A client from here in Gainesville recently visited Sound Depot and Performance to inquire about upgrading his 1990 Ford Bronco stereo system. The client found us after reading our online reviews and looking at the work we have posted in our gallery. He wanted a simple but great-sounding audio system for the hunting truck that he had recently purchased. He is very particular about the work done to his vehicles and after seeing examples of our capabilities and talking to our product specialists, he was comfortable having us work on his truck.
Kenwood Radio Replacement
The new Kenwood radio gives the client many more audio sources.
We started the audio upgrade project by replacing the factory Ford cassette deck with a Kenwood KDC-X502 Bluetooth CD Receiver. This source unit not only provides the client with Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming but allows him to use the voice recognition features in his smartphone to make calls and send text messages.
Hertz Replacement Speakers
We upgraded the front speakers on the Bronco with a set of Hertz MPX165.3 coaxial units. Our installation team installed MESA Mat sound damping material to the inner and outer door skins to reduce vibrations and noise transfer into the cab of the vehicle and maximize the performance of the new speakers.
The rear speakers in the Bronco are 5×7-inch units located just behind the doors on either side of the truck. We had originally planned to use another set of MPX165.3 speakers in this location, but there wasn’t enough mounting depth. A set of Hertz ECX570.5 speakers mounts perfectly to the plastic grilles to give the installation an OEM look.
Ford Bronco Stereo System Amplifier
Our techs found a perfect spot under the front seat for the amplifier.
We mounted an AudioControl LC-4.800 four-channel amplifier under the driver’s seat and wired it to the radio and speakers. This amp can produce an effortless 125 watts of power per channel to the new speakers to ensure that the client can enjoy his music at any volume. All the wiring to and from the amp is wrapped in automotive-grade cloth tape for a clean and tidy factory-installed look, and we used premium-grade MESA interconnect cables to connect the radio to the amp. As you can see from the photos of the truck, the interior is pristine, thanks to the carpet and upholstery having been recently replaced.
The last part of the audio upgrade portion of this project was to tune the amp for the chosen speakers and source unit. Our team set the amp to ensure the client can crank up his music without fear of distorting the amplifier output signal and damaging the speakers.
Backup Camera System Installation
An Echomaster backup camera helps the client to backup safely now.
The client wanted to be able to see behind the truck while parking or maneuvering the vehicle. We mounted an Echomaster PCAM-10L-N camera just above the rear license plate and angled it downward slightly so that the area right behind the bumper would be visible in the image.
The client chose a Voxx Electronics RVM740 replacement rearview mirror to display the camera image. This mirror includes a large 7.3-inch LCD screen that shows through the mirrored surface when the vehicle is in reverse. We mounted the mirror to the factory mounting bracket on the windshield and concealed all the wiring in the headliner of the truck.
Remote Keyless Entry System
The keyless entry brain was neatly prepped for installation.
The last piece of the project was to install a Viper 412V remote keyless entry system. This XLT trim level Bronco came with power locks. The keyless entry system comes with two remote controls that allow the driver to lock and unlock the vehicle from hundreds of feet away.
Classic Ford Bronco Technology Upgrades
With the new equipment installed and tested, it was time to return the truck to the client. He was thrilled with our workmanship and attention to detail and very happy with the way the new Ford Bronco audio system sounds. We talked about adding a subwoofer as part of a future upgrade. The client wanted to live with the radio, new speakers and amp for a while, then decide if he wants more.
If you are in the Gainesville area, drop by Sound Depot and Performance to find out how we can update the technology in your vehicle. For more information, give us a call or send our team an e-mail using our contact page.
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