I have shuttle bus with a handicap lift. It is a Ford E450 frame with a National El Dorado body and a 7.3 liter diesel engine. The body is 21 feet long. It has a factory installed radio and four speakers - two in the cab and two more on the back wall. I would like to replace the sound system, add some more speakers, and maybe add a video system. I like suggestions on what components I should consider and whether or not I should attempt the installation myself. Thanks for the help.
Replies (4)
danielm87 on 05/5/2005 19:53:19
I WANT THAT VAN
swez on 05/5/2005 19:59:59
Do you have a budget # in mind yet?
It really depends on how far you wish to dive into this project and how much audio power you desire and how many video monitors are desired.
Can you give us an overview of what you would like to acconplish here. Am sure we can offer a number of options to suit your budget and taste.
As for being a DIY project, the audio part is pretty easy, depending on speaker locations you have to work with and hiding wires. The video part may be a bit more challenging. But we do have a several Pro Installers on the site to guide you in that area as well.
Say more,
Swez
ShuttleBusGuy on 05/6/2005 11:04:46
I have two main goals.
First, I would like to have a sound system that everyone can hear without a lot of distortion. We're not heavy into music equpment. The sound system in our other car cost about $600. The speakers I have now are very basic 6 inch all-in-one. There's a lot of static and they can't be turned up very much before the sound starts to be distorted. There is a lot of noise in the bus at freeway speeds - so right now it's almost impossible to hear the radio. Is there something that can be done to cut down the ambient noise? Would having a few extra speakers distributed along the body help?
For the sound system I'm thinking up to $400 for a cd/dvd/mp3 player and am/fm receiver. And up to $600 for speakers. I'm guessing that a system using component speakers is out of reach because of the size of the bus, the noise level at freeway speed, and our lack of sophistication (we don't appreciate it enough to be worth the cost). I don't know if we would need an amplifier or not.
Second, I'd like a video system to pacify the troops on long trips. I'll probably need two or three monitors (10 inch to 17 inch) so everyone can see. I expect this to be the biggest expense by far.
For the video system I expect to pay $500 to $700 a piece for two or three monitors and $200 to $300 for a dvd player. Can the movie dvd player do a respectable job on music cd's?
I'm putting in a lightweight luggage rack over the seats. I should be able to put speakers there and there is good access to wiring all the way back on both sides of the bus.
The installation porcess does not concern me as much as knowing what to install.
Thanks again for the advice.
Greg
swez on 05/10/2005 13:24:14
Should be able to find a very usable HU for under $250. Consider Alpine or Pioneer to be safe bets.
As for road noise.... the only way to cure it (reduce it) is to dampen all the panels and flooring. I would think a good spray on deadener might be useful here. E-dead has a product that is somewhat cheaper than any mat systems and much less time to do the work as well. Tuff Kote truck bed liner material is a good option as well. The more exterior noise you can block out, the better you can hear the audio system in any vehicle.
Amping speakers is a very good option as well. More clean power to speakers will greatly improve sound performance here too. Since you already have Coaxials, if you can enclose them (say 0.3 cf/speaker)
Depending on how many speakers you wish to power, consider 1 channel per speaker used. Power rating of amp can be 35-50 Wrms per channel @ 4 ohms will be plenty and not break your budget.
As for Video... cannot help much there. Not enough experience on that one to give you solid recommendations. Comments?
Swez
Replies (4)
danielm87 on 05/5/2005 19:53:19
I WANT THAT VAN
swez on 05/5/2005 19:59:59
Do you have a budget # in mind yet?
It really depends on how far you wish to dive into this project and how much audio power you desire and how many video monitors are desired.
Can you give us an overview of what you would like to acconplish here. Am sure we can offer a number of options to suit your budget and taste.
As for being a DIY project, the audio part is pretty easy, depending on speaker locations you have to work with and hiding wires. The video part may be a bit more challenging. But we do have a several Pro Installers on the site to guide you in that area as well.
Say more,
Swez
ShuttleBusGuy on 05/6/2005 11:04:46
I have two main goals.
First, I would like to have a sound system that everyone can hear without a lot of distortion. We're not heavy into music equpment. The sound system in our other car cost about $600. The speakers I have now are very basic 6 inch all-in-one. There's a lot of static and they can't be turned up very much before the sound starts to be distorted. There is a lot of noise in the bus at freeway speeds - so right now it's almost impossible to hear the radio. Is there something that can be done to cut down the ambient noise? Would having a few extra speakers distributed along the body help?
For the sound system I'm thinking up to $400 for a cd/dvd/mp3 player and am/fm receiver. And up to $600 for speakers. I'm guessing that a system using component speakers is out of reach because of the size of the bus, the noise level at freeway speed, and our lack of sophistication (we don't appreciate it enough to be worth the cost). I don't know if we would need an amplifier or not.
Second, I'd like a video system to pacify the troops on long trips. I'll probably need two or three monitors (10 inch to 17 inch) so everyone can see. I expect this to be the biggest expense by far.
For the video system I expect to pay $500 to $700 a piece for two or three monitors and $200 to $300 for a dvd player. Can the movie dvd player do a respectable job on music cd's?
I'm putting in a lightweight luggage rack over the seats. I should be able to put speakers there and there is good access to wiring all the way back on both sides of the bus.
The installation porcess does not concern me as much as knowing what to install.
Thanks again for the advice.
Greg
swez on 05/10/2005 13:24:14
Should be able to find a very usable HU for under $250. Consider Alpine or Pioneer to be safe bets.
As for road noise.... the only way to cure it (reduce it) is to dampen all the panels and flooring. I would think a good spray on deadener might be useful here. E-dead has a product that is somewhat cheaper than any mat systems and much less time to do the work as well. Tuff Kote truck bed liner material is a good option as well. The more exterior noise you can block out, the better you can hear the audio system in any vehicle.
Amping speakers is a very good option as well. More clean power to speakers will greatly improve sound performance here too. Since you already have Coaxials, if you can enclose them (say 0.3 cf/speaker)
Depending on how many speakers you wish to power, consider 1 channel per speaker used. Power rating of amp can be 35-50 Wrms per channel @ 4 ohms will be plenty and not break your budget.
As for Video... cannot help much there. Not enough experience on that one to give you solid recommendations. Comments?
Swez
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