Pinnacle Autosound

Cars and Audio are Our Passions

Processors

Premium Stereo Upgrade for Lake City Ford F-250 Pickup Truck

By

Truck StereoA previous client from here in Lake City brought his 2015 Ford F-250 pickup truck to Pinnacle Autosound for a stereo system upgrade. We’d worked on the client’s boat in the past, and he was very happy with the enhancements we installed. He wanted the stereo in the Ford to play louder, sound clearer and, of course, deliver much better bass response. After inspecting the vehicle and talking to the client about his listening preferences, our team put together a premium audio upgrade that would deliver on all his expectations.

Ford F-250 Pickup Truck Stereo Upgrade

We used our laser to cut the ABS adapters for the Morel tweeters to mount in the factory location.
The rear doors got upgraded with the Morel coaxials.
The speaker adapter plates were reinforced with sound deadener.
The Morel Virtus speakers were a huge upgrade over the stock speakers.
The front doors were retained their great stock look, but sound much better.

We started the project by removing the stock speakers to make way for new drivers from Morel. Our team used a set of ABS plastic adapters to mount the 6.5-inch woofers from a Virtus 602 component set in the OE speaker location in the front doors. The adapters are lined with sound deadening to make them more rigid. We mounted the tweeters from the Virtus 602 set in the stock locations at the top of the sail panels, and we made ABS brackets to hold the tweeters in place behind the grilles.

For rear speakers, we used a set of Morel Tempo Ultra Integra 602 two-way coaxial speakers in the doors. While the door trim panels were off, we treated the inner and outer door skins with sound deadening to make the interior of the vehicle quieter.

JL Audio Subwoofers Add Impact and Warmth

Our Thunder Laser was used to create the acrylic trim plate.
LED lighting and chrome trim was used to accent the bottom of the enclosure.
Different layers of trim were used to accent the front of the enclosure
We were able to squeeze all of the electronics on the back wall.

The next step in upgrading the stereo in this pickup truck was to construct a custom enclosure for a pair of 13.5-inch JL Audio 13TW5 subwoofers. The enclosure fits under the rear seats with the subs pointed down at the floor. We added a custom trim piece to the face of the enclosure with a panel that bears Ford’s Platinum logo. We used our CNC laser to etch the logo into a sheet of cast acrylic. The trim is wrapped in gray vinyl, and the rest of the enclosure is finished in a gray carpet that matches the interior of the vehicle. Blue LED lighting under the enclosure and behind the accent piece gives the whole thing some extra style.

The subwoofers are powered by a JL Audio RD1000/1 monoblock amplifier that’s mounted to the back wall of the truck. A four-channel Morel MPS 4.400 amplifier that’s mounted beside the sub amp provides power for the front and rear speakers. The amplifiers, passive crossovers for the front speakers and the system’s signal processor are affixed to a carpeted panel to keep things tidy.

We used a PAC AmpPRO interface to connect the new audio equipment to the factory radio. This interface extracts the audio signal that’s normally fed to the factory-installed amplifier and provides a full-bandwidth, processing-free signal that we used to upgrade the sound system in this truck. The preamp outputs of the PAC interface are connected to a JL Audio TwK-88 digital signal processor.

Signal Processing Improves Car Audio System Accuracy

Truck Stereo
Our laser was used once again to make the trim plate for the DRC-205 knob.

The TwK-88 processor handles frequency filtering for the sub and speakers in the truck. We also used it to equalize the output of each speaker to deliver a smooth and natural response that’s free from peaks and valleys. Finally, we set the signal delays and output level adjustments so that the system would create a very realistic soundstage that spans the width of the dash.

We upgraded the TwK-88 with a JL DRC-205 remote level control, which we mounted on the dash to the left of the steering column. We created a trim ring for the remote with our computer-controlled laser to identify the functions of the adjustments.

North Florida’s Best Car Audio Upgrades

With the audio system installation complete and the processor and level controls on the amplifiers dialed-in, it was time for the client to return to pick up his F-250. He was thrilled with the sound of the upgraded stereo in his truck and loved that everything was integrated so nicely.

If you are interested in upgrading the audio system in your vehicle, drop by Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City and speak with one of our Product Specialists. If you can’t come by the store, give us a call or send us an email using our online contact form.

 

Macclenny Client Comes to Pinnacle for Ford F-150 Audio Upgrade

By Leave a Comment

F-150 AudioA long-time client of ours recently referred one of his co-workers to us.  When the client stopped by, we talked with him about his Ford F-150 audio system and the changes he wanted to make.  He previously had an audio system installed by another shop and wasn’t happy with the performance of the system.  We gave the client a few different options and price points, highlighting the improvements for each step.  We were thrilled when the client decided to go with the best of our proposals.

F-150 Audio Integration

F-150 Audio
We used a JL Audio FiX processor to integrate with the factory radio.

The client had the factory radio in his truck and was happy with how it worked and the aesthetics of the unit.  We advised him that with the help of a JL Audio FiX 86 processor he could utilize the factory radio as his source unit.  The JL Audio processor removes and time delay and flattens out the response of the factory radio.  This gives us a perfectly clean signal to start with, much like if he used an aftermarket radio. We were able to easily find the factory wire colors using our Mitchell1 software subscription.

A Second JL Audio Processor

F-150 Audio
The JL Audio DRC-200 knob allows the client to adjust the subwoofer level and system volume.

In-between the time we had the client scheduled to drop his F-150 off and his initial deposit he asked about any additional audio upgrades that were possible for his system.  We felt comfortable that we had maximized his budget for the speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers.  The one thing we didn’t originally quote him for, however, was a DSP (digital signal processor).  We feel that any amplified system can benefit from a DSP.  In a system like the one we were building for the client the DSP would allow us to run the front speakers fully active, meaning each speaker would have its own amplifier channel.  This gives us much more flexibility in adjusting the sound and let’s us digitally compensate for the different locations of the speakers in the truck.

