My first install

[Schmiess]

Alright, well I'm about to start my first installation today. I'm still waiting for my 2 Channel Diamond amp to come in (expected tomorrow). So I'm gonna make holes for my tweets in the A-Pillars today, and kinda figure how where I'm gonna put all the wiring etc etc today. Ill keep you guys posted with pics.

Here's the fresh gear going in:
Exile XP65 Components
2 Elemental Designs Eu-700 6.5" subs
1 Diamond 5300.4 Amp
1 Diamond 5300.2 Amp
+
My blood sweat and tears.

Any advice, hints, tips, tricks, DO!!!'s, DON'T!!!!!'s, or things I should know before I start?

[cam2Xrunner]

Read this
http://www.bcae1.com/installationprimer.htm

Then this
http://www.bcae1.com/amplfier.htm (a little bit passed halfway down there is good info on mounting the amps)

Gain Setting
http://www.bcae1.com/gaincon2.htm

Here's a nice writeup by Phi on installing amplifiers.
Basic Amp Install Instructions

This tech article at CT will show you how to get access to the radio.
http://www.customtacos.com/tech/inde...x_v2&id=77&c=6

This Tech article might help you with taking off the door panels.
http://www.customtacos.com/tech/inde..._v2&id=198&c=6

This one may or may not be helpful as well, it is for 01-04 Tacoma's with power windows.
http://www.customtacos.com/tech/inde..._v2&id=143&c=6

You will need to make an MDF baffle adapter to mount the speakers in the door. It should look very similar to this one.



http://www.customtacos.com/ubbthread...ev=#Post577671

And here's an extensive writeup on the complete interior dissasembly process.
http://www.customtacos.com/ubbthread...25&Main=456793

[Schmiess]

Here are the holes for the tweets:


And to give somewhat of an idea what it'll look like (I'll clean it up, it won't be all scratched like that):


And now for some haagen daz. Then back out to find something useful to do.

[TakeABao]

Only advice I can give you is: measure twice, drill once.

Plan your install out on paper...write things down. Make notes. It'll keep everything organized...

[MrSo0h0o]

the tweets look like they are pointing at the top of your dash.. did you listen to them at that position? seems like the sound will scatter too much from that.

[Xenon]

I placed my teweeters higher on the pillar and they actually sound too loud in my ear, I think Schmiess's way is better..

[Schmiess]

Yeah, I noticed the tweets too after I put em in, I'll see how it sounds, I'll tweak with it later if it sounds that bad. Oh, and I just saw Xenons post, so maybe it'll work, we'll see.

Cam2, holy crap, that was a lot of reading, but it helped...a ton. Also, why am I going to need an MDF baffle adapter?

[cam2Xrunner]

Originally Posted by Schmiess

\
Also, why am I going to need an MDF baffle adapter?

Have you taken off the door panel yet?

[Schmiess]

Not yet. Is it not going to fit or something?

[cam2Xrunner]

You'll see

Either way it is very much so recomended to make an mdf baffle when mounting the mid. You're going to get alot of resonance from the stock thin baffle.

[Schmiess]

Hrmm...my mids are shallow enough so it's not the pole that gets in my way. It's just a little bit of the plastic that doesn't let it fit. haha, I was just about to ask what kind of wood you use to make an MDF Baffle... hmm.. LOL

[Schmiess]

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to put the passive crossovers? Right now, I'm thinking in the middle of the door, kinda in the area where the window comes down (out of the way of the window, of course). Or should I not put them on the door?

Edit: Alright....Just realized I'm a huge idiot. After I sawed those holes for the tweets, I relize that the plastic fits right up against the metal on that part of the door, so I try to put it back in with the tweeter in it and relize that the tweeter doesn't fit all the way (the tweeter hits the frame). I mean, it'll work, but the tweeter sticks like half-way out. So now I'm wondering, to make it look good will I have to drill into the metal to make it fit? or make some sort of kickpod (I think that's what it's called) type thing for my A-pillars? And how would I go about making one of those? Or does anyone have any other suggestions?

[cam2Xrunner]

I would put the crossovers behind the kick panels if they will fit. Do not put them in the door. The constant slamming of the door is not good for the crossovers.

lol, that sucks about the A Pillars.

DO NOT drill into the metal of the A pillars, that is a structural safety component and by drilling a large hole into it you are going to make it weaker.

What I would have done is see if they will work in your Sail panels. Those panels opposite the side view mirrors. (the black triangle thing)

A Pillars is probably the best place SQ wise though, if you can mount them cleanly and effectively.

[cam2Xrunner]

Also you don't want them pointing down. The optimal way is to have them pointed directly at each other. You might need to get creative with that.

[Schmiess]

Alright, I think I could make something work. Also I finished making the MDF Baffles and I'm now mounting the mids in the doors. Does the Baffle need to be double layered like yours? cause I'm thinking if I make it like that it'll be too far out for the door panel. Here's what I got:





Ahh, don't think the first one worked. It's pretty much the same as the second, just w/o the mid on.

Also, Should I make a baffle type thing for the subs? Cause right now, I'm planning on mounting them to the rear speaker locations which are just plastic.