Full-On 2004 GMC 2500 Diesel Truck Buildup, Part 2 - Build It Continued...

Memphis Car Audio Install
The stock system in our ’04 GMC Sierra 2500 HD is a decent upgraded system. But when we had the opportunity for Steve at Definitive Audio in Phoenix to install top-notch products from Memphis Car Audio, we couldn’t resist. You have to do the “not so fun” stuff first. Definitive Audio removed all four door panels. The front door panels have two bolts—one behind the lock and the other behind the door grab handle. The rear doors have three bolts—the same two locations, and one more in the bottom corner of the door panel.

All of the plastic was removed in order to run wires from the front to the back. That includes kick panels, dash panel, B-post, C-post, and under the rear windshield.

When removing the stock head unit, we had to add a BUS connection so the power seats, On Star, and so on would still work. You will also have to add an IR steering-wheel controller so the stock steering-wheel controls will still work. Steve put the IR sensor in the overhead console for easy access.

Eclipse sent us a CD3200 to install in our 8-Lug project truck. This head unit has Bluetooth technology, an MP3 connection, satellite radio direct connect, and many more cool gadgets.

After removing the rear stock speakers, Steve removed the stock mounting plate. To make the new Memphis Car Audio speakers fit, he ran the stock mounting plates across a belt sander to flatten out the high spots.

Then he used a jigsaw to make the hole a little bigger in the stock plate. The magnet on the Memphis Car Audio component was bigger than the stock speaker.

The wires needed to be run next. The heavy-duty Memphis Car Audio wire is all laid out.

Run the amp power wire from the engine compartment, through the firewall, and to the back seat.

Make sure to use a 200-amp fuse for your amp power wire.

Steve then removed the rear air returns (behind the back seat) and the hinged carpeted pieces. This will allow maximum room for the new speaker box.

Steve made a one-off box for the three Memphis Car Audio 10-inch woofers. It’s important to read the instructions that come with the woofers. The information will tell you how much space you’ll need for the type of box you are making.

To dress the box up, Steve wrapped it with carpet to match the stock interior.

He then made an all-metal frame. The frame is custom-made to fit the two Memphis Car Audio amps and the wire splitter under the rear seat.

Black plastic was heated and bent. He mounted the plastic to the metal amp frame to house the crossovers.

The rear Memphis Car Audio components were installed next.

The front door panel was a little different. Steve installed the Memphis Car Audio tweeter in the door panel next to the component.

The install was complete. Don’t let this relatively short tech article confuse you. This was a 10-hour install over two days. Steve is very experienced and builds some of the nicest interiors and stereo installs for SEMA and CES participants. He has done several installs in this same type of truck and is very knowledgeable in his field. He makes it look easy.

He then wired the three 10-inch woofers together and then to the amp. This makes for optimal sound.

All the wires that were run to the back seat were installed in the new Memphis Car Audio amps.

Andersen Hitch Install
Installing the Andersen Rapid Hitch with Alumiball was a snap. This will make your truck look great and you will be ready to tow anything.

After opening the plastic pack, we set the locking Andersen pins aside.

We placed the long, adjustable, Andersen hitch in the truck’s receiver.

The locking pin was then placed through the receiver face to secure the hitch.

We placed the aluminum pin through the Alumiball and the Alumiball Adapter.

We set the Alumiball in the correct position.

Now we were ready to tow the heaviest of loads.