In-Depth Custom Audio Install Walkthrough & Resources

I'm working away at a custom sound system in the Legacy, with the following goals in mind:

 

- Excellent sound quality

- Reasonable cost

- Stealthy, so I don’t worry about leaving my car out on the street at night

- Full trunk utility (access to spare tire, folding seats, etc.)

- Low additional weight

- Quieter highway cruising

 

A year of craigslist, ebay & forum dealings later (being careful to make sure things aren't stolen ), I've pieced together a sound quality focused system for under $2000.

 

 

 

 

This guide will document the install, and the resources relevant to the install.

 

 

How-To Resources

JDM Double Din Resources

Big 3 Upgrade

Door Panel Removal

A-Pillar Removal

Interior Carpet Removal

Power Wire Routing

 

 

Information

Don't waste your money on overpriced wiring

Sound Deadening

Soldered vs Crimped Connections

 

 

Parts Sources

KnuKonceptz

Amazon

Parts Express

Speaker Spacers

JDM Double Din Harness

JDM Double Din

 

 

Handy Tools

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B0007WTE08/ref=cm_cr_dp_syn_footer?k=Dynamat%2010007%20Dyna-Roller%20Professional%20Heavy%20Duty%20Sound%20Deadener%20Installation%20Tool%20with%20Wood%20Handle%20and%202%26quot%3B%20Wide%20Rubber%20Roller&showViewpoints=1]Dynamat Roller[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/ABN-Premium-Auto-Trim-Removal/dp/B00KCXMCTM/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1455513830&sr=8-12&keywords=interior+trim+removal+tools]Interior Trim Removal Tools [/ame]

 

 

My Parts List:

 

Head Unit

Pioneer Appradio4

JDM Dual Din Console

 

Speakers & Sub

Front Speakers: Hertz HSK 165 6.5" 2-way Hi-Energy Component Speaker (Old Version)

Rear Speakers: HERTZ HCX 165 6.5" 2-Way Hi-Energy Coaxial Speakers (Old Version)

Jl Audio 10w6v2-d4 in JL Audio Stealthbox

 

Amplifier

ARC Audio XDi850.5

 

Wiring

Subwoofer Wire: Kord Ultra Flex 12 Gauge Speaker Wire (KRD12BL)

Speaker Wire: Kord Ultra Flex 14 Gauge Speaker Wire (KRD14BL)

Power/Amp Wiring: Kolossus Fleks 4 Gauge 4 Channel Amplifier Installation Kit (KFX-AK4-4) & Karma SS 2 Channel 6 Meter RCA Cable (KARSS2.6M) 3ft monoprice RCA cables

 

 

Finished Photos

 

Tweeters

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226706&stc=1&d=1458505070

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226707&stc=1&d=1458505070

 

 

Woofers

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252355&stc=1&d=1499923595

 

 

Now onto the DIY’s!

 

This project is still incomplete, and DIY's will be added as parts are finished

Woofer Installation

 

A) Optional: Find somewhere way too nice to do your install

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252350&stc=1&d=1499923595

 

 

1) Remove door panels (see first post for link)

 

 

2) Follow sound deadening instructions or similar, and mount something behind your woofer if you'd like

 

 

3) Unclip door wiring plug, remove door wiring boot and remove its tape if you are running aftermarket wiring - trim tools come in handy for this

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252351&stc=1&d=1499923516

 

 

4) Fish wiring through using a stiffer wire, and pull enough slack to reach the speaker plus a foot and a half or so - the photo shows a shorter length than required

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252352&stc=1&d=1499923516

 

 

5) Re-tape wiring boot as it came from the factory

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252353&stc=1&d=1499923516

 

 

6) Re-install wiring boot, routing speaker wire into the door

 

 

7) Route speaker wire down around the window guide and up towards where the speaker will sit, securing with tape

 

 

8) Install speaker onto adapter

 

 

9) Install speaker gasket tape before mounting speaker/adapter assembly (wire is not routed properly in photo)

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252354&stc=1&d=1499923516

 

 

10) Ensure plastic door sheet is re-stuck to that nasty goop

 

 

11) Crimp suitable female terminal to wire

 

 

