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2010 Ford F-150 Platinum - System Upgrade Install

72K views 76 replies 10 participants last post by  Sonnie 
#1 ·
You would think at 50 years old I would grow out of the DIY car audio installs and either be happy with the factory system or at least let a car audio shop do it for me. But no... I just can't leave it alone. I guess is makes me feel younger piddlin' around with it.

I have a 2010 F-150 Platinum Supercrew with the Sony system, Nav and SYNC. I will keep the factory head unit and replace the front speakers... as well as take the factory sub out and install dual 10's.

EDIT: Final install will include:

  • Factory Nav System with Sync
  • JBL MS-8 OEM Integration Processor
  • JL Audio HD900/5 Amp (Active on Fronts)
  • Hertz HSK-163 (3-Way Comps)
  • Factory Rear Door Speakers
  • Dual Sundown Audio SD-2 10" D4 Subwoofers (Custom Box)

I haven't long installed a system in my 07 Explorer Sport Trac, which I will be selling before too much longer. From that system I have a JL Audio HD900/5 amp and one Sundown SD-2 10 D4 subwoofer, of which I have ordered another to have dual 10's. I left Massive CK6 components in the ST because of the modification I had to do to install them ... and I want to try something different in the Platinum.

The JBL MS-8 OEM integration processor is on its way. I got it from Harman Audio (remanufactured).




Here are some preliminary pics of what I have to deal with...

I think I can tap into the current battery terminal with no issues... but will add another ground wire.




Ford conveniently placed a grommet pass-thru in the firewall behind the glove box where the power wire will be easy enough to fish thru. I already have a short wire passed thru for testing.






Factory subwoofer to be removed.




I plan to take pics as I progress, which will probably be a slow process due to my work schedule and having to use my truck for work.
 
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#53 ·
Sonnie: Still thinking about adding tweeters or putting components in front door. I have space for surface mounting tweeters on plastic pieces on the front edge of the window, at top of dash level.

My question is about imaging. With the mains near the bottom of the doors (not kickpanels) will the imaging seem separated by frequency? My son's Fusion had the premium package with tweeters about that location (all stock speakers) and I always thought that the sound was split.

Also, I have read that Focals are rather bright - do you have an opinon on that?

Still extremely pleased with the MS-8. If I add separate tweeters I will use two of its amp channels for them.

Thanks.
 
#54 ·
I would probably try to put them in the top half of the door somewhere, unless you go with a three way system and can mount a midrange higher up and fairly close to the tweeter.

The farther apart the drivers are from each other, the more difficult it is going to be for the MS-8 to do its magic.

I have never heard any Focals, but they seem to be somewhat popular in the car audio world. I specifically looked for a particular size tweeter to fit my location, but I will only use soft domes. Anything else seems a bit too harsh for me. I cannot say enough good about these Hertz speakers I have... I am impressed, however, it may very well be contributed partly to the MS-8. Perhaps a combination of the MS-8, Hertz, 3-ways and mounting location. :huh:

Keep in mind that if you mix the MS-8 amps with outboard amps that have significantly more power, make sure the speakers powered by the MS-8 are significantly higher sensitivity than those powered by the outboard amps. This will likely influence what you buy.
 
#55 ·
IThe farther apart the drivers are from each other, the more difficult it is going to be for the MS-8 to do its magic.
Did not think about that, thanks. No place to put mids without hacking the doors, which I won't do. Imaging is really not that bad as it is, so I may just upgrade the front mains. They are Kenwood Excelon 6x8s. With just the stock radio I could not bear the midrange - very honky. The Cleensweep tamed it a great deal, but not to the level of the MS-8.

I will take a look at Hertz. Looks like the ECX 570 will fit the front doors.
 
#57 ·
I can't ever tell if that stuff really works or not. My doors already had some deadening, so they were not really that tinny or think sounding to begin with. I don't think it really helps with noise that much, if any. I seem to always do it... but only did it this time because I had some leftover Dynamat Extreme from my last project.
 
#60 ·
I spent some time in the car today and decided to order the Hertz 5x7/6x8 component speakers. I think the tweeters up higher in the doors will improve the imaging quite a bit. I ordered a pair for the back as well. The opening in the package shelf fires thru the carpet like fabric, killing the treble. I can mount the Hertz tweeters aimed toward the front which should be much better. Will let you know how it sounds when they come in.

Have not decided about the Dynamat yet. May be wasted time and money, but while I have the door panels off anyway...
 
#62 ·
Sonnie: With Dynamat on the doors, what do you do if the car has to go in the shop for power window repairs - take it out before taking it to the dealer?

