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February 25, 2015 By Staff Leave a Comment

F150 Audio Upgrade Plus Tint, And A Performance Boost

SDP F150

A customer with a 2014 Ford F150 Supercab recently came to Sound Depot and Performance looking to have his windows tinted. We discussed the different film grades we offered, and they chose the 3M Color Stable film in a 35% darkness level for all the windows.

While they were here, they noticed that we do many things besides window tinting. They started asking questions about other possibilities with the truck, so we went out to it together and looked it over. We started a dialog on what they would like to improve or add to the truck, and we realized several things. First, he did not like the sound quality of the stock stereo system. It lacked clarity, and the overall volume was weak, almost anemic.

The client also wanted more power and efficiency out of the vehicle and more usefulness from the bed. We took this information we had gathered and worked up a solution that we felt would best fit their needs. They liked what they heard, and an installation date was set.

Our Commitment to Quality Begins With Proper Vehicle Protection

SDP 2014 F150
Interior and exterior protected and ready to be worked on. Note: seat covers, steering wheel cover and paint protection.
SDP 2014 F150
Fender covers installed to make sure the paint is protected while we work under the hood.
SDP 2014 F150
We test each battery to make sure it is functioning at maximum capacity and able to adequately power the new electronics we are adding to the vehicle.

We love what we do, and once a job is booked we can’t wait to get started.  As excited as we are to begin the transformation of a new vehicle, there are important steps we take first.  We want to return the vehicle to the client in better condition than we received it in.  This means protecting and improving it while in our care.

We begin each installation by carefully taping the areas of the door openings and sills that we will come in contact with.  This ensures protection of the paint.  For under the hood work we use padded fender covers to prevent any damage from occurring to the fenders.  In the interior we have specially constructed seat covers and floor coverings to keep the upholstery looking as good as it did when we started the project.  Finally to protect the finish on the steering wheel we use a cover on it as well.

Another area we are careful to not overlook is the vehicle battery.  We check each battery with a specialized analyzer that alerts us to any weaknesses or problems with the battery.  A weak battery can cause all sorts of issues when we are putting a new system through it’s paces.  If we are going to be working on the vehicle for an extended period we use a battery tender to keep the battery charged and avoid the voltage dropping too low.  This helps to make sure that your electrical system will be operating in peak form.

Sure, these things take time, but this time is a reflection of our dedication to perfection and commitment to quality.

F150 Window Tint Installation Begins This Vehicle Transformation

SDP 2014 F150
Freshly tinted windows not only protect the interior of the truck and it’s passengers, but also improve the exterior look too.
SDP 2014 F150
Close, and all the contents are secure and the truck now has a clean look.

So, of course we tinted the windows that is why he came to us in the first place. It gave the truck a nice, balanced look, improving the cosmetics while helping with heat rejection and UV protection all the while.  As you can see for yourself, the result was impeccable.

The F150 Audio Upgrade Gets Cleaned Up From The Start With An Audio Control LC7i

Ford F150 Audio Upgrade
All wires neatly arranged and ready for the radio to be reinstalled.
Ford F150 Audio Upgrade
Stock but better!
Ford F150 Audio Upgrade
The Audio Control LC7i is being installed.

When it came to the audio system, he liked the look and operation of the factory stereo in the dash, so we opted to leave it intact and installed an AudioControl LC7i interface. This device takes the musical signal from the original radio and modifies it so it will work well with an aftermarket amplifier. This device also has a patented circuit called AccuBass.  In many modern vehicles, the car manufacturer will roll off the low-end bass at higher volumes to protect the weak factory speakers. It is simply designed to save the vehicle manufacturer from replacing blown speakers under warranty, and it surely is not good from a sound quality perspective.

In it’s simplest form, AccuBass is an adjustable equalization circuit that, when tuned properly, restores the bass that is lost in the music at higher volumes. Now when the customer turns up the volume, the bass will continue to increase at the same level as the rest of the music, resulting in a better balanced, natural sound.

Big Power In Small Packages With JL Audio xD Amplifier And JL Audio Stealthbox

F150 custom Bracket
A custom bracket was fabricated to safely mount the fuse holder under the hood. The fuse protects the power wire for the amplifier and processor.
SDP 2014 F150
Underhood wiring is loomed and securely fastened to ensure safety in the engine compartment.
JL Audio XD700/5v2
JL Audio XD700/5v2 provides a lot of power in a small package.
SDP 2014 F150
OEM looking knob controls the output of the JL Audio subwoofer.
f150 stealthbox
Impressive output from the combination of JL Audio amplifier and vented JL Audio subwoofer and enclosure.
SDP 2014 F150
Hard to tell the subwoofer enclosure was not a factory option. The Weathertech floor liners will help keep the interior looking new for years to come

From there the musical signal travels to a JL Audio XD700/5v2 amplifier that powers the entire system in one very compact package. It sends 300 watts of clean power to the subwoofer and 75 watts per channel to the front and rear speakers. As you can see in the pictures, we were able to hide the amplifier and processor under the rear seat.

A JL Audio Stealthbox was also installed under the rear seat for low-end bass. It houses a 10” W3 subwoofer in a ported enclosure. There is fabulous output from this compact enclosure, and the matching carpet makes it look like Ford shipped the truck with it installed. We securely mounted the enclosure in place, so the customer has zero worries about it ever moving.  To control his newly added bass A JL bass level control knob was flushed into the dash near the factory USB location allowing convenient level adjustment of the bass in the music.

