Adding a bit of bass to my SuperCrew

[JasonNB]

2019 XLT SuperCrew

After owning this truck for almost a year, it's time to upgrade the sound a bit. Right now, everything is stock. First upgrades are going to be sound deadener and add some bass. Owning a '92 Ranger that ive put multiple sub iterations in since 1994 (still have it), I thought it was tight fit for audio gear, but this new truck gives it a run in that category. The '92 has a custom slim box with a single low end 8 that works to my satisfaction in that small cab.

I want to keep things relatively simple with no visible changes and I'd prefer to keep the underseat storage usable. I dont need to shake the ground and I also don't want to invest a ton in it.

It seems my best options are-

1- 10" underseat powered sub like a Rockville, or most likely a Boss Bass10 that another member here has. This would be the simplest option, but I haven't heard one of these and I'm not sure it will really scratch the itch.

2- Build a box that will fit between the jack and the center seat belt. That would give me a bit over .27 cu ft. I would probably use something like an MB Quart 8" shallow sub that recommends .5 Cu ft so the sub would be hampered some. I already have a 2 channel amp from my previous vehicle that seems just about the right size for the MBQ. My theory is that it would still sound better with better bass response than a slim underseat unit.

3- I haven't ruled out using the storage compartment, but I'd likely use a 6.5 or 8 so I can just build a top and use the container as the box. I have a Pioneer 10, but I can't imagine it would fit and I'm not sure what it would take to pull the compartment out and work with that space it is in.

Anyone try putting a shallow 8 there and for those who work in this more than I do these days, would the shallow 8 work better than the underseat?

The wiring is about the same either way and I don't have an issue building the box if it will fit and sound better.

Sponsored

 

[airline tech]

You know I have considered doing something similar, I am not an Audiophile per se, but do enjoy the deep bass. My last car, I just added an AMP and a 12 In Sub to the trunk with a Kenwood Head Unit and replaced the Rear Deck speakers.
I enjoy multiple music genres mostly Rock, but still have some of my favorite Hip-Hop on the old I-Phone as my I-pod.
The Ranger system is OK stock but miss my Deep Bass from that 12-In Sub, I have the B&O system and I find that it lacks (Bass Wise)

I have been pondering on this idea since purchase just over a year ago.

My planned Sub option was a Thin Housing to fit behind the rear seat, I don't like giving up storage space for sound.

 

[JasonNB]

I hear you on the storage space. I'm starting to consider I don't really use it. It's a pain due to the seatbelts getting stuck under it when you flip it up and I have swingcases + a hard tri-fold bed cover. I think there is an envelope of papers and a spare hat in there I haven't used in 6+ months.

Building a box or using the storage is appealing since I already have the amp just sitting there.

In the Escape I had, the big cargo area made it easy to toss a 10" in a pre-made box, add a couple LOC's, and go. I did the no-no of mounti.g the amp to the box so I could take it out really quickly if I needed the space.

Part of me wishes a Skar 6.5 EVL preload box would fit, but I don't see that happening either.

I think if I could hear one of the underseat subs,this would be easier, but I'm not finding any shops around that have them, at least not out for demo.

 

[Rinn69]

Owning a '92 Ranger that ive put multiple sub iterations in since 1994 (still have it), I thought it was tight fit for audio gear, but this new truck gives it a run in that category. The '92 has a custom slim box with a single low end 8 that works to my satisfaction in that small cab.

A well known law in most forums is that you must post photos of any "other" vehicles mentioned when posting about them...... OK, just kidding, but seriously, do you have any pics of that '92 Ranger ?!? I had an '89 and still love that body style !!

 

[Tremorky]

2019 XLT SuperCrew

After owning this truck for almost a year, it's time to upgrade the sound a bit. Right now, everything is stock. First upgrades are going to be sound deadener and add some bass. Owning a '92 Ranger that ive put multiple sub iterations in since 1994 (still have it), I thought it was tight fit for audio gear, but this new truck gives it a run in that category. The '92 has a custom slim box with a single low end 8 that works to my satisfaction in that small cab.

I want to keep things relatively simple with no visible changes and I'd prefer to keep the underseat storage usable. I dont need to shake the ground and I also don't want to invest a ton in it.

It seems my best options are-

1- 10" underseat powered sub like a Rockville, or most likely a Boss Bass10 that another member here has. This would be the simplest option, but I haven't heard one of these and I'm not sure it will really scratch the itch.

2- Build a box that will fit between the jack and the center seat belt. That would give me a bit over .27 cu ft. I would probably use something like an MB Quart 8" shallow sub that recommends .5 Cu ft so the sub would be hampered some. I already have a 2 channel amp from my previous vehicle that seems just about the right size for the MBQ. My theory is that it would still sound better with better bass response than a slim underseat unit.

3- I haven't ruled out using the storage compartment, but I'd likely use a 6.5 or 8 so I can just build a top and use the container as the box. I have a Pioneer 10, but I can't imagine it would fit and I'm not sure what it would take to pull the compartment out and work with that space it is in.

Anyone try putting a shallow 8 there and for those who work in this more than I do these days, would the shallow 8 work better than the underseat?

The wiring is about the same either way and I don't have an issue building the box if it will fit and sound better.

