I actually just grabbed various fasteners from under the hood to test size - I took a 10 mm that was holding this support above the second battery location and it fit perfectly.
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Want to take my 2010 Yukon XL Denali with 180,000 miles for a family trip from Michigan To Florida - Can you help me make this a success!
- Thread starter bobby2175
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Have a new question - I'm trying to get the most out of my Bose system in the Denali but don't want to replace the stock amp or head unit before I leave for my trip as I need to do a lot more reading about some of the issues like steering wheel controls, etc.
But I am interested in making a first step by upgrading the speakers and perhaps looking at the rest of the system next year.
First - is this even possible to make the system sound better without swapping out the stock amp? If it is possible, can you suggest some good speakers to upgrade to?
I don't really know anything here, so any advice would be great!
My kids and I spend a lot of time in the truck and we like our music loud, crisp and sounding amazing!
I'm good with spending some money on this if the sound quality improves significantly.
But I am interested in making a first step by upgrading the speakers and perhaps looking at the rest of the system next year.
First - is this even possible to make the system sound better without swapping out the stock amp? If it is possible, can you suggest some good speakers to upgrade to?
I don't really know anything here, so any advice would be great!
My kids and I spend a lot of time in the truck and we like our music loud, crisp and sounding amazing!
I'm good with spending some money on this if the sound quality improves significantly.
swathdiver
Full Access Member
I recently replaced all of my speakers save for the subwoofer with OE Bose speakers and they definitely made a difference in sound quality in my fifteen year old truck. More bass now too. Some companies in the past made replacement door speaker kits that bolted right up but are not made anymore. During my learning, all the aftermarket speakers have to be modified or adapters used to attach then to our truck, same for the connectors. Being quite ignorant on the subject of stereo system and having a hard time learning it, I stuck with GM OE.
iamdub
Full Access Member
I was about to tag James but he gave you his witness. My experience with my '08 was the speakers sounded great but a little weak. I replaced the HU with a Pioneer with plenty of sound shaping capabilities (13-band EQ). It's louder and more clear now. I've always done full sound systems in my vehicles but this one actually satisfies me as-is so I've left it alone. I did add a nice Alpine amp and sub for fun, though.
One thing to note is that the stock Bose system operates on oddball impedances, like 2.9Ω and others between the woofers and tweeters. So, replacing the speakers with the usual 4Ω ones would result in lower output unless they were super efficient. I don't know how the amp would hold up with straight 2Ω speakers. More output, for sure. But also would run hotter. Safest bet is to replace with new OEM speakers or aftermarket HU or both. There are other popular benefits to an aftermarket HU such as Bluetooth audio streaming and much improved back up camera and display quality. The features and functions are only limited by your wallet.
I was actually looking on crutchfied and came across these infinity speakers - Kappa 603CF. I noticed some people in the forums here talk about infinity positively plus I liked how they had a 3 year warranty. The reviews sounded encouraging as well.
Was thinking of starting with replacing the 4 door speakers and see where I go from there (want to do these before the trip) but can see going broader into the head unit, amp, sub, etc but won't get into this other stuff before the trip. My one challenge is that I won't be able to put anything in the trunk space as we usually travel with a lot of stuff for 7 of us.
These look like they hit at 3Ω.
Do you think these would make a difference and with the included wiring harness and some minor mods - are these an easy install?
Was thinking of starting with replacing the 4 door speakers and see where I go from there (want to do these before the trip) but can see going broader into the head unit, amp, sub, etc but won't get into this other stuff before the trip. My one challenge is that I won't be able to put anything in the trunk space as we usually travel with a lot of stuff for 7 of us.
These look like they hit at 3Ω.
Do you think these would make a difference and with the included wiring harness and some minor mods - are these an easy install?
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iamdub
Full Access Member
I was actually looking on crutchfied and came across these infinity speakers - Kappa 603CF. I noticed some people in the forums here talk about infinity positively plus I liked how they had a 3 year warranty. The reviews sounded encouraging as well.
Was thinking of starting with replacing the 4 door speakers and see where I go from there (want to do these before the trip) but can see going broader into the head unit, amp, sub, etc but won't get into this other stuff before the trip. My one challenge is that I won't be able to put anything in the trunk space as we usually travel with a lot of stuff for 7 of us.
These look like they hit at 3Ω.
Do you think these would make a difference and with the included wiring harness and some minor mods - are these an easy install?
I'm a fan Infinity, especially their Kappa line. Really, I like most all of Harman's brands. I have no experience installing those speakers so I can't comment on that. What I can say is if you're gonna have the door panels off to do audio upgrades, I'd strongly recommend sound insulation and damping. Doing this, alone (and properly), will make a drastic improvement even with the stock speakers, assuming they're not rotted or blown. You could travel rabbit holes for days researching the well-known brands (Dynamat, Fatmat, Kilmat, Second Skin to name a very few) and there are a few offerings on Amazon (Noico is the popular one there) that seem to be impressive underdogs. Resonix from Skizer was one I was really looking in to.
Yes, for sure on the sound deadening. I've been researching it over the past couple of days and maybe I'll start with that and then move on to speakers and the rest of the system next year.
Question on the sound deadening - in watching several videos, I've seen some people cover the entire door panel and I've seen others stating you only need to cover 30%. Which is the right answer or is it somewhere in between? I'm pretty detailed in everything I do, so I'm good with covering the entire door and doing it right, but wasn't sure about the best methodology.
Also, is it true that I should wait for warmer weather for it to adhere better?
iamdub
Full Access Member
I plan to do both to achieve both functions. Covering the entire panel would muffle sound transmitted through the thin sheet metal while tiling would stop the resonance of the panel itself. Technically/scientifically, they're the same in physical aspects. But each has they're own purpose. I only wanna take the door apart once so I'd rather go ham while I'm in there. I'll use a thinner material on the door skin then tile over that with heavier stuff.
This kind of stuff typically does adhere better when warmer. Just see what the manufacturer recommends on whichever product you choose. It'd be worth it to me to heat up the garage to the ~60s or so and enjoy the winter project. Keep the insulation inside your house so it's warm, pliable and sticky until you're ready to install it.
IIRC, the Denali's have additional sound deadening materials and insulation already installed. I know ours are both very quiet going down the highway. I've never felt the need to upgrade the sound insulation in either of ours. Makes me wonder what the difference between it and SLT/SLE models really is.
Well, I'm going to go down this rabbit hole over the next couple of weeks and do some overkill with it because I'm a little curious and interested. My brother used to do a bunch with acoustics, so I'm going to give it a go.
I agree that it's pretty quiet in the Denali. I don't have much in expectations going in, but I'll see what's there already. The one thing I will say though is that when I'm in the Denali and using my bluetooth headset (vs the in truck mic), it picks up enough wind noise that it's ANC distorts my voice so that people on the other side cannot clearly understand me. When I'm in my wife's Acura, I don't have this issue. I'm sure it's nothing and I'll make little progress here, but if sounds like a fun project.
Are there better mics than the stock mic when using bluetooth in the Yukon? Even that one sounds terrible on the other side.
Are phone app dB apps accurate enough to do a before and after?
