85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by NewType72

What a killer box, never though of adding silent coating to the inside of the box , that must help tremendously..

Due to limited space I'm using 1/4" lauan for a backer board. Consequently I felt without sound dampening I would have issues with resonance or rattles. This was cheap insurance.

[NewType72]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Due to limited space I'm using 1/4" lauan for a backer board. Consequently I felt without sound dampening I would have issues with resonance or rattles. This was cheap insurance.

Absolutely justified. It makes so much of the difference having all the flat areas taken care of and solidified. Can't wait to see the box all wrapped

[N2TRUX]

Sanding and filling, then more sanding and filling. I could use power tools, but hand fitting is more precise. It's tedious work but it should pay off in the end.
I'm getting close to being ready to wrap the enclosure and get this segment of the build done.

[bigarmzz]

wow Ken, i'm late to this party I've spent all morning reading through all 44 pages lol

I don't get on here much, and I seen this, wow, darn sweet job and attention to detail.

what are your goals for this truck? are you selling it when your done, or is this a keeper?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by bigarmzz

wow Ken, i'm late to this party I've spent all morning reading through all 44 pages lol
I don't get on here much, and I seen this, wow, darn sweet job and attention to detail.
what are your goals for this truck? are you selling it when your done, or is this a keeper?

Dang Bigz, long time no hear. Glad to see you dropping by and getting caught up.
This one is going on the market as soon as she's done. It will be in the American Racing booth at C10s in the Park in Waxahachie in September.
In the meantime I have dusted off the 77. It's next in line.

[N2TRUX]

This time of year is really busy at work so my shop time has been very limited. I have spent the past two weeks sanding and filling as reported above but there's only so much of that to show.
Friday night was one last fit and finish session. It's time to wrap this rascal.

I have been doing research on audio install feeds and decided to step away from 3M glue. There are several brands the Pros use, but I wanted a product I could buy locally.

Home Depot carries Weldwood brand contact cement and it has good reviews. Its expensive at 15.00 a can but any good glue is not cheap. I plan to buy a spare on my next Amazon Prime visit.

[N2TRUX]

I looked at several options on vinyl to cover the box. I considered trying to match the grain on the seat but it wasn't what I wanted.
In the end I settled for using left of materials from my 84 Sierra build. I like the grain, and just enough to do the job. It wasn't even close in color, but I planned to dye it anyway.

[N2TRUX]

To dust off my skills I went slow on Saturday. Carefully planning and measuring each piece I cut was critical.
If I had calculated correctly there was no margin for error. One mistake and I would not have enough material to complete the job and no possible way to buy more.
The bottom was my starting point and it went fairly well. I moved on to the cover for the Kicker XM20 processor. Here's where I realized I still suck at making clean corners.

[N2TRUX]

Next up was the back of the box. I layed it out and worked from one end to the other. Once the wrinkles were stretched tight I used a wooden roller to smooth the vinyl. This also promotes a better bond.

If you don't have a wooden roller, I have been told that the small plastic pie crust roller from the kitchen drawer works too. Be sure to wipe it down with paint thinner before returning it though. That last part is important.

I wrapped the Kicker Hideaway powered sub bezel as well. Once again trying to improve my corner technique. They arent pretty, but the exposed side lokks great. This was the last of the loose pieces so I called it a night

[N2TRUX]

Sunday mornings shop session was going to be a test of patience. The remaining pieces to be covered would be more difficult. I carefully laid out each cut noting I was running out of vinyl quickly.
The Kicker 6x9 coaxial enclosures were next. I thought they were going to be more difficult, but they went surprisingly well.

[N2TRUX]

Time to do the pieces I had been putting off. Most would prefer the small parts, but I don't. They are tedious to wrap and give minimal satisfaction when done.
As I laid out my cuts for the upright dividers I realized I had a big problem. The long piece that I had saved for the top was missing. This was not good.

[N2TRUX]

After an extensive search failed to turn up the missing piece I decided to move on. I had one last chance to finish up but it would require a seam in the most obvious place possible.

I had no choice, so I partially covered the top plate with two pieces. Thinking my troubles were over I started prepping all the pieces for dye.