The Hertz speakers should be here late this week. Ordered them early last week from WoofersEtc but they only had one pair. They got the second pair yesterday and shipped them 3 day FedEx.
 
#64 ·
I installed 4 of the Hertz ESK-570s in the Town Car this morning - 5x7 2 way component in front doors and rear deck. After re-running calibration (I remembered to cover the tweeters for the distance measurement) I took a listen. Lets just say that I lost count of the number of "WOW!"s :D

Absolutely amazing difference. I knew something good was happening after putting the first one in the door. I turned off all MS-8 processing and panned from the Hertz to the Kenwood Excelon coax in the other door. In comparsion, the Kenwood sounded like it was buried in mud. Much cleaner midrange, much better treble with the Hertz. Of course, having the tweeters closer to ear level and having a real crossover rather than just a capacitor to the tweeters makes a lot of the difference.

When I put the Hertz in the back, I mounted the tweeters between the edge of the rear seat and the pillar. Not only did that give me real treble in the rear for once (the Kenwoods were firing thru the carpet on the package deck) but the rear soundfield came alive with Logic 7 engaged. I was tempted to boost the tweeters +2 on the rears, and may yet. I left the front tweeters on 0 which is not too bright for me, what with age related loss of HF hearing.

I am sure that other component sets would have made a lot of difference, but the Hertz are winners.

For those who are considering going to components, whatchawaitinon:)

So, thanks, Sonnie for introducing me to Hertz!
 
#66 ·
The crowning moment was when my wife got in the car for a trip to Sams Club. She noticed the difference before the car was halfway out the garage. At the Sams parking lot she said "This sounds great!." Maybe she won't mind, then, when the credit card bill comes in:gulp:
 
#68 ·
Sonnie,

I have a quick question regarding your MS-8 install in the F-150. I have a 2012 Platinum that I'm installing an MS-8 into. In my truck, there are 4 wires that run from the Sony amp back to the factory sub. Did you tap into all four of them to run to the MS-8 to get a full signal or just two of them? I know it's been a while but I was hoping you would remember. Thx.
 
#69 ·
Hmmm... my sub box in my Platinum had the amp attached to it. There were 4 wires, two were signal and two were power turn-on/ground... I believe. Of course I used the two sub wires for the signal, as well as the rear channel speaker leads. I also used that remote turn-on, but I had to get a low voltage remote turn-on trigger to get the voltage up enough to turn on the MS-8.

Welcome to the Shack!
 
#72 ·
Just to make sure I understand, you took the LF channel out of the stock Sony amp and wired it to the trucks center channel and then set the trucks head unit to full fade to rear? So you don't use the center channel as part of your MS-8 output setup?

I was planning to take LF and RF mids and tweets along with the sub channel back to the MS-8 for the full signal and then run all channels RF, LF, RR, LR, and C out of the MS-8. I know on my truck the voice commands and cell phone are carried by the LF and RF. I figured by running them back to the MS-8 I should be ok. Maybe there is too much delay running it thru the MS-8?
 
#73 ·
Nope... no center channel. I could not get matching mids/tweeters and did not think it wise to use the stock center. I am doing my Honda Civic now and don't plan to use a center channel there either. I haven't even needed one before so ain't gonna worry about it. :huh: However, if you got it worked out, then it may be something to give a try. I believe there are some known issues with running the LF and RF through the MS-8 though.
 
#74 ·
Hi Sonnie,

I'm just getting a Platinum myself, and plan to upgrade the audio. Just adding some extra subwoofers for now, and possibly a 4 channel with components later if I upgrade from the stock nav to an aftermarket nav.

I was just wondering what dimensions you used to build the box? I'm probably going to go with a single 10, but I'd be curious to know the dimensions to get a box like that, and hopefully squeeze 1cuFt. Thanks!

A.Hodder
 
#75 ·
I am not at home this weekend... at our lake shack... but when I get back home and can remember to do it, I will measure it for you. I do know that it is super tight. I just barely had enough room to get the depth I needed for the sub. Fortunately the subs I used work fine with the absolute minimum space.
 
#76 ·
Sonnie,

I now have my MS-8 installed in my Platinum. Really impressed. I want to ask you how you solved an issue I'm guessing you had as well. How did you handle the turn on/turn off pops? I originally wired the remote turn on by piggy backing onto the turn on signal going to the factory Sony amp => MS-8 => JL amps. I'm getting on/off pops.

I've read recommendations of letting the MS-8 also turn on the factory amp to alleviate the pop issue but I've seen contradicting reports that indicate that won't work.

What did you do?
 
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