Upgrading the "Big 3", please help!

[HiJackZX1]

Originally Posted by AudioNutz

If you like, you can use a 10ga or 8ga cable for the body ground that you are going to leave in place. It's good to have a body ground, but it doesn't need to be nearly as large as your chassis ground. (I didn't even bother with improving mine)

I am not even going to touch it, it feels so brittle that if I try to change it, its going to break 100%.

Yes, go to the chassis. Going to any sheetmetal (For a serious ground) is a waste of time. Usually the torx bolts for the seatbelt mounts go through all the way to the chassis. I usually check these out, and use them as a rear ground if they look like they're going through to the chassis. (Be sure that you scrape off all the paint/grease/undercoating to get the best contact possible. If the final ground point ends up being on the exterior of the passenger compartment, be sure to re-undercoat the entire thing to prevent corrosion like you're going to get on your battery terminals.)

Well... You're likely to get ground loop noise if you do it that way. (Sometimes you get lucky, and won't get noise) I would suggest running a 10ga ground cable from these front devices (I'm assuming that by "Front" you mean passenger compartment) to the same chassis ground point that you finally end up with for the amplifiers in back. This will be your best shot at avoiding the potential for noise. (Ground loop)

All that I know, and will check on.... I am interested in the noise though. Is it wise to have a ground run to the back? I was always told that ground runs should be as short as possible, but I am noticing that people with big installs, actually run a second wire for the ground. In the past I have had major noise, to the point I had to have ground loop isolators on all audio channels. This was the reason for me redoning all this. Which way is actually the correct, safe and good way? If I can eliminate the noise, I would rather do a second run for the ground. Just to clarify, the AMPS, and 2 power suplies are at the very back of the Durango. The Main computer is in the center of the truck (It took the place of the middle second row seat) but then all the wires to all devices, which includes the PC, all screens, HD radio, XM, DQP, and lots of cameras, are all connected to a electrical type panel. From there they go to another ground point in the floor. Should I rerun that main ground also and lead it to the same point as everything else I have added?

I am sorry if my questions are dumb, I am a newb at this stuff and I dont want to roll down the street and explode, lol.

Thought i'd throw in some pix, here is the initial install:

[AudioNutz]

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

I am not even going to touch it, it feels so brittle that if I try to change it, its going to break 100%.

What is brittle? If you're talking about the ground, then brittle means useless.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

...I am interested in the noise though. Is it wise to have a ground run to the back? I was always told that ground runs should be as short as possible, but I am noticing that people with big installs, actually run a second wire for the ground...

It's true the grounds should be as short as possible, but they must also me at the same ground potential. The best way to guarantee the same ground potential, is to have the same ground location.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

...In the past I have had major noise, to the point I had to have ground loop isolators on all audio channels...

After seeing those pictures, I'm not surprised. In your case, since you are using something not meant for car audio use, I would bet you would need to do some 'trickery' with your RCA shielding even if you didn't have a ground loop. Fix the grounds first, then if you still have noise, we'll get you through the rest.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

...Just to clarify, the AMPS, and 2 power suplies are at the very back of the Durango. The Main computer is in the center of the truck (It took the place of the middle second row seat) but then all the wires to all devices, which includes the PC, all screens, HD radio, XM, DQP, and lots of cameras, are all connected to a electrical type panel. From there they go to another ground point in the floor. Should I rerun that main ground also and lead it to the same point as everything else I have added?

Yes. (And don't let it be grounded near where it is mounted either, as this will re-introduce the ground loop)

[HiJackZX1]

AudioNutz, I think I understand. Thanx for pointing out that ground issue. I would never have paid attention to it. This is all starting to become clear, but let me make sure. Basically I can have multiple ground points, but as long as they all run onto a common place. I looked under the truck and saw the chassis runs from front to back with no breaks. So if I can attach the battery to the chassis and then everything else to the chassis, that should do the trick. I can have a short run and be connected to a common point. So the only run I would have to extend is the 4 gauge run for the main pc, because I would still want the ground to connect to the same side as everything else so its all evenly distributed. Have I got this correct?

[loudrango]

hijack,what do you have stashed in the pill bottle?

[HiJackZX1]

Originally Posted by loudrango

hijack,what do you have stashed in the pill bottle?

LOL, actually I think its the other way around, what dont I have stashed in the pill bottle...... BACK ON TOPIC!!!!!

[energumeno]

just to let you know that this is a great post, very informative.

I am thinking on doing my "big 3" upgrade in the near future and with this post I have all the information i needed.

[HiJackZX1]

I never posted the pix of it just about finished.

I replaced all the mickey mouse terminals with heavy terminals that you screw to the wire. Also bought better inline fuse holders. Turns out the lightning audio one I had was cr@ppy.




I still have to add a battery to chassis, since the factory one sucks, and I also want to add a engine to chassis ground, just in case. I know its overkill but it doesnt hurt either.

Next step is to run a 12V 0 gauge to the rear for my 4 amps and 7 PC units.

I used ground points from the bumper supports for the rear, not sure if its a good place. I figured its good since its directly on the chassis. I did the front PC ground on a seat belt bolt. Still a bit more to do, but getting there.

[Jasonb61]

Nice read

[catdaddy614]

this should be moved to sticky.

[Jasonb61]

Originally Posted by catdaddy614

this should be moved to sticky.

I agree!

HiJackZX1, Where did you get those end rings? Did they fit in the PDC? I have an 01 and am unsure if I could get a ring to find in there with 0 gauge wire