Since we were already using a JL Audio integration processor, it made perfect sense to go to JL Audio for the DSP as well.  We used the JL AudioTwK 88.  A benefit of the TwK processor is that it allows the use of the JL Audio DRC-200.  The DRC-200 is dual knob control that allows the client to adjust the subwoofer level and system volume from one convenient spot.

JL Audio Amplifiers

F-150 Audio
We mounted the two JL Audio amplifiers on an adapter plate that was bolted to the back wall of the truck.

One of the goals of this F-150 audio upgrade was increased clarity and volume.  That means power, and lots of it.  Because we would be mounting the amplifiers behind the rear seat, we needed amps with a small footprint.  Consequently, the JL Audio xD amplifiers were the perfect choice.  The speakers in the truck would be powered by a XD600/6v2.  We configured the amplifier to provide the tweeters and woofers in the front of the truck with 75 watts to each driver.  The rear doors were powered by the remaining two channels of 75 watts per side.  The subwoofer system was to be comprised of 4 10″ subwoofers.  To make sure they had the recommended power we chose a XD1000/1v2.  This amp would give each subwoofer the rated 250 watts.

Front Speaker Upgrade

The Focal tweeters were mounted in the factory spot and black soundproofing was used to seal them to the opening.
The installed tweeters retained a factory look.
The factory pillars already had trick-looking grilles that were perfect for our tweeter upgrade.
The front doors were treated with sound deadening material to reduce resonances.
The Focal speakers in the front were installed with custom-fabricated adapter plates.
The Focal speakers were a huge upgrade.
In keeping with the client’s wishes, the doors remained stock-looking.

The front speaker upgrade consisted of the Focal PS165v1 component speakers.  These speakers were chosen for their realistic audio reproduction and fit in the F-150 doors.  The small size of the tweeter allowed our technicians to install them in the factory location in the pillar.  The 6.5″ woofer was installed in the door location.  A custom composite adapter plate was fabricated to adapt the round speaker to the factory 6×9″ speaker hole.  To reduce any resonances in the doors plenty of sound deadener was used.  The final step before installing the door cards back on the truck was to add a set of foam rings around the woofers.  These rings help the output of the woofer couple to the cabin of the truck and prevent any sound from being trapped between the door card and the door.

Rear Speaker Upgrade

The wiring for the rear speakers was soldered and neatly secured.
The rear speakers were installed with foam rings to maximize their output.
The upgrades to the rear doors left them looking stock but sounding much better.

The rear doors received a bit more simple upgrade from the front.  In the rear we installed a set of Focal Performance 6.5″ coaxial speakers.  These speakers are the same series as the front speakers, so we knew they would tonally blend.  Similarly, we used the same methods to install the rear speakers as we did the front.  Again, the final step was the addition of the foam rings to help seal the speakers.

Subwoofer Upgrade

Braces were added to the enclosure to enhance its rigidity.
A thin layer of body filler was used to smooth the transitions on the enclosure.
1/4′ dowels were used to center and secure the vinyl insert.
The openings on the top plate were cut so the JL Audio woofers would sit flush.
The enclosure gave the client the most possible bass under his rear seat.
Careful measurements were taken to ensure the enclosure fit the underseat area properly.

The previous F-150 subwoofer system the client had installed was lacking in musicality and didn’t quite have as much audio output as he wanted.  One of the key parts of this F-150 audio system was the bass upgrade.  After taking some careful measurements under the rear seat we came up with a plan for maximizing the bass output within his budget.  Our plan was to use 4 JL Audio 10TW1 subwoofers in a custom-fabricated sealed enclosure.  The enclosure was built with three braces, equally spaced, to help reduce any bass loss due to panel flexing.

To help make this system look as good as we knew it would sound we added a bit of extra detail to the cosmetics of the enclosure.  The corners of the enclosure were formed to precisely follow the contours of the edge of the seat.  To keep the enclosure looking good for years to come, the outer edge was covered in black carpet.  For a custom look we fabricated a vinyl covered insert for the top of the enclosure.  This insert helps to flush in the woofers as well as giving the overall enclosure a cleaner look.

Final Tuning and Delivery

We used a digital laser measuring device to determine the distance to each speaker.
The final overall response curve of the system met our target goals.

With all the gear installed it was time to setup the integration processor and tune the DSP.  We started the process by calibrating the JL Audio FiX 88.  Once the signal was clean it was time to adjust the sensitivity controls on the amplifiers.

With the sensitivity controls properly adjusted we moved on to the DSP settings.  We provided the client with 2 different tunes for the system.  The two tunes can be selected by pressing the center knob on the DRC-200.  The first tune was a sound quality tune optimized for the driver’s seat.  For this tune we set the crossover points, signal delay and individual equalizers for each speaker.  The result was an audio experience that placed all the soundstage up on the dash and presented the listener with accurately placed instruments and artists across the dashboard.  The second tune was for when the client would be driving with other passengers in the truck.  For this tune the crossovers were set and global equalizer adjustments were made.  This tune ensured each seat in the truck shared a similar listening experience.

After all the work was done we finally got to listen to the F-150 audio upgrades.  They sounded fantastic!  We were overjoyed when delivering the truck to the client because we knew how pleased he would be with his new audio system.  Thanks to our improvements, the client’s drive to work every day will be much more enjoyable.
If you are interested in an audio upgrade for your vehicle, stop by Pinnacle Autosound, contact us online or call us today!