier

The custom lasered plate housed the switches and new radio.

We mounted the JL Audio amplifier and Rockford Fosgate lighting controller on a custom HDPE plate.

Typically on golf carts we use some sort of Bluetooth controller for the audio source. This client wanted something a bit nicer, as well as the ability to listen to FM radio stations. The radio he picked out was a Fusion color radio. It has tons of features and along with its’ bright color screen, was a great choice. We would be installing the radio and two switches in the dash of the golf cart. To integrate all of the electronics in the dash we used our laser to make a custom acrylic plate to house all of the gear. In addition to securing the gear, we also etched labels for the switches into the plastic. To power the new speakers we went to our go-to EZGO amplifier, the JL Audio MX 280/4. This little powerhouse provides the speakers with lots of power, while being a nearly waterproof amplifier. We mounted the speakers and lighting controller on a HDPE plate that we fabricated.

Rockford Fosgate Speakers with Lighting

The Rockford Fosgate speakers feature integral lighting.

The rear speakers provide more sound for the driver as well as the rear passengers.

One of our favorite locations for speakers in golf carts is in the front pockets. We have templates made to custom fit the pockets of the EZGO carts. These templates help us create perfectly fitting speaker adapters in the EZGO’s. In these templates we installed a pair of Rockford Fosgate coaxial marine speakers. In the rear, behind the seats, we installed another set of Rockford Fosgate speakers. To reinforce the plastic on the cart, we cut a piece of black HDPE plastic and mounted the speakers on the plate. When discussing the build with the client we mentioned that the Rockford Fosgate speakers had lighting built in to them. The client wanted to take advantage of the lighting so he agreed to add in the Rockford Fosgate lighting controller. This gives him the ability to control the lighting via the Rockford Fosgate lighting app on his smartphone.

EZGO Audio Pros at Pinnacle

Our final step once the gear was installed was to setup the JL Audio amplifier and make sure the lighting functioned properly. When the client picked up the EZGO he was blown away by the sound from his golf cart. We are sure he was happy that his toy was much louder than his sons! Contact us online or stop by if you would like to know more about stereo options for your powersports vehicle.

Polaris General 1000 Gets Full JL Audio Sound System

August 17, 2019 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

A long-time friend of the Pinnacle Autosound owner recently came by to see about upgrading the audio system in his Polaris General 1000. After talking a bit with the staff at Pinnacle Autosound they determined what he needed were some serious upgrades. Not only did the General need to have plenty of volume, it also needed to be able to stand up to extreme abuse. The Pinnacle Autosound team was up to the task and the client scheduled a time to drop off the General.

JL Audio Media Master

Our go-to powersports audio source for side-by-sides and golf carts is the JL Audio MBT-CRXv2. The unit is a small, round controller that features Bluetooth connectivity and front mounted buttons for source control. The client wanted something with a few more bells and whistles for his General, though. The radio for him was the JL Audio MediaMaster MM100s-BE. This radio features multiple zone control, a color screen and numerous tone adjustments for each zone. All of the gear we would be installing could be controlled easily from the driver’s seat thanks to the new radio.
To integrate the radio in the dash of the General, we had to fabricate a mounting plate. We chose to make the plate out of black HDPE plastic, because of its good looks and durable construction. The plate was machined on our Shapeoko CNC machine. In the blank space below the radio we used the CNC to pocket a space for a badge insert. We again called on our CNC to machine a red and white insert for the dash insert piece. This helps give the build a truly custom look.

Powersports Amplifers

The amplifier mounting plate was precisely machined and all the edges were chamfered for a finished look.

HDPE was also used to fabricate the mounting plate for the two fuse holders.

It was a tight fit, but we were able to neatly fit all the gear under the hood.

To make sure this General sounded loud and clear at any speed, or any level above or below water, we needed lots of power. Our most rugged amplifiers are the JL Audio MX series powersports amplifiers. For this build we used a 4 channel 500/4 MX amplifier to power the speakers and two 500/1 MX amplifiers to power the two subwoofers. The mounting location we discussed with the client was under the front hood, where they would at least get a little bit of protection.
To mount the amplifiers we once again called on the use of HDPE plastic. We hand machined a piece of HDPE that would fit under the hood and give the proper clearances for factory items also located there. The plate would hold the three amplifiers as well as the power distribution block. As you can see from the photos, it was a tight fit to get all three amplifiers under there. We secured the mounting plate and amplifiers with stainless steel hardware for long service life. All of the wiring was neatly routed and secured in a way that would allow for easy servicing, if needed, later in time.

