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Space behind the kick pannels

Skippman

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 14, 2000
Messages
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City, State
St. Louis, Missouri
Year, Model & Trim Level
'93 Navajo
Anyone have any idea how much space there is behind the drivers side kick plates on a 93' Explorer Sport. Back by where the seat belt is, below the rear speaker. I'm going to need some room soon for the brains of my new head unit and since I was able to fit the amps on the passangers side I figured it should fit on the drivers side.

Thanks.
 



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It should fit. A few of the our older style Explorers hit car audio mags when they were still a new car. A few people put them there, or went as far as simply removing the rear speakers altogether to have an access panel (the grill) for the crossover to be messed around with. When MTX came out and was really pushing there first real line of amps, the black MTX Thunder series, they had an Explorer Sport on the team. I was able to talk to him only for a little bit, because they gave me his phone number, not an E-mail addy, so I only talked long distance for a while. But yeah, it should fit.

I don't know the exact volume though. If and when you do get back there, could you give me a approximate value of actual volume? I want to make small sealed boxes behind the panels to put 8s in there if there's enough room.

If you want to conserve that room, and the brains don't need to be tweaked that much (and are small), you could always try the bit of space just in to the front of the rear windshield washer reservoir that has been done as well.

Good luck!

Jon
 






Actually I was planning on using that area for the mini-disk changer. I hear Alpine makes a 6 Cart Mini Disk Changer. If they do I will place that back there. I'm also at a loss for where to put the GPS brains. They tell me it typically goes under the seat, but in the Sport theres no room. I guess I could raise the seat 2 inches with like ruber spacers or some such, but that wouldn't work very well.

And on a final note, does anyone know if Alpine plans on making a MP3 player. Being the definitive audio source they are I would expect it to be mearly a matter of time. Also, it seems to me that the IVA-C800 and the CVA-1005 would be EXTREMELY well suited to running a MP3 player. Just a thought.
 






Try hitting rec.audio.car newsgroup via your newsserver program, deja.com, or remarq.com. There are plenty of installers there that will most likely be able to help you with your more advanced questions. MP3 is a weird subject for some of them though, as some seem to enjoy discussing it, and others dislike it, since MP3s tend to have dissimilar ripping/encoding rates by different programs, and have lesser sound quality than a CD (though I can't hear it).

I think most audio companies are still a little wary of the whole MP3 thing and the commotion its causing, until the whole thing gets ironed out. While some companies are doing it, they might be a little worried about the image of facilitating something still seen as illegal, regardless if you own the original tracks or not. But yeah, it's probably just a mere matter of time.

What are the dimensions of the GPS brain?
 






It's just a little larger than the brain of the IVA-C800. The problem comes from the fact that it HAS to be mounted flat. Not vertically. This is because of the Gyro compass that the unit sports. It wont work at an angle steeper than 5 degrees. That wont be a problem off roading as I will have LOS to the sat's, but in the city it could pose a problem.

Also, any security system recommendations. I am at a loss. Alpine? Viper? or Clifford?
 






Oh, wow, I didn't know it had to totally lie flat... Then I'd be at a loss, unless you wanted them to fabricate a minty fresh center console for you...

I used to lurk tons on the car audio newsgroups, and from what I remember, people (mostly installers) were happy with Avital. There was a big arguement over DEI, which includes the Viper series, I believe, because they said that had a lot of people coming back in to have them tweaked. But that was a while ago, and the systems continually get better. That is definitely a question to ask on a car audio newsgroup, because only installers will tend to answer those, and it's really the installer who will be able to appreciate the alarm system more than the customer in this type of product.

Anyway, almost all of the security systems have similar gadgets now, or third party add-on modules and stuff. The most important part of the whole system really is the installer and how well they can hide the system and make the wiring as confusing as possible so a theif won't know what to cut...

Good luck though!
 






I've decided on the Delta Pro-2000.
http://www.car-alarms.com
It's very cool. I'm going to wire the 3rd lead up to my new PIAA Black Majik flood lights. Be able to activate them with the remote. That would be trick. Not to difficult I think, just a throw switch on the power lead.
 






Shoot, does PIAA have Black Magics too now like the Hellas? How much did they run compared to the Hellas?
 






Excuse me, they were Hella's. I think they should do nicely. I have a black Navajo and plan on tinting the windows completely black. I dopped off the Navajo today to have the Alpine installed. I gave the installer one of those disposable camera's to take pictures of the whole thing. I'll post them when there developed.
 






Cool, where are you going to install the lights, on the bumper or the rack?
 






Well, the install is complete. My 'Humble Little System' is done, for now. :cool:

There was a TON of space behind that pannel. I could fit another amp or some such back there along with the brain with no problem. The system kicks ass! I only have one complaint. I knew this going in, but the screen of the IVA blocks the center vent on the dash. Oh well, guess I'll have to move the vent. :)

The pictures arn't developed yet, but needless to say at the shop the stereo got looks. The FIRST IVA sold in St. Louis is in my Explorer. Hell Ya!

The Hella's are going to go on my newly ordered Performance Products safari rack. The installer, a friend of mine named Jimmy, said it's a simple relay switch. I run 2 power leads. 1 lead for the in-cab switch. The second for the remote switch. Either that or get a single throw remote switch, but those are a little more than I want to spend.

By the way, when I do post the pictures dont be disapointed that it looks almost factory, I went the stealth route. Helps especially since I have NO ALARM right now. That and it dosent deter from the trucks role as a SUV not a Soccar Mom mobile. Here's the final system make-up

Alpine IVA-C800 Head Unit
Rockford Fosgate 200a4 4 Channel Amp
Crossfire 150x2 bridged to 300x1 Amp
2 Boston Accoustic Pro Series 5 1/4" Components
2 Boston Accoustic Pro Series Crossovers
2 Boston Accoustic Rally Series 5 1/4" Components
1 MTX Thunderform Sub Enclosure
1 MTX Blue Thunder Sub

Not much, but I call it home. :cool:
 






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