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Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
So, I don't have a lot planned for this ride yet, but, in the spirit of trying to get more involved in this forum/community again....I will X-Post my purchase post from another forum then build on that.
the base to start building on this time is a 2011 Ford Taurus (not granny's ol Ford Taurus--that's fo sure.)
It is the "Limited" model--which is one step "down" from there twin Turbo SHO Model.
I got the 3.5L V6 engine with front wheel drive tied up to a 6 speed transmission with the optional manual Paddle shifters.
3.5-liter V6
263 horsepower @ 6250 rpm
249 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28 FWD (Edit: I've found I can eek out 19-20 MPG in town with careful driving)
And more gadgets and toys inside than I know what to do with--but I think I will get used to Microsoft Sync software if I can just remind myself to use it.
(*Edit on the Sync Software: it plays VERY NICELY with my New Note 5. )
Here are some pictures right after I bought it.
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/taurus/2011/
http://www.cars.com/ford/taurus/2011/expert-reviews/
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...213_091646.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...213_091622.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...213_091633.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...212_105101.jpg
I will try to get some pics of the Power installation, (wires, Dist Blocks, etc) and also what I have done so far to get my old Image Dynamics Servo Subwoofer system hooked up.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Congrats on the new ride.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
That's a nice ride for sure! Good deal :thumbup:
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Nice whip, NeeNee! Tuned in for more stuff...
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
This is the little cheapo panel poppers I found on-line. I think Ford had a Surplus of those stupid lil button/screw/ popper things. (I have NO Idea what they are called. LOL )
http://www.caraudiojunkies.com/attac...8&d=1454081340
Don't give me too much grief; but here is my simple homemade solution to adapt my speaker level inputs on the Infinity Servo Sub System I have. (Pics of that later) That beast has been with me for years and years and still provides me with sufficient low end for that little extra punch. I tried to get with the manufacturer to see if I could purchase the stock plug for it but the customer service people I dealt with were clueless! So Frustrating. And come to find out, they are the mini pins. BUT, to my benefit, they are the same size as the pins on an old VGA video adapter. Soooo, to make it easy to remove this from my trunk I found two quick power disconnects and a male/female VGA plug and soldered my own. Obviously I need to loom it and shrink wrap the ends but I ran out of that stuff. It will be right when it goes in the car.
http://www.caraudiojunkies.com/attac...7&d=1454081340
more later:
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
I'm in.. Man I tell ya I'm really digging Ford cars as of late.. The new Taurus and Fusion both, and I kinda got a thing for a Focus RS and I've always had a Ford Edge fetish.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Babs
I'm in.. Man I tell ya I'm really digging Ford cars as of late.. The new Taurus and Fusion both, and I kinda got a thing for a Focus RS and I've always had a Ford Edge fetish.
The Flex is a guilty pleasure of mine. So ugly, but so powerful!
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
So, thanks to James and his knowing exactly what excites me, -- LOL! -- he has got me thinking about building a system around a DSP 88R. I am still doing my research at this point in the game to decide what processor is going to allow me the most compatibility and how it is going to integrate in to my proposed upgrades.
Ya- this 'build' may span a year or two but a brighter future is going to allow a little extra spending to finally finish an install before the engine dies or the transmission takes a poo on me. And Hey--this car was built in the same Decade and has under 100K miles on it!
soooo, on to some organizing thoughts and idears:
the #1 rule this time around is going to be Stealth. With that being said, I will only be using my factory head unit and the factory mounting locations. The nice thing is the system already has 7 channels:
L/R - Front: by Nines in the lower front doors
L/R - Front: Tweeters in the sail panels (A-Pillars)
Center in a clever dash cut-out that is tilted toward the passenger compartment
L/R - Rear: By nines in the lower rear doors
--
1) Source:
Ford has integrated everything from the HVAC/Sync/Bluetooth/Steering wheel Controls/Back up camera & Alert system/and engine diagnostics all in to the center console. Since the idea is to keep everything stock / stealth I will not be replacing the conglomeration that is my source unit. After doing some research to find what my "options" are, they are sending all signals to the amp on a single bus line. What I have Not found is if there is a way to tap in to this pre-amp signal or am I stuck with tapping the outputs of this amplifier to feed the Processor at speaker level signals?
2) Amplification:
Keeping with the Theme noted above; it has been in my head that I should use multiple small(er) amplifiers (probably looking at 4 or 5) for flexibility in hiding them all versus using one (or two) larger multi-channel amps. Any thoughts on this? Advantages or Disadvantages?
I will post the wiring diagram I found as soon as possible too.
I do not plan to compete with this system as it is purely for MY enjoyment and having something to drive to "show" at GTG's. It also does not need to be super high powered--it just needs to overcome what little road noise I have to deal with. (the Taurus is a solidly built car)
This is my plan for the near future anyways. My mother is getting up in years and has got a travel bug so we plan on putting some miles on the car driving to see the country, etc. Who am I kidding-- I want to travel and see "more" of the places I have driven through in a semi truck but never had the time to stop and enjoy.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Sounds simple enough. I've researched quite a few different builds with a very similar setup. Are we looking to keep it as budget friendly as possible? Looking to go active, semi-active? Wanting to keep the rears?
