Stereo Install Into 850

[wattsat]

Well, I finally was able to install my new speakers and amp in the Volvo this weekend.

Here it goes.

Amp: Xtant 404m (soon to add an Xtant 202M)

F Speakers: DB580 5.25 Seperates

R Speakers: NONE

R Deck: NONE, Still deciding if I want them

Sub: JL Audio 10" Dual Voice Coil WS6 I think

As I started pulling the car apart I quickly realized how easy it is to dissasemble the interior on the 850. It is sooo much easier than any other car I have ever worked on.

First, I made the RCA outputs for the HU from a custom made DIN.

Second, amp location. The 404M is located under the passenger seat and the 202M will be under the driver seat. I cannot believe how much room there is under the passenger seat. (I don't have a power passenger seat)

Once the amp location was determined, I had to route power to it. Luckily there is a unused grommet in the passenger side firewall large enough to run 4awg power wire. Since there was so much room under the seat I also located the power distribution there also. Routed the RCA's, and remote turn on from the HU, under the dash and to the amp. I will probably route them through the Center console later.

The biggest problem I encountered was wiring the front Speakers. I had hoped to run good speaker wire to the drivers in the front doors. However upon further inspection I discovered the Volvo Uses a modular plug to connect the wiring in the doors to the body and therefore a direct will cannot be run unless you drill new holes in the door and body. To me, it is not that critical so I just used the factory wiring. In order to do that, I ran the input wire to the crossover for the Woofers and tweers. The low pass output was then run to the wiring harness in the center console. Since I hate cutting any factory wiring, I modified the U end to only have one prong and then inserted that into the correct hole for the front speakers. Then held them in place with electrical tape. I will probably buy a wiring harness so I can correctly splice the speaker wire in.

I then traced the dash speakers onto masonry board and cut proper holes to mount the tweeters. Routed the wire down to the crossovers.

Then ran the speaker wires to the rear deck speakers.

Tested everything out and put the car back together.

Found out shortly that one of my rear deck speakers was blown. So, I decided to hook up my Sub to the rear channels in the box from my previous car. Even running at full range in the less than optimal amp set up the overall sound in the car is a Billion times better than factory. Everthing is very clear and defined and the bass is very musical.

So far I have ~$100.00 in new materials and 12 Hours invested in this project and I am super pleased with the result.

Things still left to do:

Install the 202M

Build a Custom Sub box to blend in with the trunk

Install new 5x7's or build new enclosures for 6x9's or Maybe nothing at all

I will take pictures and post them later this week.

[Bing_0]

sounds good, cant wait to see some pics...

b

[wattsat]

Ok, I have the pictures up of the Stereo thus far. When I have time I will write some descriptions for the pictures, but for now hopefully this will help in your decision.

The pictures of the amp were taken with the passenger seat in a normal (Middle of travel) seating position.

http://www.4113pittsburg.com/automobiles/9...urbo/850stereo/

Click on the thumbnails for a 800x600 image. (as if you could not figure that out for yourself )

Oh, I also meat to say (Keep factory Head Unit, Add Amp) not and Amp