April 28, 2021 By Ocala Car Audio

This Amazing Jeep Wrangler got Audio and Customization

Jeep Wrangler sitting in front of Ocala Car Audio — This 2020 Jeep Wrangler came in for a stereo and leather upgrade

The owner of this 2020 Jeep Wrangler contacted Ocala Car Audio to enlist our assistance in finishing this customization project. He had purchased this Jeep for his daughter and wanted us to coordinate several upgrades to match his vision. This Jeep Wrangler started life in Las Vegas with a 392-cubic inch V8 that can crank out a mind-bending 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The vehicle already had a lift kit and 37-inch tires. He wanted us to upgrade the interior, install a premium entertainment system and have the vehicle painted. After reviewing the project, we agreed to coordinate its completion with the help of several local shops.

Jeep Wrangler Entertainment System Upgrade

We started with what we do best: an audio system upgrade. The heart of the new stereo is a Stinger UN1810 multimedia receiver that’s known as the Heigh10. This radio features a massive 10-inch display and includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. We upgraded the radio with an SXV300v1 SiriusXM satellite radio receiver so she’d be able to listen to any genre of music she wanted.

Our technicians used Stinger’s SRK-JW18EH installation kit to integrate the radio into the dash and allow it to communicate with the data network in the vehicle. Not only do the volume buttons on the steering wheel work with the Heigh10, but the radio can display engine and drivetrain information on the screen.

The new radio feeds a five-channel JL Audio VX1000/5i amplifier that we mounted under the driver’s seat using JL’s SBA-J-JLU-UAR bracket. This amp is rated to produce 75 watts of power from the four main channels and 600 watts from the subwoofer channel. More importantly, it includes a powerful digital signal processor that we used to configure the speaker’s crossovers, output levels and equalization settings. A four-AWG JL Audio XD-PCS4-1B power kit feeds the amp, and we added a JL Audio DRC-205 remote level control to make it easy to adjust the subwoofer output level from the front seat.

Jeep Wrangler Speaker Choices

For speakers, we installed two sets of JL Audio C3-650 6.5-inch components. The front set replaces the woofers in the bottom of the dash and the small midrange speakers near the windshield. The second set is mounted in the overhead soundbar just behind the driver and passenger seats.

Delivering solid bass performance was important to the upgrade, so we removed the stock subwoofer from the vehicle and purchased new trim panels so that we could install a set of JL Audio Stealthbox enclosures. The SB-J-JL4DPAS/10TW1-4 and SB-J-JL4DDRV/10TW1-4 enclosures feature 10TW1-4 10-inch subwoofers in fiberglass pods that are optimized for the area above the rear wheel well.

Remote Starter and Accessory Upgrades

With all the customization planned for the vehicle, the owner wanted it to be protected. We installed a Compustar remote car starter with its Alarm-It security upgrade. The security options include shock, tilt and motion sensors along with a high-output siren. The client chose one of the classic Compustar 901 two-way LCD remotes and the DroneMobile smartphone interface to control the alarm and starter. DroneMobile uses cellular communication to relay commands from the smartphone to the vehicle and provides alerts instantly if someone is tampering with it.

Accessories and Lighting

Next, we added a few functional and styling upgrades to the vehicle. We installed a set of XK Glow LED wheel rings along with a Pro-Series under-car kit and their Jeep-specific third brake light system. All the accent lighting can be controlled by a smartphone application to choose a color or change the pattern when the Jeep is parked.

We installed a Warn full-width crawler bumper and mounted a VR Evo 12-S 12000-pound winch to it. This winch includes 90 feet of 3/8-inch synthetic cable. We added a set of 3.5-inch Heise HE-DL2 LED driving lights to the bumper to help her see once the sun sets.

Working With Local Partners

We had our friends at Titan Up Automotive Services install an Alea Leather kit on the front and rear seats. The kit also includes new leather trim pieces that fit around the transfer case and gear selector.