Speaker System for Polaris Audio

Reinforcement rings were added behind the rear speakers.

Quick connect fasteners were used for all the speaker and subwoofer wiring, for easy servicing.

Our speaker upgrade fit perfectly in the unused space under the console.

Two speakers were mounted on each side of the center console.

One of the things that we were excited about in this project was getting to use the brand new JL Audio M6 series marine speakers. This was our first vehicle to feature them, and they did not disappoint! To maximize the audio output in the front of the Polaris General we installed two pair of the M6 6.5″ coaxials in the front console area. The space we chose was normally just an open cavity. To mount the speakers we machined two 1/2″ HDPE plates, one for each side. The plates were able to be bolted to the factory trim pieces using stainless steel hardware. We wired up the speakers using special all-weather, high-current connectors. The connectors would make it easy for the client to disassemble the system if he ever needed to go back and service any of the General.
An additional pair of M6 speakers were added to the rear of the General to help round out the sound for the rear passengers. These speakers were surface mounted to an existing flat part of the factory console panels. To help reinforce the mounting we cut out two 1/2″ HDPE reinforcement rings that mounted behind the speakers. This allowed the speakers to securely mount, and helped reduced unwanted flexing of the panel.

Subwoofers Bring Some Serious Bass

Rivet nuts were installed to the General frame for mounting the subwoofer mounting frames.

Two metal racks were fabricated for mounting the pair of subwoofer enclosures.

Additional tabs were welded onto the mounts to secure the subwoofer enclosures.

The urethane spray looks great and will protect the enclosures from damage.

The subwoofer enclosures were positioned to fire directly into the openings under each front seat.

The final component of the Polaris audio upgrade was the subwoofer system. The client has the JL Audio Polaris Stealthbox in another one of his side-by-sides. For the General he wanted more output. After looking at the available spaces on the General, we determined that directly under the passenger and driver’s seats would be the idea spots for a pair of JL Audio Tw3 10″ subwoofers. Knowing the abuse and water that this Polaris would see, we knew the enclosures and mounting had to be very robust.
The enclosures were cut out of 3/4″ marine grade plywood, and then assembled using waterproof glue. We then rounded the edges of the enclosures and coated each enclosure with a saturated layer of 1.5oz fiberglass mat. When the fiberglass had cured, our next step was to spray each enclosure with a thick layer of SEM Rock-It Bedliner. The Rock-It spray is a two-part urethane textured coating that dries to form a very durable and great-looking surface.
Securing the enclosures to the underside of the General took quite a bit of time. Our fabricators had to switch hats once again, this time to metal working. One inch square tubing and One inch angle iron were used to fabricate the mounts for the subwoofer enclosures. The mounts were bolted to the frame work of the General with stainless hardware that threads into rivet nuts that we installed. The result were enclosures that were incredibly sturdy and we are sure the General is now even stronger thanks to the added support.

Great Audio Inside AND Outside this Polaris General

One of the things we were concerned with in this project was how low the speakers had to be mounted. Typically in a side-by-side we are mounting the speaker up higher, and many times to the roll cage. We knew the audio on the inside of the Polaris would sound great, but we weren’t sure how it would sound outside. When we finally tuned the system and cranked it up for the first time all our concerns were gone. The music was able to be heard loud and clear not only inside but also far away from the Polaris General. We were excited and knew the client would love his Polaris General audio upgrades!
Here at Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City, Florida, we love working on powersports vehicles. We stock plenty of stainless steel fasteners and plastics, that will hold up in any environment to ensure our installs last the life of our client’s vehicles. If you would like to find out about upgrading your side-by-side, golf cart or motorcycle audio, lighting or accessories give us a call or contact us here.

Lake City Powersports Client Gets Yamaha YXZ Stereo System

July 6, 2017 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

A powersports client from Lake City recently came to Pinnacle Autosound looking for a Yamaha YXZ Stereo system. We have worked on a number of side-by-sides so we had a great idea of what would get his rocking.

Rockford Fosgate Radio Provides Lots of Choices

The start of the system was the Rockford Fosgate PMX2 Radio. This radio is purpose-built for the powersports market. It is designed to hold up to the most abusive conditions. As you can tell from the pictures, this side-by-side is no trailer queen, so we knew this was the perfect radio. The client now has almost unlimited audio sources when paired via Bluetooth to his smartphone.

