[LADurango]

So I bought my Durango about 6 months ago and unfortunately I’ve been dealing with the “premium” Beats audio system this whole time. It’s literally been just eating away at me. This is my first brand new car and with it being so sophisticated I was a little scared to just rip it apart! I didn’t really have a plan but I knew maintaining full stock features was a must and for the first time I wanted to run stealth. I’ve done all my past systems, always bought pre made boxes for simple installs but this time I wanted something more custom and with the Durango not having much space to run a stealth setup custom was the only way to go.

Last month I got the urge to just go out and buy equipment to kick my ass into gear and just go for it! So that’s what I did, I bought:
2 JL Audio 13TW5v2 Subwoofers
JL Audio RD1500 Mono Block Amplifier
JL Audio Fix-86 OEM Integrating DSP
And A XD-PCS2-2B: 2 Amp 2 Gauge Amp Kit


I originally wanted to go with this layout so that I could maintain access to my spare tire and mount the amp in the enclosure somehow.

Then I thought about making a rack to mount the amp in front of the access to the spare but still couldn’t find the room for enough cubic ft.

I ended up going with this layout simply to maximize enclosure size. I knew I had to fiberglass a box and quickly began gathering as much information on FG boxes as I could.

I had never worked with fiberglass and once I got started I realized I was in over my head but I was already in too deep! I taped everything off and mounted a piece of styrofoam to create a pocket for the spare access. I was nervous of the resin vapors taking away my new leather smell so I was extra cautious and went a little overboard haha!

I Laid out my vision and just ran with it, I rough cut my mdf and mocked it up and started glassing.

I got a little overwhelmed and tired of glassing at some point but fast forward and the box pretty much now finished I just need to sand and decide on a finish I will post pictures later but this is close to what I ended up with.

Today I spent a majority of the day TEARING the Durango apart everything I was scared to do I did lol after a month + into this project I felt myself procrastinating just being overwhelmed and it’s not going to finish itself so I jumped in! Here’s what we have now.

I will say after turning the Durango into a Jeep Grand Cherokee removing the 3rd row that has been folded down the whole 6 months I’ve had the car has me wishing I went a different route but after all this time fabricating the fiberglass box IM USING it haha.



So now I’m at a stand still trying to decide

1. If I want to scrap the Fix-86 and go a different route integrating the OEM system. I have been contemplating the PAC Audio Amp Pro and the Maestro. I REALLY don’t want to go cutting into all of my wiring and like I said I insist on keeping the rear proximity sensors, Bluetooth capabilities and everything else.

2. What to do about speakers. I was thinking about going with JL Audio C5 6.5 components in the front C5 6.5 coaxial in the back. And using JL Audio’s C7 3.5 Center speaker? Should I go Focals for speakers? What advantages do I have finding a 6x9 for the front? Do I need to replace the rear tweeters in the D Pilars for ambient noise? Am I going to run passive or active to achieve my goals?

3. What sound deadening brand to use.

Thank you if your still here I know this is a lot to read through!

 

[andre.m.spence]

Good write up.. and following as I am also not a real fan of the Beats system. I was thinking of personally just adding my JL 12" sub and tapping system but I like where this is going.
Keep it up [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-N950W using Tapatalk

 

[FIRSTCON]

Looks Nice. Great JOb.

I did a FULL System Upgrade - It was Mandatory. That Crappy Beats system was Absolutely Unbearable!!!!

JL C3 6.5 Rear
JL C2 6x9 Front
2 JL 12W3 Sealed Enclosure Rear
PAC AUDIO 5v Interface AP4-CH41 - https://pac-audio.com/catalog/amppro...faces/ap4-ch41
JL XD 400/4 Mids, Highs
JL HD 750/1 Subs
JL Bass Knob

I used the JL FIX82 in the Beginning, sounded terrible. Then the Fix-86 - Terrible as well, The digital output from the Beats System is just a dirty signal.

I also used a AudioControl LC7i 6-Channel Line Output Converter with Bass Restoration and that also sounded like crap. Again the tuning is just not right with the Beats system.

