installinginstalling adding the lowest octaves to the ... 15, 2007 · installing fabrication ... as...

MOBILE ELECTRONICS June 200756

Installing FabricationInstalling Fabrication

The Pontiac Solstice is proving to be a popular vehicle amongst those who want a free-flowing and fun driving experience. Fortunatelyfor us, the factory audio system leaves much to be desired. Once the top is down, the sound, and specifically the bass, is gone. In CarExperts (ICE) retailer Sound Decision in Montgomery, Ill., has a solution. Sean Young (pictured left) and Brian Mobley managed tosqueeze two JL Audio 10-inch woofers behind the seats, resulting in quite a bit of bass that easily fills this tiny vehicle.

Adding the Lowest Octaves toThe Pontiac Solstice

Sean Young and Brian Mobley ofSound Solutions met the challenge ofbulking up the sound system in thelacking-for-space Pontiac convertible. By Rob Elliott, executive director,

In Car Experts Inc. (ICE)

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Here is the behind-the-seat area of the Solstice after the seats, carpet and rear panel have been removed.

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Installing Fabrication

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Here is a close-up of the passenger’s side. Notice the indent. This is where thefactory subwoofer goes in the premium sound system.

Here is a close-up of the driver’s side. Notice the lack of indent unlike what is foundon the passenger’s side.

In order to get sufficient air volume for the desired woofers, more air behind theseats is required. In order to get this air, a hole was cut to the exterior of the vehicleand air from outside was used. The hole was cut to the shape of the original indent.

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Unlike most fiberglass enclosures, this vehicle’s protective housing needs to bebuilt to ensure that the outside is sufficiently sealed from the inside. Here you seemasking tape used to provide the shape for the exterior housing. It is alwaysimportant to make sure that your shape does not end up bigger than the openingotherwise you will not be able to remove the housing in one piece.

Observe closely after the holes are cut. You should be able to see the ground throughthe holes.

The cutout piece from the passenger’s side was then traced onto the driver’s side andthe same shape was cut out.

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Next, foil is laid on top of the masking tape to ensure that the fiberglass that will belaid can easily be separated.

Duraglas is then laid on top of the foil and acts as the housing structure.

Now the actual removable enclosure can be laid inside your housing to ensure anexact fit. Here you can see one taped up and ready to act as the mold, and the otherstarting to cure.

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Here are the finished backs of the enclosures, once they areremoved from the housing that acted as the mold.

The exterior housing was then secured into place and sealed tothe vehicle with OEM quality, gray body panel sealer. Before itwas permanently mounted, the outside was also sprayed withvehicle undercoating.

Here is the rear of the enclosure being test fit into one of theexterior housings.

Next, a standard enclosure is constructed out of MDF and linedup to the extra air pocket that was constructed.

Duraglas is then used to secure the fiberglass enclosures to therear of the MDF sub boxes. The faces of the enclosures arethen secured to the MDF enclosures.

The factory panel is then put back into place and a shape is cutout that will later be covered by decorative panels. The reasonsuch a large shape was required is because the factory panelhad indents in those areas and, in turn, was not flat.



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Decorative panels are then cut out and ready to be wrapped invinyl.

The decorative panels are held in place by the same screwsthat hold the grilles and woofers to the enclosure. This alsosecures the factory panel in place.

Quik-Link: 1-800-905-1544 ext. 16053

June 2007 MOBILE ELECTRONICS 631-800-905-1544

Installing OEM Integration

Got tech tips? Got questions? Post them on the Vehicle Information Forum at www.InstallerCentral.com!

Sound Damping Techniques in the Scion xBRobert Davidoski, install manager for Mobile One in Houston, Texas, sent in picturesshowing his store’s procedure for getting the most out of an audio system using sounddamping material. He says that it is an important part of improving the sound of any carstereo, and the steps below can improve the effectiveness of your process.

Tech Tips

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Remove all of the factory lining and thefactory harnesses. Wipe the door skindown with Acetone to remove anydebris or loose particles.

