Father and son build day. Custom stereo upgrade :D
#1
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
As the title suggests, my father and I finished up my custom stereo for my 3GS. I have an 06 ML and Navi equiped car. I was happy with the stock stereo, but it was not up to par with my previous setup. So, I decided to take that and throw it into the 'new' ride. It's only taken a year and a half, but we finally got around to doing it. lol. I did not post the surround swap, as that has been covered previously by others. I am pleased with the result to this point; i should have it completed Saturday (have to golf sometime, since i'm on vacation.
). I have Boston Acoustic Pro series components for the surrounds, and Boston Acoustic 12" G5 DVC's for the subs, powered by Kenwood Excelon 25th anniversary amps (1100x1 & 125x4) with an AudioControl LC6 as the 'processor' to integrate the amps to the ML. I am waiting on my JBL MS8 to arrive to better tune the system.
A little background - dad is a 'weekend woodworker', with a shop he built above the garage to keep everything out of mom's way. lol. He built it from a completely open space, I beams included. We have done this sort of build before, but never to this extent, hence the post. I wanted a box that would leave as much trunk space as possible. Pretty pleased with the results to this point. On to the pics!![Woohoo](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/woohoo.gif)
Shop
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12323-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12328-a.jpg)
Subs - 1 cubic foot of air space needed
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12354-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12351-a.jpg)
Face template and test-fit - notches are to clear the wheel well
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12326-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12321-a.jpg)
Box without face test fit
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12324-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12329-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12327-a.jpg)
Face on test-fit - I still have quite a bit of trunk space, which was the plan
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12325-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12353-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12350-a.jpg)
Had to buy a whole sheet of formica to get what i needed. Guess i will have to built something else in the trunk to use the rest!
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12322-a.jpg)
Contact cementing the surfaces, routing, and end result - there is plastic covering the surface, so there are actually no scratches
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12355-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12352-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12360-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12359-a.jpg)
This has been a fun build. I still have the speaker surround to fabricate and leather wrap, as well as wrapping the remainder of the box. I wanted to do something different than everyone has to this point. I have seen neon, mirrors, cutouts, carpet, suede and everything else. I have yet to see someone do the burlwood and leather to match the interior, which is what i was going for..something a bit more 'upscale' to match the car. Hopefully the end result will show that. Look for a photo shoot Saturday with the end result and a few exterior shots, since i have not posted pics of the car outside of the NELOC section. Thanks for looking.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
A little background - dad is a 'weekend woodworker', with a shop he built above the garage to keep everything out of mom's way. lol. He built it from a completely open space, I beams included. We have done this sort of build before, but never to this extent, hence the post. I wanted a box that would leave as much trunk space as possible. Pretty pleased with the results to this point. On to the pics!
![Woohoo](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/woohoo.gif)
Shop
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12323-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12328-a.jpg)
Subs - 1 cubic foot of air space needed
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12354-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12351-a.jpg)
Face template and test-fit - notches are to clear the wheel well
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12326-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12321-a.jpg)
Box without face test fit
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12324-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12329-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12327-a.jpg)
Face on test-fit - I still have quite a bit of trunk space, which was the plan
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12325-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12353-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12350-a.jpg)
Had to buy a whole sheet of formica to get what i needed. Guess i will have to built something else in the trunk to use the rest!
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12322-a.jpg)
Contact cementing the surfaces, routing, and end result - there is plastic covering the surface, so there are actually no scratches
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12355-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12352-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12360-a.jpg)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/members/ryan78-albums-stereo-install-picture12359-a.jpg)
This has been a fun build. I still have the speaker surround to fabricate and leather wrap, as well as wrapping the remainder of the box. I wanted to do something different than everyone has to this point. I have seen neon, mirrors, cutouts, carpet, suede and everything else. I have yet to see someone do the burlwood and leather to match the interior, which is what i was going for..something a bit more 'upscale' to match the car. Hopefully the end result will show that. Look for a photo shoot Saturday with the end result and a few exterior shots, since i have not posted pics of the car outside of the NELOC section. Thanks for looking.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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