Rugged, Efficient Power by JL Audio

Adding audio power to powersports vehicles can sometimes be a challenge. There are a number of obstacles that aren’t found in regular cars or trucks. The first hurdle is size. There is very little space available in the normal side-by-side. Another concern is the limited charging amperage of the side-by-side charging system. Taking these things into account, we chose the JL Audio MX280/4 amplifier. As you can see, it was small enough to fit in the glove box. The glove box doesn’t provide a waterproof seal, but that was no concern for us, as the JL Audio amplifier is built to withstand the elements.

Yamaha YXZ Stereo Speakers

The final step for the Yamaha YXZ stereo system was to add some great sounding speakers. We started by adding a Wet Sounds Core 10 speaker bar. This is a very low-profile housing that holds a number of smaller speakers. We used two of the JL Audio amplifier channels to power the speaker bar. To fill in the bass that the system needed we used a Bazooka 10″ subwoofer. The tube system was designed for marine audio use, so we knew it would hold up well under the extremes this Yamaha YXZ would see.

Visit Your Local Powersports Audio Experts Today

The completed system sounded great and took up almost no usable space in this vehicle. If you have a side-by-side or other powersports vehicle and need a stereo system added or upgraded, Pinnacle Autosound is the place for you. We are experts in integrating audio systems in all types of vehicle. Call us or use our online contact form to schedule your appointment today.

Camouflage Polaris Ranger Audio Console Upgrade

February 4, 2017 By JOey Knapp Leave a Comment

Side-By-Side vehicles are becoming more and more popular. They are great for riding through the woods to enjoy nature, hunting, fishing, or working on the farm. What is even better than cruising in the open air is doing it with your favorite tunes. That is what the client that brought us this Polaris Ranger wanted, some great sounding audio to go with his new toy. After discussing his wants and needs we came up with a comprehensive plan and booked the appointment for his Polaris Ranger audio upgrade.

Wet Sounds Speakers In Custom Console

Polaris Ranger Audio — The speakers mount right over the head of each occupant, tucked cleanly into the console, there is plenty of head room.

If you have been in a Polaris Ranger you know that there is enough room in the passenger area to be comfortable, but not a lot of extra space. We have worked on a number of these vehicles and come up with a great solution for them. We build custom overhead consoles to house not only speakers but also amplifiers and other electronics. This is a perfect compliment to the Ranger, because it adds much needed audio equipment without taking up any usable space. This console got a pair of Wet Sounds XS-65i coaxial speakers. These speakers use a separate woofer and tweeter for incredible full-range sound.

Wet Sounds Amplifier For Big Boost In Clarity

Riding in a Polaris Ranger at speed is fun and exciting. It is also very noisy. To help overcome not only the noise of the engine, but also the wind and road noise, we installed an amplifier in this Ranger. Again, we went with the Wet Sounds brand. Their amplifiers are designed to be in the harsh environments that this Ranger will see. We chose the Wet Sounds SYN MICRO amplifier for this installation. The SYN MICRO puts out almost 100 watts of power per channel. The SYN MICRO gets its name from its incredibly small size. The small size allowed us the ability to safely install the amplifier in the overhead console. An additional benefit of the amplifier is that it is very efficient, so the charging system in the Ranger is not overworked. With the amplifier power on tap, the Wet Sounds XS speakers now sound incredible sitting still and going down the road at full speed.

Unlimited Music Selection Thanks To Wet Sounds Bluetooth Volume Control

We offer a number of different audio sources for side-by-side vehicles. After our initial discussion with the client, we found that he was mainly going to use his phone for all the music he would listen to. Using a smartphone is a great option for many reasons, you already carry it with you, you can listen to any of your playlists of music stored on the phone, and you have access to any song in the world with a number of streaming music apps. To connect the client’s smartphone and audio system, we installed a Wet Sounds BT-VC Bluetooth volume control knob in the console. This knob receives the Bluetooth audio signal from the smartphone and sends it to the Wet Sounds amplifier. The knob gives the client volume control as well as the ability to play, pause and skip forward and back in the song list.

Let Pinnacle Autosound Enhance Polaris Ranger Audio!

If you have a Polaris Ranger, or another side-by-side vehicle, we would love to talk with you about adding great sound audio to it. Give us a call today or contact us here for more information