Use Dupli-color spray-on bedliner to helpprevent water damage to the exposed sideof the Masonite.

After a few minutes, start covering thedoor with mat. Try to cover the areawith one large piece.

The roller end of the tool is not the onlyuseful part. The handle helps a lot on thesmaller edges and curves.

Add silicone to the edges of the holes then press the inserts into place.

Remove the factory tabs holding thewire harnesses and use small strips ofmat to secure the wiring to the door.

To improve door speaker’s sound, maketemplates of the three holes in the doorskin out of cardboard.

Transfer the patterns to a piece ofMasonite (available at the localhardware store).



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Firsthand2007 Infiniti FX35: Route n’ Run Rear-Seat VideoBy Rob Elliott, Executive Director, In Car Experts Inc.

The FX really started the whole sport crossover phenomenon, and it’s theinstaller’s job to finish the FX with the missing goodies. Michael Harootunian ofAudioMax Inc. in Walpole, Mass., installed Myron Davis preloaded monitorheadrests. He notes that when installing these particular headrests, it isimportant that you route each monitor’s cables so that they each reach the samecentral point in the vehicle.

Pop off the hard backed rear seat cover.This is done by pulling the bottom ofthe cover until the clips are unsnappedand then sliding the piece downward.

Place the headrest into its factory channelsand feed the monitor cable out throughyour newly made hole. Mike tie-wrappedfoam around the cable to protect it fromchaffing and also tiewrapped the cable tothe seat structure.

Notice Mike followed all of the factoryharnesses.

There are two white hook clips at thatrelease the top of the seat cover. Theseneed to be released to allow access tothe bottom of the post channel.

Lift the plastic trim at the bottom of theseat to route the wires. Pop off theplastic seatbelt panel and remove theone hidden Phillips screw. There are twomore screws in the same panel on thefront portion of the seat. Once all threescrews are removed, the panel can bepulled away and any harnessesunplugged.

Mike pointsout that thespot that isbest-suitedfor both thedriver’s andpassenger’smonitorcables tocometogether isto the rightof the gaspedalbehind thecenterconsole’scarpet.

Once unclipped, Mike used his diegrinder to make an exit hole in thebottom of the headrest post channelfor the cable to slide through.

Once the trim is lifted out of place,your cables can follow the factorycables to ensure that they are notaltered in any way when the seatmoves.

Mike mounted the monitor’s powerbox above the driver’s kick panel andtapped constant power and ignitionat the FX’s ignition harness at thebase of the steering column.



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Firsthand2007 FJ Cruiser: Amp Under the SeatBy Rob Elliott, Executive Director, In Car Experts Inc.

Today’s amplifiers have decreased in size, but it is up to the installer to take advantage of this. The best way is to take advantage of anunused portion of the vehicle, such as the space under the front seats. Michael Harootunian of AudioMax Inc. in Walpole, Mass.,reminds us of just how easy it is to make this happen. He suggests that if any airbag harnesses need to be unplugged, make sure thatthe vehicle’s battery is disconnected.

Unbolt the seat from the car. In the FJthere are two bolts in the front and twobolts in the rear.

Unplug any harnesses from the seat. TheFJ has an airbag in the seat so make sureit is unplugged after the battery isdisconnected. Lean the seat back againstthe rear seats and position the amplifier.

Carefully lower the seat back into place.With someone seated in the seat, movethe seat to all of its possible positionswhile checking for amplifier clearance.

In the FJ, Mike did not have quiteenough clearance for the height of theamplifier. In order to gain extraclearance, the factory rear air ventsneeded to be removed. These vents areeasily removed by placing your handsin the vents and pulling straight. Besure to tape off the vents so no air islost.

With the vents removed the TMAamplifier now fits in place nicely. Noticethe removed vent sitting to the left.

The amplifier ground can be made veryclose to the amplifier. Notice how Mikesanded the metal and also used twoscrews to ensure that the ring terminalcannot spin and loosen.

Run all of your necessary wires to thefactory headunit. Notice in the verybottom left of the picture, the locationthat Mike chose for the TMA subwoofervolume control.

