Air2air's stereo nightmare

**Air2air** · 09-22-2007, 11:16 PM

I am about to start a weeklong build to finish my interior before the Pomona Offroad Expo, where my truck is gonna be in the Toyota booth. So I beg the help of you gurus to come to my rescue.

The help I need is with connecting the amps and crossovers, and reconstructing the Eclipse head unit harness. Everything will be mounted; I'm just scared of blowing it up when I wire it all in, and that's why I'm posting.

The original install was probably the worst one ever done in history, and I just finished ripping it all out. Al & Ed's in Aliso Vejo, Calif. It's amazing the car didn't burn to the ground. Open wires twisted together, MB Quart crossovers crammed up hard into the dash, breaking other wires. For the first month I had it, it was all running mono and I couldn't figure out where the problem was. My favorite was that you would see monster cable connected to an amp or something, but when it ran into a hidden area like under the floor, it would be spliced into tiny cheap speaker wire. They also shredded the factory harness and the Eclipse harness. Here is how it looked when we first took the dash off:

OK, fast forward to today:

My new interior has a cage that allows us to mount the 2 PDX's and 5 crossovers in the ceiling. In the front are MB Quart 3-way, and the back pillar has the 2-way. Then there are two JLA W3 10's in boxes. Here is a diagram of the ceiling and cage tubes. The amps are in the back.

Here is the cage, and you can see the relation to the diagram above:

This is all I have, and a bunch of monster cable. I have no diagrams or anything, just extra wire, soldering iron and connectors.

The PDX's are both the 4/150. One of them has only two inputs so I assume that one's for the subs. Four of the crossovers have both high and low pass and one of them is just a high pass so I guess that's correct too.

Also I should mention the way it will be finished off. I have some custom black PVC high density foam (1/2") with adhesive backing. This will cover up the tubes and the ceiling, so it will all look black. However we will go around the amps and crossovers of course. I also have 2 shop packs of Second Skin Overkill and am worried about where the heck I am gonna put that stuff as well. I have a ton of Damplifier Pro in there as you can see, and wonder where and how I can apply the Overkill over that, if secondskinrep is reading this.

Here is what the front end looked like in better days. Believe it or not it has to look like this, and much more, by the end of next week:

rich_4 · 09-22-2007, 11:19 PM

here comes briman---

thugasaur · 09-22-2007, 11:25 PM

call jt at fj cruiser audio im sure he could help a bit

**Air2air** · 09-22-2007, 11:35 PM

Yeah, thing is I'm really just scared of blowing something up. Many years of practice at that. I also need power to everything.. had to rip that all out too.

Guess I should call JT but I am very interested in the opinions of you guys here.

thugasaur · 09-22-2007, 11:38 PM

lol id offer advice but i may be even worse off than you

Jason242 · 09-22-2007, 11:58 PM

Hi Air2Air! Something ATE your dash!!! Your build is coming along well. If you call tech support at Eclipse, you might be able to get wiring advice from the engineers.

Also, try to find a company that exclusively sets up home theater systems... those guys often know quite a bit about wiring stereos.

BTW, maybe on the verticle posts you should use 1 or 2 inches of PVC foam to protect your noggins better, especially by the kids (even with helmets, its nice to have cushioning). That roll cage is awesome!!!

PS Whats second skin overkill?

Good luck with the install and have fun showing off the rig at the show!!

Just in case:
Eclipse Tech Support (Product knowledge, Problem trouble shooting)
techsupport@lao.ten.fujitsu.com

AceTechno · 09-23-2007, 12:06 AM

So your gonna put the amps up in the headliner? Although a diffrent approch. Have you considered heat disipation? as the amps get warm or hot from being on. Where is the heat gonna be exhaused to? Are you doing some kind of cross member thats gonna be made to bolt the amps to, that are weleded to the cage? That would be cool. Are your X-overs active or passive?

If you use a active x-over at least one of your amps will work cooler since it wont have to reproduce low freqencies. It is better to use an active x-over Vs. the HPF or LPF in an amp. They tend to be at a set freq. or 2 and don't offer as much flexibility as an out-board active x-over will. This is compared to a basic 2-way X-over. The better ones will allow for diffrent roll off points for diffrent size speakers for front and back sizes diffrents. These are the cool ones. You can also get 3-way x-overs for Bass, mids, and highs. This is good if running a lot of amps or multi channnel amps. Some even have EQ adjustments to further enhance the sound. The more adjustments you can get out of your system, the better you can fine tune it and better you can get it to sound.

A lot of installers when setting up a system think a lot of bass makes a system sound good. Amd to them that is all that really matters. Rarely is this ever the case. Some x-overs have a delay setting in them that can be adjusted so that the music arrives at your ears all at the same time. This is in addition to the HPF and LPF freq. roll-off points and level adjustments that all offer. This will reduce the amount of echo you might pick up on when listening to music or DVD's. If you like that effect as many people do then this is something I would not worry about. If It was me I would get it. I can't remember who makes it but i seen one once.

Have you given any thought to having something custom made and mount everyting into something that is mated to the rear door under the window? This is what I would do. my own 0.02.

Also whoever sets up your system for you have them use a Spectrum Analizer Like the Audio Control one. This is the Industry standard one. This is to get the system EQ'ed just right. It will tell you where you have to much or not enough of a set frequency and tell you where you need EQ at if any. it will also tell you if an over all set of frequencys needs its volume turned down or up.

I Wish you with the best of luck on your system Todd. I would stay away form them guys in Aliso Viejo again.

Savvyav · 09-23-2007, 01:21 AM

I am down to help a bit. Just need to find the time. big issues such as safe clean power installs and wiring should all be done up front (have a plan, not just make it "fit".) Example, my cross overs are both close to each set of speakers, and won't go anywhere.
Sent a PM let me know.

crnacnac · 09-23-2007, 01:42 AM

Not a big deal, just that all the PDX 4.150 all have 4 inputs. Are you sure one isn't a 1.600 or a 1.1000? Wish the best for you.

Briman42487 · 09-23-2007, 03:01 AM

go to your eclipse dealer or al and eds and get a new harness. show them what they did to yours and demand that they give you a replacement at no cost. as for connecting the amps and crossovers, its pretty basic. what specifically do you need advice on?