Hello everyone, I recently embarked on a large project for me. After talking to many Org members (Picking there brain) and a month of pondering ideas and bouncing them around I decided to "overhaul" my car. Finally saved up enough money to start making some progress so I finally bit the bullet and got things done. I'm about 90% complete right now so I may post more pictures next week. Only sad thing as that after I spent the money, did everything between my self and help of crafty friends my car broke down 2 days later. My Engine coils failed me again, this set only lasted maybe 15,000 miles. Very sad, had to get them replaced at the dealership so it cost me another 650 I didnt see coming. Which is why I've waited to post this on the form. Unfortunatly the money for the Ignition coils was going to go to a new suspension. So please, be easy on the wheel well it isnt getting better till next summer.

I'll post some before and after pictures as best I can.


This picture is my old "Junk in the Trunk". I called it the raging ape because I covered it in like 2 inch gorilla fur (It was funny, laugh!). 2, 10's. Kicked plenty for me and was a cheap setup cause I built the box and e-bayed the rest.



This picture is my new stealthy rig. After 1 year with my trunk hugger I was fed up with no trunk. Did some homework and noticed a few people had wicked cool systems. Being on a low budget though this was the best I could do. I am extremely happy, the box is only maybe 4-6 inches deep, Perfectly fits my trunk. My good friends here in town helped, one of which is an excellent carpenter. I'm going to attach a few more "inbuild" pictures.

 

Hope these pictures help anyone else interested in the same.

I've got 3, JL8W12's I got cheapo and a 1000 watt mono amp. The Remote bass **** is located by my hood release, very handy.

Hope this helps future modders. I really have almost all my trunk space. I'm also working on custom grills for the speakers so I dont risk damaging anything. I'll probably have pictures of those Monday (Combination match my rims and my front grill.

 

These rims were one of the most difficult choices. First I wanted chrome, then something less flashy, then I went out to LA a few times in the past 6 months and fell in love with the array of black rims. After hitting up many org memebers with black rims I decided on Montegi FF7 Gloss Black rims, and the wheels I decided on Falken ST115, 235/40/18. Got a good deal from a local place (Tire Discount) they were able to beat an e-bay store for me so I cant complain.


before pictures (BTW my tint is 35% front, 22% rear)



after pictures



Like I mentioned, I'm aware of the wheel well gap. Thanks.

Oh ya and red caliper paint, a 15 dollar kit from like walmart. Did em a few week prior to pictures. Pretty happy with how they turned out, was REALLY quick and easy.

 

This grill stuff really had me frustrated for a while. Didnt know if I wanted to buy the street scene ones or grille tech or e-bay. Turns out only the Street scene (www.stillen.com) had ones that fit my 2k max. So After talking to people I finally broke down and got them. These are not the chrome ones, I figured I might have issues w/the chrome grille.


This picture is after I installed the bottom one with a friend. It wasnt to bad to do, maybe took 30 mins? Popped off the splash guard on the bottom after I jacked up the car and used zip ties. (Other people have write ups or something).


ended up taking it off the bumper, was not happy with the way it looked over the OEM Grille. Notice the make shift dremel tool my friend has in his hand. Cut through the OEM bumper like butter.


final before re-attaching it.





different angle, I used a black screen behind the grill, very heavy duty. My friend called it "doggy door" screen, its the stuff a full dog can run in to and not tear. Really hides anything in the background. Bolted everything in/down didnt bother with zip ties or the OEM grille screw holes etc. Dremeled it all out.

 

Last, I couldnt have done it w/out help from my friends or org members

irish44j
SEmy2K2go
EdgeX
Puppetmaster
Metal Maxima
Deckdout2

If you have suggestions for me, other cheap mods maybe I can pull off this summer please PM Me. Thanks again everyone. And if I missed someone that helped me please let me know.


Remember only happy thought allowed on the tread

 

Nice setup. I like. I've been planning on doing something like that too. For the longest time i've had one 12" sittin' in the corner of my trunk w/ an amp attached. The sound's great, so no complaints about that, but the whole loss of trunk has been an issue for me too. I'm thinking more along the lines of two 12's with the amp in the center under a piece of plexiglass. It's just a project I haven't jumped on yet because i'm not that certain that I want THAT much bass. It was something I always loved before because I was young and we all go through that stage! I still want the boom, but without attracting toooo much attention. I've thought about going with 10's, but they don't hit the really low frequency notes like the 12's do. Which has made me wonder if it's possible to have a 10 AND a 12. A 10 for midrange and a 12 solely for the really low notes. But it kinda makes ya wonder if it'd just be a waste of money since a 12 can hit any note at any of the low frequencies. I dunno.. haha. Just something i've thought of in the past.

