Everything from classic cars and trucks to imports of all shapes and sizes comes through the roll-up doors of Rodz in sunny Burbank, CA. Specializing in modifications of every make and model plus true one-off customs, they can upgrade a motor as well as beef-up a sound system. A shop like this needs to show off what it can do.
"Jay wanted to go wild with the audio on something," reveals Rodz owner Mike Donatelli of his friend Jay Ludwig, the man in charge of the shop's audio voodoo. "He needed a vehicle we could use at shows to show off the shop's ability to upgrade a sound system. I told him to go crazy on an older pickup that I had and didn't mind if he tore it apart, after all, it was just the shop truck."
The shop truck, an '89 Chevy C1500 Extra Cab longbed, was previously used to pick up parts for customers' rides. Ludwig kept his word about going crazy with it and gutted the entire original interior including the dashboard. It was necessary to start from scratch so the front of the cabin could house a Tablet PC, slave monitor, center channel speaker, new gauge cluster and HVAC vents. The air-conditioner controls were relocated to the headliner console, which Ludwig modified and painted to match the new interior. He also built a new frame for the dash and center console with MDF and aluminum. Fleece molds over the frame to smooth sharp corners and make curvy contours. Topped off with 6-ounce fiberglass mat and a layer of Duraglas, the structure was shaped, sanded, painted with primer, wet sanded and painted to match the body. It houses the source unit along with a host of other electronic components and switches.
In Control
The unique styling of the Clarion DXZ945MP matched the themes of the new interior. The audio system required a 4-volt pre-amp level output, plus it has a three-band parametric EQ.
Video Source
A 12-inch Motion Computing Tablet PC is mounted directly in the middle of the dashboard. Featuring navigation software and a DVD player, it also delivers a ideo signal to the flush-mount, 7-inch widescreen Clarion LCD monitor.
GET Your Kicks
Diamond Audio Hex series 6.5" mid drivers and silk-dome tweeters are mounted in custom kick panel enclosures. Each enclosure features a 1" MDF baffle to give the drivers stability. Other enclosures were made from two layers of 3-ounce fiberglass mat and white grille cloth to match the interior. They were designed to pressure fit into place. Maximizing the use of the relatively small airspace, the enclosures are vented and lightly insulated. A custom passive crossover network was constructed to enhance accuracy, match the tweeter level and "squeeze every last drop of efficiency out of the sound system," Ludwig says. The second stage of the front system consists of a Diamond Audio HEX series 6.5" midbass driver in each door. The bottom of each door was reconstructed to tilt the speakers upward at the same angle as the kick panels.