jo89k5
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2012
- Posts
- 58
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- New York
- First Name
- Jim
- Truck Year
- 1989
- Truck Model
- Blazer
- Engine Size
- 350
Well, I didn't want to hack into the doors of my K5 and the small dash speakers were just not going to cut it. So I decided that a set of 6.5" Component speakers would do quite nicely in my kick panels, and an amp under the passenger seat would provide the power they would need.
I had already upgraded the head unit and it has pre-amp outs, (the cables that look like TV audio cables) so getting the amp hooked up would be no problem at all.
I am quite the fan of Alpine Speakers so naturally I chose the Type-R Component speakers (SPR-60C), and for an amp I went with the Clarion XH5210 which is a dual channel amp that pushes 90 watts per channel at 4-Ohms
So, I measured the area under the seat, and double checked so I didn't need to order more then one amp, removed the seat and got the amp soft fitted
I would be using the bolt that connects the seat frame to the frame as a ground so I was planning on taking the seat frame out anyway but there seemed to be a bit of rust starting, so a few hours, some beer, and a little POR-15 later, the seat frame was ready to be painted black and go back in the truck
So the amp went in nice and easy with a few self tapping screws, and wired everything up nice and neat under the carpet, remember to try and keep the power wire and the audio wires as far away from each other as you can, it prevents noise.
Next up was the speakers, got the kick panels on my work bench and started getting ready to do some cutting.
The speakers come with templates for the holes, what I did was got the template lined up where I wanted it, taped it down, and then used a silver paint marker to make a clear outline of what needed to be cut, I also made a relief cross because it's a sharp turn so it's easier to cut it as 4 small pieces rather then one larger piece
Make the relief cuts first,
I was cutting to the inside of the line, and then using my rotary sander and files to get the last bit out, just incase any mistakes are made you don't completely mess up, leaves some room to work with
Cleaned up the finished hole for the tweeter, and now do the same thing for the main speaker
A little bit at a time,
Now it's just time to clean up the hole a little, like I said before it's a lot easier to take more off when your done with the primary cuts, then it is to put it back on
And then before you know it, your done.. with only one side
Now repeat the whole process on the other kick panel and end up with something like this:
These speaker sound really good mounted in the truck, they are aimed just right to be a pleasurable listening experience
The bass out of these is great, for the type of music I listen to it's more then enough, and gets plenty loud.
I'll grab some shots of them mounted in the truck in the next day or two but figured I'd write this project up sooner. It's a great alternative to keeping the truck looking stock and still sounding great.
I had already upgraded the head unit and it has pre-amp outs, (the cables that look like TV audio cables) so getting the amp hooked up would be no problem at all.
I am quite the fan of Alpine Speakers so naturally I chose the Type-R Component speakers (SPR-60C), and for an amp I went with the Clarion XH5210 which is a dual channel amp that pushes 90 watts per channel at 4-Ohms
So, I measured the area under the seat, and double checked so I didn't need to order more then one amp, removed the seat and got the amp soft fitted
You must be registered for see images
I would be using the bolt that connects the seat frame to the frame as a ground so I was planning on taking the seat frame out anyway but there seemed to be a bit of rust starting, so a few hours, some beer, and a little POR-15 later, the seat frame was ready to be painted black and go back in the truck
You must be registered for see images
So the amp went in nice and easy with a few self tapping screws, and wired everything up nice and neat under the carpet, remember to try and keep the power wire and the audio wires as far away from each other as you can, it prevents noise.
Next up was the speakers, got the kick panels on my work bench and started getting ready to do some cutting.
You must be registered for see images
The speakers come with templates for the holes, what I did was got the template lined up where I wanted it, taped it down, and then used a silver paint marker to make a clear outline of what needed to be cut, I also made a relief cross because it's a sharp turn so it's easier to cut it as 4 small pieces rather then one larger piece
You must be registered for see images
Make the relief cuts first,
You must be registered for see images
I was cutting to the inside of the line, and then using my rotary sander and files to get the last bit out, just incase any mistakes are made you don't completely mess up, leaves some room to work with
You must be registered for see images
Cleaned up the finished hole for the tweeter, and now do the same thing for the main speaker
You must be registered for see images
A little bit at a time,
You must be registered for see images
Now it's just time to clean up the hole a little, like I said before it's a lot easier to take more off when your done with the primary cuts, then it is to put it back on
You must be registered for see images
And then before you know it, your done.. with only one side
You must be registered for see images
Now repeat the whole process on the other kick panel and end up with something like this:
You must be registered for see images
These speaker sound really good mounted in the truck, they are aimed just right to be a pleasurable listening experience
The bass out of these is great, for the type of music I listen to it's more then enough, and gets plenty loud.
I'll grab some shots of them mounted in the truck in the next day or two but figured I'd write this project up sooner. It's a great alternative to keeping the truck looking stock and still sounding great.
