Just upgraded sound system in my 96 Lex GS300

Hello my fellow VipStyle members,
 
I recently got back from San Jose where my baby Lex received a complete sound system upgraded. The shop I picked for this project is no other than Simplicity in Sound, and I'm quite sure many of you are familiar with his awesome work of arts in system installations. Here are some details:
 
The goals: 
 
1. good sound quality on a relatively tight budget
2. clean and fully stealth, with as little room taken up as possible.
 
Let's get started:
 
For HU, I chose the Premier 690UB headunit which resides in the stock location, note the USB cable coming out of the pocket:
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs1.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs1.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
The stock location for the front speakers is pretty bad, i believe 4" stock sizing with not much room, plus its middle of the door...so basically, if you are looking for good SQ, the best approach would be to move away from that location.
 
I already have a set of old school sound stream exact 5.25component sets, these were very nice sound comp sets back in the day, better IMO than anything SS has made in a long long time. Anyway, Bing complimented the set by switching to a set of DLS UR5i 5.25" midbass, and built simple little kicks for them. The driver side was specially tricky since the parking brake pedal still needs to come down: 
 
note also the Phoenix Gold LPL remote bass control knob between the two factory switches on the left end of the dash. 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs2.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs2.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs3.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs3.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs4.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs4.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs5.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs5.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs6.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs6.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
 
The back door speakers, he ran new wires from the headunit to the output side of the stock amp in the trunk, to run them as well. While also removing the stock subwoofer on the rear deck for better venting into the cabin:
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs7.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs7.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
Moving on to the trunk...the first gen GS has a very short, albveit wide and deep trunk (gas tank takes up the front half of the trunk area)...so its tailor fit for a spare tire well enclosure type of stealth install. 
 
Here is the view with the carpet in place, as you can see, floor wasnt raised an inch 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs8.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs8.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
Once you pull the carpet off, you can see a whole new fake floor trimmed in grey carpeting, with a big cutout in the middle. Bing also built a side rack on the passenger side, with two additional covers: 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs9.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs9.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs10.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs10.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
and here is what it looks like with all the covers off. two Nine.2s flank a single image dynamics IDQ10 Version 3 10" sub. With all three under a white vinyl and routed top cover. On the side rack, facing sideways into the trunk, is a Pioneer 12-disc cd changer, while on top, a Phoenix Gold EQ215ix EQ/xover resides. This way, everything can be hidden yet easily accessed for tuning or cd insertion with the removal of a cover.
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs11.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs11.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs12.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs12.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs13.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs13.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs14.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs14.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs15.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs15.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs16.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs16.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL] 
 
and one last pic showing the wiring and assembly neatly mounted under the floor and covers: 
 
[URL="http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs17.JPG"][U][COLOR=#800080]http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/dangs17.JPG[/COLOR][/U][/URL]
 
Let me tell you, this system sounds and performs incredibly awesome, and despite the facts that I drove hundreds of miles for this installation project, it's all well worth the road trip. Not only Bing is a highly respectable installer, but a great guy to work with as well. I hope you all enjoy the thread and pictures -- I know I'm. [IMG]http://clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/woot.gif[/IMG]
 
Danny

how you like them amps>??

Dee - The Element Designs Nine.2 amps are great.  I listened to the radio while driving from San Jose back to San Diego straight 7hrs, the amps felt barely warm unlike other amps I had in the past.  Excellent quality and great price!

clean install !!:biggthumpup:

wow, you went all the way to San Jose for the install??  That's a journey!  Nice setup.  I love the kick panels and the trunk man.

Bing does a great job.  I'm glad you found an awesome guy to work with.

looks great. ive seen alot of his other projects before and they are all clean.

Thank you all for the nice compliments!  It sure was a long drive, but it's all well worth it.  Bing is a great guy with awesome skills.  I would definitely recommend to contact him if anyone is looking to upgrade your sound system.

that would be worth a drive for me! im like 30 minutes from san jose. 
but the set up is super clean. i love the stealth look, not sure bout the kick panels only cause i know people would mess them up.
but like i said super clean set up!!

