The owner of this 2002 Dodge Ram Rumble Bee recently contacted the team at Street Smart Automotive Solutions in Flowood to inquire about upgrading the audio system. He’d already been to other shops in the area but hadn’t found a solution that met his needs or expectations. As with all of our clients, we had a formal consultation with him to determine his goals and expectations for the system. As we introduced him to new ideas, he became more and more involved in the design process, and his excitement grew. Once we completed our detailed quote, he was eager to drop off the truck so we could get started.
Dodge Ram Subwoofer Enclosure and Amp Rack
The first step in upgrading the audio system in this 2002 Ram was to construct an enclosure for the amplifier and subwoofer. After measuring the space behind the seats, we set to work creating an enclosure for a single 10-inch GTS-Series subwoofer. We used birch plywood to ensure that the enclosure would be as rigid as possible and deliver tight, controlled bass. We mounted the enclosure on the driver’s side of the truck.
Next on the list was the task of creating a mounting location for the system amplifier. The client had chosen an ARC Audio X2 850.5 five-channel amp. This single-chassis system amplifier will provide up to 85 watts to each of the front and rear speakers and a healthy 400 watts to the Audiomobile subwoofer. The amp rack includes a cooling fan that will ensure that the amp functions reliably, even when the volume is cranked on a hot summer day.
The last piece of work behind the seats was to create a layered trim panel to cover all the equipment. We integrated painted mesh grilles over the subwoofer and amplifier with custom contoured trim pieces wrapped in vinyl for a unique look.
Rumble Bee Radio and Speaker Upgrade
With the amplifier’s home complete, our fabrication team started work on the front of the truck. We removed the factory radio to make way for a Kenwood KDC-X302 CD receiver with Bluetooth. The radio is mounted with an adapter that leaves it flush with the yellow center-stack trim ring. We ran a set of Audison six-channel interconnect cables from the radio to the amplifier.
The client chose two sets of Hertz Dieci-series speakers for the Ram. We created a set of mounting adapters for the tweeters from the DSK 165.3 component set to mount them in the dash. The door panels are treated with Hushmat sound deadening material to improve the speakers’ performance and reduce the noise level in the vehicle. We added a set of Dieci-series DCX-130.3 5¼-inch coaxial speakers to the rear locations to wrap the sound around the cab of the truck.
The last step in the audio upgrade project was to configure the system. Many shops don’t dedicate enough time to making sure the levels, crossover points and equalization are set to optimize the sound system. Since this system doesn’t currently have a digital signal processor, we used the crossovers and the impressive 13-band equalizer built into the radio to fine-tune the system. The results were impressive, and we knew the client would be thrilled with the performance.
Window Tint Removal and Upgrade
Part of this Dodge Ram upgrade project involved removing the existing tint on the windows and replacing it with a high-quality, heat-rejecting ceramic tint. After peeling the old tint off of the windows, we set to work removing any trace of adhesive to ensure that the new film would look flawless. The new ceramic tint will make the truck much more comfortable on a hot summer day and ease the load on the electrical system.
Jackson’s Car Audio Upgrade Experts
With the audio system and window tint on this 2002 Dodge Ram Rumble Bee upgrade complete, the client returned to Street Smart Automotive Solutions to pick up his vehicle. He was not only thrilled with the way the truck looked but loved the way it sounds. The improvement in bass, output capability and control were just what he wanted. If you are looking for better sound in your car or truck, we invite you to drop by our store. If you can’t drop by, send us an e-mail using our contact form.
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