- Joined
- May 30, 2024
- Messages
- 236
- Points
- 101
- City
- Indianapolis, IN
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Engine
- 2.3L
- Transmission
- Manual
I'm moving on to the next phase in my Ranger project: Audio.
I'm an old 80's leftover from the days we were breaking ground in the world of true car audio... so of course, I want to do something with the Ranger since I drive it all the time now.
I've been collecting audio equ as opportunity on good buys come around. As of now, I have a mediocre head unit (Kenwood). I've replaced the factory speakers with Polk 5x7's (Polk Audio MM572). They actually sound pretty dang good with the 25wpc from the Kenwood, but it's still not a performer like this. MOAR POWAH and clean processors are now required.
My plan is a single 10" sub (maybe an 8", if I cant solve my space issues). I need 5 channels of power, 4x75W RMS for front and rear, and 1X 200W RMS for the sub.
My dilemma is space since this is a standard cab '94. I can manage to get the sub behind the driver seat, but the 2 main issues are that I can't find a spot for my amp. I got a good deal on a JL Audio MV800/8i amplifier so I jumped on it. Now I'm having a bit if regret becasue.. well, space. I could potentially mount it behind the passenger seat, but I'd have to give up the jack that is already occupying that spot and I don't wanna do that. The amp is 14" x 8 1/2" x 2". It won't fit under the seats because of the floor shape and metal brackets underneath the seat on both sides. I could mount it high on the panel behind and in-between the seats, but then it will be highly visible, and that's a no-go for me. There is insufficient space on the floor center between the shifter and seat on the hump, and there is no space up under the dash anywhere for this monster. Yes, this amp is a little overkill, but it will do everything I need and the price was right, that's how I got into this mess. I'll just have a couple of unused channels leftover is all.
So I'm here to see if anyone has any ideas that I'm simply not picking up on. Part of my issue is I refuse to do the half-a**ed install, I believe stereo systems should be heard and never seen, and if anything is visible, professional style installation and cable management is an outright requirement. It's a Ranger, but it's not a hooptie and I wanna keep it that way. All these things are making this difficult.
The other thing I'm at odds with myself on is a way to mount a 1/2 DIN pre-amp / EQ (Old school Lanzar Opti e5 that I had squirreled away). Since this is a '94, the radio is a single DIN mount and there is no additional space in the dash for it. All I can come up with is maybe giving up the ash tray and replacing it with a 3D printed something to mount it in. I can't stand under-dash CB style mounting, it looks janky to me. Maybe even mounting it inside the arm rest console out of sight... I dunno, looking for suggestions on this one.
I'm afraid I may have to abandon this fantastic amp and it's breakin my heart thinking about it. I'll do what I have to do in the end I reckon, but I'm just hoping someone will have an idea. I've even considered mounting it in the engine bay, but doubtful that it would survive long out there so I've ruled that out as well. Does anyone have any inventive ideas for this mess?
I'm an old 80's leftover from the days we were breaking ground in the world of true car audio... so of course, I want to do something with the Ranger since I drive it all the time now.
I've been collecting audio equ as opportunity on good buys come around. As of now, I have a mediocre head unit (Kenwood). I've replaced the factory speakers with Polk 5x7's (Polk Audio MM572). They actually sound pretty dang good with the 25wpc from the Kenwood, but it's still not a performer like this. MOAR POWAH and clean processors are now required.
My plan is a single 10" sub (maybe an 8", if I cant solve my space issues). I need 5 channels of power, 4x75W RMS for front and rear, and 1X 200W RMS for the sub.
My dilemma is space since this is a standard cab '94. I can manage to get the sub behind the driver seat, but the 2 main issues are that I can't find a spot for my amp. I got a good deal on a JL Audio MV800/8i amplifier so I jumped on it. Now I'm having a bit if regret becasue.. well, space. I could potentially mount it behind the passenger seat, but I'd have to give up the jack that is already occupying that spot and I don't wanna do that. The amp is 14" x 8 1/2" x 2". It won't fit under the seats because of the floor shape and metal brackets underneath the seat on both sides. I could mount it high on the panel behind and in-between the seats, but then it will be highly visible, and that's a no-go for me. There is insufficient space on the floor center between the shifter and seat on the hump, and there is no space up under the dash anywhere for this monster. Yes, this amp is a little overkill, but it will do everything I need and the price was right, that's how I got into this mess. I'll just have a couple of unused channels leftover is all.
So I'm here to see if anyone has any ideas that I'm simply not picking up on. Part of my issue is I refuse to do the half-a**ed install, I believe stereo systems should be heard and never seen, and if anything is visible, professional style installation and cable management is an outright requirement. It's a Ranger, but it's not a hooptie and I wanna keep it that way. All these things are making this difficult.
The other thing I'm at odds with myself on is a way to mount a 1/2 DIN pre-amp / EQ (Old school Lanzar Opti e5 that I had squirreled away). Since this is a '94, the radio is a single DIN mount and there is no additional space in the dash for it. All I can come up with is maybe giving up the ash tray and replacing it with a 3D printed something to mount it in. I can't stand under-dash CB style mounting, it looks janky to me. Maybe even mounting it inside the arm rest console out of sight... I dunno, looking for suggestions on this one.
I'm afraid I may have to abandon this fantastic amp and it's breakin my heart thinking about it. I'll do what I have to do in the end I reckon, but I'm just hoping someone will have an idea. I've even considered mounting it in the engine bay, but doubtful that it would survive long out there so I've ruled that out as well. Does anyone have any inventive ideas for this mess?