12) Attach wire to speaker

 

 

13) Mount speaker/adapter assembly

 

 

14) Add foam ring or equivalent to seal the speaker to the door

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252355&stc=1&d=1499923516

 

 

15) Tighten all screws on door panel (many were loose and caused rattling)

 

 

16) Re-install door panel

Custom Tweeter Mounting

 

 

1) Make a trip to your local hardware store with your tweeter in hand

 

2) Find a plastic pipe that fits the tweeter with a little wiggle room for the fabric to sit inside.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224759&stc=1&d=1455515792

 

 

 

3) Cut two sections of 11/16” long pipe, ensuring the cuts are straight. Use sandpaper and make sure one cut is square so the tweeter sits flush, and mark that side.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225368&stc=1&d=1456204092

 

 

4) Lightly round/smooth the edges of the pipe using a file

 

 

5) Find a hole saw that matches the outer diameter of the selected pipe (2” worked for me)

 

 

Please note this install fit the Hertz HT-25 tweeters (37mm speaker diameter, 40mm grille diameter), ensure your tweeters fit in the pipe before starting your installation! This method/location may not work if your tweeters are deeper!

 

 

6) Remove your A-pillar using the first part of this guide (a flathead screwdriver works better than needle nose pliers): A-Pillar Removal

 

 

7) Carefully peel back the fabric from the bottom of the A-pillar, and remove the bottom batting from the backside.

 

 

8) Mark a point 2” above the back of the lower mount tab

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224765&stc=1&d=1455515792

 

 

9) Take your selected hole saw and drill through the A-pillar, ensuring the pilot drill is entered on the marked point.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224761&stc=1&d=1455515792

 

 

10) Clean up the edges of the hole using a knife

 

 

11) Insert the pipe section into the hole, and test fit the A-pillar trim in your car. Orient the tweeter as desired.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224762&stc=1&d=1455515792

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224763&stc=1&d=1455515792

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224764&d=1455515792

 

 

12) The passenger side A-Pillar has electrical connections behind the tweeter. Disconnect them, pry/slide them off their mounts (being careful not to yank on the connector and damage the wiring) and move them to the side to leave clearance for the pipe.

 

Note the connector interference, the pipe will not sit flush:

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225370&stc=1&d=1456204092

 

 

After moving the connectors:

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225371&stc=1&d=1456204092

 

 

13) Test fit the passenger side A-pillar with the relocated wiring.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225372&stc=1&d=1456204092

 

 

14) Orient the tweeter as desired and carefully mark the orientation.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225373&stc=1&d=1456204092

 

 

14) Test-stretch the fabric to make sure there’s enough there with the pipe in place, and trace the inner diameter of the pipe onto the fabric.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224766&stc=1&d=1455515792

 

 

15) Use suitable glue (I used plumbing PVC/ABS Cement) to join the pipe section to the A-pillar trim. Be careful not to get glue on the fabric.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225374&stc=1&d=1456204092

 

 

16) Paint the pipe and surrounding plastic to make sure it looks uniform in direct sunlight

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226699&stc=1&d=1458503919

 

 

17) Stretch the fabric over the A-pillar trim, and trace the inner diameter of the pipe onto the fabric.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226701&stc=1&d=1458504314

 

 

18) With the fabric stretched and clamped into its final shape, cut a pizza slice pattern in the fabric using the traced circle as a guide.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226700&stc=1&d=1458504314

 

19) Apply fast-setting trim adhesive to the inside of the pipe and adhere the fabric around the inside. Let dry.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226702&stc=1&d=1458504314

 

 

20) Working from the top of the pillar down, carefully apply automotive fabric adhesive to the inside of the A-pillar trim and reattach the fabric. Do this in sections, clamping the fabric in place while the adhesive cures.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226704&stc=1&d=1458504605

 

 

21) You should now be able to mount your tweeter in the pipe! If the fit isn’t super tight, use a few dabs of silicone sealant or glue and push the tweeter in.

 

22) I chose to add connectors to the tweeter wiring to make removal easier.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226705&stc=1&d=1458504792

 

23) Route wiring through the dash and connect to your crossover.