Our client felt that the Jeep Wrangler was a little to tall. To help accommodate them we worked with a couple of local partners. Ocala Tire Service helped by installing smaller 35″ tires. After the tires were changed, we took the Jeep to Groeb Motorsports to help lower the suspension.

The icing on the cake for the project was a trip to see Claudio and Paintworx for a custom paint job. The Jeep came to use in a rather bland gray. The client wanted something vibrant and exciting and chose a custom metallic yellow hue that made this vehicle absolutely POP!

Ocala’s Vehicle Customization Experts

Working with our vehicle customization partners in the area, we upgraded this Jeep into something classy and unique for our client. He was very happy with the results and impressed with our ability to manage the project. We’re sure his daughter is going to love her new Jeep Wrangler. If you’re interested in upgrading your Jeep, drop by Ocala Car Audio and speak with one of our Product Specialists. You can also reach us by phone or e-mail using our contact page.

December 21, 2020 By Ocala Car Audio

Product Spotlight: Diamond Audio MP654 Full-Range Horn Speakers

When it comes to speaker upgrades for motorcycles, the Diamond Audio MP654 horn speakers from Ocala Car Audio are unmatched. These 6.5-inch speakers feature a low-mass woofer and a horn tweeter that delivers a mind-boggling 101 dB of output from only a single watt of power. That’s more than 10x as much as a conventional car audio speaker. If you want your music loud and clear, these are the best choice!

Diamond Audio MP654 Speakers

The MP654 speakers are based on a cast-aluminum basket that fits into most 6.5-inch speaker openings. The speakers use a low-mass woofer cone and single-winding voice coil to deliver extraordinary output from 110 Hz up to the 7 kHz crossover point with the horn tweeters. The horn tweeter features a 1-inch diaphragm at the rear of the speaker under a custom-tool aluminum heatsink. The tweeter’s output feeds through the center of the woofer then to the custom-tooled horn on the front of the speaker assembly. Think of them like a concert speaker in a tidy package that’s perfect for your motorcycle.

Diamond Audio includes external high-power crossovers to enable the tweeters to sound their best and handle all the power you can feed them. Speaking of power, the MP654 speakers are rated to work with amplifiers as powerful at 150 watts.

Weather-Resistant Design Makes the MP654 Perfect for Motorcycles

The team of audio system upgrade experts at Ocala Car Audio understands the need to ensure that your audio system components will perform reliably. The Diamond Audio MP654 speakers feature a cone design that is both UV-stable and water-resistant. If your bike sits outside all year or you happen to get caught in the rain, there’s no need to worry about damage.

Upgrade Your Sound at Ocala Car Audio

If you have to have the loudest audio system possible on your motorcycle or side-by-side, drop by Ocala Car Audio and audition the amazing Diamond Audio MP654 full-range horn speakers. You can reach our team by phone or e-mail using the contact page here on our website for more information or to schedule a personal consultation.

December 21, 2020 By Ocala Car Audio

Ocala Client Upgrades Harley Ultra Glide Sound System

The owner of this cool yellow 2013 Harley-Davidson Ultra Glide recently visited the motorcycle audio experts at Ocala Car Audio for a sound system upgrade. The client wanted his music to play louder and sound clearer while cruising on the interstate. After checking out his ride, we showed him some of the work we’d done on our bikes. He loved the way they sounded, so we put together a package that would meet his expectations.

Fairing Radio and Speaker Upgrade

The Sony radio has unique features that make it great for motorcycles.

The Tour-Pak speakers were upgraded along with the other locations.

The first step was to set the client’s Ultra Glide up with a new radio. We removed the inner fairing to make way for a Metra 95-HDIF kit that would allow us to mount a double-DIN Sony XAV-AX7000 multimedia receiver in place of the stock radio. The AX7000 has a weather-resistant touchscreen display and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. We used an ASWC-1 interface to connect the radio control buttons on the handlebars to the Sony radio to make adjusting the volume and changing sources more convenient.

