JL Audio Stealthbox | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

  • Register Today It's free!

JL Audio Stealthbox

Chimmy76

Active Member
Joined
March 25, 2011
Messages
81
Reaction score
2
City, State
Virginia Beach,VA
Year, Model & Trim Level
2012 Tundra
JL Audio sub

Has anyone installed the JL stealth sub in this model explorer yet replacing
The factory Sony sub
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year.
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





I'm seriously looking into one. I don't like the fact that you have to grind out the existing sub panel and enlarge it.

What size woofer does the sony system have now? I know the JL stealthbox has a 10 inch woofer.

I'm considering replacing all my speakers and upgrading to boston acoustic components, and possibly replacing the amp as well.

Has anyone replaced the sony system? I think it sounds subpar at best when compared to a properly amped aftermarket system with a 10/12 inch woofer.
 






For as much as they charge they should include a new panel that has already been modified
 






What size woofer does the sony system have now? I know the JL stealthbox has a 10 inch woofer.

The Sony system in the Limited X has an 8-inch sub. With the proper amplification, enclosure, and driver, an 8 inch driver can perform just as well or better than a 10-inch in small rooms (interior of an SUV).

I'm looking to replace the factory sub driver, but keep everything stock since I need as much of the storage width as possible for golf clubs.
 






I am also very interested in the JL Stealthbox -- please let us now if anybody pulls the trigger on one. I am very disappointed with the audio in my '11 XLT. Money is set aside, just waiting for some reviews on the JL stealthbox
 






I searched the forums but the only threads I found there was no resolution to so...

Does anyone have the JL Audio Stealthbox for their 2011+ Explorer?
It has a single 10W3 sub and installs where the factory sub is located?
It can be found here:
http://www.jlaudio.com/car-audio-stealthbox-ford-explorer-ford-explorer-4dr-11-up

I have an installation scheduled for this coming Tuesday and wanted some feedback if anyone has used them specifically in the 11+ Explorer.

I have one in my Tahoe and love it but that has 2 subs and this is only one.

Thanks in advance,
Logan
 






Hi Logan,

I'm a long time JL Audio fan.... And have also been eyeing that box.

From my past experience with JL in other vehicles, if the stock amp has enough power, that should be a huge upgrade over the stock sub. I am concerned about the power output of the stock amp though.... In our limited you couldn't even tell there was a sub from the driver seat!

If you have the time please take before/after pics and give us your impression of the sound difference. When desired, I'd really like to feel a little kick in the back! ;)

Cheers,

Ajar
 






I am a soon to be 14 Limited owner and am very interested in your results. Specifically if you could take before/after pictures, fit/finish impressions, sound, and if the factory amp is adequate. Also, where did you purchase the stealth box from and who is doing the installation?

Thank you in advance!
 






Thanks guys - will do - I will post some pictures next week when the work is completed.

Ajar-
HiFi buys is actually putting a JL Audio amp in place of the stock one - that way I can get a bass control knob to adjust the gain easily depending on what I am listening to (I listen to all different types of music). The gain knob will go on the dash near the liftgate and tow buttons.

They also are adding a small battery (OPtima) so the lights and electronics won't dim when the bass is up. I guess they don't use capacitors anymore and this is the better option.

I will post some pictures next week.

--Logan
 






I am a soon to be 14 Limited owner and am very interested in your results. Specifically if you could take before/after pictures, fit/finish impressions, sound, and if the factory amp is adequate. Also, where did you purchase the stealth box from and who is doing the installation?

Thank you in advance!

HiFi Buys in Nashville - they have done all the audio work on all of my vehicles and I have never had an issue.

The entire installation, with the box, sub, amp, extra battery, and gain knob installed with tax and all was around $1600 and will be completed in one business day.

I have almost the same setup in my Tahoe (it's 2 10W0's as opposed to 1-10W3 but same amp and control knob and battery) and it made a HUGE difference so I expect this will be no different but I will let everyone know.

--Logan
 






What JL amp are you going. I am interested in the full specs of what you are doing and plenty of pictures, please. $1600 doesn't sound bad considering the sub enclosure is over $500 and I am sure the amp is close to the same. Where will they put the amp? I don't want to loose the 3rd row function as this is a family car after all. LOL!

Thanks again!
 






What JL amp are you going. I am interested in the full specs of what you are doing and plenty of pictures, please. $1600 doesn't sound bad considering the sub enclosure is over $500 and I am sure the amp is close to the same. Where will they put the amp? I don't want to loose the 3rd row function as this is a family car after all. LOL!

Thanks again!

JL Audio XD600/1 Amp -
http://www.jlaudio.com/xd600-1-car-audio-xd-amplifiers-98263
not sure where they will put the amp (in my Tahoe they put it under the center console)
I have been assured this installation will not affect the back row of seats and I will have full functionality of the 3rd row of seats. That was important to me too.

--Logan
 






Lighteningbug: How did the install go?
 












I am about to drop her off to HiFi Buys in the next 10 minutes, they open at 10am and will be done with it today.

I am leaving a digital camera and $20 with the service tech in hopes he will take some detailed pictures of the installation process for this site.

I hope he will do it but if not I will still have some finished before and after pictures for you all.

--Logan
 






ok so she is off.

the good news is that the tech will snap some pictures of his process for the install so I hope to have some good pictures for you all either tonight or tomorrow.

It should be ready around 6pm or so CDT and I will report back then.

thanks all,

Logan
 






Awesome. Looking forward to the pics. I had a stealtbox in my 99 Jetta and it really knocked...still up in the air about my Explorer Sport purchase...
 






Excellent... Thanks so much for going the extra mile for us!
 






Well-
got her back just now -

Can't even describe what a huge improvement the sound is!
It's exactly what has been missing in the audio department.
I listened to everything from Pearl Jam to Run DMC to The Outlaws and all sounded great (compared to the stock subwoofer system); I will listen to more tomorrow to be sure :)


I will have to post pictures tomorrow as they were taken on a SD card so I have to get to the office to download them to put on to photobucket.

some things:
1) they had to add some dyna mat and some "black tar" (some kind of subwoofer goop within the stealthbox) because the tech said "it was rattling a little and drove me crazy" so, hey - free dyna mat and black goop for me!

2) the amp and spare battery had to be mounted under the front drivers seat. They made a carpet and wood barrier so nothing could slide under the seat accidentally.

3) they could not mount the bass knob on the panel as I described above, it was too small, so they mounted it in the dash panel on the left side of the dash and just right and below the "tow" button

4) even with the bass on full on a song where bass was the feature, the headlights on the truck did not dim even slightly - every other vehicle I have had dimmed just slightly, even with the battery or capacitor added.

5) total bill, tax and all, out the door - $1604

The Tech said he filled up the memory card with pictures so tomorrow I will post plenty of pictures -
let me know if I can answer any questions about this install.

--Logan
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year.
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





Thanks for the update Logan, looking forward to the pics!! Glad to hear you're happy with the install!
 






Back
Top