I have a JL Audio tuner as well that was used with both of these installations and the PAC AP4-CH41 did the best job

The only speaker I did not amp was the center channel. That Center Channel Speaker needs to stay with the beats system for use of the BT PHONE (You will lose it otherwise.)

 

[LADurango]

Good write up.. and following as I am also not a real fan of the Beats system. I was thinking of personally just adding my JL 12" sub and tapping system but I like where this is going.
Keep it up [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-N950W using Tapatalk

Thanks brotha yea! Yea pac audio is sounding like the way to go. Allowing you to easily return your system to stock. I would say go for it man couldn’t hurt! I’ll keep everyone updated [emoji1690]

 

[LADurango]

Looks Nice. Great JOb.

I did a FULL System Upgrade - It was Mandatory. That Crappy Beats system was Absolutely Unbearable!!!!

JL C3 6.5 Rear
JL C2 6x9 Front
2 JL 12W3 Sealed Enclosure Rear
PAC AUDIO 5v Interface AP4-CH41 - https://pac-audio.com/catalog/amppro...faces/ap4-ch41
JL XD 400/4 Mids, Highs
JL HD 750/1 Subs
JL Bass Knob

I used the JL FIX82 in the Beginning, sounded terrible. Then the Fix-86 - Terrible as well, The digital output from the Beats System is just a dirty signal.

I also used a AudioControl LC7i 6-Channel Line Output Converter with Bass Restoration and that also sounded like crap. Again the tuning is just not right with the Beats system.

I have a JL Audio tuner as well that was used with both of these installations and the PAC AP4-CH41 did the best job

The only speaker I did not amp was the center channel. That Center Channel Speaker needs to stay with the beats system for use of the BT PHONE (You will lose it otherwise.)

Firstcon, thanks man! I appreciate that. Yea I don’t understand how beats put a stamp on anything to do with that system! I’m kind of bummed I didn’t wait a few more months for the NINETEEN speaker Harmon and Kardon system lol but imagine upgrading that system it would be a nightmare I’m sure! How do you like your C2 and 3s? Is that XD400 enough to push the speakers? That sounds like a dope system man what did you do for layouts? I’m leaning towards Pac Audio for the win!

 

[6104696]

Luckily for me, a bad combination of loud music and bad '70's car audio technology damaged my hearing and I no longer get any benefit out of quality soundsystems......saves me a fortune......LOL

 

[LADurango]

Luckily for me, a bad combination of loud music and bad '70's car audio technology damaged my hearing and I no longer get any benefit out of quality soundsystems......saves me a fortune......LOL

LOL yes you are lucky is a understatement my man haha

 

[FIRSTCON]

Xd400/4 is 75W RMS at 4 ohm so yes plenty enough to push them.

The C2 6x9's are 125W RMS and C3's are rated for 75W RMS. I would not do anything more than a 400/4 on the doors in my opinion. System is Excellent, Staged well and the 2 12W3's on a 750/1 are unbelievable.

 

[CaptMoe]

It does suck that FCA waited a whole year to offer the HK system when it was already available on the GC. It is the one change I would make to my SRT in a heartbeat.

 

[Mleads310]

I agree, when I first purchased the 18RT with beats I was not impressed at all. Sounded ok for the average, in this case my wife, driver but lacking everywhere. Thankfully my wife liked the RT which opened the door for me to purchase the 19SRT with HK system. A whole new world of sound. Not perfect by any means, wish they added a separate Sub control along with a 7band EQ. I'm definitely appreciative of this write up because I know there are tons of people out there looking to upgrade the beats audio system. Good job and keep the updates coming.

 

[LADurango]

Xd400/4 is 75W RMS at 4 ohm so yes plenty enough to push them.

The C2 6x9's are 125W RMS and C3's are rated for 75W RMS. I would not do anything more than a 400/4 on the doors in my opinion. System is Excellent, Staged well and the 2 12W3's on a 750/1 are unbelievable.

