the ulimate best sounding ridgeline system... I hope

the beginning installation of a zapco 9.0 and diamond audio d6. The amps are wired with all 0 gauge wires and has all new grounds too.:p The cd player is a Eclipse 8454 with a pac unit for steering wheel controls. Up front stage is the new ZR JL audio 6 inch components and in back is JL 6 inch coaxes. The sub box is in the works. Its going to be a downfiring fiberglass box with two 10w6vs subs running 4 ohms firing into double layered dynamat. The entire truck is dynamatted. For protection the alarm is a Clifford 3.5 with auto-start. Alarm goes off if anyone opens the tailgate and can pop the trunk with the remote. The install is being performed by Advantage Audio of Norman, OK. I would highly recommend these guys.

10w6's are very deep. That's going to be a tight fit. Best of luck to you.

It looks like you are using the negative post of the battery as your ground. Am I correct with what I see? I have a Zapco 4 channel amp and I did not extend the ground to the battery (if that's what you did) and everything seems fine. Looks cleans so far...:cool: Also, did they Dynamat beneath the carpet...from one of your pics, it looks like it ends at the back wall.

I am waiting on the balanced line transmitter for the amp, proprietary cables are a pain but I think it will be worth it. The battery has been grounded with a larger cable and the amps get a cable aswell. The zapco amp draws a lot of current. That is why the negative ground is so important. Underneath the carpet of the woofer box will be double dynamatted. The woofers are 10w6v2s. I will be posting more on the box because it should be a first for this truck. The backside of the box, facing up is going to be molded to fit the bottoms of the seats. The fiberglass will have to be molded around the tops of the magnets. Should be about a 2 inche gap on the firing side. Will be updating with pics, if anyone wants to know anything in particular please post reply. Thanks roc.:)

sweeet install you got going on, i also am doing mine, just waiting for parts, this is what i got planned out.

Jl Audio - ZR650-CSi 2-Way (front Stage)
Jl Audio - ZR650-CSi 2-Way (Rear Fill)

Jl Audio -450/4 Class A/B Four-Channel System Amplifier

Jl Audio - two 8w7s firing in a sealed isobaric box

Jl Audio - 500/1 Class D Monoblock Subwoofer

Alpine - IVA-W200 - 2-DIN DVD/CD/MP3/WMA Receiver/AV Head Unit

i have herd alot of good things about these jl speakers, but i have not herd them yet, tell me how ur system ends up and how clean the speakers really are. also are you moving ur tweets around or leaving them in the stock location, keep up the good work.

I am waiting on the balanced line transmitter for the amp, proprietary cables are a pain but I think it will be worth it. The battery has been grounded with a larger cable and the amps get a cable aswell. The zapco amp draws a lot of current. That is why the negative ground is so important. Underneath the carpet of the woofer box will be double dynamatted. The woofers are 10w6v2s. I will be posting more on the box because it should be a first for this truck. The backside of the box, facing up is going to be molded to fit the bottoms of the seats. The fiberglass will have to be molded around the tops of the magnets. Should be about a 2 inche gap on the firing side. Will be updating with pics, if anyone wants to know anything in particular please post reply. Thanks roc.:)

Also, if you go back to the battery, you are less likely to pick up noise.

****s weakkkkkkkk

Wizzzzzzzeeekkk

nice set up chef! must have been a piece of work! i bet it paid off...don't forget to drop in the SoCal ROC meet! lets hear the sounds!:D

****s weakkkkkkkk

Wizzzzzzzeeekkk

I guess I need a translator on this one. What the heck are you trying to say?

Well the best sound RL....great job and thanx for posting. If you really want to find a good benchmark for car audio, you all should try sitting inside the new Audi. Audi A8 w12, that is one sweet sound system Bang & Olufsen system, tweaters actually pop up from the corner dash, similar area where the RL's tweaters located. Now that is one sweet system, I wonder if someone may want to adapt that system on the RL and make it work.:D

Also, if you go back to the battery, you are less likely to pick up noise.