We mounted a set of Rockford Fosgate TMS5 5.25-inch speakers in the fairing and a second set in the rear Tour-Pak speaker pods on either side of the back seat. These speakers are designed specifically for outdoor use and have all the necessary weatherproofing features required to ensure they’ll last for many years. The speakers feature high-output 25 mm tweeters and an efficient midrange driver that delivers clear sound.

Saddlebag Speaker Upgrade and Harley Amplifier

The thin design of the Rockford speakers leave plenty of room in the saddlebags.

Rockford Fosgate makes great looking grilles for the saddlebag lids.

The next step was to add a set of the Rockford TMS69BL-9813 to the saddlebags. This unique speaker kit is designed specifically for 1998 through 2013 Harley touring bikes and includes a pair of 6×9-inch speakers, mounting brackets and custom grilles. We removed the saddlebags’ lids and used the provided template to cut an opening for the speakers. The grill and mounting bracket bolt together for a clean and tidy look. Of course, the 6×9 speakers sound great, and their large size helps deliver great sound.

A four-channel Rockford Fosgate TMX400X4ad amplifier powers the system on this Harley. The kit for this motorcycle includes a mounting bracket that allows us to locate the amp above the factory radio. The brackets and upgraded heatsink install without the need to make any permanent modifications to the bike.

Central Florida’s Motorcycle Audio Upgrade Experts

With the new radio, amplifier and speakers installed, our team set the crossovers and level controls on the amp to maximize the audio system’s performance. The client can crank the volume on the radio, and the system stays crystal clear and detailed. He loves the way it sounds! If you’re interested in upgrading the stereo on your Harley, drop by Ocala Car Audio and speak with one of our Product Specialists. You can also reach us by phone or e-mail using our contact page.

October 28, 2020 By Ocala Car Audio

Amazing Audio for Ocala 2010 Harley-Davidson Street Glide

The owner of Ocala Car Audio owned the heavily customized 2010 Harley-Davidson Street Glide you see here. Over five years, the bike served as the test-bed for different motorcycle audio speakers, amplifiers and source unit solutions. Of course, the motorcycle also spent more than its fair share of time on the road, so every component had exposure to the same real-world conditions that our clients’ bikes experience every day.

Custom Paint and Engine Work

Street Glide Stereo — This customized bike is loaded with upgrades.

It’s clear to see that his bike is anything but stock. The engine has been upgraded to a full Stage IV with new pistons, cams, a larger throttle body and much more. It makes over 110 horsepower and has more than adequate torque to get the bike up to speed quickly. The headlight was upgraded with a Heise BC-703S that features dedicated low- and high-beam projectors. A set of Heise HE-WL2 lights on the lower engine guard add additional light output to reveal objects at the side of the road.

The bike and several upgraded accessories, including 2014+ Harley stretched bags, Saddle Tramp BC-HD69-14 lid covers, a 95-HDIF-NP inner fairing replacement and a set of BC-HDLFSP-1 lower speaker fairing assemblies, were painted by Claudio and his team at Paint Worx in Ocala.

Harley-Davidson Street Glide Stereo System Upgrade

Rockford Fosgate speakers were used at all the corners of the bike.

Speakers in the lowers help reinforce the sound in the front of the bike.

The audio system on the bike has changed many times over the years. The final system you see here is based around a Sony XAV-AX7000 multimedia receiver that is mounted in the upgraded inner fairing we mentioned earlier. The deck feeds a Rockford Fosgate DSR1 digital signal processor, which was used to fine-tune the audio signals going to a four-channel Rockford Fosgate TM400X4ad amplifier that is installed in the front fairing. The amp’s front channels drive a set of Rockford TMS65 coaxial speakers in the upper fairing and a set of Diamond Audio MP654 in the lower fairing enclosures. A set of Rockford TMS69 speakers are mounted in the lids on the saddlebag.

The team at Ocala Car Audio emphasized that having two sets of speakers on the front of the bike was definitely the preferred way to create an immersive listening experience.