I think I’ve decided to go with a set of C7 components. I’ll throw the 6.5” C7 and C7 tweeters up front and put C5 coaxials in the middle C2 3.5” in the very back d pillars. I’m planning on running the fronts and rears active and running the 3rd row and center channel on the factory system so i can maintain factory sounds.. just trying to find a good 6 channel amp from JL I like their VXi amps but I can’t justify 1400 on an amp that’s ridiculous man! So I’m thinking maybe the XD/600 6 channel and also buying the TwK 88 for a DSP.

 

[LADurango]

It does suck that FCA waited a whole year to offer the HK system when it was already available on the GC. It is the one change I would make to my SRT in a heartbeat.

19 speakers is CRAZY I would still probable add a subwoofer though lol or two!

 

[LADurango]

I agree, when I first purchased the 18RT with beats I was not impressed at all. Sounded ok for the average, in this case my wife, driver but lacking everywhere. Thankfully my wife liked the RT which opened the door for me to purchase the 19SRT with HK system. A whole new world of sound. Not perfect by any means, wish they added a separate Sub control along with a 7band EQ. I'm definitely appreciative of this write up because I know there are tons of people out there looking to upgrade the beats audio system. Good job and keep the updates coming.

You’re a lucky man! Did you get rid of the RT or does wife drive that now? I need to stop by dodge and check out the HK system I wish I would of waited a few more months I had no idea they were coming out! I’ve thought about buying they HK door panels and adding a 3 way speaker system up front at least. I refuse to cut into the door. I’ve been looking at SRTs though but for the time being RT it is. I’ve been hearing some whispers about possible a Cat in the Durango if that’s true I will be ready for sure [emoji48]

 

[Mleads310]

I originally purchased the RT for me, had all the options I wanted, but after my wife drove it that's all she wrote. She wanted the RT, and she got it, and I got to purchase the SRT. She knew from the beginning that I wanted the SRT, but couldn't bring myself to buy it. so in a weird way I tricked her into making me buy it. It was all her idea;-)

 

[CaptMoe]

I originally purchased the RT for me, had all the options I wanted, but after my wife drove it that's all she wrote. She wanted the RT, and she got it, and I got to purchase the SRT. She knew from the beginning that I wanted the SRT, but couldn't bring myself to buy it. so in a weird way I tricked her into making me buy it. It was all her idea;-)

LOL!!! I love it. Mopar-mind trick

 

[LADurango]

I originally purchased the RT for me, had all the options I wanted, but after my wife drove it that's all she wrote. She wanted the RT, and she got it, and I got to purchase the SRT. She knew from the beginning that I wanted the SRT, but couldn't bring myself to buy it. so in a weird way I tricked her into making me buy it. It was all her idea;-)

My man! Hahaha I might have to follow in your footsteps my girl claims she doesn’t like it but I know she secretly does she LOVES to drive it lol

 

[LADurango]

Here’s a update of the box! Obviously still needs some work done. And still deciding on what finish I’m going with! Carpet.. paint.. vinyl.. bed liner?

 

[LADurango]

Here is the sound deadening that I will be using for my project build!

 

[LADurango]

Update! I got all of the sound deadening done in the car close to 100%! Probably unnecessary but I went the extra mile lol. I also have wired up the entire car minus the center channel. It’s taken some time but I’ve just been so busy with work. Have tweeters and mids installed and one sub until I fix my box but I’m liking how it’s turning out so far! I’m trying to get a tune started this weekend and hopefully install the rear speakers. I wasn’t certain if I wanted to run coaxials in back or component speakers I think I’m going to Run components! I also installed a AmpPro and ran a digital signal to my amp!

 

[Gaiden]

Extra mile indeed dude, damn. That is a TON of material, should be very quiet now If you have passengers in the back a lot and they enjoy music then sure go comps, otherwise I really wouldn't bother (personal preference though). And to be honest, you can save money and not upgrade the D pillar speakers, they don't do too much as is. I hope that the AmpPro treated you well, it certainly makes it damn easy to get a clean signal.