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Jeep Grand Cherokee WK amp install locations

29K views 26 replies 9 participants last post by  Mindshank 
#1 ·
Hello All,

I'm new to JeepGrarage.org, so hello all; your posts are inspiring!

I am looking to upgrade the car audio on my Jeep Grand Cherokee 2009 5.7 (with 'Premium' Audio BA and Nav). I'm going for SQ mainly and not sound window shattering :)

The target setup is (all Hertz Audio):

HSK 163 3 way components in the front (6.5" to replace the 6x9 in the door, mid range 3" in the dash and custom mounted 1" tweeters in the door sail panels - prefer this for sound staging).

HCX 165 2 way coax 6.5" in the rear doors (or 2 way component and similar tweeter install in door panel - tbd).

above speakers powered by a HDP 4 1000W amp

Single 12" HX 300 Sub powered by a mono HDP 1 output matched to 600W.

Question is the two amp installation location ... I have seen threads where users have installed this in the cargo tray area, or attached behind the rear seats. The installer has advised against the tray area and current stock location due to expected heat issues, and I am not particularly fond of the seat install as I would like to still use the Jeep for the odd IKEA trip (hence take out the sub and have ample cargo area). The idea is to keep everything functional (looking as stock as possible) - whilst listening to quality audio :)

I suggested installing either one or both amps in the current factory location where the BA amp is (noticed the side vents in the trim for ventilation), or to build a custom MDF box with air vents that holds the amps vertically and attach this to the left side wall of the cargo area (where the current stock amp is).

The challenge is mainly heat and cargo space; I live in Dubai where summers reach 115 degrees F! There is only so much full A/C and 50% window tint can cope with !

The plan is to start installing this weekend (will be outsourcing to a pro as its been a long time since I did any car audio work - and will be travelling extensively soon :( )

Any suggestions most welcome!
EtherealPonx
Jeep (WK) 2009 5.7L Mineral Grey, CAI, CB, Interior LED lights, 40% Sunguard Tint, tinted tail lights. More mods planned :)
 
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#2 ·
I don't have any heat issues with my 1000w Rockford Monoblock (less heat than standard amp) being installed in my cargo tray. It's fully enclosed with no additional ventilation and does just fine here in MO summers which reach 100 degrees F.

In my experience, since the amp is so close to the cool metal frame, it stays cooler in the cargo tray. Plus it's always technically in the shade!
 
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#4 ·
I just put an amp in the cargo bay as well (surprisingly easy to put wire up), but a week later I'm getting a protection mode LED turned on my amp and no sound. I've had the thing for a long time in another vehicle and never had a problem, but I was without a sub for about a week while I made a fiberglass box so I didn't realize it wasn't working until now when I put the sub back in. My guess is a bad ground, which i put directly under that plastic floor piece of the cargo bay. I sanded the metal and everything, but idk.... Have you had any problems like this? Where did you ground the amp? It's only been in my new jeep for a month, and I've always been gentle with it....:(
 
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#3 ·
Hi Brentwoodkris,

Thanks for your response. I visited the installer today to work out some options, this is what he came up with:

1) install in the floor cargo tray area as per your post, and build a custom tray cover replacing the original with 'vents' (he insists heat will become an issue as there will be no air circulation possible if the OEM tray cover is placed on top of the amps). I guess I can go with this option and experiment to see if both amps (1000W X 2) will be ok covered in the tray area. He also suggested installing a fan ..

2) build a custom amp rack that mounts the two amps side by side vertically, and attached to the right corner of the trunk rear quarter. Although this sounds appealing at first, it would move further away from stock look, and would leave a mess behind in the trunk area if system every taken out. Drawbacks of this option also would be less cargo area for hauling wider cargo (when Sub box is removed).

I am leaning more to the option you suggested and seeing how that pans out, will post pictures once its all in.

In other news, door pillars have been wrapped with matt black vinyl, and was tempted to cover the entire car in matt gun metal grey with carbon fibre trim .. maybe next time :) - but will do wood trim in 'real' carbon fibre vinyl and leather wrap steering (I hate the Overland wood :S).
 
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#6 ·
I'd love to see that wrap when you're done I agree about with you dislike of the "Wood" it's another reason I brought the laredo. The wood reminds me of moms Caprice station wagon. Has anybody considered putting the amp where the stock one is. I thought if I decided to go bigger that's where I might put it?
 
#9 ·
Hi guys,
Apologies for delay in responding (was in Cape Town for a business trip). The Hertz audio system has now been fully installed, in simple words it sounds amazing. It may not be the loudest sound system in terms of dollar value, but it certainly is high up on the sound quality. I will post pictures once they finish downloading.

@imhoffg, the installer insisted on vents for the custom floor that covers the amps, and also threw in a small DC cylinder fan to keep air flow over the amps ( 2X 1000W amps), he claims that the cutting out feature usually happens when there is poor/no ventilation and heat then becomes an issue. I will post pictures of what he fabricated (regardless of that includes the truth :) ).