I gently wiped away the excess glue with brake cleaner and set up for a coat of Bulldog adhesion promoter. That's when I discovered I only had one can of SEM Napa red. The second can I had was not the same color.

Time for plan B. I would spray the edged of all the pieces. This would allow me to assemble them and dye the rest later. Unfortunately I had been working in a hot garage all day and failed to note the humidity level. Vinyl dye does not like humidity. Every piece I covered in color blushed as it dryed. There's no fixing that until I get more supplies and dryer weather.

[N2TRUX]

For reference..

[N2TRUX]

Chris came over yesterday and we had a good day in the shop. He worked inside the cab while I focused on prepping Kicker Audio components for paint. I had not intended to paint them, but it bothered me that the KMC20 processor was a different color than the other components.

Chris double checked all the wiring, then installed the carpet. With the carpet in place we made cuts to allow the mounting base from the KMC20 box to be exposed. The base of the box is bolted through the floor and the mounting bolts serve as a ground point. When the box is bolted down ground wires are installed on the studs.

[N2TRUX]

While Chris worked on the interior, I was busy masking. We decided that the VHT Cast Iron was a great accent color, so I got busy taping off the parts. The KMC20 processor and it's end caps will protrude through a custom built enclosure. The design is to help protect and hide all of the un-used wires. I added vent holes along the side to ensure there was no heat build up inside the box.

Once my supply of SEM Napa red arrives the vinyl covered lid will be dyed to match. Until then heres a sneak peak of what it will look like.

[N2TRUX]

I'm still waiting on my SEM dye, but I couldn't resist a test fit of the KMC20 processor box cover. It will look much better when its the correct color, but for now I'm pleased.

[mcbassin]

Very nice work Ken! Killer attention to the little details.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice work Ken! Killer attention to the little details.

Thank you sir. I know it wont be seen once the seats installed, but I just couldnt leave all those wires exposed. Now everything will match and my OCD is at ease.

[N2TRUX]

I'm starting to get dissapointed in Amazon Prime. This is the second time I have made an order and the arrival date has changed after the order has been placed. I bought 3 cans of SEM Napa red so I would have plenty to finish the Kicker Audion install this weekend. After it shipped the date was pushed back a week. I managed to get one can from the local paint supply so I salvaged the day as best as I could.

Chris came over and we got started. He worked in the cab on the KMC20 wiring. We had to move it aside to get a touch up coat of color on the box. Meanwhile I fought the high humidity and managed to get the lid painted. With the lid on an the wires tucked neatly in place we could stop to admire the work.

Fist bumps and high fives all around. We had one more piece of the puzzle completed.

[TKCR]

Man that looks NICE!!!

[st1]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Man that looks NICE!!!

Craftsmanship and a level of detail above!!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by st1

Craftsmanship and a level of detail above!!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

That is the truth!!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by st1

Craftsmanship and a level of detail above!!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by TKCR

Man that looks NICE!!!

Thank you for the kind words We are so excited to see it coming together.

[N2TRUX]

Saturday was a lesson in frustration. While Chris worked on wrapping up the KMC20 install, I worked on assembling the main enclosure. It became a two man project to get everything lined up correctly. Everything was going well despite my frustration with running short on SEM dye.

We started with the base and attached the upright dividers and end caps. With the dividers and end caps attached to the bottom of the box, it was time to install the top piece. Thats when I realized I was shorter than I thought with the top piece of vinyl. I had failed to compensate for the 1/2" thickness of the end cap material and the vinyl was not forgiving. I tried to heat and stretch enough to cover it, but it just wasnt going to happen. The more I stretched, the worse it looked.

We were so close to having the box ready to assemble and finish up the install. I just could not settle for the way it looked so we called it a day. Had it been any other place it might have slid by. Being right up top, there's just no hiding it. I have no choice now but to look for a vinyl with a similar grain and recover the top of the box.

[daddyjeep]

I am sure it is not what you are after, but what about a piece of brushed stainless for the top. It would visually tie into the door and dash trim and help secure the speaker boxes to the center piece.