Jaw-dropping Audio Upgrade for Colonial Heights Dodge Durango Client

A client from Colonial Heights recently returned to Extreme Audio in Midlothian to discuss moving the audio system we had installed in his Lexus RX350 into a brand-new Dodge Durango. The client wanted similar performance in terms of system output capabilities and bass. We scheduled an appointment to remove the audio equipment from the Lexus, and once he took possession of the Dodge, our installation team inspected the new vehicle so we could come up with a plan to make it sound amazing!

Audiofrog Speaker Upgrade

The Audiofrog 6×9 speakers were a huge improvement in output and quality.

Audiofrog 1″ tweeters were the perfect fit for the sail panels.

The rear doors were upgraded with coaxial speakers.

We started the installation by removing the factory speakers from the Durango to make way for GS- and GB-Series speakers from Audiofrog. We installed the Audiofrog GS690 6×9-inch woofers from his Lexus in the stock locations in the front doors. A set of foam acoustic coupling rings on outside of the speaker focuses the output of the drivers into the vehicle through the grille in the door panel.

The Lexus had a set of GB15 tweeters in the upper portion of the door. The factory tweeter pods in the Dodge Durango are a perfect fit for the 1-inch Audiofrog GB10 tweeter, so we swapped them out for the client. All we had to do was remove the mesh grill from the pod, and the new tweeters dropped right into place.

To round out the sound in the truck, we installed the GS62 6.5-inch coaxial speakers from the Lexus in the rear doors. We added acoustic coupling gaskets around the speakers and used a few sheets of damping material on the factory mounting bracket to ensure the foundation was solid.

JL Audio System Amplifiers

Processing and speaker amplification was handled by the JL Audio VXi amplifier.

A wooden bridge was fabricated to hold the xD amplifier.

Factory mounting spots were used to mount the amplifier bridge.

The two amplifiers provide the system with tons of clean power.

Setting up the VXi processor was easy with the JL Audio TuN software.

We tuned the system to an ear-pleasing curve.

Upgrading the sound system in the Lexus was complicated by the up-mixer integrated into the factory audio system. PAC makes a digital interface for the radio in the Dodge that makes it much easier to upgrade. We used PAC’s AmpPRO4 AP4-CH41 Amplifier Integration interface to provide a clean, processing-free signal to the pair of JL Audio amplifiers.

A VX600/6i six-channel amplifier is connected to the factory source unit using a PAC AP4-CH41 audio interface and provides dedicated amplification channels to the tweeters, woofers and coaxial speakers. The VXi amplifier includes advanced digital signal processing that allows us to configure and tune the audio system.

The subwoofer in the truck is powered by a JL Audio XD1000/1v2 1000-watt amplifier. The amp is mounted above the VXi amp on a wooden bridge. The bridge gives the six-channel amp adequate space so that it will cool properly while making both amps easy to access for tuning.

Two runs of Stinger 4 AWG power wire feed the system amps, and we were able to ground the system to the chassis just a few inches away from the amp rack to ensure excellent power delivery. We used Stinger 4000-series twisted-pair interconnects to feed audio signals from the PAC interface to the VXi amp and from the output of the VX600/6i to the XD1000/1v2 subwoofer amp.

High-Output Subwoofer System

Our fabricators went to extra lengths to make sure the enclosure was sturdy.

The new enclosure looked great in the hatch of the Durango!

The client wanted solid bass performance from the system that would get loud and play low. We created a custom vented subwoofer enclosure for a single JL Audio 12W7 sub. To handle the incredible pressures this monster sub can create, we doubled-up on the thickness of the front panel of the enclosure and added internal bracing to join the rear panel to the front.

The enclosure is wrapped in a durable black trunk liner carpet. The area around the sub is finished in carbon-fiber textured vinyl. We added a chrome trim piece where the vinyl meets the carpet at the accent trim ring that surrounds the subwoofer. A set of JL SGR-12W7-ROD-RP aluminum rods act as a protection for the sub.

Dodge Durango Audio System Upgrade

After three long days of work, the Dodge Durango audio system was installed, tuned and ready to go back to the client. He was thrilled with the way the subwoofer enclosure looked and loved how perfectly the tweeters fit in the dash. The bass from the big JL sub delivered the low-frequency extension he wanted, and the overall tonal balance was spot-on for his tastes! If you live in the Richmond area and are looking for a premium audio system upgrade for your car, truck or SUV, drop by Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville or Midlothian and speak with one of our Product Specialists.