2004 Dodge Ram 2500

Not everything built to impress an audience has to be impractical. When Alpharetta, GA, resident and audio enthusiast Rodney Findley decided to do up his 2004 Dodge Ram 2500, he specifically wanted a "straightforward" installation. Four inverted subs in the truck's center console may not fit everyone's definition of straightforward, but this long-term sound competitor isn't your average Dodge Ram driver.

Regardless of how elaborate the install would end up looking, Findley wanted easy access to the Xplod gear for maintenance - that's his idea of practical. With the Sony-sponsored truck on display at SEMA and other venues, any piece of equipment that broke down after hours of use and travel had to be easy to fix. In addition to this accessibility, Findley's original plan called for four racing seats, a team of subwoofers and a bank of amps. Here's how the install fell into place.

Driver: CADD designer Rodney Findley has a decade of experience in car audio competitions. Even though he's only 30 years old, Findley has retired from the competition circuit, moving on to show vehicles only. Sponsored by Sony with an appearance at SEMA in 2006, this Dodge Ram is rarely driven. When it does get out, Findley says he listens to a variety of music "at various volumes, all depending on the mood and sometimes the weather." Thanks go to Audio Designs, Holy Smoke Racing, Sony Xplod, Monster Cable, Dynamat, Street Glow and Optima Batteries.

Shop: Audio Designs of Atlanta, GAOwner: Jeff SmithInstallers: Calvin Thomas, Dave Dobson

The Sony XAV-C1 flip-out head unit was ISO-mounted in the stock location and sends a signal along the Monster Cable wires that were used throughout the installation. Other accessories include Dynamat everywhere and a pair of Optima YellowTop batteries, one to replace the factory battery and the other to provide additional energy.

Under the direction of lead installer Calvin Thomas, the Audio Designs of Atlanta crew set about trying to house the four subwoofers plus six amps. Thomas realized that despite removing the original seats in favor of four smaller racing versions, there still wouldn't be enough room for all that gear. They decided to place the amps in the ceiling (more on that later) and focus on creating the sub enclosure.