At full retail, this delicious...
At full retail, this delicious pile of high-end audio gear would run about $4,000. The sound reproduction is excellent and the features and expandability of the system allow for future upgrades and enhancements (more amps, speakers, navigation, rear-seat LCD monitors, and such).
While Crutchfield has been known for many years as the direct-replacement car-audio leader, the company's catalog and Web site also offer products aimed strictly at custom installations. These items are fully supported by the excellent Crutchfield technical staff. So, if you want to build a killer system with custom components, feel free to chat up one of Crutchfield's tech reps for ideas and information on speaker load, wiring, sound waves, and so on.
While our 3g GT has progressed in the handling and performance areas, it has sorely lacked in one crucial (at least for us) aspect-slammin' sounds from the cabin. Granted, the 3g came with Ford's decent MACH 460 system, but ever since we had the MACH 1000 carrot dangled in front of us by Ford PR in the way of an '02 V-6 convertible, we've wanted more.
The MACH 1000 system-featuring two 10-inch subs, eight speakers, and a multitude of amplifiers-puts out some serious sound to the tune of 1,140 watts peak. Unfortunately, it will set you back nearly $1,300 and requires you to order the better option package with the MACH 460 system in the first place.
The Crutchfield Master Sheet...
The Crutchfield Master Sheet instructions make panel and trim removal a breeze. No more guessing where a hidden fastener is-just follow the directions to remove the panel. Here the door panels have been removed (along with the MACH Audio tweeter pods) to access the 6x8-inch door speakers. Four screws hold the OE speaker in place.
We decided that kind of cash could go a long way toward something with more power and more features. The MACH Audio systems won't play MP3-encoded CDs. And although you can option an MP3 deck (non-MACH) when ordering your Mustang, you'll be hard-pressed to find one on a dealer lot. The most unfortunate thing about the MACH Audio design is that besides directly replacing the speakers, there's little you can do to the system. The head unit is not replaceable without removing all the amplifiers with it, meaning if your Mustang has the MACH Audio system ('01-'03), you can't simply slip an in-dash MP3 or DVD player in place.
For the 3g project, we wanted to install something with the power of the MACH 1000 but with much more flexibility. We gave our friends at Crutchfield a call to see if they could help us out. Since we've used them in the past for numerous drop-in replacement systems, we weren't sure what to expect. We were surprised when they jumped at the chance to help us. The custom market is growing bigger all the time, and Crutchfield wants to get involved as well. They've worked with other companies' project cars and have even built a few of their own in which to display their custom building talents, not to mention all the shiny goodies found within the pages of their catalog.
We brought our 3g project to the Crutchfield offices to fit it with an audio and video system complete with MP3, DVD, and satellite-radio capabilities. The heart of the system is Alpine's latest all-in-one, in-dash AM/FM/DVD/MP3/XM satellite receiver. We'll hazard a guess that this baby has more inputs and outputs on it than the soundboard at a Metallica concert-and with the Rockford Fosgate amplifiers, the Polk MOMO speakers, and the Kicker Solobaric L7 subs, it will no doubt sound just as loud.
Warren uses birch for all...
Warren uses birch for all his speaker enclosures and adapter/trim pieces. It is a solid, hard wood that doesn't resonate and isn't overly expensive. Since the Polk/MOMO 6 3/4-inch component driver we wanted to use isn't a direct fit for the Mustang application, Warren was able to make these speaker adapters that allow mounting the round speaker within the confines of the door panel while preventing interference with the window mechanism.
With the speaker removed,...
With the speaker removed, Warren runs the new Street Wires Ultra Cable through the door boot and to the speaker opening from the amplifier mounting area. Crutchfield offers wiring adapters for most any speaker application, but due to the power of the system we're building, Warren opted to bypass all factory wiring for cleaner sound and better output.
The Polk/MOMO component driver...
The Polk/MOMO component driver is wired to the Ultra Cable that was pre-viously installed and then mounted to the adapter. The tweeter assemblies still need to find a home. Warren's plans call for a custom tweeter pod to replace the MACH Audio 3-inch driver enclosure, while mounting the passive Polk/MOMO cross-over in the kick panel or behind the dash.
Using wood, nails, glue, Plexiglas,...
Using wood, nails, glue, Plexiglas, and metal strapping, Warren devises a general shape in which to house the Polk/ MOMO tweeters, while also reducing and cleaning up the size of the OE housing. The foundation is shown here wrapped in green polyester fleece and a coat of fiberglass resin. Once the resin cures, the housing is sanded, which is the state you see it in now. A thin coat of automotive body filler is applied to the housing and then sanded smooth to fill in any low spots and imperfections.
A section of black vinyl is...
A section of black vinyl is applied with automotive-trim glue and a heat gun to help the vinyl conform to the shape of the tweeter housing. On the right is the second housing, filled and sanded, ready to have the black vinyl applied.
By incorporating the OE mounting...
By incorporating the OE mounting holes through the embedded metal strapping, a secure mounting point is made for the housing. A length of wire is run from the hidden crossover location to the tweeter pod, through the doorjamb boot and the door shell. Quick disconnects are used for any future door service procedures. The tweeter mounting cup and tweeter assembly are positioned and secured at this time, finishing up both door-speaker modifications.