RPheezy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- February 19, 1999
- Messages
- 219
- Reaction score
- 2
- City, State
- Vallejo, CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Sport
Hey audio lovers, I just wanted to tell you what I installed in my 98. Please don't take this as some form of bragging, but simply as a few friendly suggestions. Before I installed my system, I looked at the advice on this board to get some ideas and I appreciate all of the help that I was given. So here it is.
1. I purchased a steel lockbox from Tuffy products, the one with the stero compartment. If you get one, get the one with the 8 inch width, it fits perfectly. I removed the cheap console with armrest that was there, which was pretty easy. I then had to drill holes into the bottom of the steel flooring to secure the box down. But before I bolted it down, I did all of the wiring first.
2. I installed an Alpine 6 disk and a Rockford Fosgate 50x4 into the console. I just drilled holes into the box and bolted them in, fairly easy. To keep it cool, I bought a $7 computer cooling fan, drilled a hole with a 2 inch holesaw in the top rear of the box and wired and installed it to keep the components cool on a hot day or from hard playing. My capacitor and wiring also went in the main compartment.
3. I wanted to intall my Alpine cd head unit in the box, but the compartment would angle the unit at about 40 degrees. Tape players could be installed there, but cd players were only designed for less than a 10 degree angle. I should have thought of this before I got the box, but oh well. There are two Tuffy boxes that you could get, one with the stereo compartment and the other with just one main large compartment. I actually like the stereo box because I can flip over the cover to the stereo compartment and use it to store sunglasses, cd magazines, etc. without having to open the main compartment lid. Go to their website to see the box. http://www.tuffyproducts.com/
4. So I installed the head unit in the dash. I kinda wanted to keep that clear because I wanted to install a GPS screen in the dash, but oh well.
5. I installed the Qlogic kick panels with MB quart 5 1/4s and pioneer 6x8s. I know you say why pioneer, but I thought they had the best bang for the buck, plus they're for rear fill only anyways.
6. I also installed a JL stealthbox in the right rear compartment with an MTX thunder 280 in an area behind the plastic wall next to the right rear speaker. Not super duper bass, but enough to complement the system. It's perfect for me.
Everything fit perfectly. Even though I had to go through the trouble of installing the Tuffy box, it is worth it because I don't have components lying all over the place. There is no real ideal place to have it except in the lock box for several reasons. First, It can never get stolen. The lock box is close to impossible to open or steal. Also, thieves would never think there are valuable stereo components in it. Secondly, the changer and amp couldn't fit under the seat or any other feasable place. I didn't want to put it on the back of the rear seats because I put cargo in the back and didn't want my snowboard shoes or other equip to **** up the wiring. Plus this install is much cleaner than components cluttering up the passenger compartments. I wanted to get a PPI 50x4 amp, but it wouldn't fit in the box. The Tuffy box with one compartment would probably accomodate it, but I already bought the box before I bought the amp.
So there it is. Sorry if this message was a little long winded, but hopefully it will give some of you out there some ideas on what to do. Please let me know if you have any questions.
1. I purchased a steel lockbox from Tuffy products, the one with the stero compartment. If you get one, get the one with the 8 inch width, it fits perfectly. I removed the cheap console with armrest that was there, which was pretty easy. I then had to drill holes into the bottom of the steel flooring to secure the box down. But before I bolted it down, I did all of the wiring first.
2. I installed an Alpine 6 disk and a Rockford Fosgate 50x4 into the console. I just drilled holes into the box and bolted them in, fairly easy. To keep it cool, I bought a $7 computer cooling fan, drilled a hole with a 2 inch holesaw in the top rear of the box and wired and installed it to keep the components cool on a hot day or from hard playing. My capacitor and wiring also went in the main compartment.
3. I wanted to intall my Alpine cd head unit in the box, but the compartment would angle the unit at about 40 degrees. Tape players could be installed there, but cd players were only designed for less than a 10 degree angle. I should have thought of this before I got the box, but oh well. There are two Tuffy boxes that you could get, one with the stereo compartment and the other with just one main large compartment. I actually like the stereo box because I can flip over the cover to the stereo compartment and use it to store sunglasses, cd magazines, etc. without having to open the main compartment lid. Go to their website to see the box. http://www.tuffyproducts.com/
4. So I installed the head unit in the dash. I kinda wanted to keep that clear because I wanted to install a GPS screen in the dash, but oh well.
5. I installed the Qlogic kick panels with MB quart 5 1/4s and pioneer 6x8s. I know you say why pioneer, but I thought they had the best bang for the buck, plus they're for rear fill only anyways.
6. I also installed a JL stealthbox in the right rear compartment with an MTX thunder 280 in an area behind the plastic wall next to the right rear speaker. Not super duper bass, but enough to complement the system. It's perfect for me.
Everything fit perfectly. Even though I had to go through the trouble of installing the Tuffy box, it is worth it because I don't have components lying all over the place. There is no real ideal place to have it except in the lock box for several reasons. First, It can never get stolen. The lock box is close to impossible to open or steal. Also, thieves would never think there are valuable stereo components in it. Secondly, the changer and amp couldn't fit under the seat or any other feasable place. I didn't want to put it on the back of the rear seats because I put cargo in the back and didn't want my snowboard shoes or other equip to **** up the wiring. Plus this install is much cleaner than components cluttering up the passenger compartments. I wanted to get a PPI 50x4 amp, but it wouldn't fit in the box. The Tuffy box with one compartment would probably accomodate it, but I already bought the box before I bought the amp.
So there it is. Sorry if this message was a little long winded, but hopefully it will give some of you out there some ideas on what to do. Please let me know if you have any questions.