NICE rims. I like the black on black. One thing though, you should think about getting clear side markers. It'd look a bit better. Especially with the rims ya have.

I wanna see the pics of your grill. That's something i've been wanting to do to mine. I'll have to check back on this thread this weekend. If ya have a How-To on it, can ya email it to me, please?

I got your pm. I'll try to email the How-To's to you tonight. I have them on my home comp. If not tonight, sometime over the weekend. After all, it's Friday and I don't plan on being home very long at all!

 

I doubt you can run a 10 and a 12 on the same amp bc it'd prob mess up the amount of power that needs to go to each...but if you got 2 amps...you could do a setup like he did and do one 12 in the middle of two 10's...that would look really cool...i've never seen that.

 

Justin, the install turned out really nice. You've done a really good job with the install and can't wait to see/hear it in person. I hope you're happy with everything so far.
Nice job

 

nice sound system. man i could never really do EVERYTHING at once like that....too much of a shock to my bank account. I assume your amps are behind the seat?? any pics of that? oh yeah and how did you get that curve around the wheel well? i want to do something like that but dont even know where to start. all in all nice job, and nice rims. i was VERY close to getting the same. As for a cheap mod.....clear corners? hella horns? and this isnt a cheap one but i would say you should get it....an alarm to keep those goodies semi safe.

 

I think it all looks really good. I was not a fan of that grill, but it looks good on your car. Very clean looking truck now 100% better looking. And those rims make a difference, I like.

 

Yea I could use an alarm, couldnt bring my self to buy a viper and the cheapest system I saw was around 300 bucks but it was a shady operation I just didnt feel right doing (Viper was like 600 bucks, dont think I want to do that my self...)

amp is behind the seat, actually going to bolt it on the back of the box, just tweaking the settings a bit more before its locked down. buy there is plenty of room behind the seats for the amp.

The contour piece is one piece just cut to fit the slot. Hard to explain, I used like a thick board like foam paper board to figure out the contour, just cut the board because it was easy to work with.. Then I traced the shape onto the MDF Board then cut it out with a saw. Was the easiest thing I could think of at the time (Poster board would work?).

I'll have to look in to clear corners and how to install them easy w/out taking off my bumper. If anyone has write up, could you PM Me? THanks

Man, I really need to take some glamor shots this weekend, the side profile on a cloudy day just does not do it justice. I'm soo getting a car wash after work lol. Gotta love ohio weather. I'll post more pictures this weekend.

 

what type of wood did you use for the box

 

I used MDF wood from Lowes, huge sheet was cheap maybe 20-25 bucks, 4'x8'. I used 1/2 inch for this setup since I'm running smaller 8's. I used 3/4 inch for my 2 10's. Was heavy and bulky. I think 1/2 inch was plenty, they're JL8's.

 

That's my favorite grille for a 2000/01.

 

The info on taking off the sidemarkers is in the Owners Manual. You just use a flathead screw driver to pry it off from.... I THINK the outside of the sidemarkers. In other words, when you're facing the DRIVERs side you pry up on the left side of the front sidemarker and the right side of the rear one. I THINK! I believe it's from the fat end of the sidemarker. Check your owners manual to be sure. It's under "Changing your bulbs" or something like that. If ya can't find it just let me know and i'll see if I can find it. I've done it before. As far as getting the clear ones, Custom Enterprise has them. Cut and paste this link because i'm not sure how to hyperlink it.

http://www.customenterprise.com/view.../vts/design017

 

Looks nice, I had to cut out the old grille too b/c I hated the look with it on there. For your car I'd go with smoked sidemarkers in the front, $45 from custommaxima. I like mine a lot.

 

60 bucks for clear front and back. Anyone know if thats legal? THats one of my main concerns, not that I'm not already a cop magnet.. I heard they might be illegal? anyone got advice? How about smoked vs clear? I think clear may add better contrast between the chrome lip on the rims, chrome lip around windows, etc.

