Stereo install: 2004 Quad cab

[JasonCzerak]

I'd like to give a thank you to all the folks that posted pictures of your installs. It was a HUGE help in getting things together with out to much waste. I knew what to expect that was it just awesome. Thank you!



Lots of details in the captions!



Picasa Web Albums - Jason - 2004 Ram 2500...



I'll update this with the sub install when I get them next week. and I plan on picking up some dynomatt this evening and will put it on on the doors for starters. I don't think I'll do the floor. This install took me about 10 hours yesterday. There will be about $1000 (1/2 of which is free parts (money, kinda) from my old job!) into the install when all said and done.



The door speakers are Pioneer 3-way 6x9's and 6 1/2's. (don't have the model numbers off hand, boxes in basement)



Just with the door speakers you think there might be a sealed 8" sub in the back It sounds GOOD! I can't wait until I get the subs and work with the filters and tune it up. it's nice to finally be able to hear the radio with the windows down!

 

[ENafziger]

Lookin good!

--Eric

 

[JasonCzerak]

"No Bus"... Don't forget your "last" GROUND wire!

So, I put in my 12" jeep subs (spl ported box, was rather "loud" back in the day) . it's just sitting on the area under the seats. hooked it up for the day. Sounds good still! hits hard! (FOR SALE!) anywho, I'm cranking some techno-ish stuff and I notice my dash start spazzing out! WTF? the odometer says "no bus". Truck's driving a little funny, so I pull off hte road. all I heard it ding ding ding, abs lights, park brake lights, air bag, everything is spazzing out.



Shut things down, re-fire 5 minutes later (all connections good). works fine for about 100 feet , as I pull back onto the road, this time the motors missing. Missing bad enough it's almost stalling



What did I change? well I added a stereo. So I proceed to un-fuse the main lead, give a local TDR member a call and ask him to do some searching. Could be a bag gauge cluster, crank sensor, or computer is jacked. Fire the truck up and go home. not one issue! weird?



So I get home, give my Friend a call that does design these systems in the Ram. He asked a few questions as to how I have it setup and then the smoking gun..... Did you make the ground BACK to the battery the same size as you leaded off of it for the amps? NO! Crap,I forgot! Just the OEM 8 (maybe 10?) gauge wire from the chassis (hydrofoam) to the battery. There is a 4 gauge wire, but that's to the block. So I'm ok. fix the ground. problem over... I did 2 4 gauge ground to chassis for each battery for giggles.



I got my new subs (pictures to come). look at everything and figure out I need a few wire parts and some screws. Fire up the truck, get a block down the road, it starts up again. dash is acting up! Not to bad, get to the auto store for some copper battery ends, then almost to the hardware store, it gets real bad. Major timing rattle, stumble. enough to make you cut the ignition. On the way back, the longest mile ever! Had to kill the motor 5 times once it acked up, Found out if I kept the rpm's over 2000, it was smooth sailing



I disconnected both grounds, and pulled the TST completely outa the truck (also for sale! $600!, wasn't using it, not enough pump with smarty, plus over lap software issues on 04. 5 that isn't getting fixed anytime soon)



Not sure if I fried the TST harness, or the ground disconnected for a while fixed it. Truck ran fine yesterday with the multiple test starts and trips around the block, and fine this morning on the way in.



So the moral of the story, ALWAYS COMPLETE THE GROUND WITH THE CORRECT WIRE SIZE BACK TO THE BATTERY





Also, a scary thought. the Air Bag runs off of this "bus"... .....

 

[JasonCzerak]

Picasa Web Albums - Jason - 2004 Ram 2500...



Updated the album with sub pics, iPhone mount and door speakers. All that's left is to win a ebay for the bluetooth hands free kit complete audio and communications package