JL Audio C2 Speakers Provide Awesome Sound From Soundproofed Doors

SDP 2014 F150
Soundproofing is added to the area around and behind the speaker to help reduce any sound coloring resonances.
SDP 2014 F150
Foam is used to help seal the speakers to the panel and behind the speaker to reduce any sound reflections.
SDP 2014 F150
Soundproofing and foam ring installed, then the speaker goes in. The foam helps ensure maximum coupling of the speaker to the door cavity.
SDP 2014 F150
Front doors ready to go, sound proofing installed, foam rings installed, speakers installed, and OEM moisture barrier back in place.
SDP 2014 F150
Rear doors sound proofed, foam rings added, and speakers installed.
SDP 2014 F150
With the door panel installed the interior remains stock looking, but sounds so much better!

When it came to the music other than the low-end bass, we again turned to JL Audio. C2570x speakers were installed in the factory locations in the front and rear of the vehicle. In the front doors, the technicians at Sound Depot and Performance installed Hushmat sound damping material around the new speakers to help eliminate resonances and rattling that might happen from the improved performance of the new sound system.

FAST rings were also installed on the front speakers, effectively coupling the speaker with the door panel. The result is more midbass punch and increased output. A set of JL Audio C2-075CT tweeters were installed in the factory tweeter locations to give the stereo system much more brilliance and airiness in the upper frequencies.

F150 Performance Boost Provided By Exhaust, Air Intake System, And Hypertech Programmer

SDP 2014 F150

Power, economy and sound were improved with a K&N Intake System.

So now that the stereo upgrade and the tint were finished, we cold turn our attention to the truck accessories and the performance upgrades. We installed a custom dual exhaust system to give it some rumble and to improve the cosmetics at the same time. Who doesn’t like the look of a dual exhaust system?

A K&N high-performance air intake system was installed along with a Hypertech power programmer. The combination of these three items adds significantly more power along with increased efficiency. Many customers see gains of 10-15% in fuel efficiency, so that is always a blessing.

F150 Truck Bed Cover Protects Contents With Roll-N-Lock Cover Installed

SDP 2014 F150
Bed cover brackets being expertly installed.
SDP 2014 F150
The marine grade vinyl of the Roll N Lock bedcover gives the cover a very clean look.
SDP 2014 F150
Drain tubes are installed for proper water channeling.
SDP 2014 F150
The Roll N Lock allows maximum bed space with a minimally sized container to hold the cover when rolled up.

When it came time to turn our attention to the F150 truck bed, we installed a Roll-n-Lock bed cover. This product is one of the best made, cleanest looking, covers on the market. When it is closed, it securely protects the contents from the weather, and from prying eyes. To open it you simply turn the lever on top of the cover, and it will retract automatically into the canister mounted right behind the cab.

A well-engineered drainage system will channel any water that may sneak past the cover out of the bed area. The top of the cover is another piece of engineering excellence. Marine grade vinyl is attached in one solid piece to the aluminum slats underneath. This gives the cover an elegance, unlike other brands. Plus, the aluminum slats will hold up to years and years of abuse.

The last touch was installing a BedRug in the bed itself. When installed, a BedRug covers the bed floor and all the sides and tailgate. It is made of marine grade products so it will hold up to years of exposure to the elements and is not damaged by gasoline or oil. The magic of this product is underneath, where water-resistant foam is contoured to offset the ridges in the truck bed. Have you ever knelt in the bed of a truck and experienced pain in your knees from the ridges? That will never happen to this customer again. The bed floor is now flat and smooth, making it easier on your body when you are using the bed.

F150 Interior Floor Surfaces Protected With WeatherTech Floor Liners

SDP 2014 F150
WeatherTech Floor Liners protect the floor and surrounding areas from even liquid spills due to their unique design.
SDP 2014 F150
Hard to tell the subwoofer enclosure was not a factory option. The Weathertech floor liners will help keep the interior looking new for years to come

The final addition to the vehicle enhancement package was a set of WeatherTech Floor Liners.  These are much more than standard cookie cutter floor mats.  The floor liners begin life with a 3D digital scan of the interior floor of the vehicle.  Then a custom mold is made that replicates the floor and side areas.  The liners are then built using the mold.  The premise behind these mats is to not only protect the carpet that your feet rest on, but also the side areas of the foot well.  They have a cupped shape designed to contain any liquids (or snow) that they might encounter.  If an accidental spill happens, the mat is just lifted out and the liquid poured off.  The interior remains protected and looking new.  The rear floor liners cover the entire floor surface, even the transmission hump, so the back of the truck stays looking as good as the front.

 Another Happy Client Thanks To The Sound Depot And Performance Team

When the client arrived at Sound Depot and Performance to audition his F150 audio upgrade, he was absolutely thrilled. What started out as a simple tint job became a truck transformation. The stereo now has concert-level output coupled with studio-grade sound quality. The engine has much-improved power, coupled with the engine rumble that the customer loved. And now the bed is much more useful, whether you just want to tailgate in it or haul that next home improvement project.

If you are in the market for an F150 audio upgrade or would like to do any of these upgrades, we invite you to stop by our facility. We would love to get to know you better, and will help design the perfect solution for you. We will treat your vehicle with the utmost care while in our possession. Our technicians are highly skilled and expertly trained in working with modern electrical system.  Of course, you can always contact us here as well for more information.

 

 

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Filed Under: Car Audio, FEATURED INSTALLATIONS, Integration, Performance, Truck Accessories, Window Tint Tagged With: Air Intake, Amplifiers, Audio Control, Exhaust, F150, Ford, Hypertech, JL Audio, Programmer, Speakers, Subwoofers, Weathertech

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