I went the the storage compartment route but ordered a prefab box from Australia. It’s not MDF so some would scoff at the acoustics. Polyfill seems to have done the trick for keeping it from sounding honky.
I had a shop install mine. I’m too leery of breaking trim tabs etc anymore.

It hits pretty hard depending on the song. 340w@4ohm but a shallow 10 with only half a cubic foot of air to move can’t accomplish a lot. I’m very happy with the sound. Would I like a 12 with room to breath? Yeah but for the compact install and acceptable performance I’m satisfied with the 10”.

Now, a note about the Rockville 10”. I had one in a 3rd gen 4Runner. Factory limited trim door speakers and a Sony AX5000 HU. It rounded out the system perfectly. The audio was honestly cleaner and a better soundstage than my Ranger with the B&O. The bad news is the Rockville probably won’t perform the same in the Ranger but may work better with the non B&O system. Hopefully someone chimes in that has a better understanding/experience than myself

 

[JasonNB]

A well known law in most forums is that you must post photos of any "other" vehicles mentioned when posting about them...... OK, just kidding, but seriously, do you have any pics of that '92 Ranger ?!? I had an '89 and still love that body style !!

Here you go Rinn-

I bought this truck in December 1994. I spotted it on a car lot while on the second date with my wife. It's a '92 3.0 5 spd. The body has 265k on it now. Right before covid, it had around 250k and the timing cover gasket let go while a neighbor was using it. It drove 15-20 miles down the interstate with almost no coolant amd blew a head gasket and who knows if the heads warped or cracked. I finally decided to drop a junkyard motor in to keep it running and things got out of hand from there.

The goal was to do the things I always wanted to do in '94, but couldn't afford to, All while keeping it looking as stock as possible and reliable to drive when/where I wanted. Its not a show truck by any stretch. It gets used to haul stuff and It makes my 60 mile round trip commute to work every couple weeks weather permitting.

It now has a 3.0 long block from a 2007 Taurus and I rebuilt the transmission with new bearings, syncros, and seals. I also have an even length runner plastic upper intake from a 2000 something to swap in that should improve low end power a bit. I'm considering cleaning up the MAF housing by removing the extra material to improve airflow and converting to an e-fan. Exhaust is stock pipe with an aftermarket cat and a Thrush Turbo muffler for little more of an exhaust note.

It's lowered 2/2 on a belltec kit consisting of new front coils plus rear hangers and shackles, but to keep a bit of rake and keep it so I can use it as a truck, I tossed the worn out original leafs and swapped in 3 pack springs from an 02'ish Ranger Edge. I finished off the suspension with a rear sway bar from a Ranger Splash. It holds the road so much better than stock. I avoid driving it in the rain for a few reasons, first of which is I've always these trucks don't stuck to wet roads that well and this one is no exception, esp. With the stiffer rear suspension.

Wheels are stock 14's for now, but I have a set of 15x8 ARE's that look exactly like stock wheels that I want to modify to use factory centercaps and wrap them with 235/60r15 white letters to keep the old school look.

Outside is a 10' paint job I did in the driveway. It's Summit 2 stage in Merlot, which is really close to the factory color, with 3 coats of clear. All windows tinted to 35%, new head/taillights, new grill, headlight trim, and door handles. A soft roll-up bed cover finishes it up. And the odd thing, the tailgate works!

Interior is essentially stock with original seats and carpet. I pulled everything I reasonably could out and lined the cab with sound deadener and redid the Headliner. I swapped the left and right gauge cluster modules from an '89 B2 so I now have the factory tach with my original odo/speedo. Also swapped in the shift boot from a 93 or 94 Ranger so I now have factory cupholders. I may add a conversion to power windows/locks, but keeping the handles so it looks original. After back/neck surgeries, leaning over to roll the window down is for the birds, and the windows should be down and rhe back glass open whenever reasonable, it's a law somewhere I think. The AC does work and still has the original compressor. I did convert it to R134 though.

Sound comes from a Kenwood i've had for 15+years. Pioneer in the doors and back corners, Bass from a Boss CXX8 pushed by the Profile California amp that has been in this truck since 1995 and has powered every sub I've ever had in it.

My kids refer to it as the "Tin Can". My daughter learned to drive a manual on it and my son will this year.

Shot from a local Cars and Coffee.

Load of mulch bags here and occasional runs to the trash dump. The bed on it is bigger than the 2019, lol.

I really need to take a photo of it beside my 2019 XLT Sport 2wd. The 19 is at least the size of an early 90's F150. The 19 is stock outside of a Mountune intercooler yhe previous owner installed and a tri fold bedbcover.

 

[JasonNB]

For the record, I decided to try the self contained underseat-behind-the-seat route. Without removing carpet or moving the jack, I'm not sure there would be enough cu ft for a 6.5" or 8" shallow sub to work much better without getting into upper end gear. The storage compartment is a great idea, but I really don't need pounding bass, especially with the rest of the system being stock for now. I picked up a Boss Bass10 which I see another member has installed with good results and I've had good luck over the years with Boss amps as a lower cost item to power things.

I'm als o kind of don't want to mess with building a box these days....

Now to look at the best way to run the amp wiring.

Sponsored