Kenwood DPX-501 installed, and a few other details...

cardesigner · 06-12-2006, 12:15 AM

I received my Kenwood DPX-501 and installed it over the weekend. I love the way it turned out! The install was fairly easy, but since this was my first HU install I took my sweet time. I soldered all the connections which took a while too. It took a few tries to get it to sit right, I ended up having to use a few spacers to bring it out about 1/2" out. I connected my Clarion NICE through the AUX RCA's in the back. Wired it all up and turned the key, and man was I happy when it came alive!

That was the easy part- the bezel was another story. This started as a used XE bezel that was pretty hammered. It had been scraped up and drilled out by the previous owner. He sold it cheap so I got it a few months ago, knowing that I'd need it someday. Well the time came, and I did a test fit as is. It looked ok, but it had a pretty big gap between the HU and bezel. I tried the trim piece that came with the HU but it looked kinda "Circuit City" to me, I wanted something to fit the HU perfect. So the decision was made, out came the dremel, file, bondo, and sandpaper...and I went to work, blending the trim piece into the bezel. This was tricky because the bezel itself is curved all around. I had to add material to make it all even. After about 2 hours of cutting, sanding, fitting, cutting, sanding, bondo, etc, etc, I had a ready to primer piece! A few coats of primer and then I was ready for paint. I was originally going to go with the stock flat interior color, but after thinking about it, I thought the hell with it, go custom. So out came the K11 smoke basecoat and Dupont clear! While I was at it I painted my Clarion NICE housing as well. I think it looks killer! What do you think?

As long as the dash was torn out I installed my external GPS antenna. This made the reception to my NICE much...nicer. I noticed the difference right away!

I also got to work on a underseat DVD player/inverter housing. It was a little ghetto before with things just tossed under there. I started building this with some MDF and glue...now it's received some bondo and a few coats of polyester filler primer. I am still sanding primer, as you can see, it builds THICK but it's great to fill in mass amounts. But before I continue, I have to decide how to finish it. If I cover it with carpet or vinyl, then I'm going to stop sanding! But it might be cool to paint it just like my stereo bezel. Hmm.... I'm going to install a plexiglass top and wire in a computer fan for hot air exhaust and some cool lighting. All this for something that will be hidden under the driver's seat! Oh well, at least I know it's there haha!!! Whatever finish I end up with, I'd like to do a similar finish on my sub box, whenever I get around to that.

Well I'm tired...had enough of the garage for one weekend!

CVTITAN · 06-12-2006, 06:51 AM

Looks greeeaaatttt..........

**konigfritz** · 06-12-2006, 08:08 AM

Good job!! Clean install

grunge311 · 06-12-2006, 09:07 AM

+ respect.

SickWhip · 06-12-2006, 10:05 AM

++ respect! You do great work!

cardesigner · 06-14-2006, 01:03 AM

Thanks for the comments guys. It's really a labor of love for me. It's a lot of fun as long as I have some time.

I have a full Kicker audio system going in soon- amps, subs, components, wiring, the whole deal! I can't wait for the goods, man I might have to take a week off to do it all!