The Low-Down on the Ghetto Grocery Getter
I was given my parent�s 1990 Ford Taurus station-wagon at the end of my junior year in high school. Yes, at first, I was extremely hesitant about driving a baby-blue station wagon around town. However, in time, I knew this car had potential. I have always been interested in electronics, and with the aid of some of my friends, I finally decided to invest in a bare-bones audio system. I first purchased a Clarion CD deck. However, I was very unsatisfied with the joystick dial system for the volume and tuner controls. I had to send my deck back and get it replaced very soon after my original purchase. My next purchase was a Rockford Fosgate 1st series amp (60 watts x2) and a pair of 6.5 in Kicker Substations. Although 6.5 inch drivers might sound small, these babies actually hit very hard. I had them strategically placed in the locking tire-well in the floor of my trunk. Well my Fosgate burned out 2 years later and had to be sent back to be fixed. As that was happening, I opted to buy a new amp, a MTX 280. This thing has been great. I have had no problems with this. Its clean, hard hitting, and cost only $175!!! When I received my old amp back from the factory, I ran it through the head-unit to power all my replaced high-ends (MTX coaxials 6.5in). At that time I also bought a JL 12W1 sub and prefab box. Unfortunately, I kept on blowing out subs b/c the box was too small. So as a result, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I measured out my tire-well and designed and built a correct volume sealed box for a JL 12WO. I used spray-on dynamat-type product over the metal tire-well to cut down on rattling and to also force the sound up, into the car interior. Lastly I made a carpeted baffle-board and placed this on top of the box to make it look clean. I am extremely satisfied with this setup. The only recent addition is a new JVC El Kameleon CD head unit (JVC KD-LX10) to replace my dead Clarion. This radio is super sharp!

Update Nov 3rd, 2000!!!:
Just added a Lightning Audio .5 Farad Capacitor to save my lights (connected to MTX 280)

Update Feb, 2000
Total overhaul!!! This is a constant fixer-upper...lol. First, the JVC head unit locked up...and thanks to the Best Buy 4yr replacement plan...I chose to upgrade to the Sony M600 deck. This thing is awsome. Well the MTX amp died as well...so I replaced it. At the same time...I got fed up w/ the Vega sub so went back to JL. Also added a pair of running fog lamps. Hopefully will have new pictures up soon.

New CD Deck: Sony M600
New Amp: Lanzar Vibe 240 (for sub)
New Sub: JL W-0 12in
New Speakers: Clarion 6.5 coaxals in front and back

Me and my car

My car on campus during a snow storm

My Trunk

System diagram

Other Additions:
- Yakama bike rack for my Specialized Stumpjumper mt. bike
- Bel radar detector
- Cellphone Speakerphone for my StarTac

There are very old pics...will add newer photos soon.