 

24) Re-install the A-pillar trim. Bask in the glory of your new, OEM-looking tweeter setup!

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226703&stc=1&d=1458504314

Amplifier and Wiring

 

 

There is a ton of cleaning up of wiring that I need to do before I'm happy to showcase this setup, but here's the gist of it:

 

 

The amp is secured to the floor using zip ties routed through the carpet, and is going nowhere. Normally I'm not a fan of zip tie installs, but I'm happy with this result.

 

Initial rush job:

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252356&stc=1&d=1499924976

 

Tidied up, not perfect but I'm happy enough with it:

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=253669&stc=1&d=1501954618

 

** note to self - add RCA routing and how the shielding works to this page**

 

All speaker and power wires are run through the door sills, using existing factory clips where possible and zip ties where needed

 

 

 

Subwoofer Wiring (JL Audio Stealthbox)

 

Passed through in behind rear interior panels, around suspension towers, across the rear of the rear seats (keeping distance from the fuel pump), and through the door sills to the amp.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252359&stc=1&d=1499924831

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252360&stc=1&d=1499924744

Reserved for misc.

 

 

Head unit:

 

Needs the mounts adjusted, and I didn't have a dremel to cut out the space behind the ol' triangle button.

 

Walkthrough will be completed once things are sorted.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252362&stc=1&d=1499925473

Nice work on the tweeters. Wasn't worth using more pipe and angling them more towards the driver?

Nice work on the tweeters. Wasn't worth using more pipe and angling them more towards the driver?

 

I'll be using a little bit more pipe than shown in the picture, but not much. Automotive tweeters & speakers are designed to be listened to off-axis, and the existing fabric will only cover so much pipe.

Good stuff. Never even thought about doing this. Sub'd.

incredible work!

This looks great! Is the imaging using the pillars better than the imaging of the stock location?

This looks great! Is the imaging using the pillars better than the imaging of the stock location?

 

Thanks! From what I've researched, yes. Having the tweeters close to head height and the same distance from your ears as the woofers should sound much better than the stock location.

 

Mounting the tweeters next to the woofers in the bottom of the door also has better imaging than the stock location, but I find my knee muffles the sound when I'm driving.

 

 

I've completed the tweeter install, but am away on business working some serious hours. I'll complete the walkthrough when I get the chance - I'm super happy with the result!

Tweeter install instructions are complete! Final product photos in the original post.

Looks very professional! I will definitely be doing this once I'm moved into my own apartment and get an income sorted out.

Excellent write-up! Some of the links dont work though, FYI

Excellent write-up! Some of the links dont work though, FYI

 

They should be fixed now

great work !

sub'd

 

pun intended?

Anxiously waiting for the next installment!!

sub'd

 

pun intended?

 

Hehehe

 

Anxiously waiting for the next installment!!

 

I'm waiting on a call to get my airbag recall completed before doing any more installation - I can't wait to get things finished!

Getting ready to install a sub box and amp. Any suggestions on how/where to run the power wire?

I finally got around to making some progress! Updates are in the earlier posts, keep in mind some are work-in-progress photos and are not tidied up yet.

I just bought a 2013 3.6R & I'm planning mine out now. I will document the build as well. Nice idea on the tweeters, wish mine had fabric on the a-pillars. Anxiously waiting to see how your build plays out.

I just bought a 2013 3.6R & I'm planning mine out now. I will document the build as well. Nice idea on the tweeters, wish mine had fabric on the a-pillars. Anxiously waiting to see how your build plays out.

 

Thanks! It's on its final stages, I'm updating the first few posts as things progress over the next few weeks/months.

 

I'm very happy with the sound and layout of the setup, having the 5 channel amp under the seat was a worthwhile change from the trunk-mounted setup I originally planned.

Getting ready to install a sub box and amp. Any suggestions on how/where to run the power wire?

 

I somehow missed this. It depends where your amp is; mine is under the driver's seat so it was a simple run from the battery, through the grommet behind the front left fender, through the door sill channel, and under the seat carpet.

 

If you're mounting your amp in the rear, you can continue along the door sill, under the rear seat backs, and into the trunk. Run your RCA wires along the opposite side if possible, and away from noise-inducing things like the fuel pump.