North Central Florida’s Motorcycle Audio Experts

If you’re interested in upgrading the sound system on your motorcycle, we invite you to drop by Ocala Car Audio. Bikes are always available for you to audition, and our team of product specialists would be happy to design a custom solution that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. For more information or to schedule a consultation, give us a call or fill out our website’s contact form.

July 24, 2019 By Ocala Car Audio

Ocala Client Upgrades Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra Stereo System

A local client recently contacted the team at Ocala Car Audio to discuss upgrading the stereo system on his 2017 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra. The client is a member of a local law enforcement motorcycle club and was referred to us by several other members. We met with the client to discuss his goals for the upgrade. After learning that he uses a hearing device, we designed an audio system that would sound great and play loudly enough to be heard and felt while he rides.

Harley Tri-Glide Speaker Upgrade

The rear speaker upgrade fit the factory openings perfectly.

Our technicians worked carefully to get the audio upgrades installed.

The first order of business was to install new speakers in the factory locations of this Tri-Glide. Thankfully, the bike is based on the same design as the Ultra touring bike and is compatible with many of the same audio upgrade solutions. We installed a set of Rockford Fosgate TMS65 6.5-inch coaxial speakers in the speaker pods in the front fairing and a second set in the rear Tour-Pak speaker locations on either side of the back seat. Rockford designed these speakers as a direct-fit replacement, so no modifications were required to make them work.

Rockford Fosgate Motorcycle Amplifier

The small size of the Rockford amplifier allowed it to fit under the fairing.

The factory radio was flashed to enhance its audio output.

The next step was to install a four-channel Rockford Fosgate amplifier. We used the HD14-TKIT package for this bike, as it includes a Harley-specific mounting bracket for the TM400X4ad amplifier that bolts directly to the framework in the fairing. This four-channel marine-grade amplifier can deliver up to 100 watts of power to each speaker to ensure the system reproduces music with clarity and detail, even at high volume levels.

For the audio upgrade package to function properly and sound good, we flashed the factory radio using our Harley-specific TechnoResearch Centurion interface. Rockford has worked with TechnoResearch to create a specific configuration for the factory radio that works perfectly with the new amp and speakers to deliver amazing sound quality and tons of output.

Harley-Davidson Stereo Upgrade

With the installation and wiring complete, our team configured the new amplifier to work with the modified output of the factory Boom! Box GTS Infotainment system and the new Power Series speakers. These adjustments are crucial to ensuring the system will perform its best for the client.

After a day’s work on our part, the client returned to Ocala Car Audio to hear the new sound system for the first time. He was, as you can see, thrilled with the way it looks and sounds. If you’re in the Marion County area and are interested in upgrading the sound system on your motorcycle, ATV or side-by-side, drop by our store and speak to one of our product specialists. You are also welcome to call us at 352-512-9897 or send us an e-mail using our contact form.

May 18, 2019 By Ocala Car Audio

Cutting-Edge JL Audio M6 Marine Speakers Now Available

If you are looking for an amazing marine audio speaker for your boat or side-by-side, drop into Ocala Car Audio and ask us to demonstrate the new JL Audio M6 speakers. Designed and tested by the world leader in marine audio amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers, JL Audio’s new M6 speakers continue the company’s reputation for legendary reliability, great cosmetics and class-leading performance. Let’s take a look at the features that make the M6 our marine speaker series of choice for discerning clients.

Features of the JL Audio M6 Speakers

Unlike some companies that offer marine speakers that are simply car audio speakers with a white paint job, JL Audio designs and builds the M6 speakers at their head office in Miramar using materials designed specifically to handle the rigors of long-term exposure to the elements. The basket, grilles, woofer cones, speaker surrounds and tweeter diaphragms won’t crack, yellow, chalk or fade, even after years out in the sun and prolonged salt water exposure.