Suggestions?

 

holy crap lower that baby!

 

I like the trunk a lot!

 

Werkin on it, unless I get a refund for the coils it'll take till next summer.

Gotta understand not everyone can be as cool as you

Anyone know where I can get that timing advance done in columbus ohio area? Anyone know any nissan people or hook ups?

Also on another note I have my old 215/55/16 Yokohama YK420 Tires for sale, PM Me w/an offer if interested. New were $460, they've got 1 year of use and about 12k miles on them <I want to buy winter tires>

 

I'm more partial to the clear ones on your car. The headlights being clear should match the sidemarkers since they wrap around and are visible on the side too. I dunno, just my $0.02

As far as finding out if they're legal... ask a cop! You shouldn't have any trouble finding one. Just take a trip to the nearest donut shop to the police station! Hehehe.... But no, really. Next time you come across one, ask him. Not all of 'em are a-holes. It's just part of the job description. Me? I'm lucky... One of my friends is a cop! Already helped me out of 2 speedin' tickets!

 

Did you cut anything inorder to get the grill on.

 

different states have different laws but i heard that it can be other colors as long as it is reflective, but ive also heard that it is illegal for clear. after having stock for so long, and not wanting to drop 60 bucks on clear ones, i just blacked them out with spray paint. now there totally black and totally illegal, but thats the price you pay for something that looks great

 

looks good. That old gorilla-hair box is hilarious

besides the obvious drop, I would suggest getting rid of the chrome door handles, go for more blackout!

 

looks good!

 

you have inspired me. i hate the bose, time to upgrade.

 

Looks really good, Justin. I'm sure you should be okay with the clear side markers. Just buy some amber bulbs for the fronts and red for the rears and you should be fine. I haven't had any problems. I hope to hear your system if I get the chance to come down to Columbus sometime.

 

Looks good. Although the box is a little large (did you check sub requirements before building?), the finished product is very clean.

 

Justin, you've really made it a whole night and day difference. She looks really good, and everything you've done so far has done nothing but enhanced her apperance. Keep it up man, I'm glad that the right people was able to put forth the effort and help you along the way.

 

Thanks again to everyone, going to look in to the clear markers also have to get new bulbs, I'll have to figure out what kind and where to get them. Probably in the manual no biggy.

few more pictures of different angles, thanks again everyone.

If anyone has more Q's feel free to PM me

 

Box is about 4-6 inches deep including the wood. Its not big at all and its seperated in to 3 boxes the exact requirements for each speaker size. I put a large face panel on it to match my trunk contour. Worked great I have almost all my trunk space back. At least what mattered.

Also someone earlier asked if I cut the old grille out. Yea I did, and everything else except for the lil chrome frame that went around it.

Also I like the chrome window lining and chrome handles. Clear side markers gotta come next. Thanks again guys!

 

Looks hella good. I love that grille!

 

good woork on that box!!! I too have a 12W6 in the corner of my trunk that slides around (until I bolted it down). Did a 3 10w6/7 FIT?

 

Justin, I'm glad things worked out... the rims look great with the car, and once ya drop it, it'll be even better... that grille looks sweet too, makes me wanna do something to mine... I kinda like the chrome door handles because along with all the other chrome trims and the lip of the rims, its a nice look, IMO. I would say after dropping it, you should get 02-03 HIDs and black out the inside of the housing, that should fit right in with the overall look ya have... keep up the great work man...

 

The whole set-up looks really good. I understand about the coils. I did those and my MAF the other day... cha-ching. This kinda makes me want to tear out the BOSE...maybe after grad school.

 

Nice job!!!!

 

Your trunk looks awesome. I just put a ported box with two 10's in my 02 and it takes up the whole stinking trunk
Seeing your setup gives me a little motivation to do a similar configuration.
The rims look good too.

 

Thanks again everyone, glad to know I inspire few

I think I'm keeping the chrome handles, I like the theme I've got going on. The new HIDs and a Drop will be nice, I'll have to land a new/better job lol. After dropping $$$$ on mods then another $$$ bucks on f-in coils I think I'm done till next year. I still have other maintance expenses (I've also replaced my brakes my self this year as well as some other things). I might invest in some detailing equipment/products though.

 

Looks sweet, dude. Love the black with black wheels.

 

That grill looks the best on the 5th gen!!Nice job there!!