The owner of this classic 1972 Ford Bronco recently dropped by California Car Sounds and Tint in Campbell to inquire about a new stereo system. We’ve installed audio systems previously for this client, and he was very happy with the results. The truck had a basic radio and speakers, but he wanted a full-blown sound system that would get good and loud, even with the roof off. In fact, the client mentioned that he never has the roof on the vehicle. After looking over the truck and auditioning several products on our displays for him, we put together a proposal that we knew would meet his expectations.
Ford Bronco Stereo Upgrade
We started the project by removing the old single-DIN radio from the dash to make way for an Alpine iLX-F259 multimedia receiver. This Bronco is a perfect application for this radio. The radio chassis fits perfectly in the dash, and the large 9-inch touchscreen display makes it easy to see what’s playing or make adjustments. The radio includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. These voice recognition-based interfaces make it easy to place phone calls or send text messages while driving. The client can also get detailed turn-by-turn navigation instructions from Google Maps or Waze to almost any address or business in North America. CarPlay and Android Auto also provide direct access to streaming services like Pandora, iHeartRadio, Google Play Music, Tidal and Spotify.
The pre-amp output of the Alpine source unit feeds to a five-channel JL Audio M700/5 amplifier. Our fabrication team created a plastic spacer block for the amp out of weather-resistant Sintra and placed the amp under the driver’s seat. The amp produces up to 75 watts to each of the front and rear speakers while delivering as much as 300 watts for the system’s subwoofers. Since this is an M-Series amp, the hardware and chassis of the amp are made from corrosion-resistant materials. It’s not waterproof, but will last much longer than any conventional car audio amplifier.
Off-Road Speaker and Solution
For speakers, we started by mounting a Wet Sounds Stealth-10 Core-B soundbar to the roll cage, just in front of the windshield. Impressively, this speaker enclosure is home to eight midrange speakers and a pair of tweeters that will ensure that midrange and high-frequency audio information will be reproduced clearly, even when the client is driving on the freeway. For rear speakers, our fabrication team created a set of mounting pods for a pair of JL Audio 7.7-inch coaxial marine speakers. The pods are bolted to the sides of the truck, between the center and rear roll cage mounts.
The icing on the cake for this Bronco stereo upgrade is the subwoofer system. Our technicians designed and built a custom enclosure for a JL Audio 10TW3-D8 10-inch subwoofer in the back corner of the truck. To maximize the available space, the team stacked multiple layers of wood to form a contoured enclosure that fit the available space. Once the construction was complete, they rounded all the corners, then finished the enclosure in a durable, weather-resistant truck bedliner spray.
Aftermarket Lighting Control
The client asked if we could tidy up the switches that control the auxiliary light he’d added to the truck. He had four long toggle switches on the dash, and no two of them matched. While these were period-correct in terms of style, the novelty of guessing at which switch controlled which lights had long worn off.
We ordered four custom switches for the client, each labeled with the specific function and icon of its intended purpose. Our fab team made a small ABS panel that allows the new switches to be held securely in the dash.
San Jose’s Classic Vehicle Audio Experts
With the installation complete, our team finished the installation by setting the crossovers and level controls on the amp to maximize the output of the system and ensure smooth frequency response. We called the client to let him know the truck was ready. He was thrilled with the way the new audio system in his Bronco sounds and loved the installation.
If you are interested in upgrading the audio system in your classic vehicle, drop by our store, give us a call or send our team an e-mail using our online contact form.
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