As long as everything is grounded to that point as well.

sweeet install you got going on, i also am doing mine, just waiting for parts, this is what i got planned out.

i have herd alot of good things about these jl speakers, but i have not herd them yet, tell me how ur system ends up and how clean the speakers really are. also are you moving ur tweets around or leaving them in the stock location, keep up the good work.

Another person who types like they are texting on their mobile phone.

ur part of the "herd" that doesn't know how to write.

I am waiting on the balanced line transmitter for the amp, proprietary cables are a pain but I think it will be worth it. The battery has been grounded with a larger cable and the amps get a cable aswell. The zapco amp draws a lot of current. That is why the negative ground is so important. Underneath the carpet of the woofer box will be double dynamatted. The woofers are 10w6v2s. I will be posting more on the box because it should be a first for this truck. The backside of the box, facing up is going to be molded to fit the bottoms of the seats. The fiberglass will have to be molded around the tops of the magnets. Should be about a 2 inche gap on the firing side. Will be updating with pics, if anyone wants to know anything in particular please post reply. Thanks roc.:)

Your box will be interesting to see. I look forward to some pics. That woofer has a vented pole piece meaning there is a hole through the magnet. JL says you must have at least 3/4 inch of clearance behind the magnet to allow air to flow through the pole piece vent. Is your box builder designing for that?

The JL website says it has a neck vent? I have looked at the subs and there are some small vents but there is not a large exit hole on the backs of the magnets like some woofers have. I know its going to be a tight fit but JL says it should work. The box is a little over a cubic foot and is not seperated. I can't wait to hear it. Anyone got any recommendations for a test CD?

How much did all this set you back if you do not mind me asking?

I am also looking for a new system but I want to keep my steering wheel controls.

Thanks

The JL website says it has a neck vent? I have looked at the subs and there are some small vents but there is not a large exit hole on the backs of the magnets like some woofers have. I know its going to be a tight fit but JL says it should work. The box is a little over a cubic foot and is not seperated. I can't wait to hear it. Anyone got any recommendations for a test CD?

I read the owner's manual for the 10w6v2 at:

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/pdfs/7954.pdf

and it says "...the W6V2s employ a pole vent to remove heat and pressure from the inside of the speaker. This vent is around the JL badge at the rear of the speaker."

If you look at the drawing where they explain the neck vent you will see that the pole piece has a large hole straight through it. I would take care not to block this. When you say JL says it should work - is that JL talking or your installer?

Thats JL talking it over with the installer. They were discussing whether to put the subs close together or far apart and talk over the fiberglass back. JL said that the fiberglass material would work better to eliminate standing waves. I guess if the woofers backside is firing into a flat piece of MDF it may cause some cancellation. I will find out how much space will be between the backs and the enclosure and let you guys know. All said and done, the system with alarm and labor is just over 5 grand. Not too bad, I guess...:eek:

I am also looking for a new system but I want to keep my steering wheel controls.

Thanks

This is easily accomplished by purchasing a module from PAC Audio. They make interfaces that will allow you to control aftermarket HUs using your steering wheel control buttons. Do a search for PAC Audio and you should find some interesting information that you should find useful.:cool:

In my last truck, 2001 tundra, I had a Zapco 9.0 and Eclipse 8454 and a Zapco 4.0. Very nice setup, but you must plan on upgrading your alternator and battery!!!! I did not read the entire post but if you do not intend on aletrnator and battery upgrade you will expience light dimming. I am thinking of taking back my zapco amps, eq, and eclipse headunit if I am not happy with my current setut then we might have almost the same setup. :) GREAT choices on equipment!!! Please ask if you have any instal questions about your equipment, because I have alot of expierce with everything you have. Enjoy!

there is a picture of the PAC unit hanging out of the dash. Its the second picture. I think it uses a ir transmitter like a remote, sounds complicated. Anyways I am going to add beefy battery. I was thinking of just using the factory 130 amp alternator for now. I am really designing this system for sound quality not spl. I don't intend on pushing the subs to their 500 watt rms ratings.
But the zapco display exactly how much power it is pushing. I am going to mount the display in the "not an ashtray" spot. Will be cool. Will be posting pics very soon. Thanks ROC..

