Hey guys, brand new to the site and brand new to car audio installation. I just bought a 10" Kicker Sub and Alpine Mono Amp along with a Stinger select amp wiring kit. So basically I need help on how to install this stuff, because I don't want to spend more money for it to get installed when I can do it on my own. Thanks and hopefully you guys can help

 

What kind of vehicle is this going into? What are your goals (sound quality, SPL, or somewhere in between)? Do you have the factory head unit still or are you going to use an aftermarket head unit?

 

Its going into a 2008 Ford Ranger Extended Cab. Yes I do still have the factory head unit but that is coming out when I get my next paycheck (need advice for which one to go with.) I would like the best sound quality I can get with what I have, and sorry I don't know what SPL is. By the way thanks for the quick response man much appreciated.

 

SPL = Sound Pressure Level

While you wait for your new head unit, I would start building a box for your woofer. As this is your first install I would probably keep things simple with a sealed enclosure. Or if you are confident in your carpentry skills a ported box like this might work well for your setup

Use 3/4" MDF and some good wood glue, check the enclosure design section to get a better idea what your getting into. I don't like having to link to another forum but there as a lot of great info here.

I would hold off on running wires until you install your head unit. Just get it all done at once.

 

So buy my head unit then install everything together? Will the head unit run off my amp, because its only a mono amp.

 

You will need the head unit before you can ideally use your sub to it's potential. You will need a install kit and harness to install any new cd player. I stock these and can easily ship them to you, in the case of the harness I will prewire it to the harness on the radio to make it easy for installation.

Your amp is going to run the sub only. The cd player has a internal amp in it that will run the speakers. Figure out a budget for the cd player and I can find a good cd player for you.

Reading your other thread, mdf is available at Home Depot, Home Hardware or any other type of building supply store. That said though if you do not have the necessary tools to cut the wood and put it together, you are kind of screwed. A option here is to have Jalat finish up on the box design and I can either build it here and ship it over to you or preconstruct it here and ship it across and you can assemble it. Being on Vancouver Island, it is nice and close and shipping is not a major cost.

 

So for a head unit I think $150-200 can get me something decent right. Someone was telling me that an aftermarket head unit has a sub control so i can get full power from my sub, right?

I do have most of the necessary tools here at the house so that should be no problem, but if it looks to complicated I would have no problem with you building it. I'm heading to the island sometime next week (cabin on Gabriola) so I could drive down to where ever you are and pick it up.

 

Up to where I am.... Courtenay to be precise. Definitely get a head unit with a dedicated sub out and level control. This will be the piece that makes or breaks the balance of the system. $200 can get you a great head unit these days. If you are headed this way I will clear my shedule that day should you arrive so that we can get you taken care of.

 

Alright, so what type of head unit do you recommend for me, so I can take a look at it and such. And I will probably make a trip up too Courtenay on either the 16th or 17th of next week. Do you also do installs? Cause we could do my all system the amp, sub, head unit. How much do you think getting this installed will cost me?

 

2 hours of time capped off at $65.00hr. If I am under the 2 hours, we charge less, if it is over, you pay no extra labour. Wire kit is about $60.00 for a Quality kit, cheaper for a Kwality one and more expensive for the best ones. Install parts should be on the cheap side as well at no more than $35.00 for the kit and harness. If you are after a deal and don't mind a last years model, I have one Pioneer Premiere DEHP400UB to sell off. It will give you a 2 year warranty, IPOD and USB cables included and 3 preouts for full system expansion. This would be a great cd player for you.