Posted by: Anonymous
New stereo system in 2005 X (COMPLETED, with subwoofer pics) - 20/10/07 12:12 AM
I'm posting this thread to give others a bit of insight on different things you can do, stereo-wise, in the 2nd gen Xterra. Some people have louder setups and higher quality components, but I present some cool ideas that may be of value to somebody putting together a modest system. Be warned, it is a lot of work. Here we go!
I wanted a double din head unit that would give me gps and dvd playback. For various reasons and features I decided on the Kenwood DNX7100. To this, I added the Ipod adapter, aux input adapter, and Kenwood rear view camera. I also was happy with the Infinity Reference speakers I had in a previous vehicle, so I installed them in the X--Infinity Reference 6010cs components in the front doors, Infinity Reference 6012i coaxials in the rear doors. I have an Alpine MRV F345 amp in my other car, and like it alot, so I got another one for the X. It puts out 75w x 2 to the front components and 300w x 1 to a subwoofer. My rear speakers are run off the head unit's rear speaker output. So that's the equipment; on to the install.
All four door panels come apart the same. Pry off the elbow arm rest, and then the wrist rest where the power window controls are. I find that the best way to get the window control section off is to wedge a flathead screwdriver under the top edge closest to the hinged side of the door, even though it is counter intuitive. Once those are off, unscrew the two tan bolts, NOT the silver ones:
Then, use the flathead screwdriver to pry off the semi-circular trim by the doorlock, and then the "cup" where the doorhandle sits. After that, remove the brass bolt under the "cup".
Now you are ready to remove the whole door panel. It's not hard, just give it a yank and it will come off.
After removing all four door panels, it was time to get started on the rest of the interior. Reason being, I applied Raammat (Similar to Dynamat Extreme) to the entire vehicle. I covered all of it, afterward, with Ensolite (an acoustic closed cell foam which absorbs sound). So here we go.
Once you have committed yourself to taking out ALL the interior, it is not hard to figure out. Every piece unbolts and unplugs, one at a time. Eventually I discovered the factory sound deadening. It was this nasty goop applied sparingly to strategic places on bare metal. They didn't do a very careful job; notice that sometimes they buried objects beneath it:
I wanted a double din head unit that would give me gps and dvd playback. For various reasons and features I decided on the Kenwood DNX7100. To this, I added the Ipod adapter, aux input adapter, and Kenwood rear view camera. I also was happy with the Infinity Reference speakers I had in a previous vehicle, so I installed them in the X--Infinity Reference 6010cs components in the front doors, Infinity Reference 6012i coaxials in the rear doors. I have an Alpine MRV F345 amp in my other car, and like it alot, so I got another one for the X. It puts out 75w x 2 to the front components and 300w x 1 to a subwoofer. My rear speakers are run off the head unit's rear speaker output. So that's the equipment; on to the install.
All four door panels come apart the same. Pry off the elbow arm rest, and then the wrist rest where the power window controls are. I find that the best way to get the window control section off is to wedge a flathead screwdriver under the top edge closest to the hinged side of the door, even though it is counter intuitive. Once those are off, unscrew the two tan bolts, NOT the silver ones:
Then, use the flathead screwdriver to pry off the semi-circular trim by the doorlock, and then the "cup" where the doorhandle sits. After that, remove the brass bolt under the "cup".
Now you are ready to remove the whole door panel. It's not hard, just give it a yank and it will come off.
After removing all four door panels, it was time to get started on the rest of the interior. Reason being, I applied Raammat (Similar to Dynamat Extreme) to the entire vehicle. I covered all of it, afterward, with Ensolite (an acoustic closed cell foam which absorbs sound). So here we go.
Once you have committed yourself to taking out ALL the interior, it is not hard to figure out. Every piece unbolts and unplugs, one at a time. Eventually I discovered the factory sound deadening. It was this nasty goop applied sparingly to strategic places on bare metal. They didn't do a very careful job; notice that sometimes they buried objects beneath it: