Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
With the Taurus now gone I have picked up my guilty pleasure vehicle - a 2013 Ford Flex Limited Ecoboost w/ AWD. It has every option in the book - towing package, titanium appearance, second row refrigerated center console, power fold third row, and what is going to make my life a nightmare, the stock "upgraded" Sony stereo system. I know Lanson did quite the extensive install in his Flex and I will probably be using a lot of tips/tricks from him.
I have all the equipment from the Taurus - Ampere Audio 6.5" mids and 1" silk dome tweeters, American Bass 4 channel, American Bass monoblock, a pair of D4 Shok Triton 15s, *tons* of various lengths of speaker wire and power wire, leftover Sky High acoustic foam, and some Tantric "Gator Skin" sound deadener.
I know I need to get a clean, unmolested signal somehow, which is probably going to be easier said than done. I have never done an install like this will require before, so any tips/tricks/help will be greatly appreciated!
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Light was fading tonight before I could get any good pictures. For a 4900lb vehicle, 365hp and 350tq really makes it move well. Handling-wise it is very, very close to the Taurus - similar stance and feel. I hope to own this for a long time!
Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Buy the PAC Audio amp interface and be done with the Sony amp all together. You can even get a toslink digital out signal from it, I believe.
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
As it turns out, Lanson does not have the Sony system. Time to do more research.
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Oh wow, I did not know that existed. This is wonderful!
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jowens500
Yep found that too, although they don't list the Flex. I emailed tech support to ensure compatibility.
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
If it is, that's the way to go.
If it's not, sorry to get your hopes up.
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jowens500
If it is, that's the way to go.
If it's not, sorry to get your hopes up.
100% agreed. It would surprise me if Ford changed something from the Flex to the Explorer (which is listed) as they are the same platform and likely utilize identical audio system components.
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jowens500
Buy the PAC Audio amp interface and be done with the Sony amp all together. You can even get a toslink digital out signal from it, I believe.
It's an optional part. IIRC, it was about $50.
The Amp-Pro4 isn't confirmed to work with the Flex, from the looks of it, but might be worth a call to PAC.
http://pac-audio.com/catalog/audio-interfacing/ap4-fd21
http://pac-audio.com/catalog/audio-i...link&results=5
Jay
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Guess I should have read the whole thread. lol...If you can't use the amp Pro, the front door speakers (IIRC, might have been the tweeter channels...it's been a while) are full range. Don't combine the tweeter and door and sub. The Sub channels on Sony systems of that era clip WAY before the rest of the audio system.
I did an F-150 in like 2014 and just grabbed the signal from the front (whichever) speaker, and fed it into the customer's Zapco processor. Worked well.
But if the Amp-Pro4 works, do it.
Jay
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JayinMI
Guess I should have read the whole thread. lol...If you can't use the amp Pro, the front door speakers (IIRC, might have been the tweeter channels...it's been a while) are full range. Don't combine the tweeter and door and sub. The Sub channels on Sony systems of that era clip WAY before the rest of the audio system.
I did an F-150 in like 2014 and just grabbed the signal from the front (whichever) speaker, and fed it into the customer's Zapco processor. Worked well.
But if the Amp-Pro4 works, do it.
Jay
Unfortunately that AP4 does not work with the Flex. I heard back from them this morning.
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jrdnhsqwlmcbzndjkt
Unfortunately that AP4 does not work with the Flex. I heard back from them this morning.
That stinks [emoji22]
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Well I have ruled out the 15s - I don't believe there is a way to use them in a proper size box while keeping all seats and mobility functional. Probably going to follow in the footsteps of Lanson and try my hand at fiberglassing an enclosure into the spare tire well.
Tonight I installed LED switchback turn signals. These cars have 4 turn signal bulbs up front due to the shape of the grille/headlights, and I had a set of bulbs from the Taurus, so I had to order more. They are from the same company but are slightly different as there was at least 6 months between the purchases, giving them a sequential look. I'm OK with this.
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I plan to start driving for Uber and Lyft again, so arriving tomorrow are a pair of dash cams and LED bulbs for the interior. From there I will be liquid wrapping the grille, headlight trim, lower grille, fog light shrouds, door handles, chrome trim loop around the whole car, and the large ugly silver thing on the back. It will all either be black or a very dark, pearl grey. That's coming up in a couple weeks.
