Budget stock Audio upgrades (XL) - plan, research, options and experimentation

[DavesMav]

Sorry folks it is a generational thing ,not making excuses and I hear you but being 66 years old (and no excuse) the R word is interchangeable with crazy , nuts ,ridiculous etc etc did not mean to offend anyone and BTW it is not part of our daily vocabulary... THINK joke, kidding, with no ulterior connotation in my garage with no one else around.. I will say people today are awfully sensitive. but thanks for the vocabulary lesson Dave ..you see I am lacking in many areas much appreciated!

We're from the same generation, it's all a choice. I've just made the choice not to. I also understand your choice to use the word and I understand that you don't mean offense. I appreciate you specifying. Unfortunately not everyone will understand that and some will inevitably take offense despite you not meaning it. It has nothing to do with being awfully sensitive. Some who take offense may not fully have the ability to communicate that it offends them. That's where I think a lot of folks can't relate, because they are mostly able to communicate their feelings effectively. Do not take your cognitive abilities and the ability to communicate your feelings for granted.

Dave

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[TPlus]

I was going to add some sound deadening but when I took the door panels off (my truck was built the end of January) FORD has installed a plastic covered cushion looks almost like a disposable diaper but stronger which covers about 80% of the panel. I should have took pictures As I have not seen it on other pictures I have seen of the panels off the truck .It was for sure put there to address door rattle. So I took a shot without deadening and I have no rattles .

This is fantastic! THANKS
Just got my XLT this week and the speakers definitely need to go.
I will likely do the same setup (Morels from Crutchfield), any plans to do the rears ? Also this might be a dumb question but do the stock dash tweeters still work when you add the new 2 way speakers?

 

[jc888888888]

We're from the same generation, it's all a choice. I've just made the choice not to. I also understand your choice to use the word and I understand that you don't mean offense. I appreciate you specifying. Unfortunately not everyone will understand that and some will inevitably take offense despite you not meaning it. It has nothing to do with being awfully sensitive. Some who take offense may not fully have the ability to communicate that it offends them. That's where I think a lot of folks can't relate, because they are mostly able to communicate their feelings effectively. Do not take your cognitive abilities and the ability to communicate your feelings for granted.

Dave

Dont lecture me please.... we are talking here about speaker installs!

 

[jc888888888]

This is fantastic! THANKS
Just got my XLT this week and the speakers definitely need to go.
I will likely do the same setup (Morels from Crutchfield), any plans to do the rears ? Also this might be a dumb question but do the stock dash tweeters still work when you add the new 2 way speakers?

yes stock tweeters still work and sound good ,you can adjust as you like with the head unit EQ , For me personally I am thinking about the rears but totally not needed for me, I fade with the EQ one notch forward and the sound is so improved Im good with it . I am hesitant to tackle the back as I love how it sounds now .i might though if I get my nerve up BTW the coax morels has a crossover built in so the tweeter s in the door speakers work nicely .the high, midrange are fantastic ,the bass lows are exceptional for what it is clean and clear. If you want belly thumping bass you need to take it farther with amp and sub .but if you want an honest 5x improvement for $200 this worked for me

 

[bobabree]

I was going to add some sound deadening but when I took the door panels off (my truck was built the end of January) FORD has installed a plastic covered cushion looks almost like a disposable diaper but stronger which covers about 80% of the panel. I should have took pictures As I have not seen it on other pictures I have seen of the panels off the truck .It was for sure put there to address door rattle. So I took a shot without deadening and I have no rattles .

I wonder if the XL has that cushioning you're talking about. I'm considering sound deadening but it seems like a lot of extra work.

 

[jc888888888]

I wonder if the XL has that cushioning you're talking about. I'm considering sound deadening but it seems like a lot of extra work.

no idea only one way to find out .take the panel off, my bet it does have it

 

[Red Ryder]

I have a dumb question. Although I've had many vehicles apart for audio installations, I was going to do an easy survey behind the glove box to determine space for mounting an LOC and maybe the Key. The owners manual says (to replace cabin filter), simply depress the tabs, lower the glovebox door and pull towards you. Doesn't the dampener on the right side need to be disengaged? I gave everything a good tug but backed off thinking I was about to hear a snap. Probably a bit more timid than normal about breaking something due to parts availability.

 

[BootXL76]

I have a dumb question. Although I've had many vehicles apart for audio installations, I was going to do an easy survey behind the glove box to determine space for mounting an LOC and maybe the Key. The owners manual says (to replace cabin filter), simply depress the tabs, lower the glovebox door and pull towards you. Doesn't the dampener on the right side need to be disengaged? I gave everything a good tug but backed off thinking I was about to hear a snap. Probably a bit more timid than normal about breaking something due to parts availability.

I disengaged the dampener (don’t see how to drop the glovebox down without)…. Squeeze the little clips while you slowly/gently (but firmly) push/pull out on the dampener arm itself (and I just left mine off this last time I popped it out)

I basically squeeze piece that extrudes through the circle at the end of the damper arm with my right hand, and pushed/pulled out with my left

once disengaged, glovebox will just drop down

 

[Red Ryder]

I disengaged the dampener (don’t see how to drop the glovebox down without)…. Squeeze the little clips while you slowly/gently (but firmly) push/pull out on the dampener arm itself (and I just left mine off this last time I popped it out)

I basically squeeze piece that extrudes through the circle at the end of the damper arm with my right hand, and pushed/pulled out with my left

once disengaged, glovebox will just drop down

Thanks, I thought that needed to happen. That barbed end looked like the disconnect point, but I wasn't sure if there was a release further back. Thanks!

 

[Red Ryder]

Thanks, I thought that needed to happen. That barbed end looked like the disconnect point, but I wasn't sure if there was a release further back. Thanks!

I put some tubing over my long-nose pliers (improvised soft jaw pliers) that worked well on the slotted barb. Now that I had a look-see, I'm thinking the Key can go where your's did and the LC2iPro either high on the fuse-box cover or above the cabin air filter, either place with industrial Velcro.

Edit: I just went back and saw your post (BootXL76) regarding mounting both the LC2iPro and Key in the glovebox area. Hopefully, you'll consider me following and copying your install as flattery! Great planning and trailblazing, thank you!

 

[Ken Maverick]

I have a dumb question. Although I've had many vehicles apart for audio installations, I was going to do an easy survey behind the glove box to determine space for mounting an LOC and maybe the Key. The owners manual says (to replace cabin filter), simply depress the tabs, lower the glovebox door and pull towards you. Doesn't the dampener on the right side need to be disengaged? I gave everything a good tug but backed off thinking I was about to hear a snap. Probably a bit more timid than normal about breaking something due to parts availability.

Use a screwdriver to pop the damper off. It goes back on easy.

 

[Red Ryder]

Use a screwdriver to pop the damper off. It goes back on easy.

Thanks. The initial removal took a little effort, the subsequent times have been easier.

 

[jewc75]

Ordered a LC5.1300

 

[Red Ryder]

Ordered a LC5.1300

Dang, that's nice! I just hope the source unit is worthy.

It will be interesting to see how you use it, active front + rear + sub, or even something more....

 

[jewc75]

Dang, that's nice! I just hope the source unit is worthy.

It will be interesting to see how you use it, active front + rear + sub, or even something more....

I just want more control of the sound and wanted an all in one amp/signal processor.

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