Blockrocker's Never Ending Build Log

[blockrocker]

I should start out with a short back story. I bought this 2018 Nissan Frontier in June of 2018. My first ever "new" vehicle and a good excuse to get back into a hobby I LOVED as a teenager and young twenty something. A big bass head who didn't think he had much more to learn.....lol.

Within two weeks of owning the truck I had put this little system in, to see if the fire still burned. Indeed it does.


A Kenwood DDX-395 CD player, 2 sets of Polk passive components, MTX 75x4, MTX 500x1, and an 8" Massive Hippo 84. Look at that rats nest, a real pro.
I also added a little bit of sound deadener and proceeded to quickly outgrow the system. After all, I used to be into big basshead power and I need to feel the thump some more.


Fast forward maybe 4 months and the upgrades were on once again.


Out were the MTX 500x1 and the Massive Hippo and in went these incredibly under rated pieces of equipment. Polk PAD1000.1 and Phoenix Gold TI3x 12" sub. I got this amp so cheap, you wouldn't believe me if I told you and I paired it with this sub. MAGIC! Seriously, this was one of the best (and unheralded) combinations I have ever owned......but it still wasn't enough power.

Plus I began to grow curious about the real SQ side of things. I stumbled onto this site and a few wonderful youtubers and I was completely sucked into the rabbit hole. Still I wanted to to have my cake and eat it too, the best of both worlds.


My current 15" Fi BTL-3 sub in a custom box designed (by Peter Kulichi) to give me as much SQ out of the SPL sub as possible (its freaking fantastic). Also, a short lived Crescendo S6 (quickly replaced by the Mmats HIFI 6150 after losing faith in the Crescendo brand) and a Crescendo S1+. Plus my first DSP and active 3 way speaker set. The Audio Dynamics 3000 series speakers and a Helix.3. First I tried the platform above the subs. It looked bad ass but the fans created too much noise, plus it was an easy mark to steal, so I eventually settled on the trough under the sub box. Stealthy, but no access. I had a friend 3d print some speaker pods and I began to wade into deeper waters. I have been learning so much and wanted to keep the momentum going, plus the results were starting to get really good.


A high output 240 amp Singer alternator and "big 4" upgrades were made just a few weeks ago and it inspired some more upgrades and redesigns.


Audiofrog GB10 and GB25 recently replaced most of the 3000 series speakers (still saving for midbass) and I decided to try my hand at fiberglassing some new pods. I have a few extra pics of this process in the "Fiberglassing Advice" thread. It was a fun process that again gave me much improved results. I'm sure the fantastic frogs helped a little too.


So naturally I had to rebuild my back end again, to try to gain some room and well.....because I had a week off work and was bored. Lol. A little lexan over the amp tray plus a french cleat and bolts keep everything nice and secure.

I also tore my door panels off again and added a layer of cc foam. It was well worth the effort as the doors are free of rattles. Plus I replaced my old MDF speaker rings with some nice 1" butcher block. Super rigid and completely weather proof. Easy upgrade.

I love my truck and I love this hobby. It is a continual learning experience that has humbled me repeatedly. However all the work is worth the effort when the tunes start pounding and the heads start turning. Lol. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this fantastic site and know that others just like me and constantly inspired by everyone's creations.

My next project will be getting the frogs into the a-pillars. I have purchased a second set on pillars and have already begun the process. Pics will be coming shortly. Thanks for taking a peek at my never ending build log.

[blockrocker]

A few more pics of the current back end.


This is my new box and amp rack, as well as, the way I fastened everything together. French cleat on the box and rack, plus two bolts on the bottom of the box platform. Then I used flush mount hooks to keep the lid secured to the amp rack. No rattles or creaks even when driving on rough roads. I'm pretty proud of these design features, I thought they were pretty clever. Or atleast they worked out ok.

[blockrocker]

My new wall. 6 M5 bolts keep it and the sub box (held in place with 6 more 1/4-20 bolts). Absolutely rock solid base for the system to sit on and bolt to.


Vertical finished shots. I only buttoned this back up and retuned it today, so I promise I will take some better, daytime photos. Thanks for looking.

[blockrocker]

Ok. Last few pics for now. Here are some before and after door pics.


And my finished shots.

With the cover off.
Edit: I have since put those cables under the carpet. lol.
And my just barely started a-pillars.

[BigAl205]

Love the progress, and never seen a French cleat used in car audio

But hate to tell you that you'd end up with more bass if the sub was on the passenger side.

[goatpanda]

Nice pics showing the evolution of your system. I'm excited to hear those 'frogs when this mess is over and we can have another CAJ hangout.

What did you use to seal your door access holes? My work truck is a '10 Frontier, trying to keep things very basic in it but I can't help myself, I keep improving bits and pieces every year. The doors need some love, might have a go at sealing them in the near-future.

[blockrocker]

Thanks for taking a look guys, I learn a lot each time I rebuild and upgrade.

I know the sub may not be in the ideal place in the truck, but with a 4 foot box and a side port, experimenting with placement is difficult. I don't think my wife me to have any more bass, lol, but she is very supportive.

As for sealing up the doors, I used some old pool signs that were being scrapped from work. They are about 4 mm thick but they are a very rigid foam sandwiched between plastic lamination. So perfectly weatherproof (thus wavepool signage), stiff but easy-ish to cut and shape. I just used strips of kilmat to hold the pieces in place over the holes in the door. It works fantastically and can be cut off in 10 seconds if needed.

I'm also looking forward to another get together with all the wonderful local car audio junkies. Also, goatpanda, if you would like some of those signs I used in my doors, just let me know, as we have boxes of old - but never used signs, that I saved from the dumpster. Lol. I can give you as many as you need.

The signs:

[mikeyt]

I'm thinking replacing a window motor/regulator is going to be fun....lol

[Savackz]

I had 2 of the Ti3X 12 subs, they are still sitting in my garage, honestly great subs.

[JimmyDee]

I have personally sat in Blockrocker's vehicle, and experienced this setup...

I would say that; "if you have diarrhea... DO NOT let him turn-up the volume".
I was solid, and almost crapped myself from the SPL. Not kidding.

Sound quality is great too! Very well done installation.