Slow basic fairly low budget build

I got the components for $165 & according to the e-mails from JBL they will be replacing them. That's great, but some how it's gone from up to 4 days to ship replacements to 4 weeks. I am starting to run low on patience, when the word "days" turns into "weeks", who wouldn't be.

Speakers you own but don't possess do little good :facepalm:
I ordered some cheap Boston 15's so I could move ahead with something. Had been thinking about a 12" or 15" GTI , but since I'm receiving little to no customer service I went with the cheaper Boston's instead.
 
Got a useful reply at last from Harman!!! Finally got a response as to why the ever growing ETA on my replacement set. Evidently they are relocating warehouses. Now at least I know why I'm still waiting & that at some point I will receive replacements. They're going to be sent out as soon as they can is better answer to me then next week, next week, couple more weeks.

Subs due tomorrow, going to knock out a temp enclosure to test placement options as soon as they get here. Subwoofers & blown factory speakers... pathetic :banghead:
 
Still no replacement components :eekfingerd: Think I may get some Pioneer TS-D1720C to get me by while I continue to wait. I can always throw them in some kicks or the rear deck instead of going active when the JBL's finally arrive.

Made a couple of 2.25 cubic feet enclosures for the Boston 15's so I could test them out a bit. Had to build 2 separate boxes because it's the only way they'd clear the trunk opening at the width & depth I required. I must say for being just under $65 each they have surprised me so far. Not much to look at, but they wont often be seen. Must say they sound pretty damn good & get fairly loud for some low dollar subs. I don't think I could've done any better for the money
 
Guy on CA.com has some set BNIB he's selling for $80 shipped each.

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/spea...8-fs-3-sets-pioneer-ts-d1720c-components.html

Keele81 said:
Still no replacement components :eekfingerd: Think I may get some Pioneer TS-D1720C to get me by while I continue to wait. I can always throw them in some kicks or the rear deck instead of going active when the JBL's finally arrive.

Made a couple of 2.25 cubic feet enclosures for the Boston 15's so I could test them out a bit. Had to build 2 separate boxes because it's the only way they'd clear the trunk opening at the width & depth I required. I must say for being just under $65 each they have surprised me so far. Not much to look at, but they wont often be seen. Must say they sound pretty damn good & get fairly loud for some low dollar subs. I don't think I could've done any better for the money
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Good news, good news! Just emailed Harman again to inquire as to a approximate eta on my replacements & received an immediate reply

"Thanks for contacting me again. I just went into the system and found that the units have been checked into our system, but for another unexplained reason your order didn’t ship. I just released it and dropped the delivery note. It will ship today or tomorrow, and you will receive it shortly. You will get an automated email with tracking information when it ships.

Again, I apologize for the delay and hassle, and thank you for your understanding."

I was quite disappointed in the customer service I'd received until I was put in contact with a guy named Joe. Had nearly had my fill to the point I'd unlikely consider future purchases before he bothered to fill me in as to why I am waiting, bother to apologize, & attempt to correct things. I'd have an entirely different outlook on this situation if not for one person in customer actually attempting to serve a customer. My hats off to the man! Here's hoping I'll have some music sooner then later
 
Replaced factory ground battery terminal & added 0 gauge. Stock positive terminal is internally fused on alternator lead, so I disassembled it & slid 0 gauge ring terminal on stud with the stock wiring. Slightly notched the red plastic cover for clearance.
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With my skinny arm & a lot of wiggling & cursing, I managed to use the factory ground on the engine block. 4 gauge was recommended for Stratus coupe/Eclipse on 3geclipse & stratus forums. Wasn't much room to work with, but I got the 0 gauge in no problem.
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Only semi-suitable place I could find to place fuse. Power wire runs through factory grommet in fender along side stock wiring harness. Had room there & since the stock harness is mounted every 6 inches or so I just used a ziptie before & after the stock mounting clips
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When I get around to it I will replace the wingnut that came with the negative post with a nut & washer. Imo it looks pretty dumb as is
 
Glenn said:
I just love Techflexed power wire...just does something for me. Looks great!
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Thanks man, coming from someone with your skill that really means something. The techflex is the only thing close to pretty under my hood

My daughter is 11 & she cant figure out why I bother with shit like that. "Who else besides you will even notice Dad?" :dontknow: Best answer I can give her is "Odds are no one would know if I stopped wiping my ass, so I guess sometimes you just do things for your own benefit" LOL
 
Epicness right there. LOL!!

Keele81 said:
Thanks man, coming from someone with your skill that really means something. The techflex is the only thing close to pretty under my hood

My daughter is 11 & she cant figure out why I bother with shit like that. "Who else besides you will even notice Dad?" :dontknow: Best answer I can give her is "Odds are no one would know if I stopped wiping my ass, so I guess sometimes you just do things for your own benefit" LOL
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Made some progress. I had to build two separate sub boxes to fit through the trunk opening, just not much room. I had to partially remove the weather striping to have enough clearance. My main goal is to retain access to the spare tire & have space for groceries or a cooler when needed. I plan to bolt the boxes together & finish them with a beauty panel to make them appear as a single enclosure.

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Plenty enough space to slide the spare back & tilt it up & lift out. Was just a test fit to check that I'd be able to fit them both in place as I'd planned. Pulled the boxes back out to caulk seams on left one, etc. The enclosures aren't much to look at, I wanted to see how they fit & sound before I spent any time prettying them up.
 
JBL replacements finally arrived. Must have been a problem with one of the woofers in my original set from the start, because these sound amazing in comparison. I'd noticed the voice coil had a glue joint that had failed on my old ones, guess that'd do it. I have the new set running passive off the GT2300 (300x2) & running subs bridged off GT2200 (700x1).

Didn't have much time to do much listening today after reinstalling everything. I'd been testing sub placement & wanted to try firing threw the back seat. I've had better luck with rear & side firing in the past & was interested in seeing what I'd been missing. I didn't really care for the sound with the seat down as much as up. Problem is with the seat up there was a lot of vibration & noise from the seat backs & parcel deck. Pulled the deck cover & with an adult in the seats the rattling latch didn't bother me as much. Problem is my 3 & 4 year old sons really don't help the noise & that's their seats. I've built the enclosures so I can turn them either way, but they're rear facing for the time being.
 
It seemed to be the latches for the folding seat back making most the racket. I switched to the booster style child seats as soon as they where big enough. Damn high backed thing my oldest used tore the hell out of the back seat of my Rivera, worked the leather over big time.
 
Went out this morning to do some more deadening & this little squirrel walked up to my youngest & I. Things been following us around all morning so we fed it some walnuts & pecans. Never had a squirrel come hauling ass straight at me before, bout pissed myself LOL
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