I have a Zapco 1000.4 installed for 5 months and I have not experienced any light dimming or alternator problems, as described by a prior poster. If you can elaborate...I would like to know when this problem will arise. :cool:

Anyone got any recommendations for a test CD?

Any of the JMLabs/Focal demo discs.

IASCA (International Auto Sound Challenge Assn.) test disc.

MSFL Jazz Sampler CD

Jennife Warnes, Famous Blue Raincoat

Sheffield Labs Drum/Track CD (no longer available, but there is an XRCD version of it)

I have a Zapco 1000.4 installed for 5 months and I have not experienced any light dimming or alternator problems, as described by a prior poster. If you can elaborate...I would like to know when this problem will arise. :cool:


The Zapco 1000.4 will put out roughly 1000+ watts RMS and with the 130 amp alternator you should be fine as long as you not burping and playing test tones all day. My comment about alternator and dimming issues was in regards to the zapco c2k 9.0 this amp will put out 2300+ RMS and he has a multi-channel amp on top of that. Luckily it seems he won't be pushing them that hard so he should be fine on current draw.

Just imagine pulling 2-3 times the amount of power you are currently using with just your 1000.4. Then might run into dimming, but for now you should be fine. :)

Diypest is absolutely correct. I would like to have gone with the 4.0 for my mids and highs. But the retail price is over a grand for it. I bought the 9.0 amp used on ebay kind on a whim not knowing its full power. The 9.0 can peak out at 3800 watts and draw 175 amps of current. Too much power for me. Luckily the amp can be ran at 25% or whatever you want. This amp is super low in distortion and the cleanest class D amp on the market period. I would highly recommend this amp but be careful its a beast. Pics to come of the sub box stay tuned.

I bought the 9.0 amp used on ebay kind on a whim not knowing its full power.

You may want to read this link. (http://www.zapco.com/ZapcoBuyersBeware.htm) This component of my setup was one area where I made sure I went to an authorized dealer. With most amps, all the "important" parts are covered so you have no way of knowing what you have unless you open it up, by then it's yours. I've heard of some amps coming out on FleeBay that were salvaged from last year's hurricanes...water and electrical it just not a good combination when talking about amps. Good luck for those who want to brave the FleeBay market.:cool:

I am fully aware of the risks of buying on ebay. This is the third zapco amp i have gotten off ebay. My other two are studio 300s in my Honda Civic system, sounds awesome. Its got diamond hexs and an eclipse titanium 12 in. woofer eclipse 8445 cd with sirius. Anyways, I would never be able to afford the 9.0 at full retail price. $2500 smackers. i got it for a quarter of that. All the serial numbers are good and the unit looks good inside. Tested fine too. If you are brave enough to buy used, someone else can absorb that rediculous lofty price and when they get bored with it you get a great deal. The main reason the manufacturers want you to buy from an authorized dealer is so they can control the price. Remeber when the Gameboy came out?

My experience buying used car audio equipment on ebay has been very good. Some of this high end stuff is ridiculously priced. I am happy to take advantage of those that upgrade constantly and put their stuff for sale.

I bought two lightly used Alpine 4 channel amplifiers on ebay and saved $hundreds vs. new.

okay guys heres some more pics. The box is rounded around the magnets with fiberglass so the box will fit. In the "this is not an ashtray" we have the Vacuum flourecent display for my 9.0 amp. The controls were put in one of the empty spaces above. More pics to come. Please post any questions or comments. Thanks ROC!

badass system. I'm still undecided on what exactly i'm gonna do. I was thinkin 3 kicker solo baric 10's under the rear seat but i'm not sure yet. Whatever i get will be runnin off the factory HU b/c i'm not about to yank the navi out.

okay guys heres some more pics. The box is rounded around the magnets with fiberglass so the box will fit. In the "this is not an ashtray" we have the Vacuum flourecent display for my 9.0 amp. The controls were put in one of the empty spaces above. More pics to come. Please post any questions or comments. Thanks ROC!
sweet man! I like how you used the "not an ashtray" heh. Very clean

The display installation is crisp. If you can get those 10w6's to fit under the seat and down-fire without slapping the carpet, I'd like to talk with you about your design.

