BMW 7 series audio install

[Slinger182]

Looks like you are doing some awesome work. And to think I thought I was cool when I intalled a head unit in my girlfriend's Corolla. Can't wait to see this finished.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Thanks man here is more

Today even with the rain i decided to finish the right kick panel. As I sit here recovering from the fumes I think they are going to look good after sanding bondo and paint.

Trimmed the base


Made the ring and started mounting it.


Everything fits good going ahead fro wrapping and fiberglass.


Clearance fleece blanket for 8 bucks. Sorry disney




First coat of fiberglass.

[audiobliss]

It's really coming along!! You should do my car next! :D

I'd love to try out fiberglassing at some point.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Honestly this is my first time doing fiberglass after talking about it over a year. I think just reading reading and asking questions helped me a lot.

Would not mind helping you out with your install. After all last year I was flown to california for an install.

[audiobliss]

Honestly this is my first time doing fiberglass after talking about it over a year. I think just reading reading and asking questions helped me a lot.

Would not mind helping you out with your install. After all last year I was flown to california for an install.

Hahaha, flying out to California for an install...that's pretty awesome.

It'll be a good while before I have anything I deem worthy of putting fiberglass in. I just look forward to trying it out one day.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Added the second layer and will let it set good over night than sand and bondo tomorrow and paint.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Just went down and put a layer of mat and resin over what I just did.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Laid matt down.

[exalted512]

Looks great! A tip for doing kick panels though. I tend to not use fleece as its too thick and can look bulky when put back in the car. Not the shape itself, but where it lines up with the other panels. Can also cause fitting issues as well. Instead, I use grill cloth type material. Very thin, more flexible than fleece to get out all those pesky waves...and it goes on 100x smoother once you have the resin on it.

Keep up the good work!
-Cody

[TouchOfEvil]

Looking good.:)

[bigaudiofanatic]

Looks great! A tip for doing kick panels though. I tend to not use fleece as its too thick and can look bulky when put back in the car. Not the shape itself, but where it lines up with the other panels. Can also cause fitting issues as well. Instead, I use grill cloth type material. Very thin, more flexible than fleece to get out all those pesky waves...and it goes on 100x smoother once you have the resin on it.

Keep up the good work!
-Cody

Thank you for the kind advice. I will keep that in mind.

Always enjoy reading comments.

[DSkip]

Did you have a good source you turn to for fiberglass? A really good write up that you could recommend?

I finally have a completely free weekend next week and will be devoting it to making pods for my tweeters as well as a new box for my subs.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Honestly I talked to many different people first off.

Than read some articles, some were not complete in what to do and others were just to complex.

My own words take your time do not rush and let the resin cure in between coats.

Fiberglass mat is the way to go for what to use. I prefer it over the whisker stuff.

Here are a few links.

THIS ONE after the curing lay down a layer of mat overtop of the fleece.
http://phoenixphorum.com/how-to-buil...els-vt287.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4609577_custom-kick-panels.html

A few other tips, layer up the aluminum foil before you start your base. Also when you put the fleece or matt on, stretch the stuff do not let it sag.

If you have questions please ask.

This place was a bit to much for me but still some good info.
http://www.fiberglassforums.com/

[bigaudiofanatic]

Sub box in and got the rca's wired to the proper wires.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Okay it is....3 A.M. I am tired and half asleep. Considering I had to run errands and was out for almost 3 hours I think I did a lot of work. A friend of mine is away and was kind enough to let me use there garage, as I already house sit. SO picture time.
What the dice and navtv will be wired so the video will also go to the head rests.


Head rests power wires


Powered up


OH a QUARTER!


Removing the rear deck speakers and box so the subs will be able to push air into the cabin.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Where things are going to be ran threw to the trunk


Getting darn time to pull her in for the night shift.


Bondoed the kick panel lots of sanding to do tomorrow.



Had to run another wire threw the door for the woofer being in its own area.


Crossover all wired up.


Bracket made and painted.


Soldered up


Mid installed


Right door all back together.


Left front wires ran.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Well taking a little break so more pictures.

Sanded the kick panel down have to fill in a few spots.


Left side crossover and speakers installed.



Back together.


Started the amp rack


Will probably put two fans one on each side one in and one out for cooling.

Upgraded the ground wire.



Started the left kick panel, going to be a little more complex with the hood release and trunk release button.


Taking a break

[Sherardp]

Nice thread Big A, I saw BMW and started reading the write up from the beginning. Your skills and attention to detail are pretty awesome bro. Keep at it. Looks very good.

[audiobliss]

A lot of progress made so far. Lookin' good! Keep at it!

[bigaudiofanatic]

Routed all the speaker wires to the trunk



Re did the false floor




Tonight I did wire everything up for a audio test. Sounds amazing plenty of bass as well as crystal clear highs. Tomorrow I will sand primer and paint the pods and intall them.

Still to do:

Install rear camera
Paint and permanently install the pods
Wrap the sub box and floor install plexi glass and neon lights

[bigaudiofanatic]

Today has been a bit busy, my father was suppose to deploy for Iraq today but after getting there and waiting 2 hours they had to delay it until tomorrow. Just got back home and will try to get a few things done today even though 5 hours was killed. Just a bit off subject but here is me and him.

[TakeTheTime]

Looks good in the back of your car, dood! :)

[bigaudiofanatic]

To be honest did not get much done today. Between this morning and having to study for a math test tomorrow coming back from spring break, I got a few things done.

Got the left kick panel started and the right one starting the paining.




Mounted the fuse block

[bigaudiofanatic]

Looks good in the back of your car, dood! :)

I only wish it was my car.:D

[audiobliss]

I need an update! I'm suffering from BMW-install update withdrawal!

[bigaudiofanatic]

I need an update! I'm suffering from BMW-install update withdrawal!

Will see what I can do for you. Things are slowing down as of right now. Today will probably install the rear camera and work on the left kick panel. The thing is going to be a bit of a pain to wrap and contour. The dice we are waiting for a harness from the bmw dealer for the ipod audio to work. And the carpet should be here tomorrow. :p

[bigaudiofanatic]

Yesterday and today starting to finish things up.

Power wire ran


iPod cables ran, one is for video and audio the other is for just audio and can be controlled threw the head unit.


Left kick panel going to require some work but will get it done. The hood release and all is a pain to work around.


Wrapped the right panel.



Just a note the metal grill will be put overtop of the speakers.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Got the mat laid on the left panel today will sand it bondo and carpet it.

The trunk got wrapped, the top lip where the indent starts will be shaved for the plexi glass. That is why the carpet there is not defined cleanly.

[bigaudiofanatic]

[audiobliss]

w00t! Coming together, for sure!!