Is a 30minute drive really that far for Californians?

Nice clean install! I'm doing a system in my brother's 147 right now and am contemplating the design for the sub cabinet. He wants to keep the spare (daily driver) so I'll probably build a small box and stuff it up where the OE sub would normally go (above the fuel tank). The Boston 12 I'm using only requires 1 cubic foot (sealed), so it doesn't have to be very large...

My question for you: it looks like you removed the OE sub for better bass transmission.
Is there a noticeable increase in road noise with the the gaping hole into the trunk?

Also, what dash kit is that? I'm doing a double-DIN Pioneer AVIC unit, so I will have to modify it, but it's nice to at least have something to start with! There is an OE Toyota Japan part for the 161 (I have this in my 2GS alnong with the supplied ISO brackets) but there isn't one for the first-gen GS, so mounting a new head unit is a challenge!

Nice going!

no 30 minutes isnt far. it just sucks cause most of the time in on the road im in traffic (horrible schedule), so that 30 minute drive is now an hour or more with a shitty sound system

I haven't seen anyone make kick panels like that in a while. Love the whole install especially the trunk. Again, something I havent seen in a while is the EQ/X-over setup you have. Do you plan on competing in SQ events or just a audio nut like I am? How long did the total install take? Again, looks excellent and enjoy the new toys!!

SoCalSC4 -- My friend Bing did remove the OEM subwoofer in the rear deck for better bass venting into the cabin.  I don't experience any road noise coming from the back opening at all, nothing but clean, tight, solid bass.  I ordered the Metra dash kit, but according to my installer, he said that he had to modify quite a bit for better fitment.  I could have sworn that I read somewhere here or on another forum that Metra does made double-din kit for the Lexus.  Not sure if the local vendors such as Best Buy, Circuit City carry them in stock yet.
 
 
Delvin -- I'm just an audio fanatic like yourself.  I like to have a nice, clean, stealth installed system just for daily driving or on a road trip.  It took my installer about three and half day to complete the whole setup.  The guy is incredibly talented with awesome skills if I may add.
 
Thank you again for all the great compliments !
 
Danny

SoCalSC4 -- Found the website for the double din kit for our Lex, [URL="http://www.installer.com"]www.installer.com[/URL]  They are based in Houston, TX.  Hope this helps !

[QUOTE=Temptation;115284]SoCalSC4 -- Found the website for the double din kit for our Lex, [URL="http://www.installer.com"]www.installer.com[/URL]  They are based in Houston, TX.  Hope this helps ![/QUOTE]

Fantastic! Thanks a bunch!

[QUOTE=SoCalSC4;114713]Nice clean install! I'm doing a system in my brother's 147 right now and am contemplating the design for the sub cabinet. He wants to keep the spare (daily driver) so I'll probably build a small box and stuff it up where the OE sub would normally go (above the fuel tank). The Boston 12 I'm using only requires 1 cubic foot (sealed), so it doesn't have to be very large...

My question for you: it looks like you removed the OE sub for better bass transmission.
Is there a noticeable increase in road noise with the the gaping hole into the trunk?

Also, what dash kit is that? I'm doing a double-DIN Pioneer AVIC unit, so I will have to modify it, but it's nice to at least have something to start with! There is an OE Toyota Japan part for the 161 (I have this in my 2GS alnong with the supplied ISO brackets) but there isn't one for the first-gen GS, so mounting a new head unit is a challenge!

Nice going![/QUOTE]

Bob-I had experiance with the Boston Pro sub because of its ability to perform in a small air space in my last 147.I made a box of of fiberglass that I draped down over the gas tank and molded it.I then attached the mold to wood that I bolted under the factory 12" hole and dropped the sub through the top and bolted the sub down which sealed the box closer to the bottom of the deck.. It sounded great but I later switched it out for a 12w3 JL..If you need any help let me know..