New to the M6 series is an optional (at time of purchase) integrated multicolor lighting system that uses an array of LEDs on the basket to light up the underside of the woofer cone. JL calls this Transreflective LED Lighting. The light color can be controlled using the optional MLC-RW Marine Lighting Controller and an app on your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.

Speaker Size and Design Options

In keeping with JL Audio’s history of providing several styling options for marine speakers, the M6 speakers are available in the classic grille design with a gloss white trim ring, with a titanium sport grille and gunmetal trim or with a gloss white sport grille and gloss white trim ring. All three models are available with or without LED lighting.

JL Audio offers the M6 series exclusively in a coaxial design with size options that include 6.5 inches, 7.7 inches or the awesome 8.8-inch solutions. Of course, overall speaker efficiency, low-frequency output capability and power handling increase as you move up in size.

Expert Installation Services

As important as high-quality speakers are to a marine audio system, the way those speakers are installed and how the system is tuned play a huge role in determining the quality and reliability of the system. The technicians at Ocala Car Audio are trained to deliver reference-level installations that optimize every aspect of the listening experience.

Experience M6 at Ocala Car Audio

If you are looking for amazing audio performance from your boat, or need a water-resistant speaker for off-road or outdoor applications, visit Ocala Car Audio and ask about JL Audio’s M6 series. You can reach us by phone or e-mail using our contact page for additional information.

April 3, 2019 By Ocala Car Audio

Harley Davidson Street Glide Audio Upgrade for Ocala Client

A client and member of a local law enforcement motorcycle club was referred to Ocala Car Audio for help in upgrading the audio system on his 2019 Harley-Davidson Street Glide. Before visiting us, the client spent almost $2,000 with the local Harley dealer on a Stage 2 Boom Audio system upgrade. He still wasn’t happy with the sound. Some of his co-workers who are also clients of Ocala Car Audio suggested that we could help. After listening to the system on his bike, we suggested that a Rockford Fosgate amplifier and speaker upgrade would deliver the performance he wanted.

Rockford Fosgate HD14-TKIT Installation

The small Rockford amplifier packs plenty of power.

Our upgrade is based around the Harley-Davidson-specific Rockford Fosgate HD14-TKIT audio package. This kit includes a high-power amplifier, new front speakers, mounting brackets, wiring and new fairing grilles. Our team of motorcycle audio experts removed the fuel tank, seat and front fairing cover, then removed the Boom Audio upgrade package.

The TMX400X4ad four-channel amplifier is rated to produce a healthy 100 watts per channel. We installed the mounting bracket on the amp, placed the amp above the radio, then ran the harnessing to the battery and the new 6.5-inch Rockford TMS65 front speakers and their grilles. The last step was to route the rear speaker wires through the bike for the planned saddlebag speaker upgrades.

Harley-Davidson Saddlebag Speaker Audio Upgrade

The bag lid modifications look and sound killer!

The thin design of the Rockford speaker leaves plenty of storage space in the bag.

Next, we installed the Rockford TMS69BL14 rear audio kit that includes a pair of TMS69 Power-Series 6×9-inch speakers, mounting brackets with grilles and a wiring harness. Unlike speaker upgrades that require new bag lids to be painted, the Rockford kit includes a template that we use to cut out a small section of the bag lid to install the provided grille. Instead of taking days to paint and install, we can modify the existing bag lids in a matter of hours. The new 6×9 speakers mount to the underside of the lids, and their shallow depth minimizes intrusion into the saddlebags.

Motorcycle Audio System Configuration and Tuning

An important step in completing this installation was to reflash the factory Harley-Davidson radio to eliminate the factory equalization curve. We used our programmer to complete the process quickly and efficiently. Not flashing the radio leaves the system sounding, well, terrible.

With the new gear installed and the amp configured, the client returned to Ocala Car Audio to pick up his bike. He was thrilled with the audio system we installed on his Harley and let us know that he was giving the Boom upgrade to his son, so it won’t go to waste. If your motorcycle audio system doesn’t sound the way you want, drop by our store or send us an e-mail using our contact page. We’d love to help!