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
I was hoping you would see this Daniel. I am thinking going full active but I believe I can do this on a reasonable budget since I am capable/knowledgeable on most of the installation theory and I have you guys for my relentless and endless questions. :D
I found I LOVD having that control over the time alignment, EQ, and levels all around. The Thunderbird system, with that kenwood h/u, showed me a whole new world of sound and flexibility. But the Chicken was never meant to be anything other than something to get me by until i found a car worthy of an active system.
The Prelude was headed that direction but I couldn't keep feeding that greedy money pit any longer. All the deadening, wiring, and planning just tossed out the window. I was so mad.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
I'll agree the DSP-88R is very capable. The Soundstream Harmony is same if I remember right, just a bit different aesthetics.
If you did the DSP-88R, have you considered the PPI iON amps? Those things are TINY. Very easy to hide under a seat or seats. And very low power draw on your electrical system.
Do you have the Sony setup, with the center speaker, pillar tweeters, front and rear door by nines, plus rear deck by nines with a rear center speaker?
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
I have the Non-Sony system with the Microsoft Active Sync. I will grab some pics tonight.
It does have the 4" center, seperate tweeters in the A-Pillar, and four by nines in the doors. No Sub.
A single amp in the trunk behind the left fender panel.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
But you already have an Image Dynamics subwoofer setup? Has it's own amplifier?
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
yes sir...but I wouldn't be keeping that unti. For the sub stage I was thinking a 10 or 12 inch in the passenger fender area. Lots of room there--and that way I will keep most of the processing and amplification in the left fender well and in the spare tire space. I've been flirting with ditching the spare tire all together (i'm older and have good insurance.. LOL!) and filling up that space with components since I wont be moving the factory amp.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Next Post is the trunk. The sun was going down and I got some nasty reflections -- sorry.
Trunk Floor:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163425.jpg
Spare tire Wheel Well Open:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163335.jpg
Fuel Tank Bump/ Shelf:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163346.jpg
Left Fender Well-- Factory Amplifier and my Power run is terminated behind this panel. Will get pics when I open this area up to install my homemade wire harness (see above)
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163435.jpg
Right Fender Well / Proposed donation spot for a FG sub enclosure:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163452.jpg
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
And Lastly, this is how/where I plan to install my temporary powered sub:
( I misquoted what it was above- sorry guys.)
This little bugger has been in every car of mine since I was on the road as an OTR driver. The horrible scratches to The grill are from the air ride seat in the semi truck hitting it as we bounced down the road. This little bugger does put out a substantial bit of bass for it's size. The security / check in guard at the Budweiser Plant in Ft Collins, CO. just knew I had to have a couple tens in my truck but he never did find where I "hid the Subwoofer Box." LOL!
The business Side:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163210.jpg
Front:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163138.jpg
Back:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163149.jpg
Temp Install Location/trunk View:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163755.jpg
Tem Install Location/Pass through:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163813.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...209_163828.jpg
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Love the straight clean lines in Fords.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Good luck getting the A pillar covers off!
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jrdnhsqwlmcbzndjkt
Good luck getting the A pillar covers off!
What are you talking about? I am still waiting for you to show me how it's done! LOL!
you are MUCH further along in your build than I am. :rolleyes:
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Nee
What are you talking about? I am still waiting for you to show me how it's done! LOL!
you are MUCH further along in your build than I am. :rolleyes:
I still can't figure out how to get them off. I know there are guides on taurusclub though.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Nee
What are you talking about? I am still waiting for you to show me how it's done! LOL!
you are MUCH further along in your build than I am. :rolleyes:
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jrdnhsqwlmcbzndjkt
I still can't figure out how to get them off. I know there are guides on taurusclub though.
She has time, she's still working on those tweeter pods for the prelude.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Al has a screwdriver you can borrow.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Dare I bump this thread and get working again?
It's been a while but I am about 90% of the way having all the parts n pieces now.
Including a few new tools. :D
Attachment 6847
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Ready for some sweet tweeter pod action!
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LOL!
Tweeters are already built in. NO FIBERGLASS WORK for me.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Only 3 years later. That’s not even the record for this forum.
Looking forward to your impressions on the DSR1.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
lol... I am a thinker.
:facepalm:
Having grandbabies is expensive....
Ok... Back to Car audio.
I promise.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Nee
lol... I am a thinker.
:facepalm:
Having grandbabies is expensive....
Ok... Back to Car audio.
I promise.
Looking forward to it.
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Re: Nee Grabs the Bull by the Horns
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Nee
lol... I am a thinker.
:facepalm:
Having grandbabies is expensive....
Ok... Back to Car audio.
I promise.
I'm pretty sure the horns are on the other end...
