The Tahoe was to encompass a full audio and video system to help display the caliber of installations Plainfield was capable of doing. "When seeing this type of vehicle and installation, customers will feel more comfortable with adding different products. They won't be as hesitant in doing larger scale installs," says Smith. He didn't want a system that was neither too simple nor too complicated. Just something in between with bass that was flamboyant enough to be heard at the GM factory on the other side of the state, that's all. Products used in the Tahoe were carefully chosen to best display the latest technology available in the market today, complemented by a high caliber installation. They took their time and did not rush the project because the two wanted the system to come out right.
Audio/Video Head Unit
The installers that tackled the project are Smith, himself, and his shop manager, Tom Deyoung who by the way claims to be born with car audio in his blood. Smith was responsible for the overhead video, door pods, and rear speakers. Deyoung handled the rest of the system. The two minds sat down and designed a system for many types of consumers to enjoy. The Tahoe uses a Pioneer AVX-P7000CD to handle all of the important duties. This fully motorized in-dash LCD also has a built-in CD player all in a DIN sized chassis. It is installed in the factory location on top of a custom-built piece of Plexiglas. A Pioneer AVM-P8000R adds several functions to the head unit such as, a/v inputs and outputs, independent a/v selectors for multiple screens, crossovers, parametric equalizer, and more. This hideaway unit was mounted in a custom built housing located underneath the rear seat. "The Pioneer pieces have displayed excellent picture quality and reliability in the past. That's why we use them," states Smith.
For the main video source, Smith turned to Panasonic. The DIN-sized CX-DV1500 Mobile DVD player was massaged into the factory pocket just beneath the heater controls. The secondary video source is a VCR from Q-Logic. Deyoung placed the unit in the rear of the center console. To enhance the entertainment for rear passengers, an Audiovox VOH682 drop down 6.8-inch TV monitor was installed in the headliner. The console is color matched and looks like it came from GM that way.
Crossfire Mania
The preamplification comes from two Crossfire CFX-31M 1/3-octave equalizers. These 31-band mono equalizers feature built-in line drivers to increase the output voltage to 12-volts, giving the system plenty of headroom. They are mounted in a newly constructed center console in between the two front seats. Deyoung used half-inch MDF to construct the console. It is trimmed in marble style Formica(TM). Both rack style equalizers sit beneath 1/4" Plexiglas that is held up with 3/4" Plexiglas rods. Smith adds that the rods are sturdy enough to lean on the top Plexiglas plate. Ten red LEDs are placed throughout the console to highlight the components at night.
From there the signal runs to a Crossfire CFX-23 3-way crossover mounted in the passenger side of the hatch next to the subwoofers. Along side the Crossfire crossover are the active crossovers for the interior speakers and distribution blocks from American Terminal Supply. The other side of the hatch features two yellow top Optima batteries.
Powering the system are four Crossfire amplifiers, two TEK 50.4 4-channel amps and two BMF-1000ds. The first multi-channel amplifier runs the speakers in the door while the second handles the rear speakers (in the rear doors and headliner). Two giant 1000-watt Class D amplifiers power the four 15-inch subwoofers in the hatch. All of the amplifiers are installed in the rear hatch. The amplifier rack was constructed out of MDF and shaped in a V. The rack is finished off in the same Formica(TM) used on the center console to adhere to the theme of the vehicle.
The subwoofers share the space in the cargo area with the amplifiers. Four Crossfire 15-inch subwoofers are mounted in four separate chambers. Each chamber is exactly 3-cubic feet with ports that are 4-inches in diameter and approximately 15-inches long. The ports are constructed from clear Plexiglas tubing and painted black to match the top of the enclosure. The whole enclosure is constructed from 3/4" particle board and lined throughout with spray-on dampening material. Several tubes of blue neon were placed throughout the cargo area to highlight all of the components.
To handle all the extra power, careful attention was paid to all the wiring. All speaker wire, interconnects, power and ground cable, distribution blocks, and fuse blocks are from American Terminal Supply (ATS). Under the hood, Deyoung added a 120-amp isolator and he also replaced the factory power wire with 1/0 gauge.
Smith wanted high-end impact up front so he used two pairs of Crossfire P1C6 6-1/2-inch components in each front door. In order to accomplish this, the door panel needed some reconstruction. The bottom portion of the existing door panel was scrapped. A new door pod was made, constructed out of fiberglass, body filler, and half-inch MDF. The process sounds easy, but there was some extra time needed in shaping the panel to give it a factory look. It is finished off with color matched vinyl. The rear of the vehicle received two pairs of Crossfire P1C4 4-inch components. The first set resides in the rear door and the second set is up in the headliner. A new 4x10 plate was constructed and wrapped in vinyl to accommodate the new Crossfire speakers. Although the speakers in the headliner cannot be seen, when the panel is removed to show off the components at shows, it is cosmetically more appealing than just seeing an OEM plate. The addition of the rear components does an excellent job of filling the entire cabin with sound.
Success
To enhance the cosmetic appearance of the exterior, Smith had the mirrors, grill, and bumper painted to match the body paint while also adding Speed grill inserts, a Speed grill spoiler, and a Westin nerf bar. For wheels, Smith went with 16" Etoria's wrapped in Bridgestone Deulers. To allow the engine to breathe a little easier, a Stillen cold air intake and filter was added under the hood. Letting the air out is handled with a Flowmaster exhaust.
The installation which took approximately eight months to complete (part-time in between daily business) has played an integral part in the store's marketing strategy. During the winter months, the vehicle will be driven everyday; in the summer it will be Plainfield's demo car. The vehicle has not received any rewards as of yet, but Smith plans to attend some local events this coming season. The only additions that will be made in the future will be an alarm and remote start, window tint, and possibly some more sound dampening.
Plainfield Mobile Audio would like to extend thanks to the following sponsors. Crossfire Car Audio, American Terminal Supply, Audiovox, North Peak Sales, Zoom Auto Group, Relco, Pioneer, and Keystone.
The system may look simple, but there's more than meets the eye. Smith states that different aspects of the system demonstrate many different install capabilities. The componentry used caters to various types of demographics. Smith claims, "They can choose to have it all or only parts of it (the install and components). That's what makes this whole project unique. In my eyes, the system has already paid for itself. Mission accomplished."