December 19, 2018 By Ocala Car Audio

Does Your Audio System Sound So Good You Want To Cry?

Ocala Car Audio wants to know if your audio system has ever given you an emotional experience. Does listening to a specific song take you back to a time and place? Does it remind you of someone? Music can be very powerful, and having a sound system that reproduces the songs you enjoy with clarity and detail can be truly exhilarating.

A Truly Happy Customer

Recently, we upgraded the audio system in a client’s Ford F-150. She and her husband weren’t happy with the way the truck’s original stereo sounded. It was lifeless and lacked detail and clarity. After inviting the couple to listen to a truck that we had upgraded recently, they gave us the go-ahead to install new speakers, a subwoofer and an amplifier with an integrated digital signal processor in their vehicle.

When they came to pick up the truck, we invited the owner to have a listen. Our founder, Parish Tanner, was in the truck with her as she listened to Rebecca Pidgeon’s version of “Spanish Harlem.” As the artist started singing, the client reached over and took hold of Parish’s arm. “I want to cry,” she said. The music in the truck sounded better than she imagined it could. As the song finished, she looked at him and said, “It sounds so good.” Truly, there is no higher praise for a job done properly than a positive emotional experience from a client.

How We Make Your Music Sound Better

It’s relatively easy to install new audio equipment in a vehicle. The magic that transforms a pile of speakers and electronics into something spectacular comes from the way those components are configured. Proper speaker locations with high-quality mounting adapters and sound deadening are a great start. Installing amplifiers that provide enough clean power to let our customers turn the music up to the levels they want is the next step. Integrating the amplifier into the factory radio using the proper interfaces or modules is crucial to creating a system that sounds amazing. Finally, the process we use to fine-tune the digital signal processors we install results in music that sounds natural and realistic.

Our process goes one step further to create what is known as a soundstage. Rather than hearing the music coming from the speakers, we use accurate level and signal delay adjustments to make it sound as though the performance is happening right in front of you. The experience is like being at a live concert or sitting at the console of a recording studio.

Take Your Music With You

Whether you want to rock out to ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd or Metallica on your Harley, crank up Eminem or Drake in your SUV or tune in to WOGK in your car, we can create an audio system for you that will give you goosebumps and put a smile on your face.

Upgrade Your Audio System at Ocala Car Audio

Drop by Ocala Car Audio and talk to a member of our team about upgrading your sound system today. Bring your favorite CD or let us pair your smartphone to our display so we can show you just how amazing your music can sound. For more information or to schedule a consultation, give us a call or send us an e-mail using our contact page. We’d be honored to make your next commute an adventure rather than a chore.

December 3, 2018 By Ocala Car Audio

Dade City Biker Gets Honda Gold Wing Stereo System

A client from Dade City recently dropped into Ocala Car Audio to discuss upgrading his 2016 Honda Gold Wing stereo system. The client found our shop through our website and was impressed with the reviews he had seen. He called and talked to a member of our team to get some basic questions answered before deciding to take the 70-mile ride to see us. Our founder, Parish Tanner, met with the client and checked out his trunkless F6B Honda cruiser to get a feel for what he liked about the system and what he wanted to improve. Armed with a thorough understanding of his goals, Parish created a proposal that would give him the performance he wanted.

Gold Wing Speaker Upgrade

The new gear was just what this bike needs for much better sound.

The factory speakers were barely audible at highway speed.

The Hertz speaker upgrades fit this bike perfectly.

We started by removing the factory speakers from the fairing of the Gold Wing to make way for a set of Hertz MPK 130.3 Pro 5¼-inch components. We removed the factory-installed midrange and tweeter, then flushed the new Hertz tweeter into the grille in the fairing. We offered the option of upgrading to a larger 6.5-inch speaker, but the client wanted to keep the project simple. The installation of 6.5-inch speakers would have required extensive and costly modifications.