There should be about 2 inches between the box and the floor. This should be enough space for the massive excursion these subs have. The next upgrade will be navi and dvd. Not sure what brand to use. I have a couple of months to decide.

Wow is all I can say. Sounds awesome. those 10w6v2 hit like like a good pair of 12's. The tweeters are mounted in the factory location. The imaging is spot on. This systems got to be hitting 138 db. I will find my spl meter to verify. The bass is tight. It really hits you in the chest and stomach.
I do believe this is the ultimate best sounding ridgeline system. :eek: Thanks ROC!!!!!!

Wow! That's an impressive install. I wish I could hear how it turned out in addition to seeing the pictures.

Is that a Metra dash kit? I've been trying to figure out which dash kit to use and heard that they make the best one for the Ridgeline.

How much of a gap is there between the sub box and the carpet?

Sorry, would have replied faster but my fav. site was down:( This box just barely fit. Towards the back where the bottom starts curving up the subs are within maybe a half inch. In front there is about an inch and a half between the floor. I did turn it up loud and look under the box with a flashlight and a mirror and the subs weren't hitting the bottom at all. Very close though. Again the system sounds awesome. Hits very loud and tight. I can measure it if anyones interested... thanks ROC!!!!

oh yes I do believe thats a metra dash kit. Thanks for asking..:p

[QUOTE=keepcoolmybabies]Wow! That's an impressive install. I wish I could hear how it turned out in addition to seeing the pictures.

I wish I could post a sound bit, I don't think it would do this system justice though...:)

there is a picture of the PAC unit hanging out of the dash. Its the second picture. I think it uses a ir transmitter like a remote, sounds complicated. Anyways I am going to add beefy battery. I was thinking of just using the factory 130 amp alternator for now. I am really designing this system for sound quality not spl. I don't intend on pushing the subs to their 500 watt rms ratings.
But the zapco display exactly how much power it is pushing. I am going to mount the display in the "not an ashtray" spot. Will be cool. Will be posting pics very soon. Thanks ROC..

Did you get the "Mode" button to work on your steering wheel?

I have the PAC SWI-ALP for my Kenwood and Mode works fine.

I have the PAC SWI-ALP for my Kenwood and Mode works fine.

I have the PAC SWI-JACK and I'm having a hard time programming. The other buttons works fine.

Call PAC during business hours from inside your truck with the PAC unit ready. They are very helpful. Why waste time hacking at it.

Hey wicked install man. I cant believe those fit under the seat. Has me thinking now. All I had was 2 infinity perfect 10's back there so I am jealous now. LOL

As for you thinking about the deck. I got the pioneer avic x910bt. Its sweet. Has everything I need. The nav works awesome, has bluetooth, looks clean, sounds awesome, handsfree (in Canada thats the law now), ipod hook up works awesome, sd card in front, video out for my screens in the headrest, usb input, back up cam input, and dvds are super clear. Just a little input I guess.

Once again I am jealous of your subs but awesome install and thanks for the pics Chefelvis!!!!!:act035:

Ive noticed a few folks have installed amps behind rear seat back, is there enough room without modifying the seat, or anything special you had to do to make it fit?

Pulling out the backseat is a two person job. Other than that, you can fit custom enclosures or huge amps behind the rear seat without issue. My amps were bolted straight to the the sheet metal.:act063:

I had read on another forum where the back of the seat was unbolted and just folded down while still in place. Does that sound like it will work?

You could just move it forward. For ease of installation total removal is recommended.

Nice install and nice equipment. Mine should be finished soon and I'll be posting up pics. Thr Ridgeline is not easy to get good sound in, but most cars are not easy. Lots of tweaking and tuning but it makes the drive to work a little more joyful!

On the back seat - there is a tutorial on here that I used a long time ago to figure out how to get the back seat out. Have had it out several times since. It isn't a big deal.

I do probably need a chiropractor after lifting it out myself though!

Your system is the nicest I have ever seen in this truck. How do you like the Dynaudio 9" midbass drivers? What mods did you have to do to the doors to get them in? Are you using the factory door panel or did you have to cut it up?