getting ready for install

**Bigmaxxin** · 09-24-2004, 07:06 PM

ok guys, the time has finally come, i will have the rest of the required money in about 2 to 3 weeks, and then it will start. I have a 96 Grand Cherokee in which, i will be putting the computer under one of the rear seats, and mounting the screen up where the radio goes. (i will not be fiberglassing). i am also planning on putting 2 12's in the rear but this is where my questions start. I am planning on running 2 batteries, 1- will be the one in the engine bay running obviously the engine, and minor accessories (i.e neons, the screen, and small peripherals) and the 2nd, will will have a battery cutoff?(i forget what it is called, but it also charges when the car is on, but does not assist in starting) and that battery will be an optima yellowtop. Ok and my first question, will it be ok if i run the ground cable to the front of the car, and ground it on the frame in the front? Otherwise i have to drill through the body and ground it on the frame in the rear. Second question, have there been any issues with 4 wheeling with a carputer, is there any product i can use the dampen it? Third question, how much does dynamatting the roof and floor actually help, i was going to just dynamat the doors and call it done but i am questioning that. Fourth question, does anyone have any box installs in a grand cherokee, that i can check out? sorry about the length, i just want this to be done right. thanks in advance!

**nirvanades** · 09-24-2004, 07:18 PM

Dynamat helps significantly, but it is costly and depending on what you are going to use your stereo system for - just turn it up a bit to get rid of the road noise! No, but it helps A LOT - but is expensive.

Why do you want another battery? Just because? you can run a ground wire back to the front of your car for grounding, but it isn't difficult to drill through a body panel, place a grommet and feed the wire through so you can ground on the frame back there...

If you are concerned about your amps getting the juice - just use a large capacitor.

**Bigmaxxin** · 09-24-2004, 07:50 PM

i want another battery so that i can run the system or whatever for longer, and not really have to worry about the main battery. the only concern i have as far as dynamat, my car rattles now with the stock infinity system(fairly minor like door panels and windows) but how much worse will it get when i have my subs?

**nirvanades** · 09-24-2004, 07:54 PM

uh - A LOT! Subs will definetely make your car rattle. You can lay dynamat around your speakers and behind the cone inside your doors, that will help a little. I thought about a second battery too - so I can keep it running when the car is off - but you will definetely want it to tap into the alternator - so you may need a new alternator. Call a local Delco or Interstate dealership... ask about deep cycle batteries - my bro has one for his stereo and it was an awesome investment. They use them on boats and in RVs for continued power.

**ppgt94** · 09-24-2004, 08:00 PM

If you want to save some money you might want to get a gel battery (same kind as optima yellow) from a powered wheel chair or scooter. Check this thread for more info: you dont necessarily need a voltage regulated PSU

Originally Posted by bigbertha

i always shudder at the thought of putting a lead-acid battery anywhere near the inside of my car, deep-cycle or otherwise, and would never do it on a permanent basis, but gel batteries are different again. you can put them in upside down if you want and are much more resilient to long periods of discharge.

gels are normally three times the cost but this is where the free bit comes in. gels are used in wheelchairs so i rang up a wheelchair repair place. it turns out that wheelchair owners are particularly paranoid about running out of juice so they regularly replace their batteries leaving this bloke with rack fulls of nearly new batteries he cant get rid of. he gave me a 110 amp hour battery for nothing, not as big as you'd think but anyway ive got a big SUV so boot space isnt an issue. theres a whole range of sizes though, right down to 25 amp hour one which is not much bigger than an ATX PSU.

Running a ground to the front of the car is a bad idea. That will most likely introduce more (electrical) noise into the system. The idea is to run as short of a ground wire as possbile.

**Bigmaxxin** · 09-25-2004, 02:14 PM

Running a ground to the front of the car is a bad idea. That will most likely introduce more (electrical) noise into the system. The idea is to run as short of a ground wire as possbile and use the least amount of grounding points

that is what i was afraid of. so i have another question, can i use one of the bolts that bolts the body to the frame as a ground?

**ppgt94** · 09-25-2004, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Bigmaxxin

that is what i was afraid of. so i have another question, can i use one of the bolts that bolts the body to the frame as a ground?

Yes. Make sure it's not dirty or covered in paint. If it's painted I would suggest sanding/grinding to get a good connection.

**Bigmaxxin** · 09-25-2004, 03:32 PM

yeah i know to do that. well i just gotta figure what screen i want, and what i want to do as far as an amp rack, but pretty much everything else was answered. thanx a bunch guys.

**CustomZ02** · 09-25-2004, 06:01 PM

Id say spend the extra bucks and get the dynamat. I put some dynamat in my cousins 04 Mustang GT cause it rattled like hell especially the wing. Put it all inside the trunk and on the trunk lid and it solved it all. Made the 12s sound alot better too. Its a good investment, if I have the cash to spare I would do it.