Honda Gold Wing Stereo System Amplifier

The second part of the upgrade was to add a Hertz HMP 4D powersports amplifier to the bike. Our team created an ABS plastic mounting adapter for the amp and secured it to one of the saddlebags on the bike. We used T-Spec power and signal wire to install the amp.

Since we were using the factory source unit as part of the upgrade, we needed to implement a high-quality line-level adapter to extract a full-range audio signal. We used a PAC LOCPRO LP7-2 line output converter to take the signal from the radio and lower the voltage to a level that the new amp would accept. The LP7-2 automatically creates a remote turn-on signal to activate the amp as soon as the factory radio turns on. This connection simplifies the installation and ensures everything will function seamlessly.

The amp is configured in a two-channel mode and is capable of delivering as much as 150 watts to each of the speaker sets. That is roughly seven times as much power as the factory amplifier and will ensure the sound system rocks, even at freeway speeds.

Marion County’s Motorcycle Audio Specialists

With the system installed and the amp tuned to work with the new Hertz speakers and the factory radio, it was time for the client to return to Ocala Car Audio to hear his new Honda Gold Wing stereo system. He loves the way it sounds! If you are interested in upgrading your motorcycle’s audio system, drop by, give us a call or send us an e-mail.

November 5, 2018 By Ocala Car Audio

Ford F-150 Stereo System Upgrade for The Villages Client

A client from The Villages recently dropped into Ocala Car Audio to talk about a 2016 Ford F-150 stereo upgrade project. His wife wasn’t impressed with the sound of the factory stereo system. We discussed what she liked about the existing audio system and where they thought it could use improvement. After listening to their concerns, we proposed a fairly elaborate upgrade with a premium digital source unit interface, a high-quality DSP-equipped amplifier, new speakers and a subwoofer.

System Design Consultation

The client was surprised at the complexity of our proposal and showed us a quote from a shop in Tampa that was about a third of the cost. Unfortunately, they hadn’t considered the client’s goals for the system and we felt that the result wouldn’t be much of an improvement. Armed with a full understanding of how and why we designed the upgrade we did, he decided he would come back with his wife and audition a similar system we had installed.

His wife was very impressed with the sound in the truck as it addressed all of her concerns. They gave us the go-ahead to upgrade their Ford F-150 stereo.

Ford F-150 Stereo System Integration

We used a PAC AmpPro AP4-FD21 interface to connect a JL Audio VX1000/5i five-channel amplifier to the factory radio. We added an APA-TOS1 TOSLINK interface so we could use a fiber optic cable to connect to the JL Audio VXi amplifier for maximum performance. The amp is wired with Stinger Pro power wire and is protected by an SPD5801 fuse. We also installed a DRC-205 remote level control so the clients can fine-tune the bass level.

The 600-watt subwoofer channel of the amp drives a JL Audio SB-F-150-SCDBL/12TW3/BK StealthBox subwoofer system that fits perfectly under the rear bench seat of the trunk. The enclosure houses a pair of 12TW3 12-inch subwoofers.

Ford Trunk Front Speaker Upgrade

The doors were upgraded with C3 speakers and sound deadener.

The JL Audio C3 tweeter fit perfectly in the factory location.

With our modifications complete, the door remained stock-looking.

The next step was to apply roughly 40 square feet of Stinger RoadKill sound deadening to the front and rear doors. Our fabrication team created plastic mounting adapters for a set of JL Audio C3-600 woofers and we mounted the tweeters in the factory locations in the A-pillars. Another set of adapters allowed us to mount a second set of C3-600 speakers in the rear doors. The front and rear channels of the amp deliver 75 watts to each of the speakers.

System Tuning and Delivery

The clients returned from The Villages on a Saturday morning to pick up the system. They had a listen to the truck and were blown away at the quality of the sound. One of them said, “I want to cry, it sounds so good!” If you are in the Marion County area and are interested in upgrading the sound system in your car or truck, drop by Ocala Car Audio, give us a call or send us an e-mail.