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Wrapped the hood emblem, upper and lower grilles, handles, trim, and lift gate panel. Raail AirWrap Jet Black base with Frozen Grey pearl over the top, which are the same colors as the Taurus - in fact, we used leftovers from the Taurus project. Also decided to vent the BOVs to atmosphere, so I now get a nice pssshhh sound occasionally :)
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Combined my nerdy side with the car guy side and got this too:
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Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Passed 3k driven by me, total of 118k on the clock. Man, this thing is fun! The twin turbo V6 just GOES for a big wagon. Most definitely not something you'd expect from a Flex.
Anyway, I got around to building a box for it this weekend! Total cost - $58. Single 4'x8' Birch ply sheet, wood glue, and screws. Cranked it out with assistance from my dad in about an hour. 3.8 cubes tuned to 33. I'm not sure what I'm going to do to finish it right now, but I'm planning on putting quick disconnects for the speaker wiring (maybe just bolts with wing nuts) and handles on it to make it easier to remove for when I need the storage space. Sub is from the Taurus - a single Shok Triton 15. Might use the same amp from the Taurus, but it's a little low on power.
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Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Make sure to tether down that missile, in case of an accident
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BigAl205
Make sure to tether down that missile, in case of an accident
Yeah I'm still working on how to accomplish that effectively.
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Skar Audio RP - 2,000.1 monoblock will make your Shok Triton " HIT " if you wire it in parallel @ 2 0hms
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Nice ride Jordan, Shame about the Taurus. Though now you got a SHO...[emoji16]
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Splurged a bit on a DC 1.2k and some install goodies from Sky High Car Audio. They'll be here in the next week :D
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Finally got around to running the power wire, and it was no easy task. Took a bit to sort out how to get through the firewall and where the large grommet for the stock wiring came through inside the cab, then running it all under the carpet to the very back was no easy task. I'm still not sure where I'm going to mount everything, though.
Also did my first oil change, and found quite a bit of orange coolant drips on the underside of the engine closer to the front, meaning the water pump is likely on it's way out. Being an internal pump I'm going to have the shop replace all the timing bits while they're in there. Probably gonna be north of $2000.
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Turns out it was the water pump. Had the shop replace the timing chain, guides, tensioners, and VVT solenoid while they were in there. $1953 later we're back up and running!
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
The Flex has been extremely un-noteworthy. She's running quite well. Only real changes have been V bands welded on for easy installation/removal of the mufflers and a Roush CAI I got a great deal on... and one hella dirty engine bay.
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Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Well I did a thing - picked up a PAC Amp Pro and required wiring for it. I may be finally getting around to installing that sub soon!
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Got it all installed! The box is tuned quite low and falls off pretty hard up high, but this was expected when I built the box - I never intended it for it to be very high quality. Plus, the stock sub takes up a bit of slack up top anyway.
Stock wiring modified to work with the new terminals:
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The magic box - PAC AP4-FD21:
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Bass knob functionality from the PAC:
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RCAs and remote wire all bundled together nicely:
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Crutchfield reference series RCAs - I really like these. The sheathing on the outside gives them a good feel, and the metal RCA casings are a nice touch:
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Test fire to make sure all is functioning before tuning and mounting the sub:
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And installed! I still have some touchups to make such as some sort of finishing on the enclosure itself and getting rid of the old foam on the sub, but otherwise we're running well:
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The amp's final resting place. Not optimal, but space limitations and my goals of the build make mounting locations pretty minimal:
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What's not pictured is the large amount of velcro holding the enclosure in place. It. Does. Not. Move. I can push on the box and rock the whole vehicle itself.
Next steps are going to be sound deadening the doors and potentially dropping the headliner and sound deadening the roof. From there I plan to replace the stock door speakers all around and front tweeters, with the rear door speakers running off the stock amp and everything else running off the American Bass 4 channel out of the Taurus. As happens in WI it has gotten quite cold out so I don't think much more is going to happen before spring time, but my garage takes a bit of the bite away :D
Re: Jordan's 2013 Ford Flex Limited
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jrdnhsqwlmcbzndjkt
Terminal looks good but the routing of the positive wire over the metal battery hold down makes my uneasy. I would be worried about the wire being pinched in an accident and possibly causing a fire.