Mike also pointed out that the best wayto access a path to the rear of the factoryradio is to remove the glovebox and runyour wires accordingly. Mike ran all ofhis signal wires down the center consolein order to keep them away from hispower wires.

One slit in the FJ’s vinyl floor and theseat bolted back in place and we havewhat almost looks stock.



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2007 GMC Acadia: ControlModule Heaven

It’s always great when you don’t have togo all over a car to pick up wires. RobertDavidoski of Mobile One in Houston,Texas, says most of the wires on GM’snew SUV are found at one of two spots:the Body Control Module (BCM) or theLiftgate Control Module.

Dave also points out the spots for thefactory XM Satellite Radio receiver, as wellas the Engine Control Module and thefactory BOSE amplifier. See the rest of theimages on pages 70 and 71.

Have your own firsthand information? Share your knowledge! Send an e-mail to [email protected] or post your information atInstallerCentral.com.

Description Color Pol Location Plug Color Pin #

12V Constant Red / White * (+) Body Control Module Blue Plug Pin 3

12V Ignition Pink (+) Body Control Module Green Plug Pin 14

Starter Yellow ** (+) Engine Control Mod Blue Plug

Lock Orange / Black (-) Body Control Module Gray Plug Pin 12

Unlock Pink / Black (-) Body Control Module Gray Plug Pin 11

Parking Lights Brown / White (-) Body Control Module White Plug Pin 8

Doors LF Gray / Black (-) Body Control Module Pink Plug Pin 10

RF Tan / White (-) Body Control Module Pink Plug Pin 8

LR Blue / Black (-) Body Control Module Pink Plug Pin 15

RR Green / Black (-) Body Control Module Pink Plug Pin 14

Horn Trigger Tan (-) Body Control Module Brown Plug Pin 18

Hood Pin Pink / Black (-) Body Control Module Black Plug Pin 18

Trunk Pin Gray (-) Liftgate Control Mod Black Plug

Liftgate trigger Gray / Black (-) Liftgate Control Mod Black Plug

* 10 amps maximum current** Not to be used for remote start applications

Firsthand



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Peripheral Electronics (800) 905-1544, ext. 16417; me-mag.com/info/16417GMCOL29 – 29-bit GMLAN add-a-head interface for select late-model GM vehicles when OnStar is not installed or used; retains factorychimes PXDXBMW – iSimple Audio Auxiliary Input Interface for select late-model BMW vehiclesPGLI35 – 3.5mm to 3.5mm connecter with built-in ground loop isolationSVHGM5 – Add-an-amp harness for use with the SVEN interface for select Class-2 Databus GM vehicles

AEW (800) 905-1544, ext. 16418; me-mag.com/info/16418JW-202: Aftermarket 2-wire door lock actuatorJW-HVPW: 2-door heavy duty universal power window kitJW-R593: 3-channel remote-control door popper kit includes (2) 45lb. solenoids, (2) stainless steel door poppers, (2) 2-button remotecontrols

Metra (800) 905-1544, ext. 16419; me-mag.com/info/1641999-8220 – Installation kit for 2007 Toyota Tundra; ISO trim ring, recessed DIN opening, removable storage pocket; double-DIN or twosingle-DIN

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The Body Control Module is located to the left of thesteering column. It is accessible from the access panelunder the driver side dash. The plugs are all facing atyou when lying on the floor.

The Liftgate Control Module is located in the driver-side rear jack access panel, above the jack. The plugsare facing down.

The Engine Control Module is located on the radiatorsupport, facing the engine.



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Have your own firsthand information? Share your knowledge! Send an e-mail to [email protected] or post your information atInstallerCentral.com.

A large rubber grommet to the left of the steering columnallows a path into the engine compartment.

The XM module is located in the very back of this samelocation. The factory BOSE amplifier is also located insidethis panel, forward of the jack, on the wheel well hump.

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installinginstalling adding the lowest octaves to the ... 15, 2007 · installing fabrication ... as...

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