@stashgto, the vinyl is currently on order from Germany, waiting for this to come in to have the interior wrapped, will post pictures once this is also done, aiming to get this in next week.
 
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#10 · (Edited)
Here are some photos of the audio build (taken by the installer with shaky hands):

Front door speaker converted from 6x9 to 6.5 woofer:


Tweeter installed in the door trip sail panel, converting the two way into a three way:


Rear door speakers remain Coax:



The two amps in the cargo tray area:



Fan for air flow in Amp tray area:


MDF custom floorboard with vents for Amp tray area:


Sub box (shaky perhaps he was testing it at the time :) ):


Final pics:






I am going back tomorrow as I want the installer to put a mesh grill where the vent holes are on the tray floor area (currently only covered with carpet - which risks being torn). Otherwise perfect job, all frequencies and gain levels tuned just right (might need micro tweaks depending on the type of music). Its loud, but sounds crisp and clear :)
 
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#11 ·
Here are some photos of the audio build (taken by the installer with shaky hands):

Front door speaker converted from 6x9 to 6.5 woofer:


Tweeter installed in the door trip sail panel, converting the two way into a three way:


Rear door speakers remain Coax:






The two amps in the cargo tray area:



Fan for air flow in Amp tray area:


MDF custom floorboard with vents for Amp tray area:


Sub box (shaky perhaps he was testing it at the time :) ):


Final pics:






I am going back tomorrow as I want the installer to put a mesh grill where the vent holes are on the tray floor area (currently only covered with carpet - which risks being torn). Otherwise perfect job, all frequencies and gain levels tuned just right (might need micro tweaks depending on the type of music). Its loud, but sounds crisp and clear :)
pics dont work...
 
#12 ·
Thanks Macmac fixed links in my original post above.
 
#13 ·
I've done installs for higher end vehicles after a few of my customers heard one of my trucks at the auto shop. I can only have things neat yeah I've got a touch of the OCD. That looks like a great job the Hertz stuff is pricey, but you get what you pay for. I wish I could hear it my installs are famous for their neatness, clarity, and I hide everything.
I'm looking forward to seeing the wrap when you're done:thumbsup:
 
#15 ·
Wrap is delayed delivery from Germany :(. Looks like it will get done sometime in the Next 3-5weeks. Logistics makes me have to wait for everything!
 
#14 ·
little bit of OCD here too, I drove them crazy with 1000 questions before they can even get a screw driver in the truck :D . Feedback so far on the system has been great, I'm very impressed with how the bass gets very loud and crisp, though does not over power the tweeters or mid range at all, you can still hear all frequencies at full blast. I have tested a few D&B tunes (lossless through the ipod integration) to push it to limits and it seems to have coped very well, indeed you do get what you pay for.

Regarding the wrap, these guys are wizards with this stuff, we get quite a good selection of super cars here in Dubai wrapped all the time with this stuff, a few weeks ago I saw them do a bugatti veyron grand sport, a Mercedes SLR "black edition" . so my interior wrap looks like quite a simple (and cheap) job for these guys - its more of a favour than anything .. I am looking forward for covering the steering wheel with leather, the same guys that do Brabus here will be doing that so should be a very neat and clean job. Have about 5 flights to take in the next 6 weeks, so depends on when the specific vinyl that I require arrives here, will post though as soon as this is done. :thumbsup:
 
#16 ·
I guess this is going to turn into my build thread eventually!

Many new plans for the truck:

WK Bilstein shocks
Stillen cross drilled rotors and metal matrix pads
leather wrap steering wheel (braubus)
Carbon Fibre interior trim vinyl wrap
matt black painted stock 18" wheels
debadged
jeep emblems painted black
2" RC Lift kit
1.5 SpiderTrax spacers
bigger tires (hoping to fit 265/70/18)
Diablo/flashpack tuning OR engine-remap
Aries black tail guards (T6701)
4x guard skid plates & Rock rails
Fastman TB

Thats the list for now, trying to keep it under control :D
 
#21 ·
#20 ·
Wheel alignment sort of sorted itself out; the shocks 'levelled' out. The main concern was the caster which was resulting in a different ride height. The camber and toe where fine. I guess the Garage is used to precision with high end cars, there is a higher level of tolerance on jeeps :)

The wrap simply looks AMAZING! They did a great job with the carbon fibre wrap, didn't want to take photos as its not fully finished yet. To do the job properly each trim piece has to be removed, and the wrap has to go all the way around the sides and slightly inwards, so there is no 'edge' along the sides that is cut. The steering wheel wrapped in real leather and the center chrome pieces also in carbon fibre looks very good. Will post pics once I get the car back, first all door handles and side trim has to come off and sprayed matt black to match the wheels and front grill. Apparently its easier taking door handles off an X5 :S
 
#24 ·
I have a 2005 jeep grand cherokee with the RAQ RADIO What happens if I disconnect the Sirius radio from the back will anything else in my car stop working is anything else tied in with the Sirius radio input? Any help would be much appreciated!


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