Kicker HLCD upgrade install

[DOCDRS]

Had some time and looked at my oem tower set up. As per Loudsubz the bracket is no good fro the horn. So I decided to make my own brackets.

1" inch by 42" of sheet aluminum $5
2-3/8 ss nuts .40 c
1-3/8 bolt .10 c
drill $5
x-acto knife

I first did a test bracket. Then adjusted the back end measurement so there is minimal clearance on the sides. Drilled a hole in the end, tapped aluminum with 3/8" bolt and screwed nut on. I will have the nut spot welded to the bracket tomorrow. I trimmed a notch out of the round plastic bracket with an exacto knife so it would fit flush (very easy)

I only brought one speaker home so I hope this bracket will fit in the can. I will use a dremel and a router bit to trim the round plastic mid bass brackets when I get up north on friday. The brackets took about 10 minutes to bend up in a 3 inch vise.

left is trial center is final right is original
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5959949406_b72f912f46_m.jpg


L is final R is original
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/5959949642_24e56a5b09_m.jpg

L is trial R is original
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5959387573_f09626cf7b_m.jpg

[loudsubz]

Good stuff! I was thinking about bending up a bracket but wasn't sure how much clearance I woul dhave as the coil for the crossover is almost right at the hold where the OEM bolt went through.

[DOCDRS]

Speakers are in, ix500 is in, will get to try them out tomorrow. I used a router to notch out for the mids, messy but quick. I had to enlarge the bracket holes and file down some of the bolt to bracket weld to get a good fit in the can. I tape some rubber to the bottom of the new bracket so the speaker card is on rubber rather than metal. Plus it firms up the back as the foam does loudsubs. It took probably about 3 hours to complete this job. Had to go jet skiing with daughter and then rip apart the rear end as I sucked up a branch into the impeller. So it was a day long experience.
The custom brackets are very tight. There is a 1/8 thick plastic washer that if I removed would have made things easier. I may thin it to 1/16 or maybe not. Things are nice n tight. These are not a drop in upgrade we will see what 750 gets me tomorrow :). I must say they look cool sitting on the tower :)

[deafgoose]

SWEET!

Post some pics of them mounted on the tower when you get a chance!

[DOCDRS]

Well my 18 year and her friends said the sound was crystal clear and loud :). I get my turn after lunch.

[DOCDRS]

more pics

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/docdrs/DSCF0683.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/docdrs/DSCF0686.jpg
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/docdrs/DSCF0687.jpg
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/docdrs/DSCF0690.jpg

[brain_rinse]

Awesome upgrade! I really like that amp, and the speakers are going to be a great upgrade for people like you that already have the cans and just need to upgrade the speakers. Very cool.

[DOCDRS]

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/docdrs/DSCF0689.jpghttp://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/docdrs/DSCF0691.jpg

[philwsailz]

Sweet! Thanks for the pics. The pic of the IX next to the ZX put the size of the amps into good comparison. The IX amps are nice and small. Keep us posted!

Phil
Kicker

[New Guy]

Looks Awesome Doc!

Question though what is the point of the support bracket on the horn? Has there been failures?

[dusty2221]

By the looks of it, the support bracket is what hols the speaker in the can, I don't see a recessed ring like the earlier ones have for the speaker to screw into

[New Guy]

